DENVER, Aug. 28 DNCC-Wedgeworth-Rmks
DENVER, Aug. 28 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following is a transcript
of a speech, as prepared for delivery, by Elbra Wedgeworth at the Democratic
National Convention on Thursday, August 28, 2008:
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080331/DNCCLOGO )
Scheduled for delivery: August 28, 2008 - 4:00-5:00 pm MT
EMBARGOED FOR RELEASE ON DELIVERY
Elbra Wedgeworth
Democratic National Convention
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Remarks as Prepared for Delivery
Good afternoon. It's great to be with you today at Mile High Stadium. And
I gotta tell you, right now I feel a mile high.
I want to tell you about a young African-American girl who grew up in
Denver's poorest neighborhoods but had the support of a loving family to make
her dreams come true. This girl grew into a woman who served on the Denver
City Council and during that period joined her colleagues to compete for the
Democratic National Convention, to bring it to her hometown. And now that
woman stands before you today, in this wonderful stadium, on this historic
day, when we will hear from the next President of the United States, to
welcome America to my hometown, Denver, Colorado.
As president of the Denver 2008 Convention Host Committee, and on behalf
of all the residents of Denver, it's been our pleasure to have you as our
guests this week. We hope that you have gotten to know our great city and our
wonderful state of Colorado a little better, and that you'll come back again.
We call this the New West; the states of Colorado, New Mexico, Utah,
Nevada and Arizona, all battlegrounds in this critical election. We bring new
energy and new opportunity through our innovation, our ideas and our passion
for change. And in November, it's that energy of the New West that will
deliver the change we need when we help America send Barack Obama to the White
House.
Denver has always been a proud Democratic city, one that believes in
diversity. From its first Hispanic mayor, Federico Pena, to its first black
mayor, Wellington Webb, to our current mayor and my friend, John Hickenlooper,
we elect leaders based on their ability to deliver the change we need. And on
November 4, Denver is going to deliver for Barack Obama.
And I know Denver is not alone. Let me ask you: Are you ready for a
change? Are you ready to elect Joe Biden and Barack Obama? As Nelson Mandela
once said "it's the light, not the darkness, that most frightens us." As
individuals we need to find that light within ourselves. As Michelle Obama
said earlier this week, it's time to stop doubting and start dreaming. And on
this, the 45th anniversary of Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" speech, we
have a chance to make this dream come true.
So it's time to campaign like we've never campaigned before. Let's do what
we are destined to do and honor the legacy of all who have made this historic
candidacy possible. In the great American tradition, Senator Obama has not let
circumstances define him. He has defined himself by his hard work, the courage
of his convictions and the content of his character. And with our help and
hard work, President Obama will lead us to become a better nation.
Thank you, and let's go win this election.
SOURCE 2008 Democratic National Convention Committee
