By Joan Kimball and Barbara Slayter
The Lincoln Democratic Town Committee congratulates our Congresswoman, Katherine Clark, for her election to the role of assistant speaker, making her the fourth-ranking member in the chamber.
This position makes Katherine Clark the most powerful Congresswoman in state history as well as the second-highest ranking Democratic woman in the history of the House after Nancy Pelosi. Her presence will mark the first time there are two women in the top four positions of the party’s House leadership. Along with Rep. Richard Neal of Springfield, who is chair of the Ways and Means Committee, and Rep.Jim McGovern of Worcester, chair of the House Rules Committee, she will wield considerable power within the House of Representatives.
The Boston Globe quoted Clark saying that “Collective leadership is not about individual ambition, but collective good.”
We Lincoln Democrats appreciate not only the work that she does on our behalf and on behalf of our country, but also her key role in recruiting Democrats to win in the House during the 2018 election. We also appreciate her focus on the looming problems of health care, racial justice, and climate change.
In a letter to us, her constituents, Katherine Clark wrote:
“The challenges facing our country are great, but so are the possibilities. Democrats in Congress are resolute in our commitment to eliminating the virus, aiding families, and recharging our economy in the face of this pandemic. While vitally important, our work cannot end there.
“This is the moment for America to unite together and finally build a nation that fulfills our promise of justice for all. We cannot settle for normal, but must instead expand the parameters of prosperity to ensure everyone has the same opportunities for success.
“As Assistant Speaker, my work will be guided by everyday Americans who have stood up this year to protect and strengthen our nation—from the heroic frontline workers who bravely put the security and health of others before their own, to the record number of Americans who took to the streets this summer and took to the polls this November, who energized our democracy and brought a renewed urgency to our fight for racial, climate, and economic justice.
“The House Democratic majority, in partnership with President-elect Biden and Vice President-elect Harris, will meet this moment of historic challenges and confront it with historic progress.
“With faith in our country and optimism for our future, I am eager to get to work.”
Three cheers for Katherine Clark! We wish her and our country well.
Kimball and Slayter are co-chairs of the Lincoln Democratic Town Committee.
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