Transcript - Remarks: Donald Trump Addresses a National African American History Month Reception - February 13, 2018 | Factba.se

Donald Trump

00:00:00 - 00:00:59 (60 sec)

Thank you very much, ladies and gentlemen, I really appreciate you being here and it's an honor for the First Lady and I, a true honor, to have everybody -- all of you. Many of my friends in the White House, a great Vice President, is right here.

Donald Trump

00:00:59 - 00:02:20 (81 sec)

So thank you Mike, and so many of our wonderful cabinet. It's really a terrific day, and it's so much fun, so much fun to have you here, to celebrate a very important element of our culture in our life, African-American History Month, right? [Applause]

Donald Trump

00:02:20 - 00:05:40 (201 sec)

We're very glad to be joined by our outstanding Surgeon General, Dr. Jerome Adams, Jerome. Thank you. I also want to recognize our great Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Dr. Ben Carson. Where's Ben? [Applause] Great guy, great friend.

Donald Trump

00:05:40 - 00:06:43 (63 sec)

And thank you to all, members of our cabinet, and all of you who are here -- and some of you came from far, because this was very important for you to be with us today, and thank you very much.

Donald Trump

00:06:43 - 00:08:43 (120 sec)

And to the Hope Christian Church Choir -- I heard that sound outside. I said, that is a beautiful sound I'm hearing and... and Alveda King is my friend, and you were saying, I saw you just really moving to the music Alveda.

Donald Trump

00:08:43 - 00:09:27 (44 sec)

So thank you very much. Special, special person. And really, right from the beginning. So, thank you very much for everything. Alveda.

Donald Trump

00:09:27 - 00:10:24 (57 sec)

I was privileged to sign the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Act just a few weeks ago, with Alveda by my side, and it was such an honor.

Donald Trump

00:10:24 - 00:11:11 (47 sec)

I also want to thank you, you know, Naomi Earp, who is with us for serving on the Frederick Douglas Bicentennial Commission. Thank you very much, Naomi. Thank you very much.[Applause]

Donald Trump

00:11:11 - 00:12:57 (106 sec)

As we mark 200 years since the birth of a truly great American icon -- 200 years, that's something. Aas we come together to celebrate the extraordinary contributions of African-Americans to our nation, our thoughts turned to the heroes of the Civil Rights movement, whose courage and sacrifice have really totally inspired us all.

Donald Trump

00:12:57 - 00:13:56 (59 sec)

Through their brave, and really incredible journey, perseverance, they've gone through tremendous perseverance, they've lifted up the conscience of our nation and made America more just, more equal, and more free.

Donald Trump

00:13:56 - 00:15:06 (70 sec)

From the pews to the picket lines, African-American Civil Rights champions have brought out the best in America, calling us to live up to our founding creed and to the truth that we are all made equal by God. [Applause]

Donald Trump

00:15:06 - 00:17:37 (151 sec)

This year we honor a special theme: African-Americans in times of war. African-Americans have fought courageously in every war since the revolution. Long before our nation righted the wrongs of slavery and segregation, African-Americans gave their hearts, their sweat, their blood, and their very lives to defend the United States, it's flag and its highest ideals. Thank you. [Applause]

Donald Trump

00:17:37 - 00:19:08 (91 sec)

The very proud history of African-Americans serving our country in uniform began all the way back and our nation's founding. They joined units like the 1st Rhode Island regiment, the first all-black unit of American warriors. Many were slaves. In exchange for their service, they were promised their birthright of freedom.

Donald Trump

00:19:08 - 00:21:38 (151 sec)

These soldiers bravely repelled repeated assaults by enemy forces in the Battle of Rhode Island. Later, they fought at Yorktown, where the British ultimately surrendered and America's independence was won, and they would not have surrendered so easily and so quickly without you, that I can tell you.

Donald Trump

00:21:38 - 00:23:44 (126 sec)

Decades later, African-Americans volunteered to fight to preserve our union in the Civil War. Among them was a soldier named William Carney, who was born a slave in Virginia and later enlisted in the Union Army. During the Second Battle of Fort Wagner, Sergeant Carney saw the color guard of his unit fall, and he was mortally wounded.

Donald Trump

00:23:44 - 00:26:07 (143 sec)

Immediately, he threw down his rifle, raced to grab the flag, and carried it forward, planting it on the walls of the fort. Through a hall of gunfire and enduring multiple wounds, he continued to guard that great American flag throughout the entire battle.

Donald Trump

00:26:07 - 00:28:38 (151 sec)

He later remarked to his comrades that the old flag never touched the ground. That's a big deal. Sergeant Carney's extraordinary valor made him the first African-American to be awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor, highest award. [Applause]

Donald Trump

00:28:38 - 00:32:23 (224 sec)

Extraordinary patriotism and devotion has distinguished African-Americans through every generation. It has inspired acts of heroism and sacrifice that have engraved these hero's names into American history, names like that of Charles Nesby, who join us here today, Charles? Just what I thought Charles. Thank you Charles. Incredible job. Incredible guy. [Applause]

Donald Trump

00:32:23 - 00:33:39 (76 sec)

Charles followed in the footsteps of his father, a famed Tuskegee, Airmen and distinguished himself as a naval aviator and graduate of the famed Top Gun. That's a lot of courage, right? Thank you. [Applause]

Donald Trump

00:33:39 - 00:37:13 (214 sec)

Charles went on to command an Air Wing and served as the director of the VA Center for Minority Affairs, with great distinction. To Charles, and all of those here today who have served, you have earned the everlasting gratitude of our nation, Charles and everybody. Thank you all. Thank you. Great courage. [Applause]

Donald Trump

00:37:13 - 00:39:34 (141 sec)

You defend for all Americans the same beautiful dream that inspired Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman, Booker T. Washington, Rosa Parks, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and countless others.

Donald Trump

00:39:34 - 00:42:40 (186 sec)

It is the dream of a nation where every citizen, regardless of color, religion, or background, can grow up to succeed and to thrive. A nation where every family is safe, where every community can prosper, and where all Americans can stand tall and proud and free.

Donald Trump

00:42:40 - 00:46:21 (222 sec)

I know this vision of freedom, equality and dignity lives in the heart of every American patriot. And just like so many African-Americans throughout our history who have struggled and sacrificed for freedom, we must do our part to that vision real for every single American.

Donald Trump

00:46:21 - 00:46:57 (35 sec)

As long as we have faith in our citizens, confidence in our values and trust in God, we will not fail. We will protect the birthright of freedom for all Americans.

Donald Trump

00:46:57 - 00:51:07 (251 sec)

I want to tell you: we've made such incredible progress over the last year. It was just announced -- and perhaps you heard me say it: we had the lowest African-American unemployment rate in the history of our country. [Applause] That's... Charles, that's good. Alveda, that's in honor of you, Alveda. Lowest in the history of our country.

Donald Trump

00:51:07 - 00:53:22 (135 sec)

So, so we are very, very proud of that. I want to thank you again all for being here. God bless you and God bless America. God bless America. Thank you very much.