Remarks by President Trump at a Reception for National African American History Month | Eastern North Carolina Now

    Here with us today is an incredible leader. Some of you know him well. I do. And I know him, really, more than anything else, as an incredible leader. That's exactly what he is. It's Bob Woodson. Do you know Bob Woodson? (Applause.) You will. You will. Because he's got an incredible story.

    Bob joined the Air Force in the 1950s. You don't look that old, I'll tell you that. (Laughter.) 1950s? Really? Wow. You're in good shape. (Laughter.) I want to talk to him later, find out what's going on. (Laughter.)

    While he was stationed in the Deep South, he confronted discrimination firsthand. He then became a Civil Rights leader, met Dr. King, and was jailed for leading a very peaceful protest. As Bob puts it, "Even when defeat was all around us, it was not in us." That's beautiful, right? Huh? That was just beautiful.

    Over the last 50 years, Bob helped found social enterprise movements and to restore jobs, dignity, and hope within the heart of very, very distressed communities. Bob, I want to thank you very much. You are a very special man. And having you at our place in New Jersey for a little while, and you helped me so much with making a couple of our good choices. We really appreciate you being here. Thank you, Bob. (Applause.)

    MR. WOODSON: (Inaudible.)


    THE PRESIDENT: Yeah, please.

    MR. WOODSON: I just want to thank God and also President Trump for turning the tables over in the temples - (laughter) - and attacking the status quo that is hostile to the interest of poor people. And I also want to bless you for your administration and the policies of Opportunity Zones and to giving low-income people an opportunity to help themselves. That's all they want; they want an opportunity to achieve. And your administration is working with us to make that happen. Thank you, Mr. President.

    THE PRESIDENT: Thanks, Bob. So nice.

    MR. WOODSON: Thank you. (Applause.)

    THE PRESIDENT: Great guy.

    We're also very proud to be joined by Clarence Henderson, who was among the first students to begin the Greensboro sit-in. You know what that is, right? In 1960, on the second day of the sit-in, Clarence was one of four students who sat at the long-segregated Woolworth's lunch counter - very, very famous event - in Greensboro, North Carolina. He helped spark a national movement. In cities and towns all across America, students joined in the protest, and really, it was an incredible moment in the history of our country. The grave injustice of segregation was really spelled out loud and clear.

    After more than 170 days of protest, the Woolworth lunch counter finally integrated. That was - doesn't sound like such a big deal, Bob, but it was a big, big deal, right? As Clarence has said, "It doesn't take many people to make a change. It just takes courage." And, Clarence, you have incredible courage, and I want to thank you very much for being here. (Applause.)

    MR. HENDERSON: I am delighted to be here with the President. You know, Nehemiah was told by God to build a wall. And that's what you're doing. (Applause.) Amen.

    It is indeed a pleasure to be here with you this evening and to share this great hour and great time. I can tell you right now, with the Frederick Douglass Foundation, with the state of North Carolina, and the President, and we're still moving forward to change America and make America great again. Thank you. (Applause.)

    THE PRESIDENT: Thank you very much. Thanks, Clarence. So nice.

    As we commemorate African American History Month, we remember the words of Dr. King. In 1964, he said, "When years have rolled past...children will be taught that we have a finer land, a better people, a more noble civilization - because these humble children of God were willing to suffer [the] righteousness' sake."

    And, you know, nobody said it better than Dr. Martin Luther King. And few people had words so beautiful as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Don't you agree? Don't you agree, Bob? (Applause.) He made us all look maybe not quite as good. Great man.

    Today, we remember the heroic legacy of African Americans who bravely battled oppression to usher in a bright new dawn of freedom. It's exactly what you're doing. And you are at the forefront. You know, this is a new age. This is a very exciting time. It's very exciting time for our country.


    Our country is respected again all over the world - they are respecting - (applause) - like we haven't been respected in many, many years, I'll tell you. And thanks to you also, and thanks to you. Look at the progress that you've made. Look at those numbers that I gave you before with unemployment and all of the other numbers that we have together.

    So we pledge, in the honor of our great African American community, to build a future when every American child can live in safety, dignity, liberty, and peace.

    As Americans, we all share the same dreams, the same hopes, and the same magnificent destiny. We are now, and will forever be, one people, one family, and one glorious nation under God. (Applause.)

    I want to thank you all. I want to God bless you. I just want to say God bless you all and God bless America. Thank you for being at the White House. (Applause.) Thank you.

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