The Honorable Lottie Shackelford

Vice Chair, Democratic National Committee

Democratic National Convention

Monday, July 26, 2004

BOSTON, July 26 /PRNewswire/ -- The following is a transcript of a speech by Lottie Shackelford at the Democratic National Convention on Monday, July 26, 2004:

  Hello, fellow Democrats! We're here this week to nominate a team that
  will build a stronger America.

  An America that's safer and more secure. An America that creates new jobs
  and keeps them here at home. An America where health care is a right for
  all and not a privilege for some. An America where our civil rights laws
  are protected and our civil liberties defended. That's the America we
  want to build. That's the America John Kerry and John Edwards will build
  beginning on November second.

  They build that America by standing up for the values that so many
  Americans care about -- faith and family, service and strength,
  responsibility and opportunity for all. They also know, as so many
  families know, that values are not just abstract ideas. Values are what
  we believe in. Most of us believe in the value of good-paying jobs.

  People are working harder, earning less, and paying higher bills, whether
  it's tuition bills, health care bills, or gas bills. Under this
  administration, we've seen companies outsource American jobs like never
  before.

  It's time for this to change. We need a plan to close tax loopholes that
  pay companies to export jobs overseas. We need a plan that rewards
  companies that create good-paying jobs here at home.

  John Kerry has a plan to do just that. Most Americans believe in the
  value of affordable health care. Yet too many middle class families are
  struggling to pay their rising medical bills. Insurance premiums have
  gone up. Copayments have gone up. Deductibles have gone up. Too many
  Americans don't have any health care at all.

  It's time for this to change. We need a plan to get costs under control
  and to make health care affordable for all. John Kerry has a plan to do
  just that.

  I've been a delegate to every convention since 1980. And I'll tell you,
  it's still a privilege -- and a thrill -- for me to be here. That's true
  this year more than ever. Because the stakes have never been higher. Our
  responsibility has never been greater. And our vision for a better future
  has never been so clear.

  The keys to this election are Kerry, Edwards and you! Thank you.

Source: Democratic National Convention Committee

CONTACT:  Peggy Wilhide of the Democratic National Convention Committee,
+1-617-366-3100

Web site:  http://www.dems2004.org/