U.S. Representative Gwen Moore of Milwaukee used her brief speech on August 17 at the virtual Democratic Convention to sing the praises of her home city and call for unity in America.

Congresswoman Moore was the first elected official to speak during the main program at the DNC, which was originally planned for Milwaukee before it was switched to a mostly virtual format because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

“I sure wish you all were here in the city of Milwaukee,” said Congresswoman Moore. “This is a city where blood was shed for labor rights. Where a fugitive slave was freed from prison. Where women’s right to vote was first ratified.”

Congresswoman Moore said the virtual gathering gave people a chance across the country a chance to nominate the U.S. presidential ticket of former Vice President Joe Biden and U.S. Senator Kamala Harris of California.

“We gather unified in spirit, unified in our values and purpose to heal divisions and together move the nation competently into a prosperous, inclusive future,” Congresswoman Moore said.

She also had special praise for Harris, calling her a “VP VIP nominee.” Moore spoke for a total of 82 seconds on August 17, which was one of the shorter speeches for public officials.

Earlier in the evening, she said during a pre-convention Zoom call – organized by the Wisconsin Democratic Party – that she “couldn’t wait” to talk about Harris’ record as a prosecutor, which she said included prosecutions of banks, oil companies and for-profit colleges.

“She is dynamic,” Moore said. “She is smart.”

Joining Moore at the pre-convention event was Lt. Governor Mandela Barnes, who is also from Milwaukee. Like Moore, Lt. Governor Barnes lamented what could have been with an in-person convention.

“We were looking forward to beer and brats,” Barnes said. “We were looking forward to pandemonium, but all we got was a pandemic unfortunately.”

Shawn Johnson

Mіkе Dе Sіstі / Mіlwаukее Jоurnаl Sеntіnеl-USА Tоdаy Nеtwоrk

Originally published on Wisconsin Public Radio as Gwen Moore Uses DNC Speech To Call For Healing Divisions

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