"We are a nation of many people and many views. In such a nation, the prime purpose of a legislator, from wherever he may come, is to accommodate the interests, desires, wants, and needs of all our citizens. To alienate some in order to satisfy others is not only a disservice to those we alienate, but a violation of the principles of our Republic. Lawmaking is the reconciliation of divergent views. In a democratic society like ours, the purpose of representative government is to soften tension - reduce strife - while enabling groups and individuals to more nearly obtain the kind of life they wish to live.

The function of Congress is not to convert the will of the majority of the people into law, rather its function is to hammer out on the anvil of public debate a compromise between polar positions acceptable to a majority. In a democracy the people themselves vote “yes� or “no� on the issues and there is less opportunity for compromise. When a referendum is taken, no amendments are allowed; there is quite clearly a losing side. In a republic, representatives vote for the people. There is discussion and debate. There are amendments. There is opportunity for compromise. It is less clear that there is a losing side."

• A personal note from Jacqueline Kennedy
• A personal note from Jacqueline Kennedy
• Thank you note for Civil Rights Bill
• Thank you from Robert Kennedy
• Thank you for Civil Rights work
• Retirement note from Vernon Jordan
• Retirement note from Louis Stokes
• Note on Civil Rights achievements
• Note during hospitalization