We are a people trying not only to solve the problems of the present, unemployment, inflation, but we are attempting on a larger scale to fulfill the promise of America. We are a people in search of a national community. We are a people in a quandary about the present. They deserve and they want more than a recital of problems. I could recite these problems, and then I could sit down and offer no solutions. I could list the problems which cause people to feel cynical, angry, frustrated: problems which include lack of integrity in government the feeling that the individual no longer counts the reality of material and spiritual poverty the feeling that the grand American experiment is failing or has failed. I could list the many problems which Americans have. Now - Now that I have this grand distinction, what in the world am I supposed to say? I could easily spend this time praising the accomplishments of this party and attacking the Republicans - but I don’t choose to do that. And I feel - I feel that notwithstanding the past that my presence here is one additional bit of evidence that the American Dream need not forever be deferred. When - A lot of years passed since 1832, and during that time it would have been most unusual for any national political party to ask a Barbara Jordan to deliver a keynote address. There is something special about tonight. But there is something different about tonight. And our meeting this week is a continuation of that tradition. Since that time, Democrats have continued to convene once every four years and draft a party platform and nominate a Presidential candidate. It was one hundred and forty-four years ago that members of the Democratic Party first met in convention to select a Presidential candidate. Thank you ladies and gentlemen for a very warm reception.

1976 dnc keynote address