On Monday morning Senator Claire McCaskill (D) was the first public office holder to address welcoming remarks to those attending the first plenary session of the NAACP National Convention in Kansas City:

Senator Claire McCaskill (D): Welcome to all of you. What a grand and glorious sight you are. It is terrific to have you here in Kansas City in this state I love so much, in this city I love so much. Thank you for blessing us with your presence here in Missouri. [applause] One nation, one dream, one people. We live in a wonderful country where so much more unites us than divides us. But so much work remains in this great nation.

I know many of you may realize that I share the pride of a nation on that special night in November when Barack Obama was elected President of the United States. [applause] This nation delivered on its promise of equal opportunity. This nation delivered on its promise that all things are possible for anyone in America. What a moment it was. Exultation. It was thrilling. It made us all so proud.  And we were so caught up in the top of the mountain that I think we forgot to look out and see that there were many valleys that remain. Too many of us thought the hard work was over. The hard work remains.  This nation needs our passion and our energy. Our President needs our passion and our energy. We soared but now we have [inaudible] jet lag.

I certainly hope the NAACP continues its important work because there is a lot of pain still in America. We need good jobs, we need affordable college education [applause], we need quality day care [applause], we need to make sure that that opportunity remains for everyone in this great nation. [applause]

I hope the NAACP continues to take a leading role in voter education, voter registration. I hope everyone turns their eyes towards November, the next big election in this country, because it’s an important one.

And remember, President Obama, like all of us, is one of God’s children. He needs our prayers [applause], he needs our energy, he needs our passion [applause].  If I could leave you with any message this morning that you might take from this great hall, it is simply this, now is no time to quit. Now is no time to quit. [applause]

Thank you so much. God bless you and have wonderful time. [applause, cheers]

Previously:

The 101st NAACP National Convention in Kansas City

NAACP in Kansas City: Benjamin Todd Jealous at the opening press conference

NAACP in Kansas City: EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson at the opening press conference

NAACP in Kansas City: Sunday – photos

NAACP in Kansas City: Michelle Obama – photos

NAACP in Kansas City: Representative Sheila Jackson Lee on the tea party and human rights