It was on this day in 1982 that the first rollerskating while carrying a boombox member of congress was elected when James 鈥楽ugar Boots’ Franklin narrowly won New York’s eighth congressional seat. Franklin’s victory was a watershed moment at the times signaling that America’s burgeoning population of boombox carrying rollerskaters had finally gained mainstream acceptance.
Prove congress ins’t just for suits and crew cuts. Say hello to the slickest legislator on –. James 鈥楽ugar Boots’ Franklin. Franklin was an unlikely pioneer, a street smart skater who admitted to being more concerned with impressing honeys with his silky smooth moves than with politics.
But, as Franklin became more engaged in a rollerskating dude community, his eyes were opened to the harmful depictions of rollerskaters in television and film. Franklin began organizing boombox-carrying rollerskaters advocating for basic rights like rollerskate accessible ramps in government buildings and protected street lanes where they could lay down cones for some sweet slaloming.
Just because we like to roll it out and have a smooth fluid style that cannot be denied doesn’t mean we aren’t Americans. That’s right. Franklin campaigned vigorously and after a tough fight made it to congress where he continued his crusade not just for rollerskaters but all Americans. I’m not here to judge you.
I only ask that you consider the importance of HR4531, which would increase funding to early education centers for all children. And with that I thank you and yield the remainder of my time. Now, if you will excuse me, I’ve gots to boogie.
Unfortunately, Franklin was forced to resign after he was caught spray painting his tag on the Washington monument.
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