Rep. James Clyburn, one of the most prominent African Americans in Congress, spoke briefly about the broad historical significance of Barack Obama's election as president.
Saying he was moved but not too emotional, the South Carolina Democrat discussed how the most momentous change would be the ability to tell young students with conviction and certainty that they can grow up to be anything they desired.
"The big symbolic thing with this is down with the fourth and fifth graders who can now believe some of the things that are said to them," he said. "These people can begin to believe some of the hyperbole that we have used over the years in dealing with them."
Clyburn said the real emotion came during the primary, when -- after securing the needed number of super delegates -- the idea that America had elected a black man as a presidential nominee truly sunk in. Today, the business of the country weighed down too heavily for him to get overwhelmed by the history or his sentiments.
"That night when the polls closed, it was a very, very emotional night to me and when they announced when Barack Obama would be speaking I slipped out and watched it alone. It was very emotional and it was for a couple of days. I probably got over that and I spent the last few days trying to help my caucus get ready to try and get this economy back on track. So I am not emotional about it as I was back then. I suspect that has to do with the dire straights we are in."
In a separate interview on ABC, Congressman John Lewis, who famously fought some of the harsh civil rights battles that defined American in the 60s, was much more affected by the Obama win, calling it "a nonviolent revolution."
"Well, I tell you, I cried a little today when I cast my vote, and I've been crying for the past few days," he said. "I don't know if I have any tears left.... I think I'm going to shed some more tears before the night is over."