“Slavery is the nagging, unrelenting shame of America that continues to deny the true promise of the country to too many its citizens. If we ever hope to change that, we must begin by owning our past and acknowledging the shame, the sin, the injustice, and the ongoing consequences of enslaving an entire race of people.”

American politician, geologist, and businessman

John Wright Hickenlooper Jr. is an American politician, geologist, and businessman. He has served as the junior United States senator from Colorado since 2021. A member of the Democratic Party, he also served as the 42nd governor of Colorado and the 43rd mayor of Denver. Before entering the Senate, Hickenlooper was governor from 2011 to 2019 and mayor of Denver from 2003 to 2011. His public career spans local, state, and federal office, with a background that also includes geology and business.