Joe Diaz, a Gainesville attorney, is a Hillary Clinton delegate to the Democratic National Convention in Denver.
He filed the following report by e-mail on Thursday:
"I am writing this report on Thursday morning just before lunchtime. (Wednesday) was an extraordinarily emotional day for everyone in Denver. Wednesday morning began with a speech to the Georgia delegation by President Carter.
"At 1:15 p.m., the Hillary delegation met with Senator Clinton in a tearful reunion in which Hillary thanked her supporters and released her delegates. Once again, she enthusiastically endorsed Obama for president.
"Thereafter, we were treated to a wonderful lineup of speakers at the Pepsi Center, which was bursting with people. Following Obama’s formal nomination as our presidential nominee, the tears flowed and the cheers erupted. Although all present were excited, the African-American contingent were extremely ecstatic at witnessing this historical nomination of the first African-American presidential nominee. This emotion spilled out onto the streets of Denver and into the after-convention celebrations.
"This morning, the delegation was further unified by a moving speech to the Georgia delegation by Congressman John Lewis, who spoke of his civil rights struggles in the past alongside Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
"He put this nomination in the historical context of the sacrifices, struggles and hopes of the civil rights movement. We are on the brink of finally realizing the goals and dreams offered to us by Dr. King in his famous address in Washington. This speech refocused us all on the enormity of the event before us, and away from the petty divisions that we have faced in the presidential race thus far. Everyone is excited to witness the history making event we are to witness (Thursday night), when Barack Obama addresses the 75,000-plus Americans (Thursday night). John Lewis and Al Gore will also speak at the convention (Thursday night). We are all exhausted in body, but rejuvenated in spirit. The change is upon us, finally."