[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 84 (Tuesday, June 28, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: June 28, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
          SUPPORT THE PRIVATE PROPERTY OWNER'S BILL OF RIGHTS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of 
February 11, 1994, and June 10, 1994, the gentleman from Louisiana [Mr. 
Tauzin] is recognized during morning business for 1 minute.
  Mr. TAUZIN. Madam Speaker, how many of your constituents can afford a 
one-half million dollar trip to the Supreme Court to find out if the 
Government may take their property away without compensation? Not many.
  Last Friday, in a landmark Supreme Court case, one citizen of Oregon 
completed that trip to the Supreme Court here in Washington, and was 
finally awarded a victory--a victory that now belongs to every property 
owner in America. On Friday, the Supreme Court ruled in Dolan versus 
the City of Tigard, that Government cannot force a property owner to 
give up part of their property in order to get a discretionary permit 
such as a building permit.
  More importantly, the Court held that the 5th amendment protection 
against taking private property without compensation deserves the same 
protection as the 1st and 4th amendments of the Bill of Rights--that 
private property rights are as important as free speech.
  But, will every small property owner have to go all the way to the 
Supreme Court to get the same justice Mrs. Dolan finally won last 
Friday.
  One hundred and fifty Members of Congress have already signed on as 
protectors of private property rights. One hundred and fifty of you 
have cosponsored H.R. 3875--the private property owners bill of rights.
  What are the rest of you waiting for?

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