[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 4 (Monday, January 9, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E65-E66]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 MAKING IN ORDER IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION OF HOUSE RESOLUTION ADOPTING 
    THE RULES OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FOR THE 104TH CONGRESS

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                               speech of

                          HON. EVA M. CLAYTON

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, January 4, 1995

  Mrs. CLAYTON. Mr. Speaker, as we begin our work this year, let us 
remember that our first responsibility is not to the parties to which 
we belong, but the people we represent. It is for that reason that I 
rise in support of congressional reform and in support of several parts 
of the proposed rules package. I believe the majority has structured 
some important changes to the way we function, and those changes should 
not be rejected by Democrats simply because they are offered by 
Republicans. At the same time, we must be forever mindful that no 
Member in the Chamber has a premium on what's best for this Nation. We 
all have a contract with America.
  What makes us a great nation is the compassion we show for those who 
live in the shadows of life. We are strong because historically we have 
been able to make a place for all who live here, including those least 
able to help themselves--the young, the poor, the disabled. In this 
time of increased scrutiny, we must examine each and every program, but 
we must also consider each and every person affected by our changes. We 
must ask the question: Who is helped and who is hurt? And, at the end 
of each day, we must be honest about whether our actions helped the 
many in need or the few in clover. President Kennedy said it best, 34 
years ago, when he stated:

       A country that cannot help the many who are poor cannot 
     help the few who are rich.

  The contract to which each Member of this Chamber is bound, is to 
work in the best interests of the American people. On election day, we 
offered our services to this great country, and voters accepted our 
offer, from Rocky Mount, NC, to politically important New Hampshire, 
across the United States, past the vast stretch of Texas, to the 
Silicone Valley of California. We all have a contract with America.
  That contract involves being open to the challenge of change. I 
support many of the reforms offered in this rules package, and I will 
vote for those reforms. We must get beyond [[Page E66]] partisan 
politics and move to the high ground of principle. This is a new day 
and a new time.
  There are problems which we face that transcend party and politics. 
Teenage pregnancies stifle an entire community. Violence of any kind, 
whether driven by drugs or propelled by deep philosophical differences, 
cannot and must not be tolerated. Economic justice must ring true, this 
Congress. From the center-city youth, to the long-termed unemployed, to 
the small farmer who helps feed America, there are great expectations. 
No child should face hunger in this land of plenty. If welfare reform 
is to have any significance, we must combine with it a meaningful jobs 
program. With a meaningful jobs program, there would be less urgency 
for another crime bill. Instead of calls to ``take back our streets'', 
there should be calls to give our streets back to the average, hard-
working, God-fearing citizen. Family reinforcement and restoration of 
the American dream must include all families, not just those with lots 
of money. If our citizens are secure, our Nation will be secure, more 
secure than Star Wars could ever make us. And, emphasis on our senior 
citizens is well-placed. From the sunrise of life to its sunset, 
Americans should feel safe and secure and well-served by Congress.
  I too believe we can make our Government smaller, yet more efficient 
and more effective. That is why I applaud and will support several of 
the reforms offered by the majority.
  But, real reform must include an end to gag rules. There are 
important amendments that would be offered, amendments designed to 
improve and perfect this rules package, but Members are muzzled because 
the majority has insisted on a closed-rule for this debate.
  No Member can offer an amendment on the gift ban, for example. That 
is an issue that we debated and supported last Congress. If we are to 
be leaders, we must also lead in following the rules under which we are 
governed. In this House, we have resolved that no Member should be 
enriched beyond what the people pay. That resolve should not end with 
the Speaker, it should begin with him. One is left to wonder why, if 
they are truly interested in reform, the majority is determined to 
restrain the rest of us?
  I will support term limits on the Speaker and committee chairs; the 
cost-saving provisions to eliminate certain committees and cut 
committee staff; the open government provision of a verbatim 
Congressional Record; the prohibition on committee assignments; the ban 
on proxy voting; and other streamlining measures. Those are thoughtful 
reforms that have been offered by the majority.
  But, I will continue to stand up as part of the loyal opposition when 
I believe pomposity, audacity, and duplicity confront us. No party or 
person here has an exclusive on such things as family values and 
personal responsibility. Those are standards I absolutely hold dear. 
And no party or person should be able to take the right to speak and 
participate from any of us. Too many have sacrificed for that precious 
liberty. Let no one forget. We all have a contract with America.

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