[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 8 (Friday, January 13, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H234]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           A DEMAND FOR ACCOUNTABILITY TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE

  (Mr. PETERSON of Florida asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute, and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. PETERSON of Florida. Mr. Speaker, a few days ago we were on this 
floor voting for numerous reforms of this House designed to bring more 
credibility to this great institution. At the time I spoke about 
passing reforms that would ensure that special interests did not 
compromise the work of this body by restricting gifts and deals from 
lobbyists. I also said that the message the American people sent us on 
November 8 was that they wanted us to be personally accountable to 
them, not to special interests. Certainly they do not want us to enrich 
ourselves through our public service. Unfortunately, over the past 
several days we have learned that our own Speaker has met with special 
interests in
 such a way that suggests backroom dealing and with the appearance of 
using his position for personal enrichment. I am confident that the 
American people will find this unacceptable in the way we represent 
their interests. Worst of all, this kind of behavior discredits the 
people's House.

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