[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 19 (Tuesday, January 31, 1995)]
[House]
[Pages H895-H896]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


            DEMOCRATIC PARTY'S EXCELLENT LEGISLATIVE HISTORY

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of 
January 4, 1995, the gentleman from Pennsylvania [Mr. Fattah] is 
recognized during morning business for 5 minutes.
  Mr. FATTAH. Mr. Speaker, today I continue my endeavor to refresh and 
remind my Democratic colleagues of the excellent legislative record we 
have created over the past 40 years.
  Last week, I began this series of floor speeches with the 84th 
Congress. Ike was President and the Democrats had just taken control of 
the House of Representatives.
  The 84th Congress raised the minimum wage, ratified the Southeast 
Atlantic Treaty Organization, established peace with Austria, and freed 
Germany from allied occupation. The Democrat Party did this and more.
  Today, Mr. Speaker, Democrats are often chastised as the party of 
intrusive government and personal dependency. Today, I will cite 
examples from 85th Congress and provide historical evidence that 
counters these misconceptions.
  Between 1957 and 1958, our country was rebounding from fighting World 
War Two and the war in Korea.
  The United States was able to do this while engaged in the cold war 
with our Communist adversaries. Also during 
[[Page H896]] the 1950's, our Nation emerged as a world superpower and 
Congress joined the civil rights battle. The 85th Congress confidently 
and effectively addressed these pivotal national issues.
  The threat from the Soviet Union was crystallized in 1957 when the 
U.S.S.R. launched the Sputnik satellite.
  To address this menace from the sky, the Democratically controlled 
Congress established the National Aeronautic and Space Administration 
to direct the Nation's outer space program.
  In 1958, Mr. Speaker, this Congress passed the National Defense 
Education Act. This act is probably the most important human investment 
program undertaken in our Nation's history.
  Because without it, millions of Americans would not have been able to 
go to college.
  In addition, this act improved the teaching of science, mathematics, 
and foreign languages to our children. It provided an educational 
foundation which enabled the United States to put the first man on the 
Moon in 1969.
  However, the accomplishments of this Congress were not restricted to 
the heavens. The 85th Congress passed the landmark Civil Rights Act of 
1957. This act created the Commission on Civil Rights and a new Civil 
Rights Division in the Department of Justice, laying the foundation of 
the Federal involvement in protecting civil liberties and individual 
civil rights.
  Building on the 84th Congress' passage of the Interstate Superhighway 
Program, the 85th Congress, passed both the Federal Highway Act and the 
National Transportation Act. These two acts expanded road building 
programs and provided loans to the Nation's failing railroads.
  Both of these actions created opportunities for American businesses 
to expand and compete both here and abroad.
  The Democratic party has always believed in investment--investment in 
human capital and in physical and financial infrastructure.
  Over these 40 years the Democratic Party has demonstrated a strong 
commitment to providing the necessary resources to educate children, to 
defend constitutional rights and to expand our national transportation 
systems.
  The return on these investments are clear and indisputable. 
Investments made 40 years ago continue to yield results today.
  As a party we should not be fearful of committing these necessary 
resources and redirecting our efforts into helping every citizen of 
this country.
  As we enter the 21st century, this commitment to human investment 
will ensure that every American is equipped to reap the benefits of 
national prosperity.
  Mr. Speaker, these are just a few examples from the 85th session of 
the U.S. Congress. Promoting our country, preserving our national 
interests and protecting individual rights have always been part of the 
Democratic Party's legacy. As a Member of the Democratic Party, I 
strongly urge my colleagues to regularly remind themselves of the 
fundamental commitments that make us Democrats.
  We must allow these commitments to guide us in our actions. I urge my 
colleagues to examine the historical records, to see what our party has 
achieved and to allow this vision to carry us into the future.


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