[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 81 (Tuesday, May 16, 1995)]
[House]
[Pages H4961-H4962]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                         A CRISIS OF LEADERSHIP

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of May 
12, 1995, the gentlewoman from Texas [Ms. Jackson-Lee] is recognized 
during morning business for 5 minutes.
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE. Mr. Speaker, good morning. It comes to mind, as I 
have seen the week's last activities, that there is a crisis of 
leadership amongst those who would claim themselves bearers of the 
Constitution and members of the National Rifle Association. 
Interestingly enough, it is because of this Constitution that we allow 
those who have certain ideas to gather together.
  But yet as we gathered to acknowledge and honor our mothers, on this 
past Sunday, Mother's Day--nurturers to a one, those who love children, 
promote peace, and work to comfort their young ones, we are bombarded 
with newspaper articles evidencing the self-righteousness of an 
organization who would be so irresponsible to send letters out claiming 
that Federal law enforcement officers are just ``boot-wearing thugs.'' 
And, yes, they have the sheer audacity to claim that the former 
President of the United States of America, George Bush, should 
reconsider his membership in the NRA.
  I simply say to that Texan and my neighbor, George Bush, thank you 
for having the integrity and leadership to recognize that sometimes we 
simply have to stand for what is right. How appalled I was to see in 
the Houston Chronicle a letter to the President from the NRA suggesting 
that he just wait and see what proposed hearings on Waco might bring 
about, then he would realize how right the NRA was.
  I simply say to the National Rifle Association, the Constitution 
reigns. I keep it close to me. You have a right to organize and 
associate. The first amendment protects your free speech. But it does 
not give you the privilege of crying ``fire'' in a crowded theater, of 
fostering hatred and antagonisms against people who are designated to 
uphold the law.
  As an African-American, I know full well the abuses that can come 
about through excessive government. But I also know how Federal 
officers went into the deep South and protected those young students 
going into universities who would foster segregation. I do know that 
there are heroes and heroines in our law enforcement officers. I 
support them and they support us everyday. If there is abuse, I simply 
say to you we do have to stand up against such abuse, and I will tell 
you that good law enforcement officers likewise do the same.
  We have a task force in the House to rid us of the assault weapons 
ban. How frivolous and ridiculous. Not only are they opposing the 
assault weapon's ban, but they are going into your neighborhoods and 
telling you laws to prevent guns in schools are illegal. That is part 
of the proposed legislation. Not only is the task force saying that, 
but gun safety and responsible legislation, some of which I passed as a 
council member, preventing young children from getting guns, the task 
force will be taking the Federal Government into your homes to intrude 
by saying those laws to protect your children are illegal. How 
ridiculous.
  Then my Republican colleagues want to come forward and suggest that 
we have hearings on Waco. I say fair enough. As a member of the 
Committee on the Judiciary, I am willing to own up and look at issues 
that affect the American people. At the same time, let me say to you, 
where are they on the issue of hearings on the militia? For Waco is 
absolutely no excuse for Oklahoma City. And I will stand here in the 
well of the House and claim to you that those lives that were lost, 
over 160 lives, children, hard working individuals, the devastation to 
Oklahoma City and the State of Oklahoma, the fear 
[[Page H4962]] that has been perpetrated on the American people, is 
absolutely no excuse for Waco.
  And I feel for the people of Waco. Friends of mine that I loved were 
lost at Waco. But this is a crisis of leadership. It is ludicrous. And 
this fascination with guns is not propelled by the Constitution of the 
United States. A concealed weapons law being discussed in Texas is not 
called for.
  Oh, yes, we have the right to have a militia to protect the security 
of this country, and we should not infringe upon your right to safely 
own guns. But to perpetrate violence, to have children trying to 
understand why adults are calling law enforcement officers just boot-
wearing thugs? And putting it in print is not called for.
  I call upon this Congress to be responsible. Vote against the 
repealing of the assault weapons ban. We have lived freely without the 
perpetration of mass gun warfare in this Nation. Let us not have a 
crisis of leadership.
  Former President Bush, I thank you, and I ask you, the American 
people, to keep your voices raised high. President Clinton, I thank you 
for your opposition to this kind of talk because this is not a 
political issue. It is a question of security and life and liberty. It 
is a question of our children. It is a question of responsible speech. 
It is a question of integrity. And I maintain, have hearings on the 
militia now. Understand that gun warfare is not called for in this 
Nation, and let us wrap ourselves in the Constitution, yes, for freedom 
and liberty, but for safety and the future of this Nation.


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