[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 116 (Tuesday, July 18, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H7156]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          HEARINGS CONCERNING THE BRANCH DAVIDIAN/WACO AFFAIR

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. McInnis). Under a previous order of the 
House, the gentleman from Tennessee [Mr. Bryant] is recognized for 5 
minutes.
  Mr. BRYANT of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, tomorrow we begin hearings in 
this House on the 1993 Waco incident.
  Mr. Speaker, ours is a Government of laws, not men. In order to 
preserve the rules of law, our citizens must be assured that their 
government, its institutions, its officials, and its law enforcement 
agents are accountable. Accountability is the key to ensuring public 
confidence in the system in order for all of us to live well. 
Confidence in one's government is essential to the long-term survival 
of that government and to the peaceful life of that government's 
citizens.
  The abuse of power threatens any society. However, a government of 
laws gives stability to a nation, a state, and a community. The abuse 
of power is tyranny.
  Mr. Speaker, when a sizable portion of our citizens become concerned, 
even fearful, over a perceived lack of accountability by Federal law 
enforcement, the time has come that we need to clear the air.
  These hearings are intended to be a part, to demonstrate how our 
system works. The members of these investigating committees seek to 
ascertain the truth. We seek to restore the confidence of the American 
people in their government. We seek to discover and explore the events 
leading up to and including what many consider excessive force by law 
enforcement. We seek a more complete revelation of the details of the 
Waco events.
  The goal of these hearings is to discover the truth, to seek the 
answers to unanswered questions that linger, that even have festered 
since earlier hearings.
  The surviving Davidians have been tried in court, which yielded new 
information and mixed verdicts. With respect to individuals involved on 
all sides, let the chips fall where they may. Those responsible for 
breaches of law or policy must be held accountable for their abuses of 
power.
  Only by finding the truth can accountability be secured.
  If abuses of the Government power in fact occurred, then we must take 
what we learn at these hearings and move forward with steps that insure 
such abuses of Government power will not occur again.
  Mr. Speaker, I believe Government has its proper roles. While we do 
not need or want anarchy, we do not want unlimited Government either, 
nor do we want agents who breach our constitutional rights or God-given 
rights.
  As a former young State's attorney and Federal prosecutor, I worked 
closely with Federal law enforcement personnel at all levels of 
government. I believe the majority of enforcement personnel are 
honorable and only want to do what is legal and just. These hearings 
are not intended to bash any law enforcement in general or any agency 
in particular; at least, that is not my purpose in participating in 
these hearings.
  Individuals make decisions, and individuals should bear 
responsibility for consequences of their actions. That goes for 
criminal offenders and those in fiduciary roles of Government.
  In the bigger picture, it is my hope these hearings will help to 
restore the American people's confidence in their Federal Government. 
This country needs a healing, a renewal.
  I look forward to these hearings and to the healing effect that is so 
needed in this great Nation. Let us do our part to restore the rule of 
law and the preservation of liberty.


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