[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 181 (Wednesday, November 15, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S17063]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      DO WHAT IS RIGHT FOR AMERICA

  Mr. DOLE. Madam President, as we begin the second day of the Federal 
Government shutdown, I do want to note that like all Senators, I have 
read the polls that say more Americans are blaming the Republican 
Congress for the shutdown than are blaming President Clinton.
  If you think leadership is all about taking polls--as the White House 
does--then I suppose you can take heart in these results.
  But I happen to believe that leadership is more than just trying to 
make everybody happy. It is about doing what is right for America and 
what is right for our children and grandchildren.
  From the moment the votes giving Republicans their first 
congressional majority were tallied last November, we knew we had a 
choice.
  We could either look to the next election, basically leave the status 
quo intact, and avoid taking any action that might be controversial or 
unpopular.
  Or we could roll up our sleeves and do the hard work of giving the 
American people the fundamental changes we have needed for so long.
  That is the road on which we embarked. We knew the road would be 
bumpy. We knew there would be those who would urge us to detour to the 
path of least resistance.
  But we also know that if we stay the course, then America will be a 
better place to live, work, and raise a family.
  America will be better because our children and grandchildren will be 
freed from the crushing burden of our national debt.
  America will be better because the lower interest rates that will 
result from a balanced budget will allow more of us to own a home, buy 
a car, and take out a college loan.
  America will be better because we will have saved Medicare from 
bankruptcy.
  America will be better because we will have returned power to where 
it blongs--to our States, our cities, our neighborhoods, and our 
people.
  Madam President, I cannot say it any better than did Mr. Joe Ham of 
Lawrenceville, GA, who sent me the following fax yesterday:

       Senator Dole: I know the media and the White House will be 
     pouring on the propaganda, but for our kids' sake and the 
     sake of America, stand your ground.
       As Mark Twain said, ``In the beginning of a change, the 
     patriot is a scarce man, brave and hated and scorned. When 
     his cause succeeds, however, the timid join him, for then it 
     costs nothing to be a patriot.

  Let me just say to Mr. Ham that when I look at House and Senate 
Republicans I see patriots, patriots who are willing to pay the price 
for leadership, and who are willing to pay the price of making the 
tough choices today that will ensure a better tomorrow.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. INHOFE. I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum 
call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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