[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 182 (Thursday, November 16, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H13037]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            TEMPER TANTRUM NO BASIS FOR GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN

  (Mr. GUTIERREZ asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. GUTIERREZ. Mr. Speaker, I had a traumatic experience on an 
airplane Monday. I asked for an aisle seat and they gave me a window. 
The pilot never came back to say hello, and when we landed, I, a Member 
of Congress, had to walk out with all of the rest of the passengers. So 
I drafted a bill to shut down Government until the airline apologizes 
to me. Unfortunately, as a Democrat, I was ignored.
  But there is hope, Mr. Speaker. A Republican is fighting for 
Congressmen whose feelings are hurt on airplanes. Newt Gingrich feels 
bad. He says he was mistreated on the trip to Israel. I quote, ``Every 
President we had ever flown with had us up front. Having to exit 
through the rear of the plane is part of why you ended up with us 
sending you down a tougher continuing resolution.''
  Because our President thought that respecting Yitzhak Rabin's death 
was more important than stroking Newt's ego, we must threaten the 
services of our seniors, our veterans, and our students.
  Newt, have some decency. The future of our Nation is more important 
than where you sit on an airplane. The next time you throw a temper 
tantrum, leave the American public out of it.

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