[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 65 (Friday, May 10, 1996)]
[House]
[Page H4806]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       THE PUBLIC'S RIGHT TO KNOW

  (Mr. WALKER asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. WALKER. Mr. Speaker, a couple of weeks ago I coauthored a 
memorandum asking our community chairmen to look at waste, fraud, and 
abuse in the administration, examples of dishonesty, and ethical 
lapses, and influences of labor union bosses and corrupt activities in 
the labor unions. We are finding now that that particular memo is 
producing results. I now have information that shows allegations 
against the labor unions for organized crime activities.
  Imagine my surprise, then, when we are exercising our right of the 
public to know about what goes on, to have the Democratic freshman, 
eight of them, write a letter to the Speaker saying that this is 
something that should not be pursued and, in fact, the memo should be 
withdrawn. Well, now we know why. We have now gone back and figured out 
that those eight freshmen who wrote that letter have received over $1 
million from the very labor unions that they are seeking to protect.
  That is right: over $1 million in contributions from those that they 
do not want investigated.
  The public has a right to know about these things; $1 million in 
contributions should not get in the way of the public's right to know.

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