[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 27 (Wednesday, March 5, 1997)]
[House]
[Page H728]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TIME FOR CONGRESS TO GET TO WORK

  (Mr. McGOVERN asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, as I awoke this morning I asked myself a 
question: Why are we all here? Why is the House of Representatives in 
session today and why should I be in Washington rather than in 
Massachusetts with my constituents?
  Mr. Speaker, please indulge me while I review the House schedule for 
today: One, a resolution congratulating the people of Guatemala; two, a 
resolution congratulating the people of Nicaragua; and three, a 
resolution commending former Secretary Warren Christopher.
  Now I salute the people of Guatemala and Nicaragua for their 
democratization, and I think Warren Christopher is a wonderful leader 
and a really great guy, but should this be the agenda for the week?
  I was sent here to debate and legislate on issues of concern to 
Massachusetts, issues like expanding educational opportunity, 
guaranteeing that all of our children have health care, and 
comprehensively reforming our ugly system of campaign finance. I call 
upon Speaker Gingrich to schedule votes on issues that affect the lives 
of working families, issues that really mean something. It is time for 
this Congress to get to work.

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