[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 31 (Wednesday, March 12, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E445]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                WHY GINGRICH SHOULD STEP DOWN AS SPEAKER

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. EARL F. HILLIARD

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 12, 1997

  Mr. HILLIARD. Mr. Speaker. I wish to insert the following statement 
into the Record, regarding my vote in connection to the resolution of 
reprimand against Speaker Gingrich in January, regarding his Ethics 
Committee problems.

               Statement by Congressman Earl F. Hilliard

       I voted against the House Resolution providing a reprimand 
     and a monetary penalty of $300,000 for Speaker Gingrich 
     because it was less than a slap on the wrist. The fine itself 
     is insufficient. Paying a simple fine is no deterrent for 
     what the Speaker has done. In his position as Speaker of the 
     House of Representatives, one of the highest positions within 
     our government, and given the amount of power at his control, 
     a reprimand and a monetary fine do not fit the misconduct 
     which has been committed. How simple it will be for this 
     Speaker to raise $300,000 to pay a fine imposed upon him 
     because of his wrongful fund raising activities.
       The Speaker should have been censored, at a minimum, by the 
     House of Representatives. In addition, he should voluntarily 
     and immediately step down as Speaker. In his own words, he 
     has stated that he: ``brought down on the people's House a 
     controversy which could weaken the faith the people have in 
     the government.'' Through an abuse and misuse of power, 
     Gingrich broke laws to enhance himself, strengthen his role 
     within the Republican Party and strategically position 
     himself to be Speaker of the House. Therefore, he 
     intentionally and deliberately created a situation where he 
     could become Speaker. He exists as Speaker today, only 
     because he broke the rules.
       Today's vote sends a message to the American people that 
     money supersedes laws. Today's vote tells the American people 
     that it is okay to break laws in order to become powerful 
     because you will only have to pay a fine if you get caught. 
     Today's vote shows the American people that the wealthy and 
     powerful are given preferential treatment. Every time such a 
     situation is allowed, we chip away at one of the pillars of 
     democracy--and that is equal justice for all, regardless of 
     financial status. While the Speaker received less than a slap 
     on the wrist, one of the pillars of democracy received a 
     fatal blow. While the Speaker is free to continue fund 
     raising, the ideal of equal justice under the law is held 
     captive on a $300,000 bond. I voted against today's House 
     Resolution because it fundamentally failed to adequately 
     address the Speaker's wrong doing.

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