[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 108 (Tuesday, August 4, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1531]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    BUILDING FOUNDATIONS OF DEMOCRACY ON THE DOORSTEP OF THE CAPITOL

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. LOIS CAPPS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, August 4, 1998

  Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Speaker, interest in the idea of a Visitor Center at 
the U.S. Capitol has increased dramatically as a result of the recent 
tragedy there. The revival of this interest has been linked closely to 
the need to improve security and manage the large numbers of guests who 
arrive every day at this shrine of American democracy.
  Prior to the recent shooting incident I contacted Congressman John 
Mica and told him I would like to sponsor his bill to build a Visitor 
Center at the Capitol. My motivation was not security or visitor 
management, although these desirable purposes were compatible and 
complementary to my own interest. My interest was to pursue an idea 
that originated with my late husband, Congressman Walter Capps, to 
establish an exhibit and education center to explain, demonstrate, and 
involve visitors in gaining a better understanding of the ``foundations 
of democracy.''
  During his short tenure in Congress, Walter became very interested in 
the fact that thousands of visitors from across the nation and all over 
the world flood the halls of the Capitol every day. These visitors are 
thrilled to pay homage to this shrine to the first successful 
experiment in a representative democratic government. Walter was struck 
by the fact that a visitor to the Capitol had very limited 
opportunities to learn about how our democracy works beyond how a bill 
becomes a law and what has made our own experiment so successful. He 
was also impressed that there were very few other opportunities in 
Washington, a city full of wonderful museums and exhibits on art, 
culture, technology, and history.
  Walter and I shared a vision for a new educational center in 
Washington that would provide an interactive and multimedia exposure to 
the essential foundations of our American democracy. These foundations 
are, in fact, essential to any successful democratic society and 
perhaps taken for granted in our own country. What are these 
``foundations''? I am describing, among other elements, representative 
assemblies, individual freedoms, a free market economy, strong labor 
unions, vigorous political parties, a decentralized government with 
effective state and local units, and independent institutions such as 
academia, the judiciary, and the media.
  As one crosses the spacious Eastern Plaza in the shadow of the U.S. 
Capitol in the middle of any day of the year, the dramatic white marble 
edifice looms over a cacophony of voices from all over the world, and 
every corner of our nation. Exotic clothing from other lands blends 
easily with groups sporting the ubiquitous blue jackets of the Future 
Farmers. I would love to see Walter's dream become a reality, so that 
these visitors to ``the front door of democracy,'' the defense of which 
cost officers Chestnut and Gibson their lives, could return home with a 
better understanding and appreciation for the fundamental Foundations 
of that Democracy.

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