[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 124 (Thursday, September 17, 1998)]
[House]
[Page H7927]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1015
                      THE EMPEROR WITH NO CLOTHES

  (Mr. PITTS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. PITTS. Mr. Speaker, this morning I want to share a children's 
story that has been on my mind for the last seven months which we have 
all read to our children but I think it is instructive today.
  Once upon a time, there was an Emperor who loved his kingly clothes, 
in which he paraded through the palace and through the land so that all 
could admire him. He was very vain. His closest aides and followers 
were always nearby to congratulate him on how dashing he looked, how 
popular he was with his loyal subjects and how good his leadership was 
for the land.
  One day, however, the Emperor began parading through the land with 
his clothes off. He even assured himself and his followers that he was 
in fact wearing clothes. They just could not see them, because only 
stupid people could not see the clothes.
  Because they did not want to be thought of as stupid, his lawyers and 
followers and supporters agreed, ``Oh, yes, he must be wearing 
clothes.''
  And so they trumpeted throughout the land, ``The Emperor really is 
technically dressed but the unenlightened among you just cannot see the 
fine threads from which his garments are made.'' They even attacked 
those who sought to expose the truth.
  And so it continues today, Mr. Speaker.

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