[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 2 (Thursday, January 7, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E35]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   REMARKS ON IMPEACHMENT PROCEEDINGS

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                         HON. GARY L. ACKERMAN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, January 6, 1999

  Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight to strongly oppose the 
impeachment of the President of the United States. My President. The 
People's President.
  Today we embarrass the memory of our country's Founders as we torture 
the intent of the genius of their system of balancing the awesome 
powers of Government. Once our votes are cast on this despicable issue, 
no longer will we be able to look upon ourselves and our House as 
honorable; or even as men and women who are here to serve as a check on 
the power of the Executive. Instead, we will have become a House that 
sits in moral judgement over another man, meting out punishment for 
personal deeds which we deem unacceptable. The Majority party, however, 
has decided that this course is pre-determined, because we must uphold 
``the rule of law.'' Otherwise, our country will descend into chaos.
  Yes, Mr. Speaker, no one is above the law--and there is no question 
that the law must be followed. But we also serve a greater document: 
and that is the Constitution of the United States. And it is the words 
within that great document that we must follow in this case as we 
decide whether the disgraceful behavior by the President merits his 
impeachment.
  Mr. Speaker, under your leadership and that of your party, we stand 
here--small men with petty careers, and partisan of purpose, to 
diminish our great Republic. Devoid of a sense of proportion and 
overburdened with an excess of hubris, you claim conscience as your 
exclusive domain, and deny us the right to offer the People's Will--a 
motion of censure. I can only surmise the answer to that is because the 
Republican leadership is being driven by a core of short-sighted, 
bitter, and small-minded people who would do away with the high-minded 
principles espoused and framed for time immemorial by the Founders of 
this Nation. And they would do this for the sole reason that they do 
not agree with the President's actions. However, the President's 
behavior does not put him in the category of those who would commit 
treason, except perhaps in the minds of those conspiracy theorists who 
are consuming the Majority party.
  Let me be clear that what we do here today is an oligarchical act 
that attempts to recreate a presidency that would serve at the 
Majority's whim, rather than at the will of the people. Mr. Speaker, 
please believe me that the gravity of this action will not go unnoticed 
by the public that we purport to serve.
  To be sure, the President has shamed himself greatly.
  To be clear, it is we who are about to become the shame of the 
Nation.

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