[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 32 (Tuesday, March 2, 1999)]
[House]
[Pages H832-H833]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        TEXAS INDEPENDENCE DAY, AND WHERE WE SHOULD GO FROM HERE

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of 
January 19, 1999, the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee) is 
recognized during morning hour debates for 5 minutes.
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, let me join my colleague who 
spoke earlier to acknowledge Texas Independence Day, today, March 2nd, 
1999. But as my 7th grader said, who has the challenge of studying 
Texas history, what a difference a century makes. I am very proud that 
we can stand before us today acknowledging Texas Independence Day, in a 
State that is diverse and recognizes all of the contributions that all 
of the citizens have made to this great State.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to talk about where we should go from here. 
The impeachment process is over and the Constitution has been 
preserved. Although this week we will see a number of confessions and 
testimonies on television, I believe the American people want us to 
move forward. Now is the time for reconciliation and healing, mending 
and building relationships that were damaged that can be replaced.
  Furthermore, I am ready to begin working toward enacting legislation 
that will enhance the quality of life for all Americans. The 
President's behavior, yes, was unacceptable, but they were not 
impeachable offenses of treason, bribery, and other high crimes and 
misdemeanors. To dwell on that, Mr. Speaker, does not get us where we 
need to go.
  I would simply like to ask us to get on with the people's business. 
There is great responsibility in saving social security and preserving 
Medicare. Social security is an obligation that Congress must protect 
now and in the future. Millions of Americans are depending

[[Page H833]]

upon this program and its benefits. Social security is a lifeline for 
older Americans. It is time to get on with the people's business. It is 
time to address the crises in America.
  I come from Texas. Today is its Independence Day. But it does not 
mean that I rejoiced or was proud of the act, the heinous act against 
James Byrd, Junior. I am proud of Jasper, Texas. I am proud of the 
conviction. I am proud of the laws of this Nation. But we need to do 
more to ensure that these heinous hate crimes are prevented, and that 
we as a Nation make a national statement against hate crimes.
  I want to see the Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 1999 passed by this 
Congress expeditiously. I have named it after James Byrd, Junior, and 
Matthew Shepherd. I would like to collaborate with members of the 
Committee on the Judiciary and members of this House to pass once and 
forever a Hate Crimes Prevention Act in this country. How can we go 
forward and say that this was a heinous crime, and yet we do not want 
to act against it? There is documentation that there are increased hate 
crimes in America, and we must stand against them.
  Just this morning I was in a hearing on Y2K and its relation to the 
compliance with Y2K needs for the Defense Department. Let me thank the 
Subcommittee on Technology of the Committee on Science and the 
oversight committee for looking at this important issue.
  Many Americans are listening to disparate thoughts about this. Some 
say, prepare like it is a natural disaster. I say, get the United 
States prepared. We must work together in this Congress to ensure that 
we are not unprepared for Y2K.
  The census must be done right, and I hope my Republican friends will 
join us and recognize that statistical sampling is the way to go. One 
American should not be left out. We have work to do.
  I come from the oil patch, the energy sector. Many believe that the 
economy is going well, the engine of this country is strong. Let me 
tell the Members, there are over 50,000 people who have been laid off 
in the oil patch. We cannot leave them behind. I am appreciative of the 
Secretary of Labor, who will be working with me.
  I look forward to my colleagues supporting the Jobs Protection 
Initiative Act, to get people back to work. I call upon the 
administration to make a strong stand to help those who have been laid 
off by low energy prices, and tell those laid-off individuals that they 
do count. We are going to work together and make a difference.
  Let me also say, Mr. Speaker, that we have a world responsibility. I 
want to congratulate those who have come back from Nigeria and seen a 
positive count and democracy growing in Africa. I want us to pass the 
African Growth and Opportunity Act, to establish business bonds between 
small and medium minority and women-owned businesses and Africans. I 
want to see peace in Ethiopia and Sierra Leone.
  Finally, Mr. Speaker, let me say one thing, as I proceed to the 
Committee on the Judiciary and a hearing later on this afternoon on the 
Independent Counsel.
  My good friend mentioned the comments of President Clinton about the 
Independent Counsel being the foundation stone of trust between our 
government and its citizens. The gentleman is right, he did say that. 
But all of us say now that unfortunately, this past series of events 
with Mr. Starr and his activities have broken the bonds of trust.

                              {time}  1115

  I worked under Leon Jaworski, the special prosecutor for the 
Watergate proceedings. That is the standard of which we can comply. I 
believe this country can get rid of corruption, but we do not need to 
have an independent counsel that spends more time abusing the 
Constitution than supporting it.
  Mr. Speaker, I will go on record for looking forward to the 
independent counsel statute expiring and getting rid of a fourth estate 
of government and working with the Constitution and beginning to heal 
this Nation, making sure, of course, that we do not have corruption in 
government.

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