[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 87 (Friday, June 18, 1999)]
[House]
[Page H4659]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              WASTING TIME IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

  (Mr. DeFAZIO asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. DeFAZIO. Mr. Speaker, after the high school shooting in my 
district last year, in my hometown of Springfield, Oregon, I talked to 
hundreds of residents. We had an incredible community dialogue about 
the causes and the possible solutions for youth violence. Everyone 
agreed it was complex. They had a long list of things they would like 
to see done. They would like to see something done about violence in 
the media.
  After 66 amendments and dozens of hours of staying in session until 2 
o'clock in the morning, this House has done nothing about violence in 
the media. After a day and a half on the very sensitive issue of gun 
control, this House has done nothing to extend instant check and 
background checks to people who purchase guns at gun shows. After 66 
amendments and dozens of hours and late into the night, we have done 
nothing to add to the services to serve at-risk youth and their 
families and prevent them from getting into violence. Nothing. Zero.
  Mr. Speaker, I hope my constituents and I hope my colleagues' 
constituents were watching. What we did here does not even meet the 
common-sense laugh test. It was a disgrace for this House of 
Representatives.

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