[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 120 (Monday, October 2, 2000)]
[House]
[Pages H8555-H8557]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
{time} 1415
CELEBRATING THE BIRTH OF JAMES MADISON
Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to
the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 396) celebrating the birth of
James Madison and his contributions to the Nation.
The Clerk read as follows:
H. Con. Res. 396
Whereas March 16, 2001, is the 250th anniversary of the
birth of James Madison, Father of the United States
Constitution and fourth President of the United States;
Whereas the ideals of James Madison, as expressed in the
Constitution he conceived for the American Nation and in the
principles of freedom he established in the Bill of Rights,
are the foundations of American Government and life;
Whereas James Madison's lifetime of public service, as a
member of the Virginia House of Delegates, as a delegate to
the Continental Congress during the American Revolution, as a
delegate to the Constitutional Convention in 1787, as a
leader in the House of Representatives, as Secretary of
State, and as the Nation's fourth President, are an
inspiration to all men, women, and children in the conduct of
their personal and private lives; and
Whereas the ideals and inspiring example of James Madison
are of utmost importance to the future of the American Nation
as it enters a new millennium: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate
concurring), That the Congress--
(1) recognizes the historical significance of James
Madison's birth, as well as his contributions to the Nation
during his lifetime;
(2) urges all American patriotic and civil associations,
labor organizations, schools, universities, historical
societies, and communities of learning and worship, together
with citizens throughout the United States, to develop
appropriate programs and educational activities to recognize
and celebrate the life and achievements of James Madison; and
(3) requests that the President issue a proclamation
recognizing the 250th anniversary of the birth of James
Madison and calling upon the people of the United States to
observe the life and legacy of James Madison with appropriate
ceremonies and activities.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Pease). Pursuant to the rule, the
gentleman from Ohio (Mr. LaTourette) and the gentleman from Maryland
(Mr. Cummings) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. LaTourette).
General Leave
Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their
remarks on H. Con. Res. 396.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Ohio?
There was no objection.
Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
I am pleased today to rise in support of H. Con. Res. 396, which
celebrates the 250th anniversary of James Madison's birth and his
contributions to this great Nation.
This resolution recognizes the historical significance of Madison's
birth and his many contributions to the United States during his
lifetime. It also encourages American patriotic and civic
[[Page H8556]]
associations, historical societies, schools, universities, and other
organizations to develop appropriate programs and educational
activities to recognize and celebrate the life of this remarkable man.
Finally, Mr. Speaker, the resolution asks that the President issue an
appropriate resolution to recognize the importance of his birth and
call upon the people of the United States to observe Madison's life and
legacy with appropriate ceremonies and activities.
Mr. Speaker, it is impossible to do justice to James Madison's
achievements and the importance of his life and thought to America in
the brief time allotted to us today. His was truly one of the most
consequential lives in American history. His biography is also a
history of the founding of this great Nation.
Let me today simply attempt to sketch some aspects of his life.
Madison was born in 1751 and was raised in Orange County, Virginia. He
attended what is now Princeton University; and he became well read in
history, government, and the law. He participated in the framing of the
Virginia constitution in 1776, served in the Continental Congress, and
was an important figure in the Virginia Assembly. He was also, of
course, Thomas Jefferson's Secretary of State and the fourth President
of the United States.
Madison's greatest contribution, however, may have been his role in
framing the Constitution of the United States. As a delegate to the
Constitutional Convention at Philadelphia, Madison was a leading
participant in the debates of that body. Along with John Jay and
Alexander Hamilton, Madison also contributed to securing the
ratification of the Constitution by authoring parts of the Federalist
Papers. Not only were the Federalist Papers important in persuading his
contemporaries to ratify the Constitution, they are consulted to this
day by judges, lawyers, political scientists and others who seek an
understanding of the framers' intent.
Madison's ``Notes on the Constitutional Convention'' are also our
primary source of information on the debates at the Constitutional
Convention. As a Member of Congress, Madison was instrumental in
framing the Bill of Rights. Madison's contributions to the drafting and
ratification of the Constitution were so great, Mr. Speaker, that he is
often referred to as ``the father of the Constitution.''
Mr. Speaker, there is much more to say about James Madison and his
continuing importance to all Americans, much more than can be covered
here today. I encourage all Americans to learn about this man whose
ideals and principles are, as the resolution recognizes, ``the
foundations of American government and life.'' As the resolution
states, the ``ideals and inspiring example of James Madison are of
utmost importance to the future of the American Nation as it enters a
new millennium.''
That is why I urge all Members to support this resolution.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I first of all want to thank the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Bliley)
for this resolution. I want to thank the gentleman from Ohio (Mr.
LaTourette), and I want to associate myself with his words that were
just spoken.
Mr. Speaker, James Madison, a young aristocrat who began his public
career in public service at age 23, would become indelibly linked to
three great works of American democracy: the Constitution, the
Federalist Papers, and the Bill of Rights.
In 1776, Madison was a member of the Virginia constitutional
committee, a body that drafted Virginia's first constitution and a bill
of rights which later would become a model for the Bill of Rights
appended to the United States Constitution. When Madison was elected to
the United States House of Representatives, he became the primary
author of the first 12 proposed amendments to the Constitution. Ten of
these, the Bill of Rights, were adopted.
At the Constitutional Convention, which opened on May 25, 1787,
Madison set the tone by introducing a document he authored called ``The
Virginia Plan.'' The plan called for a strong central government
consisting of a supreme legislature, executive and judiciary. It
provided for a national legislature consisting of two houses, one
elected by the people and the other appointed by the first from a body
of nominees submitted by State legislatures. Representation in these
bodies would be based on the population of the States. It provided for
an executive to be elected by this national legislature. The plan also
defined a national judiciary and a council of revision charged with
reviewing the constitutionality of legislation.
As the driving force in the formation of the Constitution, James
Madison organized the convention, set the agenda, and worked through
many obstacles that threatened the process. The notes he took
throughout the convention constitute this country's best and most
complete record of the 1787 Constitutional Convention. Madison's notes,
which comprise a third of the Federalist Papers, were published in the
1830s.
As we honor James Madison today, we remember his role in the great
debate on slavery. He openly acknowledged that slavery was a great
evil, was a member of an antislavery society, and even authored a plan
for the emancipation of slaves. Nevertheless, history documents that he
continued to regard and hold slaves as property until his death. In
fact, he himself said that slaves remain such in spite of the
declarations that all men are born equally free.
As I reflect on this serious dichotomy, I am mindful of a quote from
Madison's 1810 State of the Union address that is applicable to our
modern society.
He stated that ``American citizens are instrumental in carrying on a
traffic in enslaved Africans, equally in violation of the laws of
humanity and in defiance of those of their own country. The same just
and benevolent motives which produced interdiction in force against
this criminal conduct will doubtless be felt by Congress in devising
further means of suppressing the evil.''
It is my hope that 190 years later, this Congress heeds these words
and makes a strong commitment to suppressing the evil of racism and
prejudice against minorities that exists today.
As this Congress labors through this week to complete its work on the
many pending appropriations bills, I urge my colleagues to keep one of
Madison's messages on public leadership in mind. Mr. Speaker, he said,
``The aim of every political constitution is, or ought to be, first to
obtain for rulers men and women who possess most wisdom to discern, and
most virtue to pursue, the common good of the society.''
I believe that all of us who are elected, Mr. Speaker, to serve in
the Congress come to serve the common good and hope that when we
conclude this session it is reflected in the work we have done.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this very
important and significant resolution.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield such time as
he may consume to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Bliley), the author
of the resolution and the distinguished chairman of the Committee on
Commerce.
Mr. BLILEY. I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time.
Mr. Speaker, as the proud holder of the congressional seat first held
by James Madison, I introduce House Concurrent Resolution 396 in order
to celebrate the 250th anniversary of his birth. I am hopeful that
passage of this resolution will encourage our schools, museums,
historical societies, and citizens to rediscover the important role
James Madison played in founding this Nation.
While the actual anniversary is not until March 16, 2001, quick
passage of this resolution will give these interested groups the time
to plan events, exhibitions, and lessons in his honor. We can use this
anniversary to highlight Madison's tireless service on behalf of the
Commonwealth of Virginia and this country.
While many remember James Madison as our Nation's fourth President,
he also served as a member of the Virginia House of Delegates, as a
delegate to the Continental Congress during the
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American Revolution, as a delegate to the Constitutional Convention in
1787, as a leader in the House of Representatives, and as Secretary of
State. For his many years in public service, we are a grateful Nation.
The anniversary also affords us the opportunity to fully appreciate
Madison's role as one of the Founding Fathers.
The United States has become a thriving, powerful Nation largely
because of the sound principles established by our Founding Fathers in
the Constitution. These principles have endured despite the passage of
many years and having guided this Nation through challenging times.
As Members of this deliberative body, we have from time to time
disagreed on the details of various legislative proposals. However, we
remain steadfast in our support for the fundamental principles which
serve as the foundation of our government.
James Madison, commonly referred to as the Father of the
Constitution, ensured the inclusion of these principles in the
Constitution and therefore deserves due credit. I would also like to
point out that we hear a lot of talk these days and have in the past
few years about term limits. That matter was on the floor of the
Constitutional Convention in 1787. Mr. Madison said, and I think quite
rightly, the answer is not term limits; the answer is frequent
elections so that the public can choose between experience and somebody
new.
The contributions he made during his lifetime of public service are
his enduring legacy and should be commemorated. I thank the gentleman
from Maryland for his kind words.
Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I want to first associate myself with the distinguished
gentleman from Virginia's comments. I just want to quote a letter to
W.T. Barry from President Madison dated August 4, 1822. It is one of my
favorite quotes, Mr. Speaker, and I will end with this. He said:
``A popular government, without popular information, or the means of
acquiring it, is but a prologue to a farce or a tragedy, or perhaps
both. Knowledge will forever govern ignorance and a people who mean to
be their own governors must arm themselves with the power which
knowledge gives.''
He goes on to say, ``Learned institutions ought to be favorite
objects with every free people. They throw that light over the public
mind which is the best security against crafty and dangerous
encroachments on the public liberty.''
Mr. Speaker, I again thank everybody who had anything to do with
bringing this resolution to this floor today. I urge all of my
colleagues to vote in favor of it.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. I
want to commend the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Bliley) for not only
introducing this resolution but also pushing so hard to make sure that
it was brought to the floor today. I also want to thank the gentleman
from Florida (Mr. Scarborough), who is the chairman of the Subcommittee
on Civil Service of the Committee on Government Reform, and the
gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Cummings), who is the ranking member. Also
thanks go out to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Burton) and the
gentleman from California (Mr. Waxman), the chairman and ranking
member, for their support as well.
Mr. Speaker, this is a good resolution. I urge the House to support
it.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Ohio (Mr. LaTourette) that the House suspend the rules
and agree to the concurrent resolution, House Concurrent Resolution
396.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor
thereof) the rules were suspended and the concurrent resolution was
agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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