[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 72 (Wednesday, May 23, 2001)]
[House]
[Page H2575]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          NOMINATION OF TED OLSON SHOULD PROCEED WITHOUT DELAY

  (Mr. BARR of Georgia asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. BARR of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, just as with Robert Bork, Clarence 
Thomas and most recently John Ashcroft, Washington's blood sport of 
lies, rumors and innuendo is in full throttle.
  Aided by their liberal friends at The Washington Post, many Democrats 
have, once again, cast the truth aside and are focused on destroying 
the name and reputation of a fine American. In their eyes, Solicitor 
General nominee Ted Olson is guilty of one thing: He is conservative. 
The fact that he is perhaps the most qualified and well-respected 
individual ever nominated for this important post becomes irrelevant. 
His attackers are intent on punishing Ted Olson for his work on the 
Florida recount case, on destroying the spirit of bipartisanship 
promoted by President Bush, and on regaining the majority in Congress 
through fear and intimidation. They must not succeed.
  Mr. Speaker, the American people deserve to have a Justice Department 
that they can trust to faithfully execute and uphold the laws of the 
land. We need men like John Ashcroft and Ted Olson to revitalize and 
restore the luster to this most important department. Let us call off 
the attack, calm the waters and allow the nomination of this fine 
American citizen to proceed without delay.

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