[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 74 (Monday, May 19, 2003)]
[House]
[Page H4219]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1915
                           TEXAS LEGISLATORS

  (Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, last week was a week. Fifty-
five Texans decided that it was their job to represent their 
constituents, that the process of government in Austin was there to 
undermine the representation of their constituents.
  I want to again applaud the 55 who had the courage to realize that 
the cutting of children's health care and Medicaid was not the kind of 
legislative process they wanted to engage in and to stand up against an 
intercession, intermediary redistricting so that the people of Texas 
could be represented.
  Mr. Speaker, I think it is important now that we look back, that we 
make sure that the Federal resources did not inappropriately interfere 
with the constitutional privilege of elected State legislators in 
Texas. I believe it was imperative that my colleagues sent a letter to 
Secretary Ridge to get all of the documentation, including the tapes, 
that will show us whether or not the Homeland Security Department was 
utilized against these brave souls. It is important for the government 
to raise the shades and light the sunshine to tell the truth on what 
happened last week.

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