[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 29 (Wednesday, March 8, 2006)]
[House]
[Pages H653-H657]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 AUTHORIZING THE SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR TO DESIGNATE THE PRESIDENT 
   WILLIAM JEFFERSON CLINTON BIRTHPLACE HOME IN HOPE, ARKANSAS, AS A 
                         NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE

  Mr. GOHMERT. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 4192) to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to 
designate the President William Jefferson Clinton Birthplace Home in 
Hope, Arkansas, as a National Historic Site and unit of the National 
Park System, and for other purposes.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 4192

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

[[Page H654]]

     SECTION 1. WILLIAM JEFFERSON CLINTON BIRTHPLACE HOME NATIONAL 
                   HISTORIC SITE.

       (a) Acquisition of Property; Establishment of Historic 
     Site.--Should the Secretary of the Interior acquire, by 
     donation only from the Clinton Birthplace Foundation, Inc., 
     fee simple, unencumbered title to the William Jefferson 
     Clinton Birthplace Home site located at 117 South Hervey 
     Street, Hope, Arkansas, 71801, and to any personal property 
     related to that site, the Secretary shall designate the 
     William Jefferson Clinton Birthplace Home site as a National 
     Historic Site and unit of the National Park System, to be 
     known as the ``President William Jefferson Clinton Birthplace 
     Home National Historic Site''.
       (b) Applicability of Other Laws.--The Secretary shall 
     administer the President William Jefferson Clinton Birthplace 
     Home National Historic Site in accordance with the laws 
     generally applicable to national historic sites, including 
     the Act entitled ``An Act to establish a National Park 
     Service, and for other purposes'', approved August 25, 1916 
     (16 U.S.C. 1-4), and the Act entitled ``An Act to provide for 
     the preservation of historic American sites, buildings, 
     objects and antiquities of national significance, and for 
     other purposes'', approved August 21, 1935 (16 U.S.C. 461 et 
     seq.).

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Texas (Mr. Gohmert) and the gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands (Mrs. 
Christensen) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Texas.


                             General Leave

  Mr. GOHMERT. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their 
remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under 
consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Texas?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. GOHMERT. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  (Mrs. CHRISTENSEN asked and was given permission to revise and extend 
her remarks.)
  Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Madam Speaker, H.R. 4192 was introduced by my 
colleague from Arkansas Mr. Ross. Although former President Clinton 
lived in several other homes during his childhood, this home in Hope, 
Arkansas, is the one most closely identified with his youth and early 
development.
  Former President Clinton's upbringing in Hope played a prominent role 
in his political campaigns. He summed up his sense of the community 
with the well-known phrase, ``I still believe in a place called Hope.''
  Madam Speaker, inclusion of this site within the National Park System 
is consistent with numerous Presidential sites previously authorized, 
including that of the Ronald Reagan Boyhood Home in 2002.
  Madam Speaker, I would also note that H.R. 4192 is supported by the 
entire Arkansas congressional delegation, and also has the support of 
State and local officials. We support H.R. 4192 and urge the adoption 
of this legislation by the House today.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. GOHMERT. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to 
the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ginny Brown-Waite).
  Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Madam Speaker, I thank the 
gentleman for yielding me time.
  Madam Speaker, I rise in opposition to this bill. I do not object to 
the bill on its merits, and when I first knew that the bill was coming 
up, it was not a problem.
  However, upon reading various articles, I do have concerns, and my 
constituents have concerns. I have heard from several of them. Let me 
make it clear that my opposition is not partisan, it is not a 
Republican, it is not a Democratic issue.
  Regardless of your personal view of him, Mr. Clinton served this 
country as President for 8 years and should have his birthplace 
properly designated as a place in American history. However, before 
this Congress moves to honor the former President, I think that he has 
some explaining to do.
  You know, most Americans are very outraged over the Dubai Ports deal 
with the United States, and I am even more outraged when I hear that he 
may have consulted with the Crown Sheik of Dubai on this deal. So let 
me get this straight. Not only a U.S. citizen, but also a former 
President gives advice.


                             POINT OF ORDER

  Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Madam Speaker, I make a point of order.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentlewoman will state her point of 
order.
  Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Madam Speaker, I would state that the gentlewoman 
from Florida should confine her comments to the subject matter of the 
bill before us.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentlewoman is correct that debate 
should be confined to the pending subject. However, the Chair currently 
perceives a nexus between the substance of the bill and the 
gentlewoman's remarks.
  Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Madam Speaker, how do Republicans 
or Democrats explain this to our constituents? How do we possibly show 
that we are serious about protecting the United States from terrorist 
nations when we are proceeding to possibly honor the birthplace of 
someone who may have brokered this deal?
  Madam Speaker, I cannot support this bill at this time until Mr. 
Clinton explains his role in the Dubai Ports deal. Reportedly Mr. 
Clinton has accepted nearly $1 million from the UAE for strategic 
advice. He is not a registered foreign agent. He also tried to get his 
former press secretary signed as a spokesman for the UAE. When they did 
not hire him, Mr. Clinton turned around and spoke against the port 
deal, and yet there was a reported million dollars here.
  Madam Speaker, I think we need to take some time and review this 
very, very carefully.


                            POINT OF ORDER.

  Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Madam Speaker, I make a point of order.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentlewoman will state her point of 
order.
  Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Madam Speaker, the gentlewoman has strayed again 
from the subject matter of the bill before us. I would ask that she 
confine her remarks to the subject matter of the bill before us at this 
time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The rules do require that the gentlewoman 
consistently maintain a nexus to the substance of the bill.
  Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Madam Speaker, the nexus to the 
bill is whether or not this is the time to proceed with this bill.
  And so that individuals have an opportunity actually to respond, I am 
going ask for a recorded vote. It is directly related to the bill. It 
is directly related to the security of our Nation.

                              {time}  1045

  Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume 
to the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Ross).
  Mr. ROSS. Madam Speaker, as the sponsor of this legislation, I rise 
in support of H.R. 4192, a bill to designate the William Jefferson 
Clinton birthplace home located in my hometown of Hope, Arkansas, as a 
national historic site and unit of the National Park System.
  First, I would like to thank Chairman Pombo, Chairman Saxton and 
Ranking Member Rahall and Ranking Member Christensen for their support 
and their assistance in moving this bill from the Resources Committee 
in a bipartisan manner to the floor of the United States House of 
Representatives.
  Madam Speaker, what we have just witnessed from the gentlewoman from 
Florida is an example of the kind of partisan bickering that the people 
back home are sick and tired of. This is not a Democrat or Republican 
issue. This is about America, and it is about our Nation's history.
  Madam Speaker, what the gentlewoman from Florida obviously does not 
get is the fact that this is about history. We have only had 42 
Presidents in the history of this Nation; and I believe all of them, 
Democrat and Republican alike, if their birthplace home is still 
standing, it should be an historic site because it is a part of 
history.
  I am pleased to have the entire Arkansas congressional delegation 
supporting this bill in a bipartisan manner including Congressman 
Boozman from Arkansas, Congressman Berry from Arkansas, Congressman 
Snyder from Arkansas; and I am proud that this bill was passed out of 
the Resources Committee and placed on the suspension

[[Page H655]]

calendar by our leaders in both parties that recognized it for what it 
is, about history, not about politics. So I am deeply, deeply saddened 
that one Member out of 435 has chosen to try to divide us once again by 
taking a history lesson and turning it into a partisan ball game.
  In my mind and in the minds of my colleagues from Arkansas there is 
no doubt this important property in Hope, Arkansas deserves Federal 
recognition. I believe the preservation of properties of historical 
significance is a necessary and important function of our government. 
The designation as a national historic site and unit of the National 
Park System will open the doors for further economic opportunities and 
prosperity for the city of Hope and all of southwest Arkansas. This 
site will celebrate, it will celebrate the history and educate 
thousands of visitors on the early life of our 42nd President of the 
United States of America, President William Jefferson Clinton, who came 
into this world on August 19, 1946, as William Jefferson Blythe, III, 
in Hope, Arkansas, just 3 months after his father tragically died in a 
car accident.
  I mentioned that this has bipartisan support, Madam Speaker. This is 
about economic development. It is about tourism. It is about history. 
It is about maintaining and protecting and preserving an historic site, 
the birthplace home of the 42nd President of the United States of 
America.
  Our Republican Governor in Arkansas gets it. And I want to thank him 
for that, and I want to share with my colleagues and make a part of the 
Record a letter I received dated yesterday from our Republican 
Governor, Mike Huckabee who, too, grew up in Hope, Arkansas.
  It says: ``Dear Congressman Ross: Thank you for your efforts to honor 
and recognize the birthplace of our 42nd President, William Jefferson 
Clinton, by naming his birthplace in Hope, Arkansas a national historic 
site. As is customary in this country to honor our former Presidents 
with libraries and other accolades, I cannot think of a better tribute 
to President Clinton than this recognition. The lasting impact this 
will have for the State and country is immeasurable. Not only would it 
provide future generations an educational look into our 42nd President 
and the times he lived in, but it will provide the region of our State, 
and specifically my native home of Hope, Arkansas, added economic 
opportunity and prosperity.
  ``H.R. 4192 is an important piece of legislation for not only the 
reasons mentioned above, but also for the preservation and protection 
of this historical site which is currently reliant upon private 
donations. President Clinton will forever be a true Arkansan, and this 
piece of legislation will allow not only Arkansas but the country the 
ability to properly honor him and his service.
  ``Again, thank you for your work on this legislation. I look forward 
to working with you to see its passage out of Congress this year.
  ``Sincerely yours, Mike Huckabee, Governor of the State of 
Arkansas.''
  Might I add, a Republican Governor, who like myself, grew up in Hope, 
Arkansas.
  Finally, Madam Speaker, I would like to at least read a part of a 
letter from Mack McLarty who was President Clinton's first White House 
Chief of Staff and someone who commanded respect from both sides of the 
aisle during those early Clinton years.
  ``Dear Mike: I'm writing today in support of H.R. 4192, your bill 
authorizing the Secretary of the Interior to designate President 
William Jefferson Clinton's birthplace home in Hope, Arkansas as a 
national historic site and unit of the National Park System. This step 
would be a fitting recognition of President Clinton's birthplace home 
in our Nation's Presidential history and ensure the preservation of the 
site for future generations. This site will celebrate history and 
educate thousands of visitors and perhaps, most importantly, it will 
bring jobs and economic development opportunities to southwest 
Arkansas.
  ``As you know, I was born and raised in Hope myself. My lifelong 
friendship with President Clinton dates back to Miss Mary's 
kindergarten. Not surprisingly, then, my attachment to 117 South Hervey 
Street is personal and heartfelt, but, more than that, I believe the 
Clinton birthplace stands for something larger than itself.''
  Mack McLarty goes on to write that, ``As I wrote some years ago in an 
essay for the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program, I believe that 
white frame house is worthy of more than a nod of nostalgia because the 
values President Clinton learned there and in Hope formed the core of 
his political philosophy.
  ``In 1946 when President Clinton and I were born, Hope was the 
essence of small-town America. Family and faith were at the center of 
people's lives. Commitment to work was expected. From the schools to 
the churches, local businesses and charities, knowing and caring for 
one another was part of daily life. And as our friend, Joe Purvis, 
later wrote, `It bred a sense of responsibility, because if you 
misbehaved, your mama knew about it before you got home.' ''
  Mack McLarty continues in his letter, ``For a small boy growing up in 
that era, Hope lived up to its name. We had won the war. The economy 
was booming. The American Dream was alive. People had confidence in a 
future they believed was theirs to shape. It was a time of infectious 
optimism and seemingly limitless potential.
  ``I do not mean to suggest that our hometown was perfect. We never 
thought it was even then. Hope was segregated like the rest of the 
South. It had its share of human frailty and vice, but kids were 
taught, growing up, to respect the dignity of each individual. There 
was a genuine sense of community in Hope that crossed income lines and, 
in many ways, race as well.''
  Mack McLarty continues in his letter in support of this bill, ``The 
young Bill Clinton, who was then Billy Blythe, understood this perhaps 
better than most. His father had died before he was born. His mother, 
determined to provide for her son, was in nurse anesthetist school in 
New Orleans, a brave step in an era when single mothers and working 
women were uncommon. Young Billy was raised those first few years 
primarily by his grandparents who owned a grocery on North Hazel Street 
across from Rose Hill Cemetery.''
  I could continue, Madam Speaker, but there are others who want to 
speak in support of this bill on both sides of the aisle, and I applaud 
them and thank them for helping me restore and maintain and preserve 
this piece of history, as we should do for all 42 former Presidents, 
Democrat and Republican alike.

                                                State of Arkansas,


                                       State Capitol Building,

                                   Little Rock, AR, March 7, 2006.
     Hon. Mike Ross,
     House of Representatives, Cannon House Office Building, 
         Washington, DC.
       Dear Congressman Ross: Thank you for your efforts to honor 
     and recognize the birthplace of our 42nd President, William 
     Jefferson Clinton, by naming his birthplace home in Hope, 
     Arkansas a National Historic Site. As is customary in this 
     country to honor our former Presidents with libraries and 
     other accolades, I can not think of a better tribute to 
     President Clinton than this recognition. The lasting impact 
     this will have for the state and country is immeasurable. Not 
     only will it provide future generations an educational look 
     into our 42nd President and the times he lived in, but it 
     will provide this region of our state and specifically my 
     native home of Hope added economic opportunity and 
     prosperity.
       H.R. 4192 is an important piece of legislation for not only 
     the reasons mentioned above, but also for the preservation 
     and protection of this historical site, which is currently 
     reliant upon private donations. President Clinton will 
     forever be a true Arkansan and this piece of legislation will 
     allow not only Arkansas but the country the ability to 
     properly honor him and his service.
       Again thank you for your work on this legislation and I 
     look forward to working with you to see its passage out of 
     Congress this year.
       Sincerely yours,
                                                    Mike Huckabee,
     Governor.
                                  ____

                                   Little Rock, AR, March 7, 2006.
     Hon. Mike Ross,
     House of Representatives, Cannon House Office Building, 
         Washington, DC.
       Dear Mike: I'm writing today in support of H.R. 4192, your 
     bill authorizing the Secretary of the Interior to designate 
     President William Jefferson Clinton's birthplace home in 
     Hope, Arkansas, as a National Historic Site and unit of the 
     National Park System. This step would be a fitting 
     recognition of President Clinton's birthplace home in our 
     nation's presidential history--and ensure the preservation of 
     the site for future generations. This site will celebrate 
     history and educate thousands of visitors, and perhaps

[[Page H656]]

     most importantly, it will bring jobs, and economic 
     development opportunities to southwest Arkansas.
       As you know, I was born and raised in Hope myself; my 
     lifelong friendship with President Clinton dates back to Miss 
     Mary's kindergarten. Not surprisingly, then, my attachment to 
     117 South Hervey Street is personal and heartfelt; but, more 
     than that, I believe the Clinton birthplace stands for 
     something larger than itself.
       As I wrote some years ago in an essay for the Arkansas 
     Historic Preservation Program, I believe that white frame 
     house is worthy of more than a nod of nostalgia, because the 
     values President Clinton learned there and in Hope formed the 
     core of his political philosophy.
       In 1946, when President Clinton and I were born, Hope was 
     the essence of small-town America. Family and faith were at 
     the center of people's lives. Commitment to work was 
     expected. From the schools to the churches, local businesses 
     and charities, knowing and caring for one another was part of 
     daily life. And as our friend Joe Purvis later wrote, ``It 
     bred a sense of responsibility, because if you misbehaved 
     your mama knew about it before you got home.''
       For a small boy growing up in that era, Hope lived up to 
     its name. We had won the war. The economy was booming. The 
     American Dream was alive. People had confidence in a future 
     they believed was theirs to shape. It was a time of 
     infectious optimism and seemingly limitless potential.
       I don't mean to suggest that our hometown was perfect. We 
     never thought it was, even then. Hope was segregated, like 
     the rest of the South. It had its share of human frailty and 
     vice. But kids were taught, growing up, to respect the 
     dignity of each individual. There was a genuine sense of 
     community in Hope, that crossed income lines and, in many 
     ways, race as well.
       The young Bill Clinton, who was then Billy Blythe, 
     understood this perhaps better than most. His father had died 
     before he was born. His mother, determined to provide for her 
     son, was in nurse-anesthetist school in New Orleans--a brave 
     step in an era when single mothers, and working women, were 
     uncommon. Young Billy was raised those first few years 
     primarily by his grandparents, who owned a grocery on North 
     Hazel Street, across from Rose Hill Cemetery.
       That grocery store was one of the most integrated 
     enterprises in Hope. It was a place where every customer, 
     black or white, was treated kindly; where credit was given 
     freely on the basis of trust; where equality was a way of 
     life and not just an aspiration. It was also a place that 
     catered to lower- and lower-middle income families. Young 
     Billy saw parents working hard to make ends meet for their 
     children.
       His exposure, early on, to human effort, and to the open 
     hearts and minds of his grandparents, helped sharpen Bill 
     Clinton's ability to empathize and understand real people's 
     dreams and struggles. Much of what he has stood for, first as 
     governor and then as president--whether his national race 
     initiative, his emphasis on service, or his efforts to expand 
     the middle class--reflected his belief that we need to band 
     together, that by lifting others we also raise ourselves.
       The importance of community was just one of the lessons 
     Bill Clinton took to heart on South Hervey Street. His 
     grandparents taught him to count and read, nurturing a 
     commitment to education he carried throughout his life. And 
     his mother taught him, by her own powerful example, to 
     persevere in the face of adversity. As one friend said, 
     Virginia Kelley was like a rubber ball: ``The harder life put 
     her down, the higher she bounced. She didn't know what the 
     word quit meant.''
       I'll always remember the October afternoon in 1991, when 
     Bill Clinton declared from the Old State House steps his 
     candidacy for President. ``Together we can make America great 
     again,'' he said, ``and build a community of hope that will 
     inspire the world.''
       A community of hope--a community of Hope--inspired my 
     childhood friend with the extraordinary confidence, courage, 
     commitment and vision to lead our country. And when I look at 
     117 South Hervey Street, most remarkable for its simplicity, 
     I am proud to say I hail from a place where a boy could grow 
     up to be president; a place where loving families, devoted 
     teachers, friendly and supportive neighbors gave children 
     like Billy Blythe and me the wings to pursue our dreams.
       I hope the U.S. House of Representatives will pass H.R. 
     4192. Thank you for your leadership on this issue, and your 
     service to our state and our country.
           Personally,
                                                     Mack McLarty.

  Mr. GOHMERT. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to 
the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Boozman).
  Mr. BOOZMAN. Madam Speaker, I thank Congressman Ross and Chairman 
Pombo. Congressman Ross for introducing the bill, and then Chairman 
Pombo for getting it to the floor.
  I rise in strong support of this bill. The reason that I do, before I 
was elected to Congress I had never been to Washington, D.C, and I came 
up here, I can still remember the excitement of seeing all the 
structures and things; and then now, as my constituents come up, taking 
them around, showing them the different areas, the different things of 
history that we preserved.
  Preserving Presidential birthplaces is very, very important. It is 
something that we need to do. We need to do a much better job, I think, 
in this country of preserving structures like this in general that are 
so important, that tell the story of America.
  One of the things that I really enjoy doing is going out to schools 
and I visit with the kids. I was on the school board for 7 years, and I 
sit down and visit with them, and one of the main reasons I am there is 
I want them to understand that a guy like me that was on the school 
board, had a small business, was on the school board, grew up very much 
like they did, in western Arkansas, that the sky is the limit, that 
they can work hard and basically achieve anything they want.
  Bill Clinton is truly an example of that. And certainly as they go 
through the structure that we are trying to preserve, I think it really 
shows that a young guy that grew up as much of America is growing up, 
maybe at some times maybe a little bit worse than much of America is 
growing up, but growing up in humble circumstances, having a dream, 
able to achieve the governorship of Arkansas, and then go on to become 
the most powerful man in the world. I think it is a great story. I 
think it is one that kids will be able to relate to and certainly show 
that, again, if they step forward that the sky is the limit.
  As Mike said, this has great support from the State of Arkansas, 
great support from our congressional delegation, and then also from our 
Governor, Governor Huckabee, that we would like to do what President 
Clinton did in the future, also from Hope, and he was very, very 
supportive as the letter indicates.
  Again, I speak in strong support of this bill and I urge its 
adoption.
  Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Madam Speaker, how much time do I have remaining?
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mrs. Capito). The gentlewoman from the 
Virgin Islands (Mrs. Christensen) has 10 minutes remaining.
  Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman 
from California (Mr. Cardoza).
  Mr. CARDOZA. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to rise in support of H.R. 
4192, to designate the birthplace of our 42nd President, William 
Jefferson Clinton, as a national historic site and a unit of the 
National Park System.
  Currently, the Clinton birthplace home is owned and operated by a 
nonprofit Clinton birthplace foundation. While they are doing an 
excellent job of maintaining this site for the public viewing and 
educational purposes, by becoming part of the National Park System the 
Clinton birthplace will now be able to take full advantage of the 
National Park Service's vast resources.
  As a member of the Committee on Resources and at Mr. Ross' request, I 
have been down to southwest Arkansas to see the Clinton birthplace for 
myself, and I can personally attest to the great pride that fellow 
Arkansans feel for this site.
  Not only is Mr. William Jefferson Clinton a source of pride for the 
folks in his home State of Arkansas, but he is also a representative of 
the symbol of hope for millions of both Americans and those throughout 
the world who have seen his work. And you just need to tour the Clinton 
library to see the respect he received throughout the globe by the 
tributes housed at the library.
  I believe every Presidential birthplace should be preserved and 
protected as part of our Nation's history regardless of political 
party.
  I would like to also recognize that Speaker Hastert and Chairman 
Pombo have brought this bill to the floor. And I want to commend them 
for doing so in a nonpartisan manner, not treating this issue as a 
political football, but one of worthy legislation that deserves our 
support.
  I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 4192.

                              {time}  1100

  Mr. GOHMERT. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman 
from Arkansas (Mr. Snyder), my colleague.
  Mr. SNYDER. Madam Speaker, it is starting to be a pattern here of the 
Arkansans lining up here in support of

[[Page H657]]

this bill, both Republican and Democrat, but it is the kind of bill 
that in any State we would all do the same thing, Republican or 
Democrat, to preserve this kind of a historic place.
  Obviously, we are all very much aware that during his time in office 
President Clinton was a controversial figure. Any President is these 
days, but what we are talking about is preserving the childhood home, 
the birthplace home, of this President.
  As a person who is the child of a single-parent household, I think it 
is important that we enrich those sites that have been preserved so 
this story can be told also, that no longer are our Presidents, like 
Abraham Lincoln, reading by firelight because there was no electricity 
in those days, but in this modern era that any child in America, 
regardless of background, can rise above that background, take those 
values that he learns and, regardless of party affiliation, go on to 
achieve great things in this country.
  So I think this is very important. I am very much appreciative of Mr. 
Hastert and Mr. Pombo for allowing this bill to come to the floor. Our 
Republican Governor, Governor Huckabee, is also supportive. And also, 
thanks today to the people of Hope who have kept this site in a state 
of suspended animation and preserved it while their Federal Government 
catches up with them in recognizing the significance of preserving and 
maintaining for all time this modest home.
  Mr. GOHMERT. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to 
the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Keller), my friend.
  Mr. KELLER. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me the 
time, and I just want to say I intend to vote for this. I think it is 
worthy of being designated as an historic site.
  Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Madam Speaker, will the gentleman 
yield?
  Mr. KELLER. I yield to the gentlewoman from Florida.
  Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Madam Speaker, I thank the 
gentleman for yielding.
  As I said before, my decision to call for a recorded vote is based on 
the future of our country and the fact that we need to have the 
information out there about Mr. Clinton's involvement in the Dubai 
port, the whole issue.
  It is about hope, certainly about Hope, Arkansas. I hope to vote for 
this bill. I had hoped to vote for the bill because I had hoped that 
Mr. Clinton would do the right thing and register as a foreign agent. 
That not happening is the reason why I am objecting to the bill at this 
time.
  I also believe that we need to preserve birthplaces of our 
Presidents, and had we had enough time, I just would have asked the 
leadership to postpone this vote. I wanted to vote for this bill, but 
the more information that comes out about the millions of dollars that 
have been paid by the UAE to Mr. Clinton just gives many Americans the 
lack of hope for our security. That is exactly why I am going to call 
for the yeas and nays.
  It is not against President Clinton. It is not against him, but 
rather, I wish we had more time so that the public would know exactly 
how involved he was in what that million dollars bought when it came to 
the Dubai port issue.
  Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  This bill, H.R. 4192, would give the home most closely associated 
with the 42nd President of the United States the designation that other 
Presidents have had. It is about naming this boyhood home as a national 
historic site. It is not about policy, and in 2002, Members on both 
sides of the aisle, regardless of any disagreements they may have had 
over any of President Reagan's policies, came together and 
wholeheartedly supported the designation of the Ronald Reagan Boyhood 
Home as a national historic site.
  In his Presidency, William Jefferson Clinton gave many Americans who 
were at that time left behind and left out and left on the fringes of 
American society reasons to hope. It is fitting that we recognize his 8 
years of service to this country as our President and designate his 
home in Hope, Arkansas, as the Clinton Boyhood Home National Historic 
Site.
  I would urge all of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to 
support this bill, as we have supported so many others for Presidents 
in the past.
  Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. GOHMERT. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  I appreciate my colleagues across the aisle. You are right, this is 
not a partisan issue when we are talking about the birthplace of a 
President. Frankly, here I am making the motion, and I never voted for 
President Clinton. I was not a big fan of President Clinton, but you 
are right, also: he came from extraordinary circumstances and rose to 
the highest position in this country.
  I mean, he and I apparently had very different lifestyles growing up. 
I never consumed a drop of alcohol, and when I was underage, I never 
not only did not inhale, I never smoked.
  There are so many things different in our backgrounds, and he ought 
to be an inspiration to every child out there, whether leaning toward 
being Republican or Democrat. That President Bill Clinton, with the 
things that he had in his background, could reach the Nation's highest 
office. I mean, any of you should know that it is not out of your reach 
either. It is extraordinary what he accomplished.
  But there is an old political adage that says, democracy ensures that 
a people govern no better than they deserve. In 1992 and 1996, whether 
any of us like it or not, America deserved Bill Clinton, and that is 
who we elected. It is now a fact he has been a President. It is now a 
fact that his birthplace should be a historical site, and I understand 
the concerns of the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ginny Brown-Waite), 
my friend. Maybe there will be a room dedicated to all the money made 
from the UAE, but that is someone else's determination.
  The fact is it is a historical place. It deserves that designation, 
and, hopefully, people will be inspired for years to come that this is 
America. It does not matter what your background is; you can rise to 
the highest office in the land, and you should be inspired by that.
  For that reason, I would urge the passage of this bill.
  Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mrs. Capito). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Gohmert) that the House 
suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 4192.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of 
those present have voted in the affirmative.
  Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the 
yeas and nays.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The yeas and nays are requested. All those 
in favor of taking this vote by the yeas and nays will rise and remain 
standing until counted. A sufficient number having arisen, the yeas and 
nays are ordered.

                          ____________________