[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 13 (Tuesday, January 23, 2007)]
[House]
[Page H839]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            THE BIKE CAUCUS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the order of the House of 
January 4, 2007, the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Blumenauer) is 
recognized during morning hour debates for 5 minutes.
  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, I find it somewhat amusing listening to 
my colleagues on the other side of the aisle fulminating against the 
notion that we would allow Delegates to participate in our 
deliberations of the Committee of the Whole. Obviously the people 
either haven't read the proposal, or they don't care about what the 
content is, because these are duly elected representatives that we are 
proposing to be able to enter into efforts only under operation as 
Committee of the Whole. While they are signaling their intent, how they 
would vote, that if at any point they provide the margin that would 
change the outcome, we provided for a revote. So we are protecting the 
integrity of the House, it is just when we are operating in the 
Committee of the Whole, and it is to give voice, for example, to the 
Republican Delegate from Puerto Rico who represents 4 million people 
who do pay taxes, who fight in our wars; Delegate Eleanor Holmes 
Norton, who represents full tax-paying citizens of the District of 
Columbia who have been disenfranchised. In effect we have a tax-paying 
colony of United States citizens. That is our Nation's capital. It is 
shameful that Eleanor Holmes Norton hasn't been extended full voting 
status, but we will work on that ultimately by changing the 
Constitution.
  Until that day comes, this represents a reasonable compromise to give 
voice to the men and women who are Delegates, who play an important 
role, including Puerto Rico, a Republican Delegate, and Eleanor Holmes 
Norton, who represents American citizens disenfranchised in the 
District.
  Mr. Speaker, I come to the floor today on a somewhat lighter note. 
While we are dealing with affairs of state, we are going to hear 
partisan bickering back and forth. We are going to be dealing with 
major issues or war and peace and global warming. We also have an 
opportunity this week to reinstitute a tradition that continues to 
unify and uplift Congress, and I am speaking about bike-partisanship. 
The last 15 years have signaled a renaissance in cycling--the feats of 
Greg LaMond and Lance Armstrong in the Tour de France; Americans using 
over a hundred million bicycles around the country; the landmark ISTEA 
legislation reauthorizing the Surface Transportation Act that since 
1991 has directed $8 billion to biking and walking and trail 
activities, $4.5 billion in the last bill alone, another record.
  We are working for ways to enhance the status of people who burn 
calories, not oil, people who take up less space on congested roadways, 
do not contribute to air pollution, and simplify the parking problems 
faced by more Americans.
  It is not just better for the cyclists, but it is better for the 
motorists who don't have the cyclists competing with them. It is better 
for the health of Americans. We know that we are dealing with an issue 
of obesity in America, a lack of exercise. Think right now how many 
Americans are stuck in traffic on their way to ride an exercise bike at 
a health club.
  Well, we have an opportunity, Mr. Speaker, by enlisting friends on 
both sides of the aisle to rejoin the Congressional Bicycle Caucus. I 
strongly urge that my colleagues respond to the invitation that is 
going out today along with my co-chairman, Tom Petri, a great member of 
the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, to join with us. Last 
session we had over 160 bike-partisan members from both parties who 
dealt with issues of transportation. We have done activities that 
involve members and staff and family. We urge fellow members to sign up 
now to be ready for the hundreds of cyclists that will join us for the 
annual Bicycle Summit in March. This is one activity that brings us 
together that all people can benefit from, and they will be entitled to 
their membership pin in the Congressional Bicycle Caucus.
  I strongly urge that we take these steps for a healthier America, for 
an environmentally sensitive America, for an America where children can 
get to school safely on their own, and that we are able to live a 
little lighter on the land.

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