[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 107 (Thursday, June 26, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1371]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                ESTABLISHING A CONGRESS 2012 COMMISSION

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                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 26, 2008

  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce 
legislation which will continue my efforts of previous Congresses to 
work toward better representation for our constituents. My legislation 
will form a commission to examine how we, the people, may be best 
served by our representational democracy. This commission would analyze 
the current size of the membership of the House of Representatives and 
examine alternatives to the current method of electing Representatives.
  Madam Speaker, as Chairman of the Committee on Rules Legislative and 
Budget Subcommittee, I find it absolutely necessary to continually 
update our mechanisms for representation and governance to best serve 
those constituents who have trusted us with representing them.
  The legislation I offer today will counter the unfortunate truth 
that, ironically, our land of the free is one of the most under-
representative democracies in the world. When considering elected 
federal representation per capita, many other countries throughout the 
world have parliaments which can more closely serve their constituents. 
Smaller ratios of elected officials to constituents allow for better 
engagement to more effectively address the needs of their districts. As 
a country that holds itself up as the standard bearer for the 
democratic process, we must be critical of our own standards to 
guarantee that we continue to give all citizens an equal and meaningful 
voice in our government.
  We have encountered an electoral crisis in recent years with low 
voter turnout and diminishing faith in the effectiveness of our 
electoral process. However, the energy of this current election cycle 
has exponentially increased voter registration. We owe it to our 
constituents to ensure that this increase in civic engagement is met 
with the most effective mechanism of representation possible. The 
Commission proposed in the legislation I introduce today will meet that 
need by determining the best way to ensure maximum participation in 
this great democracy by every American citizen.
  I urge my colleagues to support this legislation and look forward to 
its expedient passage.

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