[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 45 (Tuesday, March 23, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H2246-H2247]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        RESPECT THE INSTITUTION

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson Lee) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Ms. JACKSON LEE from Texas. It's always a historic pleasure to be 
able to sign legislation that can change millions of lives. It is a 
rare opportunity for Members of Congress, no matter how long they may 
serve, to be able to serve the people and then to be able to grant the 
people privileges that they would not have had but for the acts of this 
Congress. So I stand here today very proud of the fact that just a few 
hours ago, the President of the United States, the Vice President of 
the United States, the Democratic leadership and Members, signed 
legislation that would provide opportunities for 32 million Americans. 
Polling over the last 24 hours have characterized Americans as 
enthusiastic, uplifted, and happy. Quite contrary to some of the 
unfortunate drama that played out over the last 3 or 4 days as we were 
debating on the floor of the House.
  Today, in Roll Call, a local Hill paper, the headline reads, ``House 
decorum is fraying.'' It cites a comment about House Democratic leaders 
may have lost control of this body. I beg to differ with them. They are 
wrong. This institution is sacred and the House Democratic leadership 
maintains that sacredness. But, tragically, those who differed with us 
took to tactics that I believe calls for an apology by the Republican 
leadership--the actions of Members on the balcony that were beyond the 
pale; holding up posters that denigrated House leadership on the 
balcony of the United States House of Representatives; signs that were 
inappropriate.
  Certainly, I have no control, and welcome the First Amendment rights 
of anybody, including the protestors. Interestingly enough, more than a 
hundred thousand had gathered on Sunday for immigration reform. Polite, 
orderly, respectful, and getting their point across. But lo and behold, 
there were some who decided to disrespect this institution. And I'm 
offended. Yes, there can be cheers. There can be boos. We do that. It 
is the order of the day. But to call out words that are offensive to 
our fellow Members is unacceptable.
  I rise today calling on our leadership to ask for an apology from the 
minority and to have a review and an investigation--that's a too harsh 
word--but a review of the actions of those who decided to hold signs 
and I believe disrespect the institution.
  So we're not losing control of this body. Individuals may have acted 
inappropriately. But I will assure you that the debate that was carried 
on by Democrats were on the issues, albeit you may have agreed or 
disagreed. It was respectful. And we won the vote. Thank God, we won it 
on behalf of the American people. But they are my friends on both sides 
of the aisle. I claim them. But the point is that this kind of behavior 
is unacceptable and offensive. We must learn that there are some things 
more important than our individual opportunity to express ourselves as 
Members of Congress outside of this body. It is the institution and the 
respect that it's held over the years for the institution that is known 
as the most powerful lawmaking body in the world. We are owed, then, 
the duty and responsibility of acting like we have the respect for this 
body. If no one else does, we need to have it.

  Madam Speaker, the behavior was unacceptable. The behavior was 
without description and without comparison. And I'm offended by the 
insults to the Democratic leadership. They've got tough skins. But it's 
not Democratic leadership. It is the Speaker, the Majority Leader. It 
is the majority whip, the majority chairperson of the Democratic 
Caucus. It is the vice chairperson and a variety of leaders. Not one 
did I see on a balcony holding up any untoward message that would have 
offended the minority.
  The time comes now when we'll take back this House in a way that all 
of us can respect this institution. I'm grateful that we had the 
courage to do what was right for the American people.

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