[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 48 (Thursday, March 25, 2010)]
[House]
[Page H2322]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   CIVILITY AND DECORUM IN THE HOUSE

  (Mrs. EMERSON asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mrs. EMERSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today as co-Chair of the Center 
Aisle Caucus, a bipartisan group of Members of Congress dedicated to 
the principles of civility and decorum in the House. We believe the 
House of Representatives should be a respectful place, and we work on 
behalf of the long traditions set by our Founders and followed by two 
centuries of Representatives.
  It is important for us to have open and honest debate in the people's 
House, and it is important for Americans to know the House of 
Representatives is a public place. But it is just as important that the 
debate, no matter how heated or how passionate, remains respectful and 
does not degenerate or denigrate others.
  I didn't vote for the health care bill, but the threats being 
directed at Members of Congress who did are deplorable, and they are 
illegal. They are being perpetrated by Americans who forget that no 
matter what our differences are, we have to work constructively to 
solve our problems.
  We have a great grassroots movement in my home State that is intense 
but also observe those important standards of decorous dialogue. I 
would hope that the very few people who are responsible for these acts 
against our colleagues will take note and follow the example of 
impassioned, patriotic Americans who can state their beliefs without 
threatening Members of Congress and their families.

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