[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 107 (Tuesday, July 20, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H5779-H5782]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
CONGRATULATING SARATOGA RACE COURSE ON 142ND SEASON
Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the
resolution (H. Res. 1513) congratulating the Saratoga Race Course as it
celebrates its 142nd season, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The text of the resolution is as follows:
H. Res. 1513
Whereas, July 23, 2010, marks the start of the Saratoga
Race Course's 142nd season;
Whereas the Saratoga Race Course is the oldest continuously
operating thoroughbred race track in the United States;
Whereas the Saratoga Race Course is the oldest organized
sporting venue in the United States;
Whereas 2010 marks the 141st running of the Travers Stakes,
the oldest major thoroughbred race in the United States;
Whereas horseracing enjoys a rich history whose traditions
are beloved throughout the world;
Whereas the Saratoga Race Course welcomes an average of
nearly 30,000 visitors per day throughout its race season and
1,000,000 visitors annually, tripling the population of
Saratoga Springs each summer;
Whereas the Saratoga Race Course welcomes the best
thoroughbreds from across the United States and from around
the world;
Whereas the Saratoga Race Course has a total economic
impact of approximately $200,000,000 throughout Saratoga
County and the surrounding communities;
Whereas the Saratoga Race Course contributes more than
2,500 jobs to Saratoga Springs and the surrounding area as
well as nearly 17,000 jobs in related fields;
Whereas Saratoga Springs is a top destination for tourists
from around the world;
Whereas the Saratoga Race Course has been able to maintain
its Victorian charm and original traditions; and
Whereas the Saratoga Race Course has been recognized by
Sports Illustrated Magazine as one of the world's greatest
sporting venues and has contributed to the town of Saratoga
receiving the first ``Great American Place'' Award from
American Heritage Magazine: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) congratulates the Saratoga Race Course as it celebrates
its 142nd season; and
(2) recognizes the Saratoga Race Course's important place
in horseracing history.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from
the District of Columbia (Ms. Norton) and the gentleman from Utah (Mr.
Chaffetz) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia.
General Leave
Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentlewoman from the District of Columbia?
There was no objection.
Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
On behalf of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform,
it is my privilege to rise in support of H. Res. 1513. This measure
congratulates the Saratoga Race Course on its 142nd season. H. Res.
1513 was introduced by our colleague, the gentleman from New York,
Representative Scott Murphy, on July 13, 2010. It was referred to the
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, which ordered it
favorably by unanimous consent on July 15, 2010. The measure enjoys the
support of 60 Members of the House.
The Saratoga Race Course was opened August 3, 1863, and it is the
oldest organized sporting venue of any kind in the United States. The
course is a top destination for tourists from all over the country and
from all over the world. It now receives over 1 million visitors each
year and supports thousands of jobs in Saratoga Springs and the
surrounding communities.
Mr. Speaker, this venerable race course is one of the world's
greatest sporting venues. It has continued many of its original
traditions since its founding and has contributed to the town of
Saratoga receiving the First Great American Place award from the
American Heritage Magazine in 1997.
Let us now take the time to congratulate this historic race course on
its 142nd season through the passage of this measure. I urge my
colleagues to support it.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. CHAFFETZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Bills brought before the House, the majority gets to direct which
bills are brought up and which are not brought up, and with all due
respect to Mr. Murphy, a great Member of Congress, this is a wonderful
race course--I know there are many Americans that enjoy horse racing--
but candidly, I struggle to go through this and understand why on the
floor of the House of Representatives that this seems to rise to the
level of recognition.
We have so many problems and challenges facing this country, so many
issues that we could and should be debating. We should be debating a
budget, for instance, which is not being brought before this body. We
should be talking about the debt and the deficit and those other things
that are going to affect every Americans' life. And I recognize that
there are times when we need to step up and recognize some truly worthy
accomplishments, and we honor and name post offices and whatnot, but
when it comes to the world of sport, I continue to voice my opposition
that this is the time and the place to actually have a ``debate'' about
whether or not the 142nd season is worthy of recognition in a
resolution from the House of Representatives.
Mr. Speaker, I'm sure there are some young kids that are here.
They're going to go back and talk about their time at the House of
Representatives, and they're here in the audience. And they're going to
go back and talk to their teachers and the teachers are going to ask,
What did you talk about? Did you talk about the war on terror? Did you
talk about the debt? Oh, no. They were honoring a race course. A race
course. So it's terribly frustrating.
There is a way to honor and recognize, through Members of Congress,
great accomplishments and a new racing season at a local race track,
but, honestly, I just don't believe this is the way to do it.
I reserve the balance of my time.
{time} 1710
Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I want to respond, and I yield myself such
time as I may consume.
[[Page H5780]]
If I had a dime for every trivial bill the minority has put on this
floor, I could retire as a rich woman. This is not a trivial bill. This
is the oldest racing course in the United States, a historic racing
course that has been so recognized by the American Heritage Foundation.
It ill-behooves the other side to trivialize a bill by a Member of this
proportion. I know that my good friend on the other side would not like
me to go through and call the roll on bills that would make us laugh.
Nobody can think that this bill commemorating the oldest sporting venue
in the United States would make us laugh. It ill-behooves us not to
respect the bills each side puts up, particularly since the minority
gets to put up an equal number of such bills that have been requested
by their constituents, and we all ought to at least grant one another
that privilege without demeaning it.
I'm pleased to yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman
from New York (Mr. Murphy), who proudly sponsored the bill before us
today, and I commend him for doing so.
Mr. MURPHY of New York. I rise today to congratulate and commend the
Saratoga Springs Race Course. In just 3 days, it will open its doors
and embark on its 142nd consecutive season.
The Saratoga Race Course has a critical impact on our local
community, contributing both its historic and economic value to upstate
New York. Saratoga is the oldest continuously operating thoroughbred
racetrack in the United States and the oldest organized sporting venue
in the entire country.
The Graveyard of Champions, as Saratoga is so often known, has a rich
history of competition. In 1973 Secretariat was defeated at Saratoga
after winning the Triple Crown. But Secretariat was not the first to
lose at Saratoga after coming in a heavy favorite. Others like Gallant
Fox and Man o' War have also been bested by Saratoga at the Travers
Stakes. Travers Stakes, the country's oldest major thoroughbred race,
is held each year at the Saratoga summer meet and is arguably the most
important and well-known thoroughbred event each summer.
Each year people from across the Nation and the world come to
experience Saratoga's wonderful atmosphere and heart-stopping races.
Perhaps that is why Saratoga has been recognized by Sports Illustrated
as one of the world's great sports venues and has contributed to the
town of Saratoga receiving the first ``Great American Place'' Award
from American Heritage Magazine.
This past weekend an article in the Saratogian talked about the
impact that each season has on the local economy and community.
Shopkeepers, homemakers, hoteliers, and local restaurants all rely on
the income generated from the Saratoga season to help promote and grow
the economy, and it brings together the community so that they can
celebrate this rich racing tradition.
The race course is one of the economic backbones not for only for
Saratoga Springs, but for all of upstate New York and my entire
district. Racing in Saratoga provides for more than 2,500 local jobs in
the immediate community and 17,000 jobs in the surrounding communities.
Each year over 30,000 visitors come each day to the racetrack and over
1 million visitors will visit annually. Racing will contribute more
than $200 million annually to our local economy.
This year's season is extra long. We've added a few days, and it will
be a 40-day season. That extra weekend will create even more revenue
than usual and opportunities for tourists to come and see Saratoga's
wonderful historic track and downtown.
Horse racing is the heart and soul of the Saratoga community, and I
am proud to rise today to offer this resolution honoring the Saratoga
Race Course and acknowledging the important place that it has in racing
history, in our economy, and to join with my community and my
colleagues here in congratulating Saratoga on opening its doors this
Friday for another great season.
Mr. CHAFFETZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Again, Mr. Speaker, I voice my opposition. The idea, the notion that
while there have been silly bills passed and offered by the minority,
it's certainly not an argument to continue the status quo. I think the
frustration of the American people is we're not dealing with the
serious business. We're not offering a budget resolution. We're not
debating appropriations bills. We're down here talking about
racetracks. That's the frustration. You've got people at home right now
watching on C-SPAN because they don't have a job, and we're here
talking about race courses? Seriously?
I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I did not hear the gentleman rise to voice the same opposition to a
resolution that will be voted on in the next series of resolutions by a
Member from his side of the aisle, Mr. Wilson of South Carolina; and it
says congratulating the University of South Carolina Gamecocks on
winning the 2010 NCAA Division. If you're going to rise because you
think some bill shouldn't be on the floor, then you ought to rise all
the time.
As for what we should be devoting our time to, both sides of the
aisle give time to resolutions requested by their constituents, and we
give equal time. That doesn't mean we don't give time to very important
matters, and we have given very significant time to very important
matters this session, which is why it is considered one of the most
historic sessions of the Congress of the United States.
I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from New York
(Mr. Tonko).
Mr. TONKO. Thank you, Madam Chair.
I do want to acknowledge the great work done in bringing to focus the
importance of Saratoga and its race course and its season to the local
economy. I commend my colleague Scott Murphy, the Representative in the
neighboring district. While he hosts the track in his district, I know
the value to the entire region, to my district economically and
certainly to his with this season. It is an important economic engine
for the tourism economy. It strengthens our economy; and economic
recovery is important, in whatever measure we can ascertain.
Today, I want to join my colleagues in celebration of Saratoga Race
Course's 142nd season. Saratoga Race Course, located just outside the
southern Adirondack region of New York State, is the oldest organized
sporting venue in the country. Since 1863, Saratoga Race Course has
been a summer destination enjoyed by many families, racing enthusiasts,
and individuals from across this Nation and, indeed, around the world.
The history in Saratoga Springs and at the track provide visitors with
a window into the vibrant past of upstate New York.
Saratoga Race Course is also the home of the oldest major
thoroughbred horse race in America, the Travers Stakes. The Travers
Stakes, named after William R. Travers, the first president of the race
course, has been exciting patrons since 1864. Travers Weekend, which is
one of the most widely attended events at the track, attracts thousands
of individuals and families to upstate New York.
Each year, that dynamic is felt vibrantly in the economy, and it
showcases Saratoga's rich horse racing history. Today, racing
enthusiasts who visit Saratoga Race Course are able to enjoy dozens of
graded stakes races and thoroughbred races, in addition to the region's
local cuisine and rich history and culture.
I applaud this important venue and the economic engine of upstate New
York that it is for the beginning of yet another season of racing.
Again, I want to compliment and commend Representative Murphy for his
work on this commemorative resolution. It brings to focus the value
added that is instilled into our regional economy with yet another
season that will be falling upon us.
{time} 1720
Mr. CHAFFETZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
My colleagues here, these are good Members of Congress. My point is,
we need to raise the bar and start doing some serious work around here.
I would agree, this is a historic Congress, because we are doing
nothing right now. We are doing nothing.
I would agree with you, I will stand here, and I will have the
political guts
[[Page H5781]]
to vote against the resolution for the South Carolina recognition of
the men's--I think it's the Men's College World Series.
It's ridiculous that we bring it up. I don't care if it's a Democrat,
I don't care if it's a Republican. If it's in the world of sport, they
get enough recognition.
And to cite this as, oh, it's important because Sports Illustrated
recognized it, well, they have a swimsuit edition. I haven't seen a
resolution on that yet, and I hope we never do. The people of the
United States deserve better than to debate whether or not to recognize
a racetrack on its 142nd anniversary.
We have got important business. We have troops that are in harm's
way. We have yet to bring up a supplemental that the President is
asking for.
We have not, since, I think it was 1974 when they changed the budget
rules, we have not brought before this body--for the very first time
since then--we have not brought up a budget resolution to discuss the
outrageous deficit that we are suffering through.
This body has not brought up appropriations bills. These are the
important things that we should be doing here. We flew in yesterday to
do what, debate this, men's baseball and a racetrack?
The Democrats have the House, the Senate, and the presidency. They
get to determine what bills are brought up, and I will grant you, there
are silly bills offered by both sides, but it's time to get serious
about the people's work. There are people who are suffering out there,
and the frustration is that we waste our time on this.
These people in the audience travel from around the country, around
the world, to come see us, what, debate a racetrack? It's an
embarrassment. It is an absolute embarrassment.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. NORTON. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Well, just to indicate for the record, this has been called a
historic Congress, not by the Democrats, but by historians who have
looked at prior Congresses, including Republican-controlled Congresses,
and, indeed, the last Congress before this side took control, which was
especially historic in taking the country down to its knees, leaving it
to a new, an entirely different administration in Congress, to pick the
country up.
I do commend the gentleman for saying he will vote against Mr.
Wilson's bill, having been called out, I guess he has to, to show he
has any guts at all. But then we are going to be looking to see if he
votes against all such bills in the future.
I want to say again that it is quite possible to make a point about
what you want to see on the floor without trivializing a bill that is
perfectly in order, perfectly respectable, in fact, helps the economy,
commemorating a venue that helps the economy of another Member's
district.
If you want to make the point that you think the Congress ought to be
doing other things, then make the point, but don't do it by putting
down other Members. That's not the model of civility either side should
be offering on this floor.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. CHAFFETZ. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I am trivializing it because it is trivial. It is trivial. There are
other ways to recognize a racetrack without taking the time of this
body and this country on this floor. I am trivializing it, and I think
that's the proper course.
Weeks ago I took a position I would not vote in favor of any sports
resolutions. I don't care if they are Republican, I don't care if they
are Democrat. I think the principle is these people receive more than
adequate recognition for what they have.
And, hey, look, I have stood behind some of these in the past. I am
here long enough. I am just a freshman. I didn't create this mess here,
but I am here to help clean it up. And given my months in Congress,
yes, I took a position I am not going to support any of them. I don't
care who offers them, and it's time this body starts to operate on
principle.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. NORTON. Does the gentleman yield back or does he want to keep
this going?
I just want to say to the gentleman, it has been pointed out to me
that the gentleman cosponsored a resolution, H. Res. 942, commending
the Real Salt Lake Soccer Club for winning the 2009 Major League Soccer
Cup.
* * *
Mr. CHAFFETZ. Mr. Speaker, I move to take the gentlewoman's words
down.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Members will suspend. The gentlewoman from
the District of Columbia will take her seat.
The Clerk will report the words.
Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to remove from the
Record an idiomatic expression that apparently was misunderstood. I
never called the gentleman dishonest. I want to strike the words ``lie
in his mouth,'' which is an idiomatic expression that means the
gentleman has no business saying what he said. But if it is construed
to mean that I'm calling him a liar, then I would certainly ask that
that be stricken from the Record. Indeed, my comments were begun with
words about civility here, so I certainly did not intend to call the
gentleman dishonest or a liar.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentlewoman from the District of Columbia?
Mr. CHAFFETZ. Mr. Speaker, reserving the right to object, I just want
to be clear; our intention here is pure. If she were asking for
civility, I will take her word for it. We do have certain decorum here
in the House. I just ask that we abide by that. To suggest that any
Member is being dishonest or deceitful or a liar is obviously not
within the history of the ongoing proceedings of this House. That's all
I ask.
I withdraw my reservation of objection.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Without objection, the offending words are
withdrawn.
There was no objection.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentlewoman from the District of
Columbia may proceed.
Ms. NORTON. Well, I appreciate that the gentleman is withdrawing his
objection, and I appreciate that he understood. He knows me well. He is
the ranking member of one of my committees. He knows that I do not
engage in pointless, uncivil remarks. Indeed, the whole import of my
objection to the issues with the gentleman's resolution from Saratoga
was I wanted to make sure everybody understood that we ought to respect
one another, and I certainly respect the gentleman and certainly would
not have meant otherwise through my remarks.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. CHAFFETZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Let me make the point that, yes, I've voted for sports resolutions,
I've even cosponsored resolutions, but I came to realize what a waste
of time that is. So a number of weeks ago, I took the pledge that I was
no longer going to participate. But there are examples in my past, and
being a freshman year, I made some mistakes. That's one of them. But I
just believe that there are more important, more worthy things that
this body ought to be participating in. And probably the next thing we
ought to be doing is voting on some things today; so I urge my
colleagues to vote against House Resolution 1513.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I accept the gentleman's change on how he
thinks these matters ought to be considered. I certainly don't think we
ought to take it out on the Member from Saratoga, and I ask that we
approve the resolution that was before us commemorating the 142nd
anniversary of the Saratoga Race Course.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentlewoman from the District of Columbia (Ms. Norton) that the House
suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1513, as
amended.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. CHAFFETZ. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be
postponed.
[[Page H5782]]
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