[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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