[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 27 (Friday, February 18, 2011)]
[House]
[Page H1202]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          LISTEN TO THE PEOPLE

  (Mr. WALZ of Minnesota asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. WALZ of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, listen to the people. 
Kindergarten teachers, not a group easily riled, are amongst 30,000 of 
their neighbors in Wisconsin at the State Capitol. The audacity of 
their demand? The ability to negotiate a living wage, safe working 
conditions, and a dignified retirement.
  These public servants make our society safe and functioning at an 
average wage of $30,000 a year. They did not cause the financial 
catastrophe in this country. That was the speculators and robber barons 
who received billions in TARP funds and then off-sourced it to avoid 
paying taxes. The folks in Wisconsin who are rallying teach our 
children to read.
  At a time of Astroturf rallies, I urge all my colleagues, listen to 
that sound coming like a warm spring breeze off the prairie. That's the 
sound of America's proud middle class that built this country, and they 
have found their voice. We would all be wise to listen to the people.

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