[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 45 (Tuesday, March 22, 2016)]
[House]
[Page H1497]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         CIVILITY IN GOVERNMENT

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Quigley) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. QUIGLEY. Mr. Speaker, ``I look with increasing horror, along with 
a growing number of other Americans, at the great and bitter division 
that is taking place in our politics and the cynicism that is the end 
result of power for power's sake. We are losing sight of civility in 
government and politics. Debate and dialogue is taking a back seat to 
the politics of destruction and anger and control. Dogma has replaced 
thoughtful discussion between people of differing views.''
  Mr. Speaker, these words were spoken by then-Governor Jim McGreevey 
in his farewell address to the State of New Jersey in 2004, and I fear 
that they are truer today than ever before.
  With Congress back in town for just 3 days before a 2\1/2\-week 
break, all anyone wants to know is if, not even when, we might actually 
get some real work accomplished for the American people.
  We are 3 months into the Second Session of the 114th Congress, and 
what do we have to show for it?
  Sadly, our record of accomplishment is short.
  To top it off, all our constituents are hearing in the media is the 
hateful rhetoric and vengefulness spewing from the mouths of the 
candidates in the Presidential debates. And now, unfortunately, our 
third branch of government can't escape the partisanship that is 
choking our Federal Government.
  This is not a new struggle for our great democracy. In fact, John 
Adams wrote to his wife about the same issue over 200 years ago. He 
wrote: ``I fear that in every assembly, Members will obtain an 
influence by noise, not sense; by meanness, not greatness; by 
contracted hearts, not large souls.''
  Adams urged: ``There must be decency and respect, and veneration 
introduced for persons of authority of every rank, or we are undone. In 
a popular government, this is our only 
way . . .''
  I couldn't agree more. Our constituents, our allies, and this world 
deserves much more from us. But all hope is not lost.
  Governor McGreevey finished his farewell address with these wise 
words: ``I urge you, my fellow citizens, to seek those who will build 
bridges between us, those who do not need to shout in order to be 
heard. We must have leaders who value their words as much as they do 
their actions and who, above all, believe in their heart what they say 
and do . . . Demand good and effective government from wise leaders who 
speak softly, with great ideas, who inspire people to work together for 
a common purpose. We, as a Nation, have done this in the past, and I 
know we can do it again.''
  As the leaders of this great country, I urge my fellow colleagues in 
the House, Governors, and candidates alike to hold ourselves to a 
higher standard, because, as Herbert Hoover once said: ``When there is 
a lack of honor in government, the morals of the whole people are 
poisoned.''

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