[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 125 (Wednesday, July 25, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1063]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   FACEBOOK TRIES TO SILENCE THOMAS JEFFERSON AND THE DECLARATION OF 
                              INDEPENDENCE

                                 ______
                                 

                              HON. TED POE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 25, 2018

  Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, history tells us that President Thomas 
Jefferson had a love hate relationship with the press. At times 
Jefferson detested them, but he truly believed a free people required a 
free press. ``The basis of our governments being the opinion of the 
people, the very first object should be to keep that right,'' words 
spoken by Jefferson to Edward Carrington in 1787. ``And were it left to 
me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers, or 
newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a moment to 
prefer the latter. But I should mean that every man should receive 
those papers and be capable of reading them.'' Patriots, like 
Jefferson, secured these rights that folks enjoy today. Just because we 
may not like what we read, does not mean that it should be silenced.
  It's no big surprise to me that the folks over at Facebook don't know 
the first thing about freedom and rights. Their latest attack, using 
digital censorship, has stirred up a firestorm. Just in case you 
haven't heard, the Liberty County Vindicator, a newspaper that 
publishes news for the City of Liberty, Texas and Liberty County, Texas 
posted the Declaration of Independence in twelve installments leading 
up to the Fourth of July. Casey Stinnett, managing editor, said that 
the first nine parts posted as schedule, but part ten, of the historic 
document did not appear. The Liberty County Vindicator received a 
notice from Facebook saying that the post ``goes against our standards 
on hate speech.'' I'm a fierce advocate of the First Amendment 
protecting freedom of speech and press. This is, without a doubt, a 
flippant disregard and assault on the First Amendment by Facebook.
  For over 131 years, the Liberty County Vindicator newspaper, has told 
the story of everyday America. It has documented community history in a 
way that will forever be available to future generations. Since the 
newspaper began operations in 1887, it has covered local events, 
business happenings, politics, tragedies, civic improvements, and so 
much more. The paper recently followed and covered Liberty High 
School's Lady Panthers Softball Team who won the Texas UIL State Class 
4A Softball Champions. It has also followed wars and has told stories 
about our young freedom fighters from the area who returned home and 
some who did not return. It is everything a community newspaper should 
be. The Vindicator has always had its finger on the pulse of folks in 
Liberty, Texas.
  Liberty's rich history of rugged Texas pioneers who settled near the 
Trinity River spans more than 180 years. Today, Liberty continues to 
live up to its rich legacy and community spirit of patriotism. One such 
family epitomizes the spirit of Liberty County--the patriotic Ripkowski 
brothers. Twelve brothers from Liberty County, Texas served in our 
military in various branches spanning from World War II to the Korean 
War. And they all survived the wars and returned to Liberty County, 
Texas. According to a pentagon spokesperson, there has never been 
another family with that many sons from the same parents to join the 
service in American history.
  The Ripkowski brothers believed their service in the military was 
their duty as an American citizen. To them it was not performed for 
heroics or to gain medals, but to answer the honorable call of duty for 
their beloved country. Reality is that freedom doesn't come free. It is 
the United States military that has always been on the front lines to 
defend the liberties of all Americans, even the folks over at Facebook.
  It is an honor to have represented the citizens of Liberty County in 
the United States House of Representatives. I commend the Vindicator 
for challenging its readers to read the Declaration of Independence. 
Freedom of speech and freedom of the press must ever be protected. 
Thomas Jefferson, who was the primary author of the Declaration of 
Independence, said, ``our liberty depends on the freedom of the press, 
and that cannot be limited without being lost.'' The Founding Father 
and the third President of the United States, Thomas Jefferson, 
undoubtedly believed deeply in the freedom of speech and of the press.
  Jefferson must have turned over in his grave when he heard that the 
Declaration of Independence was censored in America. America's defense 
of freedom and liberties is a struggle that never ends, and the 
Vindicator should continue to exercise the right to free speech and 
press, whether those that hate the First Amendment like it or not.
  And that's just the way it is.

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