[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 196 (Wednesday, December 12, 2018)]
[House]
[Pages H10109-H10110]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           ONE DAY AT A TIME

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Texas (Mr. Al Green) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, once again I rise, and still I 
rise, a proud American, always proud to have the preeminent privilege 
of standing in the well of the Congress of the United States of 
America.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today reflecting upon the words, the lyrics, if 
you will, of a song that many of us have heard. The lyrics, as I 
paraphrase them, are:

       One day at a time, one day at a time, sweet Jesus. One day 
     at a time. Just help me to make, just help me to take, one 
     day at a time.

  Many of us who are sons of the segregated South survived, to a 
certain extent, understanding the lyrics of ``One Day At a Time,'' 
knowing that, if you just take one day at a time, it can become a 
lifetime.
  Sons of the segregated South learned early that they had to 
compromise.
  I saw something on television yesterday that caused me to reflect on 
all of these things, Mr. Speaker, when I saw a President who was born 
into plenty, not poverty, a President who was born with a pat hand, a 
President who was born into a life unlike that of the sons of the 
segregated South who were African American, who understand how to

[[Page H10110]]

negotiate and what negotiation is all about--of necessity they do. Not 
all, but generally speaking they do.
  I saw a President yesterday, Mr. Speaker, who proclaims himself to be 
a great negotiator. Mr. Speaker, yesterday it was revealed to many of 
us that what he sees as negotiation is dictation, a President who sees 
compromise as capitulation for the other side, who has always walked 
into his opportunities, if you will, knowing that the other side would 
have to give in or he would muscle his way over them.

                              {time}  1045

  Well, I am proud to say that two Members of the Congress of the 
United States of America, the House and the Senate--it is what the 
Congress consists of--two Members stood their ground. Speaker Pelosi--
and I say Speaker Pelosi because once you are a Speaker, you are always 
a Speaker--and Minority Leader Schumer did not allow themselves to be 
dictated to. They understand that compromise is the methodology by 
which we can realize significant change.
  I am proud of the two of them, and I am proud to say to you that, as 
a son of the segregated South, I saw hope when I saw them take a stand 
for the American people, take a stand for justice, take a stand for the 
great ideals that we all stand upon.
  One day at a time, Mr. President, one day at a time, and we will have 
dealt with all of the great issues of our time.
  But I am proud to know that you will find, Mr. President, that 
negotiation is more than your being a dictator, that you are going to 
have to compromise if you want to realize some of the great things that 
we have to accomplish.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank you for the time, and I thank the creator of all 
of creation for giving me this one more day, and I pray that I will do 
better today than I did yesterday because I still see life as one day 
at a time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Members are reminded to refrain from 
engaging in personalities toward the President of the United States.

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