[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 4 (Wednesday, January 9, 2019)]
[House]
[Page H297]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           AMERICAN OPTIMISM

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Texas (Mr. Gonzalez) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. GONZALEZ of Texas. Madam Speaker, during one of the most divisive 
times in American history, I rise today in a moment of American 
optimism.
  In this freshly minted 116th Congress, the most diverse in our 
history, I welcome all new Members, young and old; Democrats and 
Republicans; from the North, South, East, or West; male or female; gay 
or straight; Jew or gentile. And I ask you to join me in this journey 
of optimism.
  Today is the beginning of the rest of our history, the history of the 
opportunity we have before us to solve the Nation's critical issues 
that are happening today, the everyday problems that our people live 
with, in our diverse land.
  Let us never forget who we are and the greatness we have shown the 
world. Let us never forget that this is the America that freed slaves, 
granted religious freedoms, fed the hungry, and welcomed the stranger; 
the America that spread democracy and freedom around the globe; the 
America that freed Europe and defended others from bullies and foes; 
the America that gave the world electricity and light. We put the first 
man on the Moon, flew the first woman across the pond, and created the 
internet and the iPhone and, yes, Facebook and Twitter, too.
  We gave the world baseball and proudly root for our Olympians who 
lead the world in medals. We entertain the world with Hollywood, MTV, 
and American pop, hip-hop, Tejano, country, rock `n' roll, and jazz 
music. We bring smiles and joy to children around the world through 
Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse.
  We are also the country of the Mayo, Johns Hopkins, MD Anderson, and 
Cleveland clinics.
  And all of this is while enjoying the largest economy in the world.
  This is the America the world longs to be, and this is the America we 
have the responsibility to be, the America the world is still patiently 
and optimistically waiting and watching to see the next great thing we 
do. We are the America that came together in solidarity after 9/11. We 
are still that America.
  To the young in this country, I promise you, you are going to be 
okay. There is a lot of reason to be optimistic, because I still 
believe that everyone serving in this body sincerely loves this country 
and, at the end of the day, rises to the occasion to do what is right 
for it.
  There is nothing greater than staying united, conserving our 
creativity and work ethic while respecting our differences. The world 
is counting on us.
  To you, America, I toast. I toast with a freshly brewed double 
espresso from Starbucks--yes, another American gem. That, my friends, 
is what makes America great. God bless the USA.

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