[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 159 (Tuesday, September 15, 2020)]
[House]
[Page H4391]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1015
                       DEFENDING AMERICAN VALUES

  (Mr. BAIRD asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. BAIRD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the timeless American 
principles of freedom, equality, and opportunity. These principles are 
the foundation on which our Nation was built.
  Unlike the nations and the empires that came before, the United 
States was founded on an idea, an idea that men are created equal and 
have certain inalienable rights given by our Creator. This idea turned 
into a dream, a dream that, no matter what circumstances you come from, 
you can come to America and be free to pursue your dreams and be equal 
to your peers in the eyes of the law.
  There are some among us who think this system of self-government has 
failed. There are some who believe socialism is a better tool to 
achieve the American Dream, and they think, by tearing down our 
institutions, by tossing aside the Constitution, and by giving the 
government more control that they will somehow achieve utopia. Using 
history as a guide, we know this to be wrong.
  Our Constitution is special because it limits the power of government 
while safeguarding our freedoms and our civil rights. I will do my best 
to follow their example and keep our America as the shining city on the 
hill.

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