[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 8]
[House]
[Pages 11175-11176]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                         WHY I AM A REPUBLICAN

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentlewoman from Wyoming (Mrs. Cubin) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mrs. CUBIN. Madam Speaker, as a Member of Congress and a woman, I am 
frequently asked why I am a Republican. After all, we all know about 
the gender gap. As a woman, a wife and a mother of two sons, my values 
and beliefs are the beliefs that are mirrored in the traditional ideals 
of individual freedom and personal responsibility. The Republican party 
best reflects my values and opinions.

                              {time}  2015

  I believe the strength of our Nation lies with the individual, and 
each person's dignity, freedom, ability and responsibility must be 
honored. I believe in equal rights, equal justice and equal opportunity 
for all; that every single child has a right to live in an environment 
where they can achieve their fullest potential. I believe that free 
enterprise and the encouragement of individual initiative have brought 
prosperity, opportunity and economic growth to our country. I believe 
that the government must practice fiscal responsibility and allow 
individuals to keep more of the money that they earn.
  I believe that the proper role of government is to provide for people 
only those functions that they cannot perform for themselves, and that 
the best government is that which governs the least. I believe the most 
effective, responsible and responsive government is the best for the 
people and closest to the people.
  I believe Americans must retain the principles that have made us 
strong while developing new and innovative ideas to meet the challenges 
of a changing world. I do believe that Americans value and should 
preserve our national strength and pride, while working to extend 
peace, freedom and

[[Page 11176]]

human rights throughout the world. Finally, I believe that the 
Republican Party is the best vehicle for translating these ideas into 
positive and successful principles of government.
  As America faces tragedies like the shootings that we have seen 
across the country in the last few months, I remain even more convinced 
that a return to traditional values and personal responsibility that 
made this country great are absolutely essential. I think President 
Reagan said it best when he said, We must reject the idea that every 
time a law is broken, society is guilty rather than the lawbreaker. It 
is time to restore the American precept that each individual is 
accountable for his actions.
  As a wife, a woman, a mother of two sons, I believe that only a 
return to values and personal responsibility will end this sort of 
violence. That is why I am a Republican.

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