[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 14]
[House]
[Pages 20305-20307]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                 CELEBRATING THE BIRTH OF JAMES MADISON

  Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 396) celebrating the birth of 
James Madison and his contributions to the Nation.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 396

       Whereas March 16, 2001, is the 250th anniversary of the 
     birth of James Madison, Father of the United States 
     Constitution and fourth President of the United States;
       Whereas the ideals of James Madison, as expressed in the 
     Constitution he conceived for the American Nation and in the 
     principles of freedom he established in the Bill of Rights, 
     are the foundations of American Government and life;
       Whereas James Madison's lifetime of public service, as a 
     member of the Virginia House of Delegates, as a delegate to 
     the Continental Congress during the American Revolution, as a 
     delegate to the Constitutional Convention in 1787, as a 
     leader in the House of Representatives, as Secretary of 
     State, and as the Nation's fourth President, are an 
     inspiration to all men, women, and children in the conduct of 
     their personal and private lives; and
       Whereas the ideals and inspiring example of James Madison 
     are of utmost importance to the future of the American Nation 
     as it enters a new millennium: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
     concurring), That the Congress--
       (1) recognizes the historical significance of James 
     Madison's birth, as well as his contributions to the Nation 
     during his lifetime;
       (2) urges all American patriotic and civil associations, 
     labor organizations, schools, universities, historical 
     societies, and communities of learning and worship, together 
     with citizens throughout the United States, to develop 
     appropriate programs and educational activities to recognize 
     and celebrate the life and achievements of James Madison; and
       (3) requests that the President issue a proclamation 
     recognizing the 250th anniversary of the birth of James 
     Madison and calling upon the people of the United States to 
     observe the life and legacy of James Madison with appropriate 
     ceremonies and activities.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Pease). Pursuant to the rule, the 
gentleman from Ohio (Mr. LaTourette) and the gentleman from Maryland 
(Mr. Cummings) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. LaTourette).


                             General Leave

  Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their 
remarks on H. Con. Res. 396.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Ohio?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  I am pleased today to rise in support of H. Con. Res. 396, which 
celebrates the 250th anniversary of James Madison's birth and his 
contributions to this great Nation.
  This resolution recognizes the historical significance of Madison's 
birth and his many contributions to the United States during his 
lifetime. It also encourages American patriotic and civic associations, 
historical societies, schools, universities, and other organizations to 
develop appropriate programs and educational activities to recognize 
and celebrate the life of this remarkable man.
  Finally, Mr. Speaker, the resolution asks that the President issue an 
appropriate resolution to recognize the importance of his birth and 
call upon the people of the United States to observe Madison's life and 
legacy with appropriate ceremonies and activities.
  Mr. Speaker, it is impossible to do justice to James Madison's 
achievements and the importance of his life and thought to America in 
the brief time allotted to us today. His was truly one of the most 
consequential lives in American history. His biography is also a 
history of the founding of this great Nation.
  Let me today simply attempt to sketch some aspects of his life. 
Madison was born in 1751 and was raised in Orange County, Virginia. He 
attended what is now Princeton University; and he became well read in 
history, government, and the law. He participated in the framing of the 
Virginia constitution in 1776, served in the Continental

[[Page 20306]]

Congress, and was an important figure in the Virginia Assembly. He was 
also, of course, Thomas Jefferson's Secretary of State and the fourth 
President of the United States.
  Madison's greatest contribution, however, may have been his role in 
framing the Constitution of the United States. As a delegate to the 
Constitutional Convention at Philadelphia, Madison was a leading 
participant in the debates of that body. Along with John Jay and 
Alexander Hamilton, Madison also contributed to securing the 
ratification of the Constitution by authoring parts of the Federalist 
Papers. Not only were the Federalist Papers important in persuading his 
contemporaries to ratify the Constitution, they are consulted to this 
day by judges, lawyers, political scientists and others who seek an 
understanding of the framers' intent.
  Madison's ``Notes on the Constitutional Convention'' are also our 
primary source of information on the debates at the Constitutional 
Convention. As a Member of Congress, Madison was instrumental in 
framing the Bill of Rights. Madison's contributions to the drafting and 
ratification of the Constitution were so great, Mr. Speaker, that he is 
often referred to as ``the father of the Constitution.''
  Mr. Speaker, there is much more to say about James Madison and his 
continuing importance to all Americans, much more than can be covered 
here today. I encourage all Americans to learn about this man whose 
ideals and principles are, as the resolution recognizes, ``the 
foundations of American government and life.'' As the resolution 
states, the ``ideals and inspiring example of James Madison are of 
utmost importance to the future of the American Nation as it enters a 
new millennium.''
  That is why I urge all Members to support this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I first of all want to thank the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Bliley) 
for this resolution. I want to thank the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. 
LaTourette), and I want to associate myself with his words that were 
just spoken.
  Mr. Speaker, James Madison, a young aristocrat who began his public 
career in public service at age 23, would become indelibly linked to 
three great works of American democracy: the Constitution, the 
Federalist Papers, and the Bill of Rights.
  In 1776, Madison was a member of the Virginia constitutional 
committee, a body that drafted Virginia's first constitution and a bill 
of rights which later would become a model for the Bill of Rights 
appended to the United States Constitution. When Madison was elected to 
the United States House of Representatives, he became the primary 
author of the first 12 proposed amendments to the Constitution. Ten of 
these, the Bill of Rights, were adopted.
  At the Constitutional Convention, which opened on May 25, 1787, 
Madison set the tone by introducing a document he authored called ``The 
Virginia Plan.'' The plan called for a strong central government 
consisting of a supreme legislature, executive and judiciary. It 
provided for a national legislature consisting of two houses, one 
elected by the people and the other appointed by the first from a body 
of nominees submitted by State legislatures. Representation in these 
bodies would be based on the population of the States. It provided for 
an executive to be elected by this national legislature. The plan also 
defined a national judiciary and a council of revision charged with 
reviewing the constitutionality of legislation.
  As the driving force in the formation of the Constitution, James 
Madison organized the convention, set the agenda, and worked through 
many obstacles that threatened the process. The notes he took 
throughout the convention constitute this country's best and most 
complete record of the 1787 Constitutional Convention. Madison's notes, 
which comprise a third of the Federalist Papers, were published in the 
1830s.
  As we honor James Madison today, we remember his role in the great 
debate on slavery. He openly acknowledged that slavery was a great 
evil, was a member of an antislavery society, and even authored a plan 
for the emancipation of slaves. Nevertheless, history documents that he 
continued to regard and hold slaves as property until his death. In 
fact, he himself said that slaves remain such in spite of the 
declarations that all men are born equally free.
  As I reflect on this serious dichotomy, I am mindful of a quote from 
Madison's 1810 State of the Union address that is applicable to our 
modern society.
  He stated that ``American citizens are instrumental in carrying on a 
traffic in enslaved Africans, equally in violation of the laws of 
humanity and in defiance of those of their own country. The same just 
and benevolent motives which produced interdiction in force against 
this criminal conduct will doubtless be felt by Congress in devising 
further means of suppressing the evil.''
  It is my hope that 190 years later, this Congress heeds these words 
and makes a strong commitment to suppressing the evil of racism and 
prejudice against minorities that exists today.
  As this Congress labors through this week to complete its work on the 
many pending appropriations bills, I urge my colleagues to keep one of 
Madison's messages on public leadership in mind. Mr. Speaker, he said, 
``The aim of every political constitution is, or ought to be, first to 
obtain for rulers men and women who possess most wisdom to discern, and 
most virtue to pursue, the common good of the society.''
  I believe that all of us who are elected, Mr. Speaker, to serve in 
the Congress come to serve the common good and hope that when we 
conclude this session it is reflected in the work we have done.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this very 
important and significant resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield such time as 
he may consume to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Bliley), the author 
of the resolution and the distinguished chairman of the Committee on 
Commerce.
  Mr. BLILEY. I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time.
  Mr. Speaker, as the proud holder of the congressional seat first held 
by James Madison, I introduce House Concurrent Resolution 396 in order 
to celebrate the 250th anniversary of his birth. I am hopeful that 
passage of this resolution will encourage our schools, museums, 
historical societies, and citizens to rediscover the important role 
James Madison played in founding this Nation.
  While the actual anniversary is not until March 16, 2001, quick 
passage of this resolution will give these interested groups the time 
to plan events, exhibitions, and lessons in his honor. We can use this 
anniversary to highlight Madison's tireless service on behalf of the 
Commonwealth of Virginia and this country.
  While many remember James Madison as our Nation's fourth President, 
he also served as a member of the Virginia House of Delegates, as a 
delegate to the Continental Congress during the American Revolution, as 
a delegate to the Constitutional Convention in 1787, as a leader in the 
House of Representatives, and as Secretary of State. For his many years 
in public service, we are a grateful Nation. The anniversary also 
affords us the opportunity to fully appreciate Madison's role as one of 
the Founding Fathers.
  The United States has become a thriving, powerful Nation largely 
because of the sound principles established by our Founding Fathers in 
the Constitution. These principles have endured despite the passage of 
many years and having guided this Nation through challenging times.
  As Members of this deliberative body, we have from time to time 
disagreed on the details of various legislative proposals. However, we 
remain steadfast

[[Page 20307]]

in our support for the fundamental principles which serve as the 
foundation of our government.
  James Madison, commonly referred to as the Father of the 
Constitution, ensured the inclusion of these principles in the 
Constitution and therefore deserves due credit. I would also like to 
point out that we hear a lot of talk these days and have in the past 
few years about term limits. That matter was on the floor of the 
Constitutional Convention in 1787. Mr. Madison said, and I think quite 
rightly, the answer is not term limits; the answer is frequent 
elections so that the public can choose between experience and somebody 
new.
  The contributions he made during his lifetime of public service are 
his enduring legacy and should be commemorated. I thank the gentleman 
from Maryland for his kind words.
  Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to first associate myself with the distinguished 
gentleman from Virginia's comments. I just want to quote a letter to 
W.T. Barry from President Madison dated August 4, 1822. It is one of my 
favorite quotes, Mr. Speaker, and I will end with this. He said:
  ``A popular government, without popular information, or the means of 
acquiring it, is but a prologue to a farce or a tragedy, or perhaps 
both. Knowledge will forever govern ignorance and a people who mean to 
be their own governors must arm themselves with the power which 
knowledge gives.''
  He goes on to say, ``Learned institutions ought to be favorite 
objects with every free people. They throw that light over the public 
mind which is the best security against crafty and dangerous 
encroachments on the public liberty.''
  Mr. Speaker, I again thank everybody who had anything to do with 
bringing this resolution to this floor today. I urge all of my 
colleagues to vote in favor of it.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. I 
want to commend the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Bliley) for not only 
introducing this resolution but also pushing so hard to make sure that 
it was brought to the floor today. I also want to thank the gentleman 
from Florida (Mr. Scarborough), who is the chairman of the Subcommittee 
on Civil Service of the Committee on Government Reform, and the 
gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Cummings), who is the ranking member. Also 
thanks go out to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Burton) and the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Waxman), the chairman and ranking 
member, for their support as well.
  Mr. Speaker, this is a good resolution. I urge the House to support 
it.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Ohio (Mr. LaTourette) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the concurrent resolution, House Concurrent Resolution 
396.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the concurrent resolution was 
agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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