[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 14]
[House]
[Page 20344]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



      VITAL LEGISLATION NEEDS ADDRESSING BEFORE CONGRESS ADJOURNS

  (Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I want to offer my support for 
moving along the Violence Against Women Act. I believe that we have 
more than an important responsibility to deal with this legislation. As 
Chair of the Congressional Children's Caucus, I can tell my colleagues 
of the terrible and horrific results that come from a child that has 
experienced violence in the home.
  In addition, Mr. Speaker, I think it is vital that we spend these 
last waning hours to address the question of a patients' bill of rights 
to address the question of a guaranteed Medicare drug prescription 
benefit for seniors. Having come from my district, I know what people 
are crying out for.
  I also believe, Mr. Speaker, that as we have seen three recent votes 
on the floor of the House this evening, it is imperative when we look 
at serious issues dealing with privacy and violence against women that 
we have hearings and the opportunity to deliberate and add amendments 
to the bill so we can put forward to the American people important and 
vital and serious and valuable legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, I think that the American people are not expecting us to 
be the ``do-nothing'' Congress. They, frankly, want us to do our jobs.

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