[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 14]
[House]
[Pages 19153-19154]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING DR. MICHAEL DeBAKEY

  (Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)

[[Page 19154]]


  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, Dr. Michael DeBakey is a 
friend of mine, a friend of the community. The renown House surgeon is 
a cherished member of the Houston community, the State of Texas and 
this Nation. That is why I was so proud as a Texan to be able to carry 
legislation that would name the Houston Veterans Hospital in my 
Congressional district after this great American. In so doing, I sought 
the support of all of the members of the Texas delegation and carried 
the legislation in both the 107th and 108th Congress.
  Lo and behold, everyone signed to be a co-sponsor except the majority 
leader, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. DeLay. Although we asked on 
several occasions, his sponsorship did not occur. But yet I pursued 
because I believe that the honor was owed to Dr. DeBakey. I would think 
that Texans would be able to work together. But in the dark of night, 
the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Culberson), I understand, a colleague, 
offered a late night amendment in the VA-HUD bill without contacting 
our office, without talking to my constituents, without working in a 
collaborative effort.
  I did not know to what level we would get in breaking collegiality in 
this body, but I believe it has gone to its lowest level. I pay tribute 
to Dr. DeBakey. I will continue to work to make sure this legislation 
is passed and signed, but I will not stand and have my constituents or 
the 18th Congressional District so disrespected by colleagues in this 
body. It is a shame and a disgrace to the way we have worked together 
on behalf of Texas.
  To Dr. DeBakey, I salute you. We will get this legislation passed and 
it will be passed with the love, admiration and respect of the people 
of the 18th Congressional District, not with underhanded tactics to 
undermine individuals who are working on behalf of their constituents.

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