[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 14]
[House]
[Pages 19586-19587]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   HARD CHALLENGES FACING THE NATION

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the order of the House of 
January 20, 2004, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. DeLay) is recognized 
during morning hour debates.
  Mr. DeLAY. Madam Speaker, John F. Kennedy once defined America's 
audacious priorities at home, abroad and in space by saying, ``We 
choose to do these things not because they were easy, but because they 
are hard.''
  He was right, about the 1960s and about America at all times.
  In America, there are always challenging issues facing the future of 
our country. The only choice we have in the matter is whether to tackle 
them or leave them for future generations. For the last few decades, 
many have unfortunately preferred to put political expedience over 
responsible governance and allow major issues to be decided by someone 
else. For too long Congress has ceded its legislative authority to the 
executive branch and to the courts.
  But, Madam Speaker, article 1 of the Constitution says the buck stops 
right here. And this week, the House will do its duty by the 
Constitution and the American people and make our voices heard on two 
of the toughest challenges facing our Nation today.
  First, we will take up the District of Columbia Personal Protection 
Act which would guarantee the second amendment rights of District 
residents. For years American citizens in Washington, D.C., have had 
their right to self-protection denied them, and it is time to set 
things right. Washington residents are American citizens and, 
therefore, deserve the same right to bear arms, to defend themselves, 
as much as anyone else. The homes of this city will be safer when its 
law-abiding citizens are on a equal footing with its violent criminals.
  Second, we will take up the Marriage Protection Amendment which would 
reaffirm the definition of marriage as the union between one man and 
one woman. The marriage issue, like too many issues these days, is 
being forced upon the American people by judicial activists 
overstepping their authority. Congress must assert itself. The voice of 
the people must be heard.

[[Page 19587]]

  It is our job to make the laws in this country. And as easy as life 
would be for us if the most controversial bill we had to vote on was to 
rename a post office, that is not what we were elected to do. We were 
elected to deliberate over difficult issues, to come down on one side 
or the other and to ultimately defend our decisions in open debate 
before the American people.
  That is how the framers wanted it. And this week, Madam Speaker, that 
is how it is going to be.

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