[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 17]
[House]
[Page 21922]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




    AMERICANS DEMANDING CHANGE IN WASHINGTON AND DEMOCRATS BRINGING 
                            CIVILITY TO D.C.

  (Mr. CLEAVER asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. CLEAVER. Madam Speaker, last week, the American people spoke 
loudly and clearly. They want a change here in Washington, and they 
want Democrats and Republicans to work together to solve the problems 
they confront on a daily basis. During the campaign this year, 
Democrats promised to change the tone of the debate here in Washington, 
and work cooperatively on behalf of all Americans.
  Because we will not be the party of anger politics, Democrats will 
honor our pledge. We will treat the Republicans in the minority in a 
manner compatible with the interests of the voting public. In the past, 
Democrats have been shut out of the debate. This is not how a 
Democratic form of government is supposed to work.
  But the campaign is over, and we are not going to focus on the past. 
Democrats pledge, therefore, to preside over the most open and honest 
Congress in history. We want to pass solid ethics legislation that the 
public is actually demanding. We are here to represent only our 
constituents, and we need to make that clear.
  Madam Speaker, change is coming to Washington.

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