[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 16]
[House]
[Page 21100]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




      RESPECTING THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

  (Mr. CAO asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. CAO. Madam Speaker, the Office of the President of the United 
States is higher than the individual who occupies the seat. It is a 
symbol of freedom, respect and of the enduring values of our Republic.
  Like every American, the President has the right to speak freely. In 
fact, it is his duty to address the American people. So, as I watched 
the events this past weekend, which suggested that his words would be 
subversive, controversial or otherwise inappropriate, I was very 
disappointed. Every American President has had the opportunity to speak 
to schoolchildren. President Obama is no exception.
  The President's address to students this morning promoted students 
setting high standards, supporting our teachers and principals and 
reforming our schools. He encouraged students to take advantage of 
educational opportunities for successful careers and the opportunities 
to achieve the American Dream.
  I ask that we, as Americans, learn to make the distinction between 
our disagreements with the man in the Oval Office and our history of 
respecting the office, itself.

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