[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 16]
[House]
[Page 21671]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




               LET'S GET BACK TO THE BUSINESS OF CONGRESS

  (Mr. TIM MURPHY of Pennsylvania asked and was given permission to 
address the House for 1 minute.)
  Mr. TIM MURPHY of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, over the past several 
years we repeatedly hear politicians during debate using increasingly 
harsh words. Verbal attacks are rewarded with sound bites on the 
evening news and a bump in polling numbers, public profile, and fund-
raising. Then like Pavlov's dog, we salivate at the next opportunity 
for a verbal attack. But to what end?
  If there is anywhere that decorum in debate has a place, it is in the 
Chamber of the House of Representatives, with respectful discourse. 
When we focus only on the anger, we lose legitimacy as thoughtful 
legislators. We are tasked with maintaining a standard of cooperation 
and civility rather than insult and hostility. Both sides, both 
parties, all of us, must focus on changing for the better and set the 
example for our country, for the public, and for our people.
  During this session of Congress alone, over a dozen resolutions have 
been brought up to attack, embarrass, and deride Members of Congress. 
In the meantime our Nation is faced with unemployment in record 
numbers, an ailing stock market, a health care crisis, growing debt, 
and two wars. That is the work of Congress. That is what the American 
people want us to address. Anything less is unacceptable. Period.
  Let's all stop the name-calling and shouting. We've got work to do.

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