Congressional Record UNUM

E PLURIBUS

United States

of America PROCEEDINGS AND DEBATES OF THE 104th CONGRESS, FIRST SESSION

b This symbol represents the time of day during the House proceedings, e.g., b 1407 is 2:07 p.m.

Matter set in this typeface indicates words inserted or appended, rather than spoken, by a Member of the House on the floor.

H 4443

House of Representatives

Vol. 141 WASHINGTON, TUESDAY, MAY 2, 1995 No. 71

The House met at 9:30 a.m. and was

called to order by the Speaker pro tempore [Mr. WICKER

f].

DESIGNATION OF SPEAKER PRO

TEMPORE

The SPEAKER pro tempore laid before the House the following communication from the Speaker:

WASHINGTON, DC,

May 2, 1995.

I hereby designate the Honorable ROGER F.

WICKER to act as Speaker pro tempore on

this day.

NEWT GINGRICH,

The SPEAKER pro tempore. PursuSpeaker of the House of Representatives.

MORNING BUSINESS

fant to the order of the House of January 4, 1995, the Chair will now recognize Members from lists submitted by

the majority and minority leaders for

morning hour debates. The Chair will

alternate recognition between the parties, with each party limited to not to

exceed 30 minutes, and each Member

except the majority and minority leader limited to not to exceed 5 minutes.

The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Texas [Ms. JACKSON-LEE]

for 5 minutes.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under

TRAGEDY IN OKLAHOMA CITY

fthe Speaker’s announced policy of January 4, 1995, the gentlewoman from

Texas [Ms. JACKSON-LEE] is recognized

for 5 minutes.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE. Mr. Speaker, I

rise this morning to be able to offer on

behalf of the constituents of the 18th

Congressional District my deepest

sympathy to the citizens, and families,

and victims, adults and children, of the

tragedy in Oklahoma City. I watched

as the outpouring of love of Americans

and aid from across this Nation and

across the world poured into that great

city. But, more importantly, I watched

as the valor of each individual citizen

was highlighted as each came to the

cause and the crisis of the people. I

watched the laws of this land be in

place. I watched the Constitution remain stable during this very severe crisis. I heard the debate as people wanted, most of all, for the safety and security of those that were there and the

immediate assistance to those people.

It gave me comfort, one, that Americans will always rise to the aid of their

fellow neighbors, and, two, that the

Constitution is still very strong.

I rise, as well, however, to be able to

ask that those who believe in the Constitution would recognize that, if they

would oppose some of the actions and

activities that we have heard occurring

over these last couple of days, that

they, too would speak up. If they are

against hatred, hate mongering, if they

are against intolerance, I would like to

hear their voices as well, for it is important, as we do adhere to the laws of

this land and as we accept the value of

the Constitution and the Bill of Rights,

that, yes, we recognize all of us have

such rights. It is important that America not coddle terrorists, be they domestic or international. It is important

not to hear that the actor or alleged

actor in this incident is like the boy

next door. If the facts are true, the

actor is a murderer, plain and simple.

And so I support and appreciate the

leadership of President Clinton in light

of the fact that he has struck a balance, one of applauding the valor of

citizens in Oklahoma City and appreciating the democracy of this Nation,

but yet challenging those Americans

who would have normally kept silent

on the hatred that is violating this Nation. It is time to stand up and speak

up.

And those of us in Congress must

make a commitment to you, as Americans, that, one, we will act in a bipartisan manner, particularly myself as a

member of the House Committee on

the Judiciary, to accept, and respond,

and affirm your constitutional rights,

but at the same time enhance your

quality of life, and protect you. And to

those Federal employees let me say,

‘‘Thank you so very much for, yes, you

have gone beyond the measure of duty.

All over this Nation you serve Americans, and you served them with good

cheer, and love, and competence and

excellence. Many of them lost their life

in Oklahoma City. Many of you are

saddened by the tragedy. Many of my

district were forced to evacuate their

building over the last week or so because of bomb threats in the city of

Houston, but you have kept the faith,

you have remained strong, and so I salute you.’’

My commitment is to work ever hard

protecting the Constitution with my

colleagues, but yet responding to terrorists wherever they may be and acknowledging that they, too, must come

to justice, not coddled, but standing up

before the courts of law and accepting

whatever charges are being made effectively, forcefully, and with the full impact of the law. My hat is off to those

in Oklahoma City, my prayers remain

with them, and my commitment is

that we must make this country a just

country, a fair country, an equal country, but certainly a safe country under

the laws of the land and keeping in

mind the strength of the Constitution

of the United States of America.

CONTEMPLATING THE OKLAHOMA

CITY TRAGEDY

fThe SPEAKER pro tempore. Under

the Speaker’s announced policy of January 4, 1995, the gentleman from Illinois [Mr. DURBIN] is recognized for 5

minutes.