Congressional Record United States Th of America PROCEEDINGS and DEBATES of the 104 CONGRESS, SECOND SESSION
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E PL UR UM IB N U U S Congressional Record United States th of America PROCEEDINGS AND DEBATES OF THE 104 CONGRESS, SECOND SESSION Vol. 142 WASHINGTON, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 1996 No. 9 House of Representatives The House met at 12 noon and was THE JOURNAL House for 1 minute and to revise and called to order by the Speaker pro tem- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The extend his remarks.) pore [Mr. HOBSON]. Chair has examined the Journal of the Mr. WELDON of Florida. Mr. Speak- last day's proceedings and announces er, Dr. Danny McCain is the founder f and international director at large of to the House his approval thereof. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Jour- International Institute for Christian Studies [IICS]. This organization devel- DESIGNATION OF THE SPEAKER nal stands approved. ops and enhances academic Christian PRO TEMPORE Mr. STEARNS. Mr. Speaker, pursu- studies programs in public universities ant to clause 1, rule I, I demand a vote The SPEAKER pro tempore laid be- in 10 countries including Nigeria, Rus- on agreeing to the Speaker's approval fore the House the following commu- sia, Ukraine, and China. nication from the Speaker: of the Journal. In university classrooms that just 5 The SPEAKER pro tempore. The WASHINGTON, DC, years ago were devoted to the teaching January 24, 1996. question is on the Chair's approval of of atheism, IICS professors have been I hereby designate the Honorable DAVID L. the Journal. invited to teach about the moral foun- HOBSON to act as Speaker pro tempore on Mr. STEARNS. Mr. Speaker, I object dations of society which Christianity this day. to the vote on the ground that a provides. NEWT GINGRICH, quorum is not present and make the During the past year, Dr. McCain has Speaker of the House of Representatives. point of order that a quorum is not taught over 300 West African teachers present. f who daily teach religious and moral The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- education in the public schools. At a ant to clause 5, rule I, further proceed- recent seminar, the commissioner for PRAYER ings on this question are postponed. education said, ``Our country is in The Reverend Dr. Danny McCain, The point of no quorum is considered trouble; most of our troubles are relat- professor of Christian studies, Univer- withdrawn. ed to morals; morals are derived from sity of Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria, of- f religion. Moral and religious education fered the following prayer: PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE is essential for our Nation's survival.'' Almighty God, the Bible declares I am sure we could learn much about about governments, ``The authorities The SPEAKER pro tempore. Will the the source of moral values from these that exist have been established by gentleman from Ohio [Mr. GILLMOR] developing nations. God.'' We acknowledge Your supreme come forward and lead the House in the Dr. McCain currently serves as a sen- lordship over this Nation. Pledge of Allegiance. ior lecturer in the University of Jos, Because You are a merciful God, we Mr. GILLMOR led the Pledge of Alle- Nigeria, where he and his family have repent for often ignoring and disobey- giance as follows: lived for the past 7 years. ing You in our personal and national I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the It is a pleasure to have him as our lives. United States of America, and to the Repub- guest chaplain today. lic for which it stands, one nation under God, f We pray our Nation will be like a indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. lighthouse beside the global seashore f IN MEMORIAM: MIKE SYNAR signaling out messages of hope and in- (Mr. SKAGGS asked and was given ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER spiration to those unfortunate nations permission to address the House for 1 still struggling in the darkness of igno- PRO TEMPORE minute and to revise and extend his re- rance, oppression, and injustice. The SPEAKER pro tempore. This marks.) We pray that those in this Chamber morning the Chair will recognize twen- Mr. SKAGGS. Mr. Speaker, many of will acknowledge Your divine sov- ty 1-minute speeches on each side of us have just returned this morning ereignty, that their words and deci- the aisle as agreed to by the leadership. from a memorial service for our de- sions will be characterized by truth f parted colleague, the gentleman from and humility, and that all Members of Oklahoma, Michael Synar. It was a this House will be worthy to represent WELCOME TO THE REVEREND DR. moving tribute to an extraordinary us by their moral and spiritual exam- DANNY MCCAIN man and a courageous public servant. ple. (Mr. WELDON of Florida asked and Mike set the highest possible stand- In Jesus' name. Amen. was given permission to address the ards for himself and for this place, a 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 775 H 776 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD Ð HOUSE January 24, 1996 place which he dearly loved. He did his was a memorial service for our de- need to do welfare reform, and I agree best to act on principle while being parted colleague from Oklahoma, Mike with him. This morning the Speaker of fully engaged in the arena. In this Synar. As I listened to the deserving the House, NEWT GINGRICH, on one of place where the line between legiti- tributes paid to this remarkable public the morning talk shows, when asked mate compromise and expediency is so servant, I realized that death some- about welfare reform, said that the often fuzzed, Mike Synar knew the dif- times robs us of our last chance to say President had vetoed it twice, even ference. He had a clear head and a goodbye. So to my friend and colleague though the Senate had passed it with 85 moral compass that guided him, not al- Mike Synar, I want to say goodbye one votes. ways with perfect outcomes but always last time. Well, Speaker GINGRICH, I wish you with a perfect sense of integrity. He I want to say, thank you, Mike, for would tell the truth. That bill that the knew that a seat in this House was reminding us what courage is all about. President vetoed, that welfare bill, got simply not worth having if there were I want to say, thank you for reminding only 52 votes in the Senate. It did not not some things that you were willing us that one person can make a dif- get 85 votes, Speaker GINGRICH. Tell to risk losing it over. ference. I want to say, thank you for the truth; it got only 52. And two Re- What tribute can we give to this reminding us that public service can be publicans voted against it. man? Perhaps to give back come of the a noble calling. I want to say, thank Now, the President wants to do wel- love he showed for this wonderful insti- you, Mike, for your genuine compas- fare reform, but he does not want to do tution of our democracy by treating sion and caring for your fellow human the radical one that was sent to him. I each other better and respecting the beings. And I want you to know that want to do welfare reform. I would principles that we all hold, principles like the statue of your fellow Oklaho- much rather take the one that passed that Mike was so true to in his own man, Will Rogers, which watches over the Senate in September; not the one service here. Perhaps we can draw this House just outside the doors of in December, the one in September, let some inspiration from his life and serv- this Chamber, your spirit, the coura- us do that welfare reform. ice and do so in his name and memory. geous spirit of Mike Synar, will forever Speaker GINGRICH, let us tell the truth. f hover over this House to remind each of us that courage and compassion and f STATE OF THE UNION acting out of conscience are noble STATE OF THE UNION human traits. (Mr. CHABOT asked and was given (Mr. GILLMOR asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 Goodbye, my friend. We will miss you, but never forget you. permission to address the House for 1 minute.) minute and to revise and extend his re- f Mr. CHABOT. Mr. Speaker, the Presi- marks.) dent said a lot of the right things last STATE OF CONFUSION Mr. GILLMOR. Mr. Speaker, I night. He says the era of big govern- (Mr. MARTINI asked and was given watched the President's speech last ment is over. He says that he now un- night. That speech and his State of the derstands that working families are permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his re- Union speech last year were the two overtaxed. And he even implies that he longest I have heard in my lifetime. is now willing to sign the welfare re- marks.) Mr. MARTINI. Mr. Speaker, last A thought came to me while I was form, balanced budget, and tax cut listening to that lengthy speech about measures that he has vetoed over the night the American people did not hear the State of the Union but rather I sug- how we could save money.