March 13, 1996 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E333

Smith Elementary School opened in 1956. At Speaker GINGRICH in his pre-Speaker days and tried to muzzle the same freshmen who Smith, Mrs. Hanlon became a team teacher proved very effective in using extremely nega- memorized his list. He understands, more with Howard Schultz and together they intro- tive, demeaning language about his opposi- than anyone, that burning down the estab- duced the school's class in astronomy. Their tion, and unfortunately, in politics as in other lishment in 1996, as some of the upstart Re- publicans have suggested, ‘‘threatens’’ to fifth grade classes would return to the school ventures, success often breeds imitation. ‘‘devour’’ a Republican Congress, not a at night for star-gazing from the front lawn. We cannot effectively diminish the unfortu- Democratic one. Since the school had no library, the two teach- nate excessive reliance on rhetoric of this sort None of this seems to bother the bombastic ers spearheaded the Library Club of America. without understanding what causes prolifera- Buchanan, who has his eye on the White Mrs. Hanlon changed schools again in tion, and I therefore ask that David Grann's House. The commentator of ‘‘Crossfire’’ has 1964, with the opening of Meadowbrook Ele- very thoughtful analysis be printed here. his own personal political dictionary. (Re- mentary School. As a pioneer in team teach- THE DANGERS OF NEWTSPEAK member ‘‘pusillanimous pussyfooters?’’) But ing, she was chosen as team leader for the In 1989, Rep. Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) de- Gingrich, however ruefully, has given him fifth grade and developed a superior program clared that ‘‘nobody would notice if you de- something more important than works: a re- capitated the top 12,000 bureaucrats and ceptive audience. in team teaching. She studied team teaching The irony is that Gingrich’s revolution, de- started over.’’ In 1994, sensing a GOP victory, in and designed an open spite the rhetoric, is relatively mainstream; classroom and open media center at the leader of the Republican revolution de- nounced the Democratic Congress as ‘‘the a balance budget amendment, a line item Meadowbrook. enemy of ordinary Americans.’’ veto and tort reform are not exactly radical. During 28 years at Meadowbrook, Mrs. Today, Pat Buchanan beckons his brigade Yet, as Gingrich has long noted, words have Hanlon established Colonial School Day, of ‘‘peasants with pitchforks’’ to storm the power. And political cries for revolution, which evolved into Colonial Capers. She also corrupt establishment and ‘‘lock and load’’ however figurative or fashionable, eventu- established Explorer Day, the Heritage Fest their weapons. ally corrode even the healthiest democracy. But this time the insurgents’ guns are What can be done? To begin with, Repub- and Pioneer Day. Mindful of the value of com- licans can turn to another list of words in- munity cooperation and participation, she de- pointing at Speaker Newt Gingrich. If ideas have consequences, then Buchanan’s peasant cluded in Gingrich’s 1990 mailing. These ‘‘op- veloped and orchestrated the Listening Moth- rebellion is the logical culmination of Ging- timistic positive governing words,’’ the leaf- ers and Teacher Aide programs. rich’s relentless rhetorical warfare against let says, ‘‘help define your campaign and In 1992, with the reorganization of the Hills- Washington. And if lawmakers need to cen- your vision of public service. In addition, dale schools, Mrs. Hanlon was transferred to sor TV violence with a V-chip, then Ameri- these words help develop the positive side of George White Middle School as the fifth-grade cans may soon need a V-chip for politicians. the contrast you should create with your op- team leader, continuing all the programs she In 1990, Gingrich’s now-famous political ac- ponent, giving your community something developed at Meadowbrook. tion committee, GOPAC, sent out a leaflet to to vote for!’’ Republican candidates nationwide titled: Some gentle words for Buchananites: Over the course of her career, Mrs. Hanlon ‘‘share,’’ ‘‘humane,’’ ‘‘listen,’’ ‘‘dream,’’ was a finalist for the Teacher of ‘‘Language, a Key Mechanism of Control.’’ Saying many people ‘‘wish [they] could ‘‘peace’’ and ‘‘common sense.’’ But if Repub- the Year and was a recipient of the Gov- speak like Newt,’’ it recommended 60 of the licans keep barking from the other script, ernor's Teacher Recognition Award. She has Speaker’s favorite words to demonize Demo- Gingrich may soon look out the Capitol win- taught two generations of students, including crats and the establishment, including such dow and see an army of peasants with pitch- those who have since become fellow mem- poll-tested treats as ‘‘destroy,’’ ‘‘traitors,’’ forks rising over the Potomac. bers of the faculty, and prominent community ‘‘devour,’’ ‘‘lie,’’ ‘‘cheat’’ and ‘‘threaten.’’ f members such as Karen Arrigot, wife of Mayor ‘‘This list is prepared so that you might THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE Timothy O'Reilly. have a directory of words to use in writing Members of the Hillsdale school system literature and mail, in preparing speeches, FORMATION OF THE ASSOCIA- and in producing electronic medium,’’ the staff, members of the community and count- TION OF FOOD AND DRUG OFFI- leaflet reads. ‘‘The words and phrases are CIALS less former students and their parents all have powerful. Read them. [Emphasis added.] fond memories and deep debts of gratitude for Memorize as many as possible. And remem- the dedication to their lifetime learning of this ber that, like any tool, these words will not HON. BARBARA B. KENNELLY outstanding teacher. I wish her much-de- help if they are not used.’’ OF CONNECTICUT served health and happiness and many years Republicans, like kids discovering IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES of continued community service. matches, used them again and again. Ging- Tuesday, March 12, 1996 rich, who lit the biggest torch, derided the f House as a ‘‘corrupt institution.’’ ‘‘There are Mrs. KENNELLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today THE DANGERS OF NEWTSPEAK two realities to the current system,’’ he to recognize a milestone in the : railed. ‘‘One is the government is trying to the 100th anniversary of the formation of the HON. BARNEY FRANK cheat you; and the second is the government Association of Food and Drug Officials. is lying to you about what it’s doing.’’ During the latter half of the 19th century, a OF MASSACHUSETTS Other GOP candidates mixed and matched genuine need existed in the United States for IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES the words, finding rich new combinations: an organization to work with the States, Fed- Tuesday, March 12, 1996 the ‘‘liberal’’ ‘‘welfare state’’ ‘‘devours’’ ordi- nary Americans with its ‘‘traitorous lies.’’ eral regulatory officials, and industry rep- Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, These verbal assaults fueled Americans’ dis- resentatives on the problems that existed with- there is an increasing agreement in America trust of, and disgust for, Democrats and in the food and drug industries. Numerous that we suffer from the excessively violent and paved the way for the Gingrich revolution. foods were adulterated with a variety of pre- negative tone of political rhetoric. As is often Who, after all, could trust ‘‘a trio of mug- servatives and chemicals, and, as a result, the case when people find something they dis- gers’’ like former Speakers Jim Wright (D- public safety was an omnipresent threat. The like, there is a good deal of discussion as to Texas), Tip O’Neill (D-Mass.) and Tom Foley (D-Wash.) ? purity of drugs represented another health how this unfortunate situation came about. In The problem is that talking ‘‘like Newt’’ issue, for the promotion of fraudulent remedies an excellent article in the Wednesday column has de-legitimized American democracy to was common practice. of the March 6 issue of , reporter the point that no one—not even Gingrich— As a consequence of these harmful prac- David Grann analyzes this issue and makes can redeem it. Even as the GOP tries to re- tices, numerous States began to pass the point, persuasively and accurately, that form the Washington culture and balance the consumer laws, often with the support of man- Speaker GINGRICH bears a great deal of the budget, Buchanan decries the current estab- ufacturers seeking relief from inequitable com- responsibility for this situation, because of his lishment—to a standing ovation—as ‘‘hollow petition with the impure products. Despite the to the core.’’ creative efforts to encourage his fellow Repub- In such an anti-Washington climate, pro- positive intentions of the laws, they were often licans to escalate the vehemence of their rhe- test candidates like Steve Forbes and Bu- deficient and unenforced due to a lack of con- torical attacks on the Democrats. As Mr. chanan rise because they have never held trol over out-of-State manufacturers. In addi- Grann notes in the article, ``In 1990, Gingrich's public office, while the GOP freshmen, the tion, the manufacturers were subjected to now-famous political action committee, insurgents of 1994, are suddenly derided as varying State requirements, which led to dif- GOPAC, sent out a leaflet to Republican can- part of the problem. ficulties with regard to interstate commerce. Which begs the question: How can a coun- didates nationwide * * * (which) rec- try be governed if anyone who governs it is These problems introduced the need for Fed- ommended 60 of the Speaker's favorite words unworthy of governing? eral food and drug laws to impose uniform to demonize Democrats and the establish- Gingrich, realizing the consequences of his safety regulations in order to protect the citi- ment,''. own words, has sheathed his rhetorical sword zens of every State.