H5640 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE May 14, 2009 evaluations by issuing a certificate of REVISIONS TO THE 302(a) ALLOCA- the gentlelady from the great State of authority to elevate Neumann College TIONS AND BUDGETARY AGGRE- California, who is also one of our co- to university status. GATES ESTABLISHED BY THE Chairs, LYNN WOOLSEY. The process of converting from a col- CONCURRENT RESOLUTIONS ON Ms. WOOLSEY. I would like to thank lege to a university is lengthy and THE BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEARS the gentleman from Minnesota and the complicated, requiring the addition of 2009 AND 2010 FOR THE COM- gentleman from Colorado for being full undergraduate studies in the arts MITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS. here, and the gentlewoman is going to and sciences, professional graduate The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a be here, too. programs, a doctoral program, and cul- previous order of the House, the gen- Mr. ELLISON. From the great State tural programming open to the com- tleman from South Carolina (Mr. of Maine. Ms. WOOLSEY. She just announced munity. Neumann College’s visionary SPRATT) is recognized for 5 minutes. and perseverant leaders, President Ro- Mr. SPRATT. Madam Speaker, under sec- to us the great progressiveness of her salie Mirenda and Vice President for tion 423(a)(1) of S. Con. Res. 13, the concur- family and her State. Believe me, I Mission and Ministry, Sister Mar- rent resolution on the budget for fiscal year honor you. Thank you for being part of this. guerite O’Beirne, OSF, have worked 2010, I hereby submit for printing in the CON- Progressive liberal, liberal Progres- tirelessly with the entire Neumann GRESSIONAL RECORD a revised 302(a) alloca- sive. I mean, how often have we been staff to make the conversion possible. tion for the Committee on Appropriations for chastised for being liberals? So we each of the fiscal years 2009 and 2010. Sec- In addition to schools of business and changed the word to ‘‘progressive.’’ It tion 423(a)(1) of S. Con. Res. 13 permits the nursing, Neumann offers a college of means exactly the same thing to me. I chairman of the Committee on the Budget to arts and sciences, as well as six grad- am proud if people call me a liberal, adjust discretionary spending limits for over- uate and two doctoral programs. What and I am proud to be a Progressive, be- seas deployments and other activities when sets Neumann apart from other col- cause it is the same thing. these activities are so designated. Such a leges and universities is its unparal- And what does that mean to all of us? designation is included in H.R. 2346, a bill leled ability to educate its students What does it mean to me? Why do I making supplemental appropriations for the outside of the classroom through pro- want a label? Why do I care? fiscal year ending September 30, 2009, and grams that sharpen social awareness You know what? It’s because I can for other purposes. A table is attached. and ethical concern, which I have ob- count on Progressives, the people that served myself. DISCRETIONARY APPROPRIATIONS—APPROPRIATIONS I know to be Progressives, to put out As Dr. Mirenda so eloquently writes COMMITTEE 302(a) ALLOCATION their hand when somebody needs help, of Neumann, ‘‘We will give you the op- [In millions of dollars] and that means here, as legislators, to portunity to experience the reality know that our job is to work for those that learning and living are one; that BA OT who have less, who maybe have come education is truly the combination of Current allocation: upon hard times and need a short-term the intellect, the body, the heart, and Fiscal Year 2009 ...... 1,391,471 1,082,540 lift. That’s why I supported a welfare Fiscal Year 2010 ...... 1,220,843 1,269,745 the soul, and that education is about Change for H. R. 2346 overseas deployment system that had a floor to it, that relationships, going deeper into your and other activities designation: would actually help poor people so they Fiscal Year 2009 ...... 90,745 0 being to discover the special gift of Fiscal Year 2010 ...... 24,989 34,888 didn’t fall through the net. yourself and all creation that sur- Revised allocation: And I am also going to say one more Fiscal Year 2009 ...... 1,482,216 1,082,540 rounds you.’’ Fiscal Year 2010 ...... 1,245,832 1,304,633 thing about being a Progressive. A Pro- As part of its mission, Neumann Uni- gressive, to me, knows that organized versity has a very strong minority re- f labor made the difference in this coun- cruitment program. Neumann works THE PROGRESSIVE MESSAGE try in bringing a middle class to the aggressively to see that a values-based FROM THE PROGRESSIVE CAUCUS United States of America, a class private education is affordable to as where families could work, could afford The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under to buy their own home, could send many young men and women as pos- the Speaker’s announced policy of Jan- sible. Neumann imbues each student their children to college and at the uary 6, 2009, the gentleman from Min- same time pay into their own retire- with the notion that learning is a life- nesota (Mr. ELLISON) is recognized for long process. ment system so they could be inde- 60 minutes as the designee of the ma- pendent when they retired, and, oh, Achieving university status marks jority leader. what a concept, have health care. the culmination of a remarkable trans- Mr. ELLISON. Madam Speaker, let So that’s what Progressive values are formation for Neumann. It is a living me welcome America and the rest of to me and that’s what being a Progres- testament of the decency, hard work, the world to the Progressive Caucus sive is about, having the values, having and absolute commitment of the Sis- Special Order hour. We would like to the concerns, having the empathy for ters of St. Francis of Philadelphia. call it ‘‘The Progressive Message.’’ others and knowing that it isn’t about Madam Speaker, today I acknowl- And the Progressive message is some- us. We work for everybody in this edge the 8,327 living alumni, the 3,037 thing that the Progressive Caucus does country. current students, and the 507 faculty every week to project a Progressive vi- Mr. ELLISON. We have been here on and staff, board of trustees, and Presi- sion for America; not a reactionary vi- the House floor together before, and at dent Mirenda especially on achieving sion, not a status quo vision, but a vi- that time in the past you shared one of their goal of advancing Neumann Uni- sion of America as we believe that it your own personal stories about what versity as a recognized institution of could be, can be, that all men and motivated you toward Progressive poli- higher education in the Catholic Fran- women are created equal and endowed tics. ciscan tradition. I commend their dedi- by their Creator with certain b 1730 cation to making ours a better commu- unalienable rights, among them life, nity, Nation, and world with so many liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. But leave it to say that the gentle- better students and people. The Progressive Caucus and the Pro- lady from California, our co-Chair, gressive message, tonight, are here to LYNN WOOLSEY, came to Progressive f come to bring a message to the people politics not just because of something about where we are going, where we she read in the book, but because of the The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a have been. And tonight’s topic is ‘‘Why life that she lived that helped her un- previous order of the House, the gen- I’m a Progressive.’’ derstand what the importance of Pro- tleman from California (Mr. SCHIFF) is Why I’m a Progressive; here’s why. gressive politics are all about. recognized for 5 minutes. We are going to talk about it tonight, I yield back to the gentlelady. Is that (Mr. SCHIFF addressed the House. and it’s going to be good. And to help right? His remarks will appear hereafter in us get kicked off on this subject of why Ms. WOOLSEY. That is absolutely the Extensions of Remarks.) I am a Progressive, I want to yield to true. But I have to tell you, when I was

VerDate Nov 24 2008 02:53 May 15, 2009 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00056 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K14MY7.114 H14MYPT1 jbell on PROD1PC69 with HOUSE May 14, 2009 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H5641 a mom with my three little kids and does attacking a country that had to form our own opinions and voice our my husband that eventually became nothing to do with 9/11 reduce the risk dissent where appropriate. mentally unbalanced but was very suc- of terrorism here? Thank you for the time. cessful before we were 30 years old, I Mr. ELLISON, do you think that that Ms. PINGREE of Maine. Will the gen- was the one in our group of friends that had any effect on terrorism here? tleman yield? was arguing for other people. Mr. ELLISON. The gentleman has Mr. ELLISON. Let’s now introduce So I have gone through going on wel- yielded to me. The attack on Iraq is our freshman colleague from the great fare and taking care of my three chil- the single worst decision any President State of Maine, Representative PIN- dren and all that. That just solidified of the United States has ever made. GREE, who comes here with a long-term for me. Thank heavens, I had that hand And I’m proud to say the Progressives service of the people of the State of up. I certainly think that my job is to stood up and voiced opposition to it. Maine, but who is going to focus on an- make sure others get the same advan- But not only that—Vietnam. Not only other aspect of what it means to be a tage as I had. that, members of the Progressive com- Progressive. But I was fighting for the underdog, munity have stood up and questioned There’s the peace aspect, there’s the for the person who needed help, and for the very military buildup itself and the question of domestic economic progres- the education of all, way back there United States posture in the world. sivity, but there’s also this element of when I was very comfortable. You know, I’d like to share with the Progressive politics, which says indi- Mr. ELLISON. The fact is that many gentleman, if I may, and the gentlelady vidual liberty is very important. of us come to our own conclusions from Maine, that if you took every Let me yield to the gentlelady be- about the need for shared prosperity, military budget in the entire world— cause she made a very important 5- and some of us find that that helping I’m talking about Palau, Timor-Leste; minute speech today, which we would hand that we would give others, some- I’m talking about places like Indo- ask her to elaborate on just a little bit. times we need it ourselves. nesia, Kenya, wherever—and you added Let me yield to the gentlelady from But, you know what? It’s okay, be- them all up and you compared them to Maine. cause Progressive politics has a long, the United States military budget, Ms. PINGREE of Maine. Thank you strong, proud history in the United ours would still be bigger. very much. Thank you to all of my col- States. Part of that history has been We spend more money on military ar- leagues here today. It’s nice to have fighting for peace. And that fight goes maments than every other country in the opportunity to join the two of you. on today. the world—and many of our military I first want to say that I concur. It I want to yield to the gentleman expenditures go to things that have ab- was an important day to cast the vote from Colorado, Representative POLIS, solutely positively nothing whatsoever that many of us did to recognize that who has some views on that. How does to do with fighting terrorism. They’re there are serious issues around Iraq Progressive politics inform you as you for fighting Russians—states that are and Afghanistan. In spite of many of us search for America as a more peaceful confined within nonporous borders, coming from States where we have a partner in the world? state actors, not nonstate actors who lot of people serving in the military, I yield to the gentleman from Colo- are fluidly moving throughout the and I greatly respect their service and rado. world. the importance that all of us see in Mr. POLIS. Thank you. I thank my So I toss it back to the gentleman taking care of those who serve their colleague from Minnesota. Just today, from Colorado and yield to the gen- country, this was also an important hours ago in this very Chamber, we had tleman from Colorado. Have Progres- day to talk about the essential nature a debate—not enough debate—but a de- sives stood up for peace? What do you of finding an end to the conflict and bate about American military activi- think? making sure that we send the Presi- ties overseas in Afghanistan and Iraq, Mr. POLIS. I just have one more dent that message. and specifically around Congress’s role thing to add. A majority of Americans I thank you for giving me this chance in funding these efforts. agree that Iraq was a mistake—invad- to talk a little bit about what it means I was proud to cast my vote against ing Iraq was a mistake. It shows that to be a Progressive. You’re right, I was the supplemental. I think we need to Progressives were right at the time to fortunate to be on the floor just a few fundamentally rethink the militaristic question that war. And if you recall, as moments before we started the Pro- aspects of our foreign expeditions in I do, at that time there were many peo- gressive Hour to recognize something Iraq and Afghanistan. ple saying, Oh, you’re against the war; that had gone on in my State in the To me, what is a Progressive? It’s your un-American; you’re unpatriotic. past week. somebody that questions the status You’re rolling over to the terrorists. Maine is now the fifth State in the quo. Who always asks, What can be That war—and this is the majority Nation to recognize the equality of better? Somebody who constantly consensus now, and you have main- marriage that everyone, regardless of seeks something closer for humanity to stream groups across the ideological their gender, should have the right to the state of perfection. spectrum, you even hear this from the marry. As we all know, this can often We know that it is patriotic to ques- other side of the aisle, looking back, be a contentious and difficult debate. tion authority rather than blindly fol- saying, If we knew what we knew Thousands of people literally turned low authority. And that’s an important today, we should not have invaded the out at a public hearing in Maine to dis- distinction both in this Chamber as country of Iraq. cuss this topic. People from all walks well as with one’s friends when we’re Asking those tough questions, those of life; from all religious backgrounds; having discussions. critical questions, can be politically people who were married and who The most patriotic thing that we can difficult at times. But it makes our weren’t married. do as Americans is ask ourselves these country greater and it’s how Progres- I very proudly quoted from my tough questions: Why are we occupying sive Americans across our country ex- daughter today. My daughter happens Iraq? Why are we occupying Afghani- press their patriotism, by asking those to be the Speaker of the House in stan? Why are we putting our men and questions that nobody else is asking, Maine—far more important than her women in harm’s way and causing by not taking the wisdom from on mother—and she gave a very eloquent many more casualties on the other side high, be it from a Republican adminis- speech about the fact she was married as well? What is our role ongoing in tration or a Democratic administra- only a couple of summers ago by a these countries? tion, that that’s the way things are, wonderful friend of our family. And Of course, Progressives want to pro- but to use our own minds and rational during the conversation preparing for tect America. Of course, we’re con- thought to look at the information and the wedding, it occurred to her that cerned with the terrorist threat; of look at it from an objective perspective her good friend who was marrying her course, we want policies that protect and try to make our own opinion—not had been part of a couple for 30 years, our citizens and reduce the risk of ter- being pressured by outside groups or but because he was the same gender as rorism here and abroad. But we ques- groups that might have an economic her partner, was not allowed to be mar- tion the conventional wisdom. Why interest in a perpetual war, but rather ried.

VerDate Nov 24 2008 02:53 May 15, 2009 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00057 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K14MY7.117 H14MYPT1 jbell on PROD1PC69 with HOUSE H5642 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE May 14, 2009 So the person who gave her good ad- marry. I can’t tell you about these es- little entry on a ledger book. That vice, who performed the ceremony, was sential decisions that are like your might be a part of who you are—a very able to remind her everyone should business. small part—but that’s how you put have this right. I believe fundamen- This is a very Progressive idea. food on the table and how you live, but tally it should be a Federal right. We Sometimes when you hear about the there’s a lot more to everybody. And should be talking about this at some government getting off people’s backs, when we as Progressives are talking point in our tenure. you associate it with people who are on about freedom, we’re talking about the But I’m just so proud of my home the ‘‘right’’ end of the political spec- rest of the realm of our lives; those im- State, my own Governor, the State leg- trum. But when it comes to many portant everyday decisions in how you islators, many of them who thought other decisions that are essential and live. long and hard about the best way to private, these are Progressive values. And no, government shouldn’t be cast their vote, but in the end said, Our How does the gentlelady from Maine telling people who to marry or whether goal is to do the right thing. feel about this idea? or not to end a pregnancy or whether I just want to follow up a little bit Ms. PINGREE of Maine. Well, abso- or not to use a certain kind of research about some of the things that you were lutely. Maine is an interesting State. that could save lives. No one is forced already talking about before I close my We’re about a third Republican, a third to engage in that research; no one is remarks, but really on this idea of Democrat, and a third Independent, but forced to even terminate a pregnancy; what it is to be a Progressive because pretty much everybody is independent no one is forced to marry a gay person. there. I would say the overarching JARED rightfully said that it’s some- But the question is: Should you have times about asking the questions, of value that most people share is this the right to do it if you wanted? And I searching a little bit further, of taking idea that there is a right of privacy, of think as Progressives, our answer is an individual liberty; that I’m not going the tough votes. I also think it is a unabashed yes. matter of recognizing that we’re all in to interfere with your right to live Mr. ELLISON. If the gentleman your life in the way you choose as long this together. would yield, when it comes to this as you respect my rights as well. For me, getting into politics—and I issue of marriage equality, I always Because of that, even though we’re was first elected to the State legisla- economically quite disadvantaged in say to people that it’s not mandatory. ture in 1992—but I became a school my State—it’s about 38th in per capita It’s up to the individual. What about board member in my community years income—people have worked hard to individual liberty? before that. Part of what I learned take care of each other, but also to I just want to ask the two Members along the way is that the reason we do somewhat leave each other alone. We with me today, the gentleman from this is to recognize that we’re all in have a lot of independent fishermen Colorado, the gentlelady from Maine, this together. That if we’re not all suc- and farmers and people who make a liv- to just review with me, if you would, ceeding together; if we don’t have ing in a variety of ways, and most of some of these things that I believe health care; if everyone doesn’t have a them would say, Just preserve my were Progressive in nature. job; if we’re not thinking ahead about independence and individual liberty b 1745 the security or everyone, whether and, while you’re at it, can you make When it comes to this issue of the you’re a soldier or not a soldier, we’re sure we get health care coverage. not going to get ahead in the world. American Revolution, I think it was But I think it’s because people see progressive. Yes, America was a slave- We’re not going to have the kind of those as values that should be shared, holding country. Yes, women didn’t world that we want to have. that come together. have equal rights. And, yes, there were To me, that is the fundamental of Mr. ELLISON. If I can turn to the this—our overarching political philos- gentleman from Colorado. The gentle- a lot of problems. But if you look in ophy is just recognizing that none of us lady from Maine makes an interesting that day and in that time for the get ahead unless we all do it together. point. Part of the Progressive vision is American colonialists to say we are For me, that’s always a question when doing things together which we should not going to ruled by a king and we are I make a decision, whether it’s an eco- and could do together, and doing things going to choose our leaders, that was a nomic decision or an issue of health separately, then maybe we get to make progressive step forward. care. that call on our own. Maybe we should We may look at that time and say I have been a small business owner. make sure that all Americans have there were problems, people didn’t I’m proud to say that I employ other health care, that everyone is safe, that overcome a lot of social injustices. But people. But I want to make sure that women don’t have to live in a home if we look at it for what it was, indi- they’re treated well, that they get fair where they fear battering, and that we vidual citizens saying I don’t want a wages, that their health care is cov- have a criminal justice system that king making up my mind for me, I ered. I believe that’s part of the funda- protects them from that. want to cast a vote and select my own mental of the responsibility that we But maybe on certain other decisions leaders, that, I believe, was a progres- share to each other in this country and like marriage or other things, that’s sive step forward. in countries abroad. just your business and we let people The Bill of Rights I think was pro- For me, that’s a fundamental prin- make decisions for themselves on that. gressive. Think about the first one: No ciple, and I’m proud to share these mo- How does the gentleman feel about this government religious institution, ev- ments with my colleagues from Min- issue? eryone practices their own religion as nesota and Colorado, where I know Mr. POLIS. If only those who object they choose; the establishment clause; those are their fundamental values, as most vociferously to the government right to freedom of the press; right to well as many others that they bring to taking a dollar from my wallet to care assembly; right to redress grievances. the floor today. for my brother and sister in this coun- It was a progressive step forward. Mr. ELLISON. Will the gentlelady try would also object to the govern- Universal white male suffrage. Of yield? ment appearing at the bedroom door, course, not all Americans got the right Ms. PINGREE of Maine. Absolutely. telling me who to marry, telling a to vote at the same time, but there was Mr. ELLISON. Do you think that per- woman whether or not to make the dif- a time when being a white male was haps part of the Progressive tradition ficult decision to terminate her preg- not good enough to get you a ballot. is this idea of individual liberty? There nancy. It is in fact somewhat hypo- You had to have some property. You are certain things that we as Ameri- critical that while there seems to be a could not be Catholic, you had to be a cans may not agree on, but we will lot of care for the material aspects of white male Protestant property owner. agree that the decision rests with the freedom, there doesn’t seem to be as So when America said the property individual. much concern that I hear voiced for thing and the religious thing, those I can’t tell you, from Maine, how the equally, if not more important, don’t apply any more. Of course we many children you should have, or personal aspects of freedom. would have liked to have more people whether you should have any. I can’t Truly, each individual is more impor- get the franchise, but a lot of people tell you who to marry or who not to tant than the sum of their assets or a got it.

VerDate Nov 24 2008 04:24 May 15, 2009 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00058 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K14MY7.118 H14MYPT1 jbell on PROD1PC69 with HOUSE May 14, 2009 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H5643 Public education; emancipation of mental for education and now for medi- Today, I ask the gentlelady from the slaves; national park system; food cine. We have many doctors who are Maine, are we done? Has the Progres- safety; break up of monopolies; anti- able to diagnose at a distance in those sive agenda been completed? Do we trust legislation—progressive. The communities that can’t have a full- have more work to do? Homestead Act. Land grant univer- time doctor or the kinds of medical Ms. PINGREE of Maine. We are both sities so that all Americans could real- specialties that they need. standing here and many of our col- ly enjoy a university education. But people want to live and work in leagues are here, many who wouldn’t What about this one, I would like to those communities. It is a great part of necessarily call themselves Progres- ask the gentlelady from Maine, what the American tradition. Whether you sive, but they are here because they about rural electrification, was that a are a fisherman or a farmer, we want want to pass more legislation that will progressive step forward for America? to continue that. It is a very important foster our Progressive values. Ms. PINGREE of Maine. Absolutely. I part of why we need to expand That is a wonderful list that looks at am glad you put this list forward broadband. issues that people struggle with in the today. I think it is an excellent collec- Mr. ELLISON. I think it is a Progres- economy. But the fact is, I would say tion of those things that we have done sive value because it says, look, we that one of the number one concerns of collectively to make sure that we are know Americans who live in rural people in America today is to have ac- all better off. America like living there. They grow cess to health care and have it be af- Rural electrification was a very pro- the crops and they enjoy that life. But fordable. I think that needs to be added gressive idea. The idea that for eco- if there is no economy out there, then to that list. I think many of us won’t nomic development, for everyone to it is difficult to live out there and you rest until it is done. succeed, for people to have better op- see young people moving into the city, Many Members in this Chamber hear portunities, we all needed to be con- not necessarily because they want to from their constituents every day, Do nected to each other. but because they feel that they have something about health care. I am I think one of the things that this to. thrilled that we passed a budget with underscores about Progressive values is This rural electrification in one gen- $630 billion in it for health care, but we the idea that you need to choose those eration, broadband access in another, have a lot of work to do to actually de- things that will really benefit every- represents our shared commitment to sign the system and make sure that it body. We all recognize we can’t do ev- each other to live our lives as we would is available to everybody, whether you erything. People sometimes accuse us choose. are running a small business or you are Ms. PINGREE of Maine. Absolutely. of expecting government to do every- an individual who has no coverage, or People would say fundamentally, it thing. We don’t want to do that, and we struggles with coverage that has such a was a part of America to expand west don’t want government to meddle in big deductible it doesn’t provide you and be in rural areas. Many people everything. But this is a very good list with the care you need when you are choose the environment of rural Amer- of those things that have benefited the ica. But, frankly, we are dependent on sick. greatest amount of people. And coming Mr. ELLISON. Yes, we have a great those people who choose to grow our from a rural State, I know the impor- progressive history, but we have a tall food, harvest our fish. Many in my tance of rural electrification. order to do. We have to get health care State harvest the trees that make our In fact, I happen to live in a commu- to all Americans. We have to make paper and make our furniture. These nity that is about to construct a major are people with solid American values. sure that we have a green renewable fu- wind tower, benefiting us as we look Kids have wonderful schools to attend, ture so we can live in harmony with into the future, and we are still able to and feel safe in their communities. We the planet. The planet is going to keep do that because of the organization want to have more people who can have on turning. Whether we can continue that is there around rural electrifica- the opportunity to live there. to survive on it is another question. tion. One of the biggest issues in my State I am happy that in the 110th and Mr. ELLISON. Would the gentlelady is, How am I going to make a living 111th Congress, we were able to pass talk for a moment about the corollary and support myself? I think it is an im- legislation like the Lilly Ledbetter of rural electrification and extending portant Progressive value to say what Fair Pay Act, which is an important broadband access to all of America? exactly does government need to do. step forward for people to bring pay eq- Ms. PINGREE of Maine. Absolutely. We know we need to have security and uity lawsuits when they were victims Again, representing a rural State, most roads. Maybe a high-speed train. You of gender discrimination on the job. people don’t know, but Maine happens need to have health care available to We were able to pass the children’s to be the most rural State in the Na- you so you can feel comfortable and se- health insurance program, not health tion. Most of us live in small commu- cure. But you also need broadband ac- care for all, but health care for chil- nities without access to cable, and the cess. It is a very important thing. dren, a very important bill. kinds of things that many other people Mr. ELLISON. Moving down the list, We were able to pass the Local Law have. Broadband has become essential women’s suffrage, 1920. It is important Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention for communication, education, and for Americans to know that women Act, which is a law that says, Look, running a small business. Any kind of could not always vote in America. It you can have your value system as to business, you need to be able to con- was progressive women, Susan B. An- how you feel about different sets of nect to people on the Net. thony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Americans, but you better not harm I personally run a business, and peo- others who stood up and fought. It was them. They are within the protection ple wouldn’t be able to find us if it Sojourner Truth and a man by the of the law. They have a right. People wasn’t for the Internet. But the fact is name of Frederick Douglass fighting like Matthew Shepard will not be that many small communities don’t for women’s right to vote. And it was harmed. The rest of us will not tolerate have this. This is one of the reasons women in the West who made the it, and that is how we express our val- that this was part of the stimulus claim, we are already voting. You may ues for all human beings. package that many of us supported and not have a constitutional right to do And as you pointed out the, Amer- voted for because we believed it would it, but we do it in our State, and they ican Recovery and Reinvestment Act, help communities move ahead. Some- helped lead the way. the so-called stimulus act which gave a times it is an inner-city neighborhood, But what about the abolition of child tax cut to middle-class Americans. and sometimes it is a distant neighbor- labor, the 8-hour workday? Pretty pro- Progressives aren’t against tax cuts; hood that needs that access to gressive. We all hope we can do that. we are just against tax cuts for only broadband. I think there is a correla- Minimum wage, Social Security, civil the rich people. We believe that work- tion between what went on with the rights for minorities and women, vot- ing people ought to get a break some- REA and rural electrification and what ing rights for minorities and the poor. times, too. we are trying to do today to make sure Cleaning up our air, water, toxic dump So these kinds of things are things that everybody in America has access sights, consumer product safety and that we are fighting on. This may be to high-speed Internet. It is funda- Medicare. the history, but we have a tall agenda

VerDate Nov 24 2008 02:53 May 15, 2009 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00059 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K14MY7.119 H14MYPT1 jbell on PROD1PC69 with HOUSE H5644 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE May 14, 2009 for the future that we want all Ameri- We also want folks to be able to In this information age that we have, cans to partake of. check in on the Website right here: this electronic era that we have, the I want to say briefly that to be a Pro- http://cpc.grijalva.house.gov. Very im- Internet is full of information. The Li- gressive is to be one who believes, yes portant for people who are watching to brary of Congress is full of informa- we have our individual rights, but we check in and check out the Progressive tion. There are all kinds of links out also have things that we proudly share Caucus agenda. It is very important. there; many of them are very credible, together, like our safety and clean The Progressive Caucus is a moral some of them are not very credible. So water and like our environmental legal force within the Congress bringing we sort through, and we are always regime. America to its better half. looking at what is the original source. But on the other side, what a Pro- I agree with Congresswoman PIN- How do you document the credibility? gressive is not, what a Progressive is GREE, who pointed out that all of these Well, you figure out who the person not is somebody who basically operates things on this list are things where was that wrote it and their measure of on the basis of fear-based politics. We people said, Look, let’s embrace our credibility. boldly say we can do this new thing to- common life, our shared life. But these So as I come to the floor and listen gether. We are not afraid to embrace are all things, and I think that Con- tonight, I am rather amazed at what the future. But there is a set of politics gresswoman PINGREE would agree with I’ve learned. I saw this long list of suc- that says be afraid, be very afraid. The me, that before they were passed, peo- cesses of the Progressives. And I’ve Russians or somebody is going to get ple said it can’t be done. They said this lived through a fair amount of history you, and you have to be afraid. You is something that we shouldn’t do. But by now, Madam Speaker, and I’ve stud- can’t share with anybody. You just you know what? All of these things ied a lot of history by now, and I had have to look out for yourself. That is a were done, and we are all as Americans never equated the Revolutionary War set of political ideas that is prevalent much better off for it. to Progressives. That’s a new thing to around here, too; and those ideas are Let me also wrap up by saying that it me. That’s a revolution to me. It’s a not the ones that made America great. was the words of President Barack revelation to me that it was the Pro- The ones that made America great are Obama, who said in his first address to gressive group that decided that we the ones listed on this board and the Congress, ‘‘I reject the view that says should throw off the yolk of King ones that we are talking about now. our problems will simply take care of George and grasp our freedom. I yield to Ms. PINGREE for your final themselves, that government has no It seems to me that it was the comments. role in laying the foundation of our Founding Fathers and those who Ms. PINGREE of Maine. You have common prosperity.’’ That rejected shaped this Nation who put down in the said almost everything that needs to be view, I submit, is a conservative view document of the Declaration of Inde- said. You have a great chart. In talking because government does have an im- pendence—that inspirational docu- about some of the proud things in pro- portant role to play in our common ment—that our rights come from God gressive history, I want to emphasize prosperity, and our problems will not and that those rights that flow from that virtually everything on that list simply take care of themselves. God into man are granted willingly to is where people have said, We are all in the people. That’s a structure that—I 1800 this together. What do we need to take b guess you could call it progressive, but care of the basic fundamentals in this President Obama went on to say, I haven’t heard anybody on this side of world so that we can prosper, so we can ‘‘For history tells a different story. the aisle that calls themselves Progres- be safe and healthy and have a sense of History reminds us that at every mo- sive stand up and say that their rights security? That is what we are dedi- ment of economic upheaval and trans- come from God or that there are nat- cated to. formation, this Nation has responded ural rights and there is a natural order I know those are the commonsense with bold action and big ideas.’’ I quite of things and it’s ordered by the Master values of people in my State, people of agree with the President on this point. of the universe. That’s what our vastly different political perspectives I yield back the balance of my time. Founding Fathers believed. That was and economic perspectives who say, f the inspiration that shaped America. It Look, unless we are all in this to- OFFICE OF LEGAL COUNSEL was the inspiration that brought about gether—we have to move forward to- NOMINEE DAWN JOHNSEN the Declaration, and it was the inspira- gether or we are not going to get any- tion that caused the perseverance that where. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under allowed the United States to prevail As you mentioned, we have a tall the Speaker’s announced policy of Jan- over the British in the Revolutionary order in front of us. We have done a lot uary 6, 2009, the gentleman from Iowa War. in the few months we have been here. (Mr. KING) is recognized for 60 minutes The Nation was forged on those fun- And I feel proud as a freshman to have as the designee of the minority leader. damental values that haven’t been come at this moment in time when we Mr. KING of Iowa. Thank you, openly rejected by the Progressives, have a President who cares so deeply Madam Speaker. I appreciate being but neither have they been embraced about our relations around the world, recognized and having the privilege to by the Progressive Caucus. But almost economic justice for people and health address you here on the floor of the night after night I hear these things. care. It is a great moment to be here, House of Representatives. The American Revolution, a success of but it is certainly a difficult task. One of the things that I am able to the Progressives. That’s a new one. I Many, many people are struggling in receive as I come down here and pre- had not heard that one before. this economy. States like mine are pare for my hour here is an oppor- The emancipation of the slaves. Well, having a hard time balancing their tunity to listen to my colleagues and that’s an idea that is related to change. budget and getting ahead. We have a sometimes an opportunity to get an The institution of slavery had existed lot of work here to do. I have been education. And if one listens carefully, for thousands of years. But I didn’t pleased to be here tonight, and look Madam Speaker, there is a lot to be know that Abraham Lincoln and the forward to many other dialogues like learned in this Congress. In fact, I be- abolitionists were considered to be Pro- this in the future as we accomplish lieve that this is the most amazing gressives. I thought they were, Madam many of our goals. educational experience that one could Speaker, Republicans. In fact, I’m sure Mr. ELLISON. As I just wrap up, this ask for. they were Republicans. I have no doubt is the Progressive message. We have We are the center of information here about it. had Members, including Congress- in many ways. Washington, DC, is a The history of my family and the his- woman WOOLSEY, Congressman POLIS, magnet for information. And as Mem- tory of my understanding of the Repub- and Congresswoman PINGREE, talk bers, we have staff and committee peo- lican Party is it was forged in order to about why I am a Progressive, giving ple that gather that information at our abolish slavery. That’s why they came their personal testimony and giving request and give it to us in a means by about. That’s why they formed to- their own ideas and values about this which we can understand it, process it, gether and nominated Abraham Lin- critical subject. and utilize it. coln because he was the abolitionist

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