Henry Bonilla

Mr. BONILLA

Mr. BONILLA. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Rules package under consideration today. I urge my colleagues to support this package because it represent real reform. Reform I have been calling for since my first election 2 years ago. Reform the American people have been calling for--for far too long. This Rules package contains reforms promised in the Contract With America and its passage will represent a promise kept--a refreshing change for Congress. Let each and every one of us here in Congress today recommit ourselves to keeping the promise made in the Contract With America. The American people will judge us by our success in meeting this commitment. Let us not fail their trust. The process which developed this Rules package was remarkably open with all Members of differing seniority and differing perceptions having the opportunity to help draft this remarkable reform document. I salute the new Chairman of the Rules Committee, the Honorable Gerald Solomon, for his openness and dedication which produced this product. I personally experienced Chairman Solomon's commitment to openness when I proposed a ban on commemorative. This Rules package prohibits the introduction or consideration of any amendment, resolution or bill that expresses any commemoration of any specified time period. The days will finally end when the Congress spends the people's time considering such legislation as ``Mule Appreciation Day.'' Chairman Solomon welcomed my suggestion to prohibit commemorative legislation and committed himself to working with me on it. I am proud to have drafted the language which served as the base for the legislative language included in the bill for consideration today. I also want to express my thanks to my new freshman colleagues who have made the commemorative ban a reality. You freshman have provided us with the majority to pass this reform bill and you freshmen have made this proposal a priority by obtaining the Republican Conference's endorsement of a commemorative ban. Thank you all very much. I am proud to have played a small role in developing this remarkable legislation. I urge my colleagues to join me in voting to keep our promises, to listen to the American people and to support genuine reform. My colleagues, please join me in voting ``yes'' for this vital legislation.