Chet Edwards

Mr. EDWARDS

Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, while there is no scheduled business on the floor of this House today, I can think of fewer issues more important to discuss here than freedom of speech. I believe debate on this floor should be conducted with respect and dignity. Yet if this House were to impose a gag rule on free and open debate, it would be a genuine tragedy for our democracy. Mr. Speaker, this is the people's House and the people have the right to have their voice heard through their elected Representatives. If Members of this House were to fear that honest expressions of fact and philosophy might be denied on this floor, then we will have done our democracy and the freedom of speech so deeply embedded in our Constitution a great disservice.

Mr. EDWARDS

Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, today, I would like to recognize a group of individuals, a team, whose strive for sportsmanship and fairness in scholastic sports have made them champions, not only in their game, but in their daily lives as well. I extend my sincere congratulations to the Goldthwaite High School Eagles of Goldthwaite, TX, who captured the 1994 Class 2A State Championship on December 17, 1994 at Memorial Stadium in Austin. Exacting revenge on the team that defeated them for the 1992 State title, the Eagles defeated the Schulenburg High School Shorthorns, 20- 16, taking their second consecutive State championship and third in less than 10 years. This achievement could not have been possible if not for the support of the student body and parents of Goldthwaite. This victory also, if not more so, comes through the dedication of coach Gary Proffitt and his staff. They, too, must be congratulated for the role they took in shaping the lives of these winners, winners who by accepting this victory also accept a responsibility to be victorious throughout their lives and give back to their communities. I urge my colleagues to join me today in recognizing and honoring the players, coaches, students, and parents of Goldthwaite, TX.

Mr. EDWARDS

Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, I believe the balanced budget amendment is the single most important issue that this Congress will face this year or next. I believe it is important that Americans understand that this issue is supported on a bipartisan basis by many Democrats as well as Republicans. In fact, the leader of the balanced budget fight for many years has been Congressman Charlie Stenholm of Texas, a Democrat. This is not a Republican issue, it is not a Democratic issue. It is an issue about our children, an issue about our grandchildren and their future. The fundamental question we face is whether our Congress is going to continue to steal money from our grandchildren to pay for today's spending. I hope this Congress will change that, and I hope the American people will understand that many Democrats will be at the forefront of fighting for this most important measure.

Mr. EDWARDS

Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, yesterday this House passed bipartisan legislation to reform Congress. Together Democrats and Republicans took the first important step toward restoring faith in this institution, and I applaud the new leadership for that. But I had one disappointment. There is one thing Americans do not want, and that is a double standard. That is why we applied the laws of this land to the rules of this Congress. Yet for 2 years our Republican friends criticized the fact that we had closed rules, that we did not allow amendments to be brought forward on this floor. My friends on the Republican side should do one of two things. They should either admit they were wrong over the last 2 years as they attacked Democrats for trying to limit amendments on this floor, or they should admit they were wrong yesterday and today in trying to limit that open process. It is their choice, and I am willing to accept that choice, but they cannot have it both ways. Mr. Speaker, I hope we can proceed with open rules and the open process, and I look forward to working with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to restore faith in this institution.