J.D. Hayworth

Mr. HAYWORTH

Mr. HAYWORTH. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Minnesota very much. I would simply remind all of us assembled of the observations of Abraham Lincoln, who reminded us that you do not strengthen the weak by weakening the strong; that you do not enrich the poor by sending impoverishment upon the well-to-do; that, indeed, our strength is not from finding divisions among us bred from envy; but, in fact, the American dream is best summed up by allowing all families the freedom to pursue faith as they see fit, to reinvest faith in this remarkable grand experiment called the United States, by letting them choose their destinies with their economic resources for their futures and the future of their children. Let us all pledge to do that, no matter our partisan stripe or political label. Even though we champion disagreements within this Chamber, we will be better off. The American Nation will be better off because we recognized these basic truths. Again, I thank the gentleman from Minnesota and the American people, Mr. Speaker, for this time in this Chamber to discuss these topics.

Mr. HAYWORTH

Mr. HAYWORTH. Mr. Speaker, my colleagues, and those citizens who join us here in this chamber, and those citizens, Mr. Speaker, who join us electronically from coast to coast and beyond, I would commend to everyone's attention today the lead editorial in the Washington Post entitled, Ms. Willey's Story. Mr. Speaker, because this editorial is so important, I would like to read into the Record portions of the editorial, because I believe they make for compelling reading and offer a serious case to the American people. When Newsweek magazine first reported allegations that President Clinton had groped Kathleen Willey in the White House, the President's lawyer, Robert Bennett, said his client had ``no specific recollection of meeting Willey in the Oval Office.'' Announcement by the Speaker pro tempore

Mr. HAYWORTH. Well, I thank the Chair for the information, and I find it somewhat illuminating. Be that as it may, that is an interesting point. For I am not here to call into question or impugn anyone's integrity, Mr. Speaker. However, there are compelling questions that confront the American people, and if duly constitutional elected Members of Congress, then, are asked to abridge or silence what is part of the public record, I would suggest perhaps that we need to review those rules even as I respect and adhere to the rules of the House. Let me then simply read the conclusion of the editorial, which I hope will be found in concurrence with the rules of the House. I would commend to other sources the videotape that appeared on CBS on 60 Minutes, and I would commend to everyone in this Nation, Mr. Speaker, the words in this morning's Washington Post editorial. For the Post, which agrees with President Clinton on many policy decisions, today makes a very forthright point in concluding its editorial, and I will quote from the conclusion. Ms. Willey's story adds to the critical mass of allegations the President now faces. They need to be answered not by drips and drabs of ``recovered memory'' or fancy legal wordplay or a public presentation of all Ms. Willey's failings. They just need to be answered.'' Announcement by the Speaker pro tempore

Mr. HAYWORTH. Mr. Speaker, reclaiming my time, I appreciate the rule of the Chair, but I believe it is important, Mr. Speaker, that the American people take a look at the serious situation confronting the executive branch and confronting us all. In that spirit, Mr. Speaker, I would simply refer to some comments made in history by a distinguished member of the other party and its one-time Presidential nominee, Senator Hubert Humphrey of Minnesota, who nearly a quarter of a century ago on the NBC telecast Meet The Press, when discussing another President confronting another difficult time, offered the advice that the President should answer the questions fully and completely, because the American people are forgiving people. It is in that spirit that I offer the same advice today, not for purposes of partisan tomfoolery, but because these questions cut to the very core of our constitutional Republic. Indeed, Mr. Speaker, it is difficult to rule or exercise moral leadership when there appears to be little moral authority. So I offer these observations not to stand and offer contentions for the rules of the House, not to be provocative, but because the questions need answers. Mr. Speaker, in that vein, for the public good, not for partisan political points, I would simply ask this President, Mr. Speaker, to follow the advice that Hubert Humphrey offered nearly a quarter century ago. Because these issues transcend partisan politics, these issues need to be answered. Mr. Speaker, I gladly yield my remaining time to my colleague the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Latham).

Mr. HAYWORTH. Mr. Speaker, a point of parliamentary inquiry. Is it then against the rules to also read verbatim from an editorial in a widely circulated newspaper?

Mr. HAYWORTH

Mr. HAYWORTH. Mr. Speaker, I thank the distinguished majority leader. Mr. Speaker, as we spend time together here in this Chamber tonight and by extension electronically with citizens of this great Nation from coast to coast and beyond, one cannot help but remark on our proud heritage and our history. And I would thank very much not only the majority leader but our colleague from Pennsylvania, where so much of the early history of this Nation took place, and the distinguished Majority Whip for offering his thoughts as well. Indeed, as the Whip explained, Mr. Speaker, from the vantage point of the Speaker's chair we can see the visage of Moses represented here in this Chamber looking down on these proceedings. And indeed, Mr. Speaker, above the chair where you sit are inscribed the words, ``In God we trust.'' So tonight, Mr. Speaker, and my colleagues and fellow citizens, it is important to reaffirm what it is we believe, to stand and celebrate the notion that we are free in this constitutional republic to worship God according to the dictates of our own conscience. Indeed, citizens are free to choose not to worship God. But even as we acknowledge that freedom, we must also acknowledge that tremendous history and tremendous responsibility that is inexorably part of the American experience. Here we stand free to express our ideas, our convictions, our philosophies in this Chamber; and citizens around the country are doing it I think tonight in a City Council meeting in Flagstaff, Arizona. Similar meetings may be going on in Fargo, North Dakota, or in Philadelphia, the cradle of our liberty, as our colleague from Pennsylvania pointed out. And undergirding all these notions are firm and solid principles. I could not help but reflect, as I heard our colleague from Pennsylvania offer his historic observations, of the actions involving our Founders, not only the actions taken to win our independence but subsequently the actions taken at that constitutional convention at what became Independence Hall, actions that were so incredible Catherine Drinker Bowen called the entire proceeding in her great and definitive work the ``Miracle at Philadelphia.'' And from that heritage and from those principles springs the deep convictions of our citizenry. Polls can never take the place of principles, and yet polling information offers insight into the psyche and indeed the souls of America. And in stark contrast to some of the polling results that have been offered by various media outlets in recent days, there are important things we can see from surveys taken across our country. A Terence survey reports that 71 percent of Americans polled in this Nation believe that our Nation confronts a moral crisis. Contrast that with only 16 percent of Americans believing there is an economic crisis. So, indeed, even as there are times of economic plenty, citizens of this country are concerned that there are problems with the morality and the fealty and the convictions which we attempt to affirm and uphold each day. Pew Research Center suggested that a decline in moral values was the top problem facing our Nation, three times higher than economic insecurity. Indeed, Mr. Speaker, as we come and we celebrate our diversity in the fact that many of us celebrate and worship God according to many different traditions, I know that many of us pray for the wisdom of Solomon, that we might, in taking on these constitutional responsibilities, understand that with freedom comes those responsibilities. And indeed, those unique circumstances the constitutional republic offers us in this role in this Chamber are mirrored by responsibilities that belong to each and every citizen. Other speakers have bemoaned the fact that four out of 10 children in America tonight will go to sleep in a home where their father is not present. Our distinguished Whip reaffirmed legislative priorities that help affirm the principles that have made this Nation great. We can see this not only in remembering and holding in reverence the words of our Constitution but also on the Nation's bookshelves, as so many Americans seek out supplements, if you will, to scripture on the notion of spirituality. Annual sales of religious books has topped $1 billion in this Nation in 1997. The sales increase of these items grows at a dramatic pace, nearly 100 percent over the last 3 years. Indeed, the best-seller that remains number one on every list in this great country remains the Holy Bible. Last year, nearly 30 million Bibles were sold in the U.S., far dwarfing the sales of any other book in our Nation's history. Indeed, as we stand and celebrate that fact, we cannot help but note that, in this world, as others begin their business day, indeed, across the dateline, as others live in another day temporally, sadly there are areas in this world where that very freedom to pick up Holy Scripture is abridged, where that notion is denied. How more remarkable, then, is this great constitutional republic. Indeed, even as Americans are concerned about a moral crisis, there are signs that America in general, from Main Street to Wall Street, seeks the help of the supreme creator. In new technology, matters of faith are leaping to providence. On the Internet, the Christianity on-line web page is named as one of the most popular web sites on America Online. In my former profession of broadcasting, we have all witnessed the phenomenal success of Dr. Laura Schlessinger who has taken to the airwaves to reaffirm the simple notions of faith and family and fealty to those principles which made us great and to the responsibilities engendered in taking on fatherhood, in taking on marriage, in taking on a leadership position, not only at home but in a fellowship of faith or in a business or, dare I say it, in a position within government. Mr. Speaker, I have learned a lot in traveling the width and breadth of the Sixth Congressional District of Arizona, an area in square mileage roughly the size of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. A message continues to come from my constituents, many of whom had forbearers who came to what was a relatively desolate place at one point in our history, folks with the help of technology and faith literally made the desert bloom. It has given flower to freedom but, with that, a notion that is not peculiar to the West but reaffirmed there that with freedom comes responsibility, and those responsibilities we dare not shirk. The other note I have heard, Mr. Speaker, from my constituents is this notion that while there are those who say you cannot legislate morality, it is also true that you cannot exercise moral leadership without a firm foundation of moral authority. So that is what we seek. Even as we celebrate the differences in our religious expressions and backgrounds, even as we celebrate the fact that we will not all speak with one voice on every issue when we come into this Chamber or stand in this well or cast a vote on behalf of those we represent, but we give thanks for the opportunity to be here to be able to worship according to the dictates of our own conscience, to discuss these matters freely and openly, and to have the opportunities to see that we can address the so-called moral crisis with a commitment to seek wisdom, with a commitment in the words of the prophet Micah to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with our God. With that, I yield back to our distinguished majority leader.

Mr. HAYWORTH

Mr. HAYWORTH. Mr. Speaker, this is the essence of our constitutional republic. The brilliance of our founders is found in the sense that they had the foresight and the sense of commitment to set up this unique institution where we can represent and where we can dare to dream, but then take the steps firmly rooted in reality to make those dreams come true. Certainly we have talked about a far-flung and ambitious agenda of where our dreams will take us, not only fiscal responsibility and a better future for our children, not only fighting this war on drugs, not only realizing the successes and seizing upon those for our seniors as well as the youngest among us, but making this translation work. Mr. Speaker, we have talked about the legislation offered by the gentleman from Wisconsin and the innovative programs that the gentleman from California has been involved in and the fresh new perspective the gentleman from South Dakota brings. In a moment of personal indulgence, might I also, Mr. Speaker, offer something that I have introduced, that the Committee on Resources just held hearings on 2 weeks ago, that my staff has taken to calling HELGA in one of those moods you get here where you have an acronym, for Hayworth Education Land Grant Act. It is born out of something that happened in my district, something that you may find in your districts, the folks you represent. In rural Arizona, there is a real shortage of private land. The little community of Alpine, Arizona, nestled there on the New Mexico border, in my first term in Congress came to see me. They said, ``We have scraped together enough money to build a new school. We meet right now in an old church. It's not exactly a one-room schoolhouse, but it's close. We have the money to build a school, but we don't have the money to purchase a site on which to build the school. This is a real dilemma.'' What makes it ironic is the fact that the town of Alpine sits on the edge of a national forest, government-controlled land. They said, ``Congressman, could you help us get a conveyance of land?'' And so we did so. The good news is they are building a school because they could save their money to build the school and concentrate on students and teachers and the future instead of worrying about buying land. As Mark Twain pointed out, ``History doesn't repeat itself, but it rhymes.'' And so learning from that experience and the experience of Congressman Morrill, quite frankly, in the last century with the Land Grant Act for Higher Education that transformed higher education in this country, I came up with a plan that offers a standard, uniform way for rural school districts to apply for conveyances of federally controlled land, so again they can concentrate their resources on what is most important, the children and their education, and not worry about buying land and not have that economic impact hit them adversely in trying to build a new school. We held hearings, as I mentioned, 2 weeks ago, a subcommittee of the Committee on Resources. I am very optimistic about this legislation, labeled H.R. 2322. Mr. Speaker, I would ask my colleagues to be involved, to take a look at this legislation, because it can do important things across America in rural districts for those school children and their future, because again as we all concur, Mr. Speaker, education is too important to be left up to Washington bureaucrats. We have got to maximize flexibility and innovation and what happens at home on the front lines to make sure that different districts are armed with different alternatives so that they can decide what is best. I would commend the legislation to my colleagues and move in that type of common-sense direction to focus on educating children, not worrying about the shifting of dollars but focusing on what works. A couple of quick admonitions I would offer. If you are worried about Park Service land, no Park Service land can be taken for this, nor can any Federal wildlife refuges be taken for this. But there is a uniform way to convey land, and I believe that it can transform rural education in this country for students K-through-12 not only in school districts, but in charter schools that have sprung up in places like Arizona and come to full flower and full fruition. And those types of innovative ideas, based on the best of what our heritage teaches us when applied to the challenges of today, those are the ways that we translate our dreams into reality. That is why I am so pleased, Mr. Speaker, to be here with men and women of conviction on both sides of the aisle, who are willing to look to translate those dreams into reality. Mr. Speaker, I would invite my colleagues to take a good look at that legislation and join us in taking that step toward helping rural children.

Mr. HAYWORTH. I think my colleague from Arizona, Mr. Speaker, makes an excellent point. And I appreciate my colleague from Wisconsin for yielding some time as we talk about this, how we work through problems to solve them. The other thing we should note, Mr. Speaker, is that there is an achievable objective for success. And indeed, Mr. Speaker, what we have been able to do within this Chamber, Republicans and Democrats alike reaching across America, has said, when it comes to the dilemma of dealing with a self-perpetuating welfare state as we help people go from welfare to work, we now measure success not by the numbers of people who are on the welfare roles, but by the numbers of people who are out in gainful employment. Just this last Friday, in Mesa, Arizona, I had a chance to go in and work with a program. Initially, it was called Women Off Welfare, or WOW. Now they call it World of Work because nontraditional opportunities are opening up for women and men alike in our society. And the four people that were supposed to be there as part of the program, my colleagues, they could not be there to tell about what they have done because they were busy at work earning money for their families having a brighter future.

Mr. HAYWORTH. They derided it as extreme. Now look at what has happened. We see that it makes extremely good sense to have Washington spend less so that families can spend more, to make sure that the money that belongs to the people in the first place stays in their paychecks; and in so doing, actually letting Americans have more of their own money to save, spend, and invest, create new jobs and new opportunities. Now, we are in a situation where the tables have turned. Oh, there is still work to do, as my colleague has pointed out; our commitment to our seniors in terms of the Social Security Preservation Act, which we cosponsored, the challenges we still confront in terms of ending the scourge on drugs. In a free society, it is an ongoing battle. But we have made the first steps toward realizing those dreams for our children.

Mr. HAYWORTH. And what is remarkable, Mr. Speaker, is the fact that this is recent history; this is within the last 3 years. I remember sitting here on the front row when we talked about the budget plan where we dared to dream, less than 100 Members of this body would join with us.

Mr. HAYWORTH. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from Wisconsin for yielding. And I listened with interest to my colleague from California. Because, Mr. Speaker, as I stand here in the well of the Congress of the United States, I am truly in awe not only of the responsibility my constituents conferred upon me constitutionally to represent them in this hall and in this Chamber, but also with the quality of people who come from coast to coast and beyond; and here I stand with one who distinguished himself first as an educator and then fought this country's battles in southeast Asia where he quite fittingly earned the title of top gun. And I stand with another who distinguished himself first as a teacher, as did my colleague from California, but my friend from Wisconsin, who worked so hard as a teacher, and then went into home building. And we really have the essence of the American dream embodied in these two gentlemen. But Mr. Speaker, I would simply concur with the statements that have been made tonight as we try to dream a dream that can be reality for our children. This is something achievable. And I especially, Mr. Speaker, appreciate the comments of my friend from California (Mr. Cunningham). Because what we need is not a war of words, what we need is a solid commitment to our families and to our children. Think if you would, Mr. Speaker, what we would say today if we sent an army into battle and lost 10,000 young Americans. Now, Mr. Speaker, think for a second. That is exactly what is happening. Indeed, Mr. Speaker, that may be an understatement of the number of deaths we see on an annual basis due to drug addiction. And, Mr. Speaker, as I travel the width and breadth of the Sixth Congressional District of Arizona, an area in square mileage almost the size of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, I hear firsthand in the smaller communities that challenges those small police forces and those rural areas are facing as big city gangs and big city drugs are sent from the cesspools of organized crime to the very heartland of America. So what we have, Mr. Speaker, is indeed a call to arms; not the traditional battle, nor the war on words so offered as Washington's version of Madison Avenue; a war on poverty, a war on drugs.

Mr. HAYWORTH

Mr. HAYWORTH. Mr. Chairman, reclaiming my time, as the gentleman knows, I worked with the authors of H.R. 123 to include certain sections of the bill that recognize the unique status of Native Americans under our Constitution and various treaties. Section 167 of H.R. 123 explicitly states, ``Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to limit the preservation or use of Native Alaskans or Native American languages as defined in the Native American Languages Act.'' Section 169 of the bill further states that the measure does not apply to ``the teaching of these languages.'' These provisions were added at my behest to protect the unique obligations we have to Native Americans. Again, asking the gentleman from California, was it the intention of the gentleman from New York (Mr. Solomon) to protect the various obligations of our native people?

Mr. HAYWORTH. I yield to the gentleman from California.

Mr. HAYWORTH. Mr. Chairman, I do rise for the purpose of entering into a colloquy with the gentleman from California (Mr. Cunningham), who will be speaking for the sponsor of the amendment, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Solomon). First let me compliment my friend from New York for introducing this important amendment. This amendment will save precious taxpayer dollars, while reaffirming that English should be the official language of the government. A common language of government is essential to our health as a Nation. Let me turn to the gentleman from California (Mr. Cunningham). It is my understanding it was the intention of the gentleman from New York (Mr. Solomon), the author of this amendment, to include the entire text of H.R. 123, the Bill Emerson English Language Empowerment Act of 1997, as this amendment. Is that correct?

Mr. HAYWORTH

Mr. HAYWORTH. Mr. Speaker, I rise to a point of personal privilege this afternoon. While I acknowledge that every constituent within the Sixth Congressional District of Arizona is very important, I think my colleagues, and indeed, my constituents, will not mind if I talk about the one to whom I refer as my most important constituent, because, Mr. Speaker, it was on this date 9 years ago today that Mary Denice Yancey became Mary Denice Hayworth. In those 9 years I have been honored beyond compare. The institution of marriage is many things: A sacred partnership, a friendship, a trust, a shared endeavor. Mary Hayworth, Mr. Speaker, has been my best friend and companion and helpmate for this Member, is often said to have the ability to put into words many things. It is essentially indescribable. For those of us who endeavor to serve and embrace this public life, there are many challenges, challenges of spending time here in the Nation's capital as well as spending time in the district, challenges of family. We live in the Sixth District. Mary several days of the week basically has to take care of all the responsibilities of the household, and added responsibilities of a congressional spouse. But I cherish her and I appreciate her, and I love her very much for all that she does for me and our family. Mr. Speaker, I think it is proof positive that miracles can and do happen that someone like Mary Denice Hayworth is there to help me and love me and encourage me. You learn many things, as I mentioned earlier, through marriage. I remember one remark my mother made, and maybe it is something many of us have heard, ``Oh, honey, I am so happy you are going to get married, because after all, two can live as cheaply as one.'' I appreciated my mom's advice, but, Mr. Speaker, I should point out that mom is not a certified public accountant, and the fact is today, Mr. Speaker, as we know, for many people, two cannot live as cheaply as one, especially when it comes to tax policy in this country. As the first Arizonan to serve on the Committee on Ways and Means, not only our personal experience with the institution of marriage but hearing from many of our constituents, we know what a challenge it is. Many people write us to say that marriage actually has proven to be a financial disadvantage, that tax policies have proven to serve as a disincentive to the institution of marriage. Indeed, sadly, we have a tax code, Mr. Speaker, which has grown so expansive, so often working at cross purposes that, perhaps unintentionally we as a Nation have proscribed penalties against those very things that we should value as a society. And that is why, Mr. Speaker, on this special day in the Hayworth household I am pleased to rise not only to that point of purely personal privilege, but also to make this policy statement, that to really cherish families, that to really cherish the institution of marriage, we as a Congress, for our constituents, for our families, for the institution of marriage, should eliminate the marriage penalty that exists, should eliminate those things in the tax code which actually serve as a disincentive to the institution of marriage. There are many tasks which confront us in this Congress, but we should remember that, in representing all families, we need to move to maximize the fact that those families across this country should hang on to more of their money, to save, spend, and invest as they see fit, not to have those funds confiscated by a government in Washington trying to redistribute wealth, because the families know best.

Mr. HAYWORTH

Mr. HAYWORTH. Mr. Speaker, I rise this evening to report to my colleagues and to the people of the Sixth Congressional District of Arizona and, indeed, Mr. Speaker, to those who watch us across the country on C-SPAN of the latest progress on what I believe can form a firm foundation for educational improvement across America but especially in rural America. For this morning, Mr. Speaker, a subcommittee of the Committee on Resources held hearings on H.R. 2223, what my staff has taken to calling HELGA, the Hayworth Education Land Grant Act. I think this is very important, Mr. Speaker, because this legislation is borne out of two historical achievements, one small and little noticed, the other of momentous import in our Nation's history vis-a- vis education. The first feature was a little-known bill that was passed into law in the final days of the 104th Congress, in my first term representing the people of the Sixth District of Arizona, that had to do with the tiny Alpine School District located on the Arizona-New Mexico border. You see, Mr. Speaker, the people of Alpine came to me and they said, we do not have much of a tax base. We no longer are able to really harvest the timber in this area. But we have been able to scrimp and save and we think we have enough money to build a new school building. Now, we should note that the people of Alpine and the students there in that school district were holding classes in a small building that was formerly a church facility, and these people desperately needed a new school. They came and they said, Congressman, we have the money to build a new school, but we do not have the money to buy the land on which the school would be situated. It would cost us some, well, almost one quarter of a million dollars. That is too much for us to handle. But the irony is that Alpine sits on the edge of a national forest. A federally controlled land. So they asked, would it be possible for the Congress to grant a conveyance of 30 acres of land for the construction of new athletic and academic facilities to educate the children of the Alpine School District? And the good news is that that passed on the final day of the 104th Congress; and the people of Alpine, Arizona, are building their new school facility. Well, Mr. Speaker, as I have often pointed out, one of the most accurate observations of life in these United States, indeed of what has transpired on the historical stage worldwide, was the observation of Mark Twain that history does not repeat itself but it rhymes. And in the wake of what transpired with the Alpine School District, I got to thinking about what else had been done similarly in American education, and I looked back to something that had happened really over one century ago when another Member of Congress and another member of the Committee on Ways and Means, Justin Smith Morrill of Vermont, revolutionized, I do not think that is too strong a term, Madam Speaker, revolutionized the whole notion of higher education in this country by working for and achieving passage of the Federal Land Grant Act, the process of ceding federally controlled land back to the States with a promise that those respective States would establish institutions of higher learning with a concentration in the agricultural and mechanical arts. Congressman Morrill looked back at his own life and, more importantly, the life of his father. He talked about the fact that his father was a blacksmith, a laborer, who spent all of about 6 months receiving instruction within the classroom. And he thought it was important for the sons and daughters of farmers and laborers to have an opportunity to go on to college. Passage of the Federal Land Grant Act brought down the barriers to higher education one century ago. What had formerly been something only for the elite was now available to many. In that same spirit, I have introduced the Federal Land Grant Act of this 105th Congress that would allow for a uniform procedure for school districts to apply for conveyances of land for the construction of new school facilities. It carries no budget impact because the land already belongs to the Federal Government. But what it can mean to the education of schoolchildren in rural America is priceless. Madam Speaker, I look forward to speaking more about this perhaps later tonight and in further proceedings of this Congress but, Madam Speaker, I would also urge Members to actively support H.R. 2223.

Mr. HAYWORTH

Mr. HAYWORTH. Mr. Speaker, reclaiming my time, I thank the gentleman from California for his comments. No doubt there will be some contentious debate here in the well, but in an effort to maintain the civility and comity of the House and indeed to echo to a certain degree the outlook of the distinguished gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Moakley), Ranking Member on the Committee on Rules, I do believe it is important to move forward in this debate in a fairly brief manner to make the points necessary and then move on to others of business and the business of this House. So, accordingly, recognizing the fact that neither the gentleman from California nor I can control the rights of any other Member of the institution, it would be my intention not to call for a recorded vote, providing that there are no amendments that are insisted upon and that the straightforward nature of this resolution can, indeed, be reflected by a straightforward voice vote of this institution. That would be my view.

Mr. HAYWORTH. Mr. Chairman, I make a point of order against the amendment on the grounds that it is not germane to the joint resolution. Again, despite our best efforts to maintain civility, this amendment is just totally improper. It is not germane to the joint resolution. As we know, the fundamental purpose or common thread in this joint resolution is very narrow. It is limited to expressing the sense of Congress on the fine imposed on Government officials for conduct on the President's Health Care Task Force. Therefore, this amendment, once again, is outside the scope of the bill and is, therefore, not germane. Again, I would urge the Chair to sustain this point of order.

Mr. HAYWORTH. Mr. Chairman, again I would make a point of order against the amendment.

Mr. HAYWORTH. Mr. Chairman, I make a point of order against the amendment on the grounds it is not germane to the joint resolution.

Mr HAYWORTH

Mr HAYWORTH. I make a point of order against this amendment, Mr. Chairman, on the grounds that it is not germane to the joint resolution. Now, it is a good attempt to try to change the subject, and certainly we all agree that health care is a vital issue that we should debate but, Mr. Chairman, the amendment is not germane to this joint resolution. The fundamental purpose or common thread in the joint resolution is very narrow. It is limited to expressing the sense of Congress on the fine imposed on government officials for conduct on the President's health care task force. It does not concern the subject matter of health care matters generally, therefore, the amendment is outside the scope of the bill and is, therefore, not germane. I urge the Chair to sustain this point of order.

Mr. HAYWORTH

Mr. HAYWORTH. Yes, I do, Mr. Chairman.

Mr. HAYWORTH. Mr. Chairman, I reserve point of order against this amendment.

Mr. HAYWORTH. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself the balance of my time to close the debate. It is very interesting, Mr. Chairman, that just a short time ago my colleague from California came to me with an entreaty to maintain the civility and the smooth running procedures in this House and yet has attempted, perhaps, sadly, because the facts are not on his side, to goad this side of the aisle into some sort of debate when he starts his ``mano a mano'' type of talk, and then refers to right wing wackos and cowards. Look, the situation is clear here, and despite all the name calling and the lack of civility, Mr. Chairman, that I hope our friends in the fourth estate noticed in the closing remarks of my colleague from California, despite all the incendiary verbiage, the facts are these: Members of the administration deceived this Congress and moved to deceive the American people. Their deceit has been found out. They have been fined. And American taxpayers should not foot that bill. That is the sense of this Congress resolution. And all the insults hurled from across the aisle, and all the other entreaties to move to other forms of policy and change the subject are not germane. In closing, Mr. Chairman, I would like to mention the hard work and efforts of the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Istook) and the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Barr) on their original investigation of the health care task force. I also want to mention the hard work of the gentleman from New York (Mr. Solomon), the chairman of the Committee on Rules, on publishing the names on the list. Let us mend this breach of trust. Pass the resolution.

Mr. HAYWORTH. Mr. Chairman, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Archer), one of the true gentlemen of the House.