Bobby Rush

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, today we continue to debate H.R. 5, the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act. This measure comes at a time that is critical for State and local governments, which have been struggling over the past several years to balance their budgets while coping with ever-increasing costs. As a result, State and local governments have requested that we in the Congress establish a process to reexamine the fiscal implications of requirements that may be imposed on them by Federal initiatives. In my district, the mayors of several suburban municipalities have strongly urged me to consider the impact that Federal laws may have on the financial stability of their governments. That is why I was a cosponsor of a bill introduced by my colleague, Mr. Conyers, in bipartisan support. Mr. Speaker, this legislation today seeks to answer some of these apprehensions. I would, however, point out how deeply concerned I am about the haste in which this legislation was brought to the House floor. While I recognize the importance of what we are to do today, I am very troubled that certain important issues were not fully considered in committee. In their rush to pass their so-called Contract With America, the Republican majority has run roughshod over the democratic, deliberative process which we have been sworn to uphold. My Democratic colleagues in the Government Operations Committee, which I proudly served on last Congress, can attest to the outlandish manner in which this bill was handled in markup. This calculated attempt by my friends on the other side of the aisle to stifle thoughtful debate cannot and will not be ignored. It was my hope that we in the House would debate the unfunded mandates issue in the normal manner in which legislation of this importance is considered. This debate today, however, is a culmination of a Republican-dominated legislative process that makes a mockery of this noble institution. Despite the modified open rule under which this bill is being considered, it is my understanding that my good friend, Chairman Clinger, is opposed to any amendments other than those that are clerical and technical in nature. This is in order to pass a bill quickly to the other body. This is most unfortunate; I was looking forward to supporting and passing amendments that would protect our health, labor, and safety laws; that would protect the Clean Air and Clean Water Acts; and that would ensure the protection and strength of our social contracts with the elderly and the needy in this country. This will not happen today if the Republican majority has their way. These and other critical concerns will not be addressed in this legislation because the majority party wishes to ram this into law just to say to their supporters that they can get things done in Washington. Well, Mr. Speaker, while I advocate the general intent of this legislation, I cannot support the manner in which the Republican majority has brought this bill to the floor. Therefore, Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to stop our Republican friends from handcuffing our democratic institution, and I urge all my fellow Democrats to stop this Contract With America from undermining the democratic and deliberative principles that this institution has functioned under for the past 200 years.

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, I was unavoidably detained in my return to Washington from my congressional district on Monday, January 23, 1995. I was therefore not available to vote for rollcall Nos. 25, 26, 27, 28, and 29. Had I been present I would have voted ``aye'' on No. 25; ``aye'' on No. 26; ``aye'' on No. 27; ``aye'' on No. 28; and ``aye'' on No. 29.

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, it seems now that the Republican leadership has resorted to a new low in a shallow and shameful effort to stop discussion regarding the Speaker's avaricious book deals. The majority has succeeded in gagging the minority Members of this House. Mr. Speaker, the American people believe in fundamental fairness. The gagging of Members of the House of Representatives and the House minority flies in the face of that fundamental belief. To gag a Member of the House of Representatives is a first step toward a dictatorship of the majority which I am afraid my Republican colleagues have brought lock, stock, and gag. Is the Republican leadership afraid to shed light on the book deal? Are they willing to kill off open discussion in order to protect Rupert Murdoch, the Speaker, and the infamous and outrageous book deal?

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, I rise this morning with great sadness to pay tribute to the late Dr. Marjorie Stewart Joyner, who passed away on Tuesday, December 27, 1994. Dr. Joyner was an inspiration to generations of Chicagoans who grew up coming to know and respect her for her remarkable achievements. Dr. Joyner was born in 1896 in Monterey, VA. After moving to Chicago in 1912, Dr. Joyner embarked on a long and prosperous career in the beauty parlor business. In fact, she was the first African-American to attend and graduate from a Chicago-based beauty school, and later invented and patented a permanent wave in 1928. It was through her endeavors in this field that Dr. Joyner was able to work toward providing increased economic opportunities for African- Americans. Her support made it possible for the establishment of the Cosmopolitan Community Church in Chicago in 1934. In addition, she and First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt established the National Council of Negro Women in 1935. This organization has been dedicated since that time in addressing Negro and women's issues. Later, Dr. Joyner founded the United Beauty Owners and Teachers Association and the Alpha Chi Phi Omega Sorority. Dr. Joyner was also active in local charitable events, including the annual Chicago Defender Bud Billiken Parade, the largest parade for the African-American community in the country. Mr. Speaker, Dr. Joyner was an American treasure who throughout her long life gave tirelessly of herself for the advancement of her race and of all persons in need. She drew strong accolades from leaders and political figures around the country, and I am but one in a long line of persons who have come to pay their respects for this true American patriot. On this day, Mr. Speaker, I join her family, her friends, and all of Chicago and the Nation, in mourning the loss of a dear and special friend.