Breach of Decorum in the House of Representatives



BREACH OF DECORUM IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee) is recognized for 5 minutes. Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, just a moment of good news that tells the American people that their government is working. I look forward to holding my job fair number two in Houston, Texas, where it has been voted that Houston has the highest unemployment rate of our State, the State of Texas, at the Georgia R. Brown Convention Center in conjunction with the City of Houston, where we will be hosting private employers, local government and State and Federal Government because the stimulus dollars are working and the American people want us to create jobs. Then we will have an opportunity to celebrate in my district the gospel music heritage legislation that myself and the Senator from Arkansas passed, Senator Blanche Lincoln, to commemorate America's great history in gospel music. We will be at the Grace Community Church on Friday, September 18, at 7:30. I say that because there is a reason to be joyful in America. It's a great country, and that is why I pause now for a serious moment to reflect on 9/11 and to offer, again, my deepest sympathy and concern for those families and victims and just to remind Americans that we will never forget. What brings me here today, to take all of that good news or all of that recognition that we are one country not divided by Republicanism or being a Democrat or an independent, but we are one family, loving our values and loving our democracy, makes me come today with a very saddened heart. For yesterday the President of the United States rose before this body and offered in the most poignant but kindest and firmest way an extended hand to work and to collaborate with Americans and those who represent Americans in this body. And I have had the privilege of hearing a number of Presidents speak to the Nation from this place. And let me say to you that when a President comes here, he is a guest of this body. It is not Republicans and Democrats, it is the United States Congress. For the President's cabinet is here, the Senate is here. In some instances, the Supreme Court is here. Members are here from all over the country. Our guests are here as well. And each time a President has come, whether or not I have an emotional opposition and a reasoned opposition to the position that they may be making, I hold their presence in reverence and respect. Last night my heart weighted with sadness, for as we spoke to the American people, adults, those of us who are elected, we found the highest level of disregard and disrespect. Not only was there a shout-out, albeit the First Amendment is protected, there is a reasonable response of those elected to high public office that when the President stands, not the President the Democrat, or the Republican, but the President of the United States, I can say this, because I denounced the throwing of a shoe at our President on foreign soil, of any kind. I denounced the seeming tolerance of President Bush having a shoe thrown at him. It is horrific and a disgrace. Just as I denounce holding up papers while the President is speaking. That happened last night. Just as I denounce having a sign in your lap, which we are not allowed to wear buttons expressing viewpoint. That happened last night. Just as I denounce words coming out calling the President a liar. It should be denounced by the leadership of my good friends on the other side. This is not an individual act. It should be denounced as inappropriate decorum in this place. And for those who wish to be equally rude by holding up something, let me suggest that it is a free country. And I do appreciate, sometimes we make mistakes, I admit to mistakes. We have to clarify those mistakes. But I believe it is important to clarify it so the President of the United States' ears can hear it and so this body can hear it. And I would hope my friends on the other side of the aisle, the leadership, will come to this well next week and acknowledge that this place should be a place of decorum. Yes, Members have turned their backs, some Members have walked out. That is their privilege. We do not have a despotic Nation, and they have the privilege to do so, if they disagree with the words being spoken by the President of the United States. But remember, he or she is our guest. And when you invite someone into your home, you treat them with the highest level of respect. I am not angry. I am simply saddened and disappointed, because so many of my friends on the other side of the aisle expressed their own disappointment, but somewhat in silence. It is important for the American people to know that whoever the President is, no matter where they come from, what background, what region, what State, they are the President of the United States. The President told the truth last night, and the other side must tell the truth about inappropriate behavior and the lack of reverence. We need to respect each other, and I call for that.