Zoe Lofgren: “I wanted to make just a few remarks before the gentleman from Illinois [Mr. Hyde] concludes, I believe, the debate for…”

“I wanted to make just a few remarks before the gentleman from Illinois [Mr. Hyde] concludes, I believe, the debate for today. As a relatively new Member, I have found this entire process to be a fascinating one, unfortunately, I think sometimes a confused one. We have heard and I have heard debates, late-hour radio talk show discussions about patents for the first time in my life. We have heard about patents on talk shows, people thinking it had something to do with foreign governments or trade agreements or the Red Army. In fact, as Mr. Hyde knows, and the gentleman from Michigan, Mr. Conyers, knows, it does not. And then people becoming concerned and alarmed and afraid and communicating to their Members of Congress, including myself, that they do not want the wrong thing for their country. Of course not. None of us do. None of us do. Then we get here today with, unfortunately and not unusually, most people in the country, I would venture and it has been said here today, most Members of the House not being experts in patent law, not having had a chance to take the courses in patent law or to practice patent law and to really familiarize themselves with it and then doubt and concern. Mr. Chairman, it is my hope that Members have found this debated useful so that they can sort through the conflicting and occasionally extravagant claims to do what is right for our country because this is not a freebie vote.”