Bob Barr: “I think this is a unique situation. The gentleman is certainly correct in his implication that this has not been…”

“I think this is a unique situation. The gentleman is certainly correct in his implication that this has not been required before, but I do not think that is necessarily a reason why, in this particular case, given the language difficulties and the very strong feelings; I mean, the gentleman is sitting at a desk where there is a bullet hole by some Puerto Rican separatists. Tempers can run very high on this. This amendment was intended so that it truly reaches the vast majority of people, and I think will be a tempering amendment as well. Mr. Chairman, to those who say that this is nothing but rhetoric; that it couldn't happen here, well, I have news for you. It has already happened here. Right here in this very Chamber. On March 1, 1954, Puerto Rican nationalists ascended to the House gallery, drew pistols, and opened fire. Before they were subdued, five Congressmen lay wounded on the House floor. To this very day, we can see the evidence of their handiwork. Inside that desk, is a drawer with a bullet hole.”