Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, at first blush, I thought that this was a good bill, good piece of legislation, that it made some sense. But then I thought about the fact that the goal of our prison system really should be to try and make sure that individuals are better off when they leave than they were when they got there. If they cannot read, we need to teach them how to read; if they cannot write, we should teach them how to write; if they have got drug problems, we should give them counseling and treatment; if they do not have job skills, if they have never had a work ethic, then we ought to provide opportunities for them to learn what work is all about. We ought to provide an opportunity for them to develop a skill, so that when they get out, there is something that they can do, other than stand on the corner and holler 'crack and blow,' or 'pills and thrills.' Any diminution of opportunity for these individuals to work is not in the best interest of America. It will cause recidivism, and those who get out will be right back. So I would urge us to look seriously. I understand competition. I understand small business. I am an avid supporter of small business, but I believe that we would do much more harm than good by denying any single person incarcerated the opportunity to work and learn a skill. I will vote no, and urge that we reject this rule and this bill.”