Angie Craig: “I congratulate Chairman Hatch for bringing the Senate this important reform measure to safeguard Americans' property…”

“I congratulate Chairman Hatch for bringing the Senate this important reform measure to safeguard Americans' property rights. The concept of property is at the root of civilization as we know it. The right of the individual to acquire, possess and use property is one of the natural rights that does not depend on government for its existence; on the contrary, governments were formed in part to protect that right. Our Founders also saw the right to private property as the key to spurring individuals initiative and productivity that would ensure national prosperity and security. For that reason, the concept of property and the importance of its protection permeates the Constitution--there are references to it throughout the document, in addition to the fifth amendment's prohibition against the taking of private property for the public good, without just compensation. Unfortunately, however, all these rights aren't worth the paper they are printed on, unless they can be enforced.”