William R. Richardson: “we do a lot of bills around here that never are signed into law, but let me say that here is one that will be because it…”

“we do a lot of bills around here that never are signed into law, but let me say that here is one that will be because it is a compromise. Mr. Speaker, let me just say that, as a member of the Commerce Committee, this is the second major bill from the Commerce Committee--I know Agriculture has a major role--the first one being telecommunications and now this one, that is going to be signed into law. Credit goes to the gentleman from Virginia, Chairman Bliley, the gentleman from Texas, Mr. de la Garza, the gentleman from Kansas, Mr. Roberts, the gentleman from California, Mr. Waxman, and the gentleman from Michigan, Mr. Dingell. I have been in Congress 14 years. We started working on this bill, someone said 10 years ago, I think the gentleman from California [Mr. Condit]. It seems to me the first year I was here we started working, never could come together, always major divisions. The Delaney Clause is like an institution. It is like a building that you cannot take down. It has been modified. It is a good compromise and, Mr. Chairman, I commend those that worked hard on this. It shows that we can get something done if we just work together and compromise and forget that there is an election and a presidential election, which I know is very difficult to do these days. I do want to commend the authors of this bill.”