Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, my special thanks to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Burton), the chairman, the gentleman from California (Mr. Waxman), the ranking member, and the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Davis) for the priority they have each given to H.R. 433. Our bill returns full legal authority over nine agencies to the Mayor and unfettered authority to confirm the mayor's appointees to the City Council. Both Mayor Tony Williams and the council will be able to carry out their responsibilities as elected officials without risk of being overruled. It is important to note that this House was not responsible for withdrawing this authority. A Senator's attachment to the President's all-important revitalization package that was incorporated into the 1997 Balanced Budget Act was responsible. It is now appropriate for the House to initiate action to devolve democratic control to locally-elected officials, and all indications are that the Senate is prepared to do the same and empower the new Mayor and the revitalized City Council. The gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Davis) deserves credit for carving H.R. 433 out of my D.C. Democracy 2000 Act.”