Joe Cunningham: “I came on this committee after I had been on the authorizing committee for education. Then the chairman was Congressman…”

“I came on this committee after I had been on the authorizing committee for education. Then the chairman was Congressman Jon Porter, probably one of the best chairmen that have ever chaired that particular committee. I was concerned that because of the delicacies of the programs that this particular bill offers, the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Obey) has quite often spoken of it as the caring committee because it involves such things as education, health care, medical research and so on, I was concerned about who was going to replace Jon Porter. The leadership came up and gave the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Regula) the chair, and I watched and watched. Members on both sides of the aisle would agree that the gentleman from Ohio has done every single thing that he can to enhance the properties of this bill. Now, many will use each of these bills for propaganda against the administration, against Republicans. I would tell you that most of the things that we fight for in this bill are done in a bipartisan way. There are other things that other people would like, but when it comes down to it, education and the different aspects of this bill, we do work together. The House bill is only the start. We have the other body to go through and we have a conference to go through. What we are talking about here today will not be in effect. I would also like to recognize, Mr.…”