This vote is the most important vote that many of us will cast in our congressional service. This vote is not one to be taken lightly or in haste. We have asked our young people who serve in our Armed Forces to put their lives in harm's…

I rise to remember my colleague of these past ten years, Representative Patsy Mink, who passed away this weekend. During my first years in Congress, I worked closely with Patsy when we both served on the Education and Labor Committee…

Mr. Speaker, it has been a difficult year for Houston, between floods and Enron and reduced energy production, but last night I watched a community come together. Last night, the National Football League came back to Houston after more…

I have never spoken to my colleagues from this mike, that I can remember. Mr. Speaker, we do not enjoy what we are doing today, but I am proud to follow my colleague, the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Hulshof). When we have to discipline…

as one of the Democratic cosponsors, I rise in strong support of H.R. 3609. Our pipeline infrastructure is the invisible backbone of this country through which the vast majority of our gasoline and natural gas flows. This bill greatly…

It is hard to say in one and a half minutes how much is wrong with this piece of legislation. We should have the opportunity to debate alternatives to correct the problems, but the tyranny of the majority makes that mockery of democracy…

we are one Nation under God, but God please help this House of Representatives. For the outrageous procedure that the Committee on Rules did this morning, we need God's blessing. For years and years seniors in our country have needed a…

last week the Committee on Energy and Commerce spent 3 long days and one very long night marking up a piece of legislation that is supposed to provide seniors with a Medicare prescription drug benefit. I say ``supposed to'' because most…

Seniors cannot wait a minute longer for a prescription drug benefit under Medicare. Our seniors have been in need for far too long. Unfortunately, they will be very disappointed with the plan that will be presented by the Republican…

I have been in a Medicare and prescription drug markup for the last two days trying to give our nation's seniors a meaningful health coverage. Every Democratic amendment to improve seniors access to cheaper prescription drugs has been…

I rise in support of H.R. 3389, the National Sea Grant College Program Act Amendments of 2002. This important legislation reauthorizes the Sea Grant Program in Texas and its counterparts around the country to continue the important work…

I rise today, joining my colleagues in paying tribute to a leader in Harris County, TX, who is retiring from office this year. Harris County Commissioner Jim Fonteno, in his 27th year of service to the county, has earned the respect and…

it is not that I necessarily disagree with what my Republican colleagues want to do in 2011 and for the decade after that, but let me remind my colleagues, we are in the year 2002. We do not need to fight this battle now. Why do we not…

Mr. Chairman, this is interesting, because to follow my colleague, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Edwards), and then for him to have followed the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Stenholm), I have a very urban district in Houston, but whether it…

all we need to do is just say no to privatization of Social Security. When it comes to reforming Social Security, our Republican majority thinks they can fool the American people. They think that if they avoid the words like…

here we go again. Like Yogi Berra said, ``It is deja vu all over again.'' The Republican majority is trying to convince the American people that they want to do something to provide prescription drug benefit for our Nation's seniors, but…

I have been a cosponsor on this bill with the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Reyes) since 1997, when he first came to Washington, who has much expertise, with all his years with the Border Patrol and INS, and in dealing with the issue in my own…

I am glad to follow the chairman of the Committee on Ways and Means, because I guess since this week was April 15, my colleagues have to show again that they are against tax increases. We voted for one last year. Now let us show we are…

first of all, whatever this Congress does, we have to respect funding for national security. But while protecting ourselves from foreign enemies, we should fund programs that protect seniors and children, too. This budget fails to protect…

as it has been said before, this is the same song in the third verse. I respect my colleagues on the other side of the aisle, but they are wrong in this third effort. In fact, there is a country western song called, ``What Part of No Don't…

As a long-time supporter of the Shays-Meehan legislation, including signing the discharge petition, I believe we are on the verge of passing this historic campaign finance legislation. I am offering an amendment that would correct, I…

But working with him for these 9 years, I appreciate not only his inward strength, but also his dedication to the issues. It helps having, even though, again, a very urban district in Houston, and David being from Michigan, having a lot of…

America needs a stimulus plan that includes tax cuts, but not every half-thought-out scheme to shut down the vital functions of government that we need. The reality is that we are at war, and we have layoffs. We must pay for the defense of…

I rise today to bring the news that former Member of Congress Robert ``Bob'' Eckhardt passed away yesterday in Austin, Texas. He was 88 years old, and is survived by three daughters. Bob Eckhardt actually was in District 8 from Texas…

He was a man of integrity, honor, commitment, and service. He was a great man who gave himself selflessly for the betterment of others.