Bob Wise: “I understand that government is not perfect. Government often needs correction. But I think it is time that we also…”

“I understand that government is not perfect. Government often needs correction. But I think it is time that we also speak about what government does and why government exists and why we believe government is important. Yesterday this House passed an emergency supplemental bill to assist flood victims not only in my State of West Virginia but across the Midwest and in several other areas. I can testify personally, because I was there when the flood waters were still going down, about the hundreds of sets of eyes that I looked into, that the one thing they were hanging on was the fact that the Federal Emergency Management Agency was there telling them they were going to help them dig out. Right before FEMA got there, the West Virginia National Guard was there. That was government. I also know that last night, as I drove home, I was reassured to see a police car driving around our block just keeping the calm in our area. Of course right in front of this Capitol, President Clinton addressed a memorial service for fallen law enforcement officers. Those officers fell in the name of government and protecting citizens. I know that my children and I will sleep secure tonight knowing that we will not be invaded and that even though we live in the richest, in many ways most sought after nation in the world, somebody is on guard protecting us. That is called the military.”