E196 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD -- Extensions of Remarks February 4, 2009
Amtrak is a safe, energy efficient transporwith their work-day travel and the Quad Cities more desirable for new In addition to the benefits Amtrak provides It is time to invest in America's future. I urge f DEATH IN CUSTODY REPORTING ACT OF 2009 SPEECH OF HON. SHEILA JACKSON-LEE OF TEXAS IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Tuesday, February 3, 2009 Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Madam Act of 2009.'' The purpose of this bill is to encourage to report to the Attorney General cerinformation regarding the deaths of indiin the custody of law enforcement I urge my colleagues to support this Each year a small number of people die while restrained. Most of these are associated with individuals who restrained while being taken into custody a violent police encounter. Other cases sudden restraint death involve individuals in Madam Speaker, no one is certain how
ess clause of the Fifth Amendment, which trak. Amtrak is the main provider of all intercity concurrently prohibits the federal government passenger rail service in the United States from depriving any person of life; and (4) Arti- and it is a key component of the American cle 1, Section 8, which gives Congress the economy.
power to make laws necessary and proper to enforce all powers in the Constitution. tation alternative that moves thousands of The Supreme Court, in refusing to deter- people and tons of cargo every day. It also mine when human life begins and therefore employs thousands of Americans across the finding nothing to indicate that the unborn are country. What started as a proposal for a minpersons protected by the Fourteenth Amend- imum of $5 billion in funding has already been ment, has left to Congress the responsibility of reduced to $1.1 billion in the base bill. Further protecting the unprotected. The Court con- cuts are unacceptable; they would prevent the ceded that, ``If the suggestion of personhood development of intercity passenger rail in comis established, the appellants' case, of course, munities such as the Quad Cities in my home collapses, for the fetus' right to life would then state of Illinois. We are fighting to re-establish be guaranteed specifically by the Amend- the Quad Cities to Chicago route which would help commuters Throughout my military service, I took great make pride in knowing that I was protecting all businesses and economic development. AddiAmericans. From those who have lived many tionally, the Quad Cities is the only community years, to those just conceived. I do not believe of its size in the entire country that does not my responsibility to protect the lives of Ameri- have a four-year institution of higher educans ended when I returned home from Iraq cation. Amtrak service would expedite plans and Afghanistan. I view service in this great already underway to establish the tech and House as an opportunity to continue protecting engineering branch of Western Illinois Univerthose who need protecting. I ask Members of sity in Moline, which is why I offered an this House to listen closely to their conscience amendment to add $500 million for capital asand pass this legislation so that every unborn sistance for intercity passenger rail service.
child will be legally recognized and afforded the same protection all other Americans enjoy. my own community, it also impacts the entire For those who have supported this legisla- nation. For every $1 billion invested in transtion in the past, I wanted to bring your atten- portation infrastructure, over 40,000 jobs are tion to a new provision holding women harm- created and $6.2 billion in economic activity is less if they do proceed with an abortion. It is generated. Federal funding for Amtrak and important to recognize that the purpose of this passenger rail would boost the economy and bill is to protect the life of the unborn child, not create jobs all across America.
put women in jail. Unfortunately, some supporters of this legislation have been accused my colleagues to vote no on this amendment of sponsoring legislation that incarcerates and to preserve the transportation and energy women for utilizing contraception. As a result, future of America's cities.
I wanted nothing to detract from our purpose of protecting the unborn. While I hope that this does not reduce the enormity of their action, I will not allow such an important issue to become sidetracked by those who wish to change the debate.
Technically, the Right to Life Act establishes and recognizes the personhood of an unborn child at the moment of conception. The reality is it does so much more. It gives the unborn the chance to experience life, to realize their hopes and dreams, to make a difference. I hope my colleagues will support me in this im- Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 738 ``Deaths in Custody Reporting f States AMERICAN RECOVERY AND tain REINVESTMENT ACT OF 2009 viduals SPEECH OF agencies.
legislation.
HON. PHIL HARE OF ILLINOIS suddenly IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES deaths Wednesday, January 28, 2009 were during The House in Committee of the Whole of House on the State of the Union had under detention or residential treatment programs consideration the bill (H.R. 1) making supplemental appropriations for job preserva- who were restrained during violent encounters tion and creation, infrastructure investment, while also under the influence of psychiatric energy efficiency and science, assistance to medications.
the unemployed, and State and local fiscal stabilization, for fiscal year ending Sep- many restraint related sudden deaths occur tember 30, 2009, and for other purposes: each year. Identifying the exact cause of Mr. HARE. Mr. Chair, I rise today in strong death is the biggest problem. The number of opposition to the amendment submitted by my estimated deaths is in question but may range colleague from Arizona, Mr. FLAKE. between 50 and 125 per year. Some estiThe amendment would slash funding for an mates are higher. Sudden death after individessential service to the American people, Am- uals were taken into police custody has been
House in Indianapolis and throughout the state.
Last year, Bill and his colleagues at The Times took the lead on establishing the One Region: One Vision concept with the goal of uniting local leaders to advance all of Northwest Indiana as one community. In the past, Northwest Indiana has been plagued by a limiting provincialism that has inhibited our area's growth and potential. Under the One Region: One Vision concept, Bill and his colleagues have already brought local leaders together from across the area to start collaborating on projects that will make Northwest Indiana a better place for everybody to live.
Finally, any praise for Bill would be incommention of his business instincts ment.'' acumen. With the print media industry struggling nationwide, and with the economic downturn exacerbating the industry's problems, The Times continues to thrive under Bill's direction. Last March, Editor and Publisher Magazine bestowed upon The Times the distinction of fastest growing English-language daily newspaper in the United States.
By the most recent published reports, that growth has continued.
Madam Speaker, I ask that you and my colleagues join me in honoring Bill Nangle, who has worked tirelessly to maintain a vibrant and free press and has used his influence to positively enhance the lives of the people he serves. Bill is an unparalleled leader who deserves our recognition.
f INTRODUCTION OF THE RIGHT TO LIFE ACT HON. DUNCAN HUNTER OF CALIFORNIA IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Wednesday, February 4, 2009 Mr. HUNTER. Madam Speaker, as the father of three, I feel it is my duty to fight for the rights of our most innocent-the unborn. That is why, today, it is my honor to introduce the Right to Life Act. This bill accomplishes the simple, yet important goal, of protecting all unborn children from the moment of conception.
While it is the fundamental and primary duty of the federal government to protect and deall its citizens, America's un- portant effort.
born have continually been harmed by ess's inaction to establish their constitunal right to life. Due to both the United Supreme Court's decision in the 1973 case of Roe v. Wade and Congress's failure to establish personhood thereafter, over 1.3 million babies have had ife taken from them prematurely. Since ions became legal in 1973, over 40 miln babies have had their life unjustly taken them, an entire generation of who will ever experience the joys and promise of being an American.
It is now time for Congress to stop this tragedy and recognize the life in every unborn child. Congress needs to effectively overturn Roe v Wade by enforcing four important provisions in the Constitution: (1) The due process clause (Sec. 1) of the Fourteenth Amendment, which prohibits states from depriving any person of life; (2) Sec. 5 of the Fourteenth Amendment, which gives Congress the power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of this amendment; (3) The due proc
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