[Page H6869]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        REPUBLICANS HAVE A BOLD NEW VISION FOR THE 21ST CENTURY

  (Mr. WELDON of Florida asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. WELDON of Florida. Mr. Speaker, it appears that the political 
parties have come full circle. At the beginning of the century, the 
Republican party, under President Teddy Roosevelt, was the party of 
reform. As we approach the end of this century, the Republican party is 
once again the party of reform on almost every single issue.
  Education? The Republicans passed education savings accounts and 
school choice initiatives that are being enacted across the country in 
the States with Republican governors.
  Welfare? It took a Republican Congress to reform a broken system. A 
system that everyone knew was broken for many years, but was immune to 
change.
  The Tax Code? Republicans in the House passed a bill to sunset the 
Tax Code and Republicans have crossed the country discussing the flat 
tax and national sales tax options.
  Medicare? Medicare was on track to go bankrupt in 2001, but 
Republicans in Congress forced the first real Medicare reforms in 
history this past summer.
  Mr. Speaker, the Republican party is the party of reform, of new 
ideas, innovation, and a bold new vision for the 21st century.

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