Here, for those interested in sleuthing on the previous post, is the quotation from Rep. Hyde (R-IL) on the day in question from the Congressional Record.
Mr. HYDE. Mr. Chairman, it is kind of a sad day for me, and I will tell the Members why. Earlier in the day, standing back there I heard a dear friend of mine, a great Republican, say `I trust Hamas more than I trust my own government.’ Those words hurt. That is a very tragic situation, because our Government is made up of a lot of people, including me and you, a lot of good judges, honest judges with families.
What Republican member of the 109th Congress would have said such a thing?
A week later (3/21/96) Rep. John Lewis (D-GA) said Hyde should reveal the name of the congressman who trusted Hamas more than the US government …
Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Madam Speaker, the entire world has been shocked, appalled, and reviled by the latest wave of terrorist attacks by Hamas in Israel. More than 50 innocent men, women, and children have been killed by suicide bombings in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.
So I was similarly shocked and reviled to hear a comment made on the House floor last week in the course of debate on the so-called antiterrorist bill. The gentleman from Illinois [Mr. Hyde ], the chairman of the Committee on the Judiciary, said this: `Early in the day standing back there, I heard a dear friend of mine, a great Republican say, `I trust Hamas more than I trust my own Government.’
He went on to say those words hurt. Those words do hurt indeed. But who, Madam Speaker, who, Mr. Hyde , who on the Republican side really believed they could trust Hamas more than our own Government? Who among my colleagues truly believes they can trust a terrorist organization that sends suicide bombers to rob innocent children more than the U.S. Government?
Madam Speaker, the American people have a right to know who among their elected Representatives trusts Hamas more than the United States. Until that person steps forward, or is identified, a cloud hangs over each and every Republican Member of this House.
Lewis returned to the House floor the next day and said …
Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, there is a Member of this Congress, a Republican, who has told one of his colleagues that he `trusts Hamas more than he trusts our own Government.’ That is an outrageous and morally repugnant statement, Mr. Speaker.
Hamas is a terrorist organization that targets, maims, and kills innocent men, women, and children. Which Member of Congress thinks they can trust that sick and twisted group more than our own Government. Whoever believes this doesn’t deserve the right and privilege to serve in this Congress.
Mr. Speaker, this anonymous Republican Member has disgraced him or herself and cast a cloud over the entire Congress. The Members and the American people deserve an explanation and an apology.
Who among you? Who among you believes such a thing? Step forward and explain yourself. The American people are watching and waiting. For shame, Mr. Speaker, for shame.
The congressman never stepped forward.
