even further back, sir thomas more was virtually my age when he became speaker, bove, frankly, his rather sticky end does not fill me with encouragement. then again, he is the only member of this house ever to have been canonized. my own preference is, however, for success in this world rather than in the next. i want to do something. working with colleagues toch i want reform. or revitalization and for the reassertion of the core values of this great institution in the context of the 21st century. that this election is being held at this moment, testifies to the turmoil that is engulfing this place. unless and until we can move the debate on to the future of this house, we shall remain in deep trouble. a legislature cannot be effective while suffering from public school corn. so, a strong command is far from adequate. i am confident that this has equipped me to cope without mysterious procedures. there are three reasons for offering myself to stay as speaker and i am pleased to be supported in this by parliamentary colleagues from no fewer than six political parties. conservatives, labor

however the border patrol agents are not increase boved the request and i think it's something this chamber should weigh heavily. so asking them to get by on no more than a 14.8% increase, an increase that's more than sufficient and one many of us think is too high given the current fiscal climate. my amendment simply asks what's more important, resources to support our operators and watch guards in the field or added bureaucracy? we have all read the terrible stories the brutal murders in north mexico. let's follow through on our commitment to secure our borders, stop the advance of the cartels' influence and help our homeland security. i urge members to support this. mr. price: -- mr. rogers: i want to commend this -- comment on this amendment, we can use the personnel, the meager increases in the number of agents the gentleman referred to in the bill needs to be increased and the gentleman's amendment does just that. i congratulate him and support it fully. mr. lewis: i appreciate very much my colleague yielding -- or speaking to my amendment. i yield back the balance of my time. the cha