mr. grayson. mr. grayson: mr. speaker, today is the sad anniversary, 0 years ago today -- 20 years ago the brilliant comedian bill hicks died of cancer at the age of 32. hicks' comedy has been an inspiration to me and millions of others. he's been voted the fourth greatest standup comedian of all time. and if hicks were alive to hear that, he would complain biterly about losing out to gandhi, einstein and stalin. in honor of bill hicks, i'd like to try to yield this platform to him. this is how bill hicks ended his own performances. he would say to the audience, you've been fantastic, i hope enjoyed the show. there's a point to my act -- is there a point to my act? let's find a point. i would say there's a point to my act and i have to. the point is this. for the world is a ride like an amusement park. and when you choose to go on it, you think it's real, because that's how powerful our minds are. and the ride goes up and down and it goes round and round. it has thrills and chills and it's very brightly colored an