The award for All-Time Champion and Protector of Youthful Morals goes
to Representative Clare E. Hoffman of Michigan. During an impassioned
House debate over a proposed bill to "expand oyster and clam research,"
a sharp-eared informant transcribed the following exchange between
our hero and Rep. John D. Dingell, also of Michigan.
DINGELL: There are places in the world at the present time where we
are having to artificially propagate oysters and clams.
HOFFMAN: You mean the oysters I buy are not nature's oysters?
DINGELL: They may or may not be natural. The simple fact of the matter
is that female oysters through their living habits cast out large
amounts of seed and the male oysters cast out large amounts of fertilization
...
HOFFMAN: Wait a minute! I do not want to go into that. There are
many teenagers who read The Congressional Record.
-- Clare E. Hoffman
