June 8, 1995 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E 1183

day. That is what the resolution I am introducing today would help to bring about. It has

three main components:

The first, and main, part, Section 1, would

require the House Committee on Rules each

Congress to consider submitting to the House

a congressional reform resolution. My proposal does not require that they report out and

send such a resolution to the floor. It instead

says that they should consider submitting such

a resolution to the House, and—if they decide

against such a resolution—they would have to

explain—as part of their end-of-Congress report required in Section 3 below—why they

thought congressional reform was not needed.

The biennial reform resolution proposed in

Section 1 would draw upon two sources of information, among others:

Section 2 provides for a general floor debate on congressional reform during consideration of the legislative branch appropriations

bill. Just as we set aside time for a HumphreyHawkins debate on the economy each session

during consideration of the budget resolution,

so we should set aside time for regular debate

on how well Congress is working, allowing the

main committee involved in congressional reform to take part in the discussion. The time

of the year when we are funding Congress

would be an appropriate time to discuss how

well Congress is working.

Section 3 requires that the Committee on

Rules, as part of its oversight agenda, submit

a systematic and comprehensive report at the

end of each Congress on the effectiveness of

House organization, operations, and procedures. Earlier this year the House required

each committee, including Rules, to submit an

end-of-Congress report on its overnight activities. My resolution would require that a section

of the Rules Committee report specifically take

up the need for congressional reform—what

was done on reform during that Congress and

what might the areas of future reform.

Mr. Speaker, interest in congressional reform tends to ebb and flow according to the

changing interests of the main House players

in reform, the shifting national agenda, the

varying amounts of media coverage given to

the operations of Congress, and the changing

winds of public interest in major reform. I believe we need to regularize the process so

that whoever is in charge of reform in the future will be looking seriously at scheduling and

debating a congressional reform resolution

each Congress.

My idea is not a new one. The Legislative

Reorganization Act of 1970 stated the need

for a congressional panel to ‘‘make a continuing study of the organization and operation of

the Congress.’’ Moreover, the 1974 bipartisan

House Select Committee on Committees,

headed up by Richard Bolling, stated: ‘‘A key

aspect of any viable reoroganziation is provision for continuing evaluation of its effectiveness, and for periodic adjustments in the institution as new situations arise.’’ I believe it is

time to finally follow through on these recommendations and regularize the congressional reform process.

A TRIBUTE TO MELVIN AND

JOSEPHINE CARLSON

HON. JOHN W. OLVER OF MASSACHUSETTS

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Wednesday, June 7, 1995

Mr. OLVER. Mr. Speaker, on June 9, 1945,

Melvin and Josephine Carlson were married in

the Holy Name Church in West Roxbury, MA.

That is 50 years, for those of you who may

not be mathematically inclined. On the occasion of this monumental anniversary, I must

take time out to pay tribute to their lives together.

Melvin and Joey met at Fort Devens Army

Base in Ayer, MA. For Melvin, an illustrious

military career was in the works. A World War

II combat veteran of Guadalcanal and

Bourgainville fighting, he holds Legion of

Merit, Purple Heart, and Combat Infantry

Badge honors. He is also authorized to wear

the Distinguished Unit badge.

Melvin worked for General Electric, and is

recently retired from New England Confectionery Co. as director of research and development.

Josephine, a graduate of Regis College in

Weston, MA, taught elementary students at St.

Dominici’s School in Brookline, MA. These

days, it is reported that she spends some of

her time gardening, reading, and making afghans for her grandchildren.

Speaking of children, Melvin and Josephine

have three: Joseph Eric, Richard Melvin, and

Elaine Marie, each of who coincidentally went

to Boston College. Melvin and Joey have two

grandchildren: Heather Ann and Eric Joseph

Carlson.

I hear that, in addition to spending as much

time as possible with their children and grandchildren, they are very active in their church,

and they are loved by many good friends, both

old and new.

Fifty years is quite an achievement. I hope

my colleagues will join me in wishing Melvin

and Josephine Carlson many more memorable years together. Congratulations and

happy anniversary.

THE BUDGET—FISCAL YEAR 1996

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ON

fSPEECH OF

HON. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON OF TEXAS

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Thursday, May 18, 1995

The House in Committee of the Whole

House on the State of the Union had under

consideration the concurrent resolution (H.

Con. Res. 67) setting forth the congressional

budget for the U.S. Government for the fiscal

years 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, and 2002:

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas.

Mr. Chairman, I rise today in strong support of

the Congressional Back Caucus substitute

budget for fiscal year 1996. The CBC substitute is a caring budget, it shows compassion

for the American people and is one that the

American people can be proud of. It not only

balances the budget, the measure is responsive to the housing, health, education, and

employment training needs of the American

people.

Unlike the Republicans’ budget proposals,

House Concurrent Resolution 67, which holds

our elderly hostage to their compromised

health care condition and economic status, the

Congressional Black Caucus substitute treats

our elderly with the dignity and respect that

they not only deserve—but have earned. Adequate funding is provided for the older Americans’ programs, including essential nutrition

programs, low-income home-energy assistance, and assisted housing. Medicare is preserved.

The lives of more 2,000,000 Medicare seniors in Texas would be dramatically impacted,

and by the year 2002 each Medicare senior in

Texas would be asked to pay an additional

$1,112 out-of-pocket expenses. Each would

be forced to pay $4,000 more for fiscal years

1996 through 2002 to make up for the cuts.

We want the future to be free but not on the

backs of seniors and those most vulnerable.

Unlike the Republicans’ budget proposal which

forces our elderly to choose between food and

heat, under the CBC alternative their quality of

life is enhanced.

The CBC substitute is also kind to our Nation’s children, including those yet to be born.

It provides adequate funding for Healthy Start,

Child Care, and Head Start. Our children are

our future. They have placed their future in our

hands, we cannot sacrifice the trust.

In addition, the CBC substitute budget

strengthens support for higher education, student aid, TRIO, education for the disadvantaged, school reform, biomedical research,

and community infrastructure. The CBC has

heard the voice of the American people, and

responded with a sound budget that is fair, responsible, and overturns the Republicans’ assault on our Nation’s most vulnerable citizens—the children, the elderly, the Veterans,

and hard-working families.

The Congressional Black Caucus substitute

budget stands on its own merits. We know we

must maintain a strong national defense—but

we also know we must establish our fiscal policy and priorities in a responsible and compassionate manner.

THE AVERAGE AMERICAN HAS

REASON TO BE ANGRY

fHON. BERNARD SANDERS OF VERMONT

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Wednesday, June 7, 1995

Mr. SANDERS. Mr. Speaker, I submit the

following article for the CONGRESSIONAL

RECORD:

(From the Christian Science Monitor, June

1, 1995)

THE AVERAGE AMERICAN HAS REASON TO BE

ANGRY—LOW PAY, LONG HOURS, AND A WIDENING GAP BETWEEN RICH AND POOR

(By Bernard Sanders)

It has recently been widely reported that

the average American is angry. Well, the average American should be angry.

Since 1973, the working people of this country have worked longer hours, earned less,

and lost much of the economic security they

previously had. During the last 22 years, 80

percent of American families have experienced falling or stagnant real incomes.

Meanwhile, average Americans are experiencing a major drop in their standard of living, while the rich and powerful have never

had it so good.