E 1206 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks June 8, 1995

it all. ‘‘We the undersigned citizens are concerned about the future that awaits us,’’ they

say. They are worried about the growing size

of government. They are angry about the cruel

Federal welfare state. And, above all, they call

on us to get to work and balance the Federal

budget.

I take their concern to heart. Not just because I agree with them, but because the people that sent me this contract are very important to me. It was written by a group of students from Escondido High School in my district.

Students like these are standing up to the

people that say they don’t care. They know

how important it is that we balance and

change the way government does business. It

is their future that is at stake, not ours.

If we fail, these students know that they will

have to live with the debt. In their contract,

they note that, ‘‘the interest alone on our national debt is more than our entire national

budget was when America was a better place

to call home.’’

These young adults are taking the initiative

to make a difference, and to make us change

our ways. I am proud of them for making their

voice heard.

Mr. Speaker, this contract represents the

voice coming from the future of our country. I

ask unanimous consent that it be included in

the record so that every Member of this body

can read it. We must hear their voice. We

must make the future better for these children.

CONTRACT FROM AMERICANS

We the undersigned citizens are concerned

about the future that awaits us. We feel the

role of Government is to ensure the safety of

the citizens, and prolong the sovereignty of

the nation. unfortunately, the nation that

awaits us is not safe and is not sovereign.

The continual waste of tax dollars on entitlement programs such as unending welfare,

food stamps, special aid for drug addicts,

paying farmers to not plant, and ensuring

farmers profits must stop. In a true democracy everyone would vote on such spending.

But as we live in a representative republic,

you were selected to represent our wishes.

With this in mind, we ask that you ensure

the stability of our futures by enacting the

following legislation:

1. The spending on welfare, food stamps,

AFDC, and others must decrease. These programs have increased to 54% of the total federal budget with no end in sight. If this

spending continues on the same course, you

will authorize spending of all our tax dollars

on programs that are designed to help only a

fraction of our nation’s population. We believe some people deserve help, but only for

limited periods of time. These programs were

designed to make life better. In reality they

have not made people’s lives better, and in

many instances’ people have been so harmed

by the continual give away of money they

have lost the will to ‘‘get off welfare.’’ The

welfare program is so full of waste, fraud and

redundancy, that it can only be repaired

with a major overhaul. We feel if the social

programs continue, they should be managed

by the states where the recipients reside.

2. The furnishing of money to drug addicts

must stop. Under your current rules, if someone is a drug addict, you authorize additional welfare (SSI) income over and above

their ‘‘normal’’ welfare entitlement. Drugs

cost money. If you give someone, who is addicted to drugs more money, that means

they will only buy more drugs. This program

was created to get people off drugs, an idea

with good intentions. Unfortunately it has

not worked. There are no indications that

drug addiction is on the decrease. In fact,

drug addiction is on the increase, with the

addict’s drug of choice being once again, heroin.

3. Farm subsidies in all forms must stop or

be reduced. You are authorizing farmers to

receive income by not planting crops, at the

same time people are going hungry, and food

prices are going up. It is difficult to understand the concept of paying people to ensure

they do not do their job, especially when

others that need jobs cannot get a job. Additionally, if farmers grow certain crops, such

as sugar, and do not make enough profit, you

authorize payments to them to ensure they

make what has been predetermined as a reasonable profit.

4. Balance the Federal Budget. Every

American and every American business can

spend only what they earn. The Federal Government should be held to the same standard. We are deeply in debt, yet the overspending continues. The interest alone on

our debt is more than our entire national

budget when America was a better place to

call home.

The discussion in vogue these days, according to U.S. News and World Report, and the

New York Times is ‘‘how little Generation X

wants to contribute to the world, how they

only play video games, buy CD’s and watch

television.’’ We are members of Generation

X, and very much want to contribute to the

world. That is why we are so concerned

about its current condition. Most of us work

while going to high school. Hopefully, we

will all be working soon. We want to contribute our fair share.

People of all ages need role models. We expect you to be a role model. But continually

giving away our tax dollars on frivolous programs that pay people not to contribute

sends a clear message that it is acceptable

not to contribute. That is not acceptable to

us. You were elected to be a leader. We expect you to lead the way for all of us for a

better tomorrow.

Sincerely,

Iriceyda Baza; Ryan Bezenek; Maria

Borbolla; Juan Broderick; Amy Brooks;

Chris Cabrera; Fernando Carranza;

Elizabeth Cervantes; Toeey Chov; Abe

Copeland; Michelle Dalope; Lorena

Delatorre; Matthew Dewall; April Dillard; Elva Duron; Mainardo Flores;

Karin Giron; Christi Henderson; Saul

Hidalgo; Jennylind Johnson; Crystal

Lara; Tessa Larsen; Jose Morales; Elizabeth Nunez; Josh Pippins; Art Reyes;

Araceli Rodriguez; Alfonso Rosas; Ana

Salas; Adriana Sanchez; Marty

Sanchez; Kimmy Sitaket; Karen Stivers; J’nesse Thompson; Valerie Torres;

WORKING FOR PEACE IN KASHMIR

and Damion Voss.

fHON. DAVID E. BONIOR OF MICHIGAN

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Thursday, June 8, 1995

Mr. BONIOR. Mr. Speaker, the Congress

should take a strong stand in support of an

end to the violence in Kashmir.

The American Overseas Interests Act, H.R.

1561, recognizes the need for all parties in the

conflict in Kashmir to resolve the conflict

peacefully.

India and Pakistan have fought two wars

over this region.

Kashmir is still plagued by violence.

More than 20,000 people have been killed.

Tensions are on the rise again.

A mosque sacred to the Moslems in Kashmir was recently burned to the ground.

And on Saturday, June 3, the Indian Parliament once again extended New Delhi’s rule

over Kashmir and postponed elections, which

were set to take place next month.

The call for peace is more important than

ever.

I will continue to push for an even stronger

message—to press India to respect human

rights, to urge an end to the violence, and to

allow the Kashmiri people to determine their

own future.

While I am glad that India repealed the

TADA law which has kept many minorities behind bars for political reasons, India needs to

do more.

India should take further steps to allow international human rights groups access to Kashmir, and India should prosecute security personnel involved in abuses of human rights.

We cannot ignore the conflict in Kashmir.

The recognition of this issue in the bill is an

important step in working toward a peaceful

resolution.

Mr. Speaker, while I am not voting for H.R.

1561 because I believe it takes us a giant step

back in building democracy around the globe,

I wanted to indicate that I support this action

on Kashmir.

CONGRATULATIONS MT. ZION

SWINGSATIONS

f

HON. GLENN POSHARD OF ILLINOIS

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Thursday, June 8, 1995

Mr. POSHARD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to

salute the Mt. Zion Swingsations, a special

group of young people from my district who

recently were awarded the National Show

Choir Title at the Showstoppers 2-day national

competition. These dedicated singers were

named the best 14-piece combo in the Nation,

and competed against 14 schools from across

the country.

The Swingsations is directed by Connie

Mulligan with Scott Hines as the instrumental

director. The members of this sensational

singing group are Jon Alford, Brian Babis, Jeff

Badorek, Kim Bartholomew, Kristen Borders,

Brian Bowman, Pete Bowman, Dannielle

Brown, Josh Butts, Zach Carter, Heather

Childs, Brian Clark, Eric Corman, James

Drayton, Bill Egbert, Beth Ellingston, Brian

Fogarty, Jared Gleason, Jessica Goodwin,

Neil Goodwin, Sara Goveia, Jennifer

Greenwell, David Hendricksen, Bob Higar,

Paul Higar, Brian Howell, Tim Jones, Christy

Laesch, Tatum Landreth, Lindsay Lehew, Kate

McCullough, Tracy McGhee, Ashley

McKittrick, Aaron Monts, Byron Muniz, Jeanie

Owens, Tray Patrick, Jamie Pflum, Angie

Pickowitz, Jimmy Rade, Ginger Roberts,

Danny Rutherford, Derek Schmaiz, Scott Sill,

Amanda Skowronski, Jeremy Skowronski,

Tina Sphar, Brian Spry, Brian Stimson, Carrie

West, Richie Williams, Ted Williams, Scott

Willis, Todd Wilson, Eric Wortman, Evan

Wortman, Jim Yantis, and Keisha Young.

It should be also noted that soloist Kelly

Courtawa won a national vocalist award and

the Swingsations choreographer, Dwight Jordan, was awarded an artistic production

award.
June 8, 1995 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E 1207

I applaud this fine group of award-winning

performers who entertain thousands in the

19th Congressional District and across the

country each year. The Swingsations exemplify the meaning of ‘‘champion,’’ and I am

proud to represent them in the U.S. Congress.

ESTABLISHMENT OF A FUND FOR

THE MAINTENANCE OF OVERfSEAS WAR MEMORIALS

HON. BOB STUMP OF ARIZONA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Thursday, June 8, 1995

Mr. STUMP. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing legislation to establish an account to

accept and disburse funds for the maintenance and repair of selected overseas war

memorials. My distinguished colleague, the

ranking member of the Veterans Affairs Committee, SONNY MONTGOMERY, joins me in introducing this bill.

The American Battle Monuments Commission is tasked with maintaining our overseas

cemeteries and war memorials in a manner

befitting the sacrifices of those who served

this Nation in time of war, especially those

who gave their lives in the cause of freedom.

When requested to assume responsibility for

a specific memorial, the Commission makes

an assessment of the condition and historical

value of the site. In this way, the Commission

accepts responsibility for only the most important sites. Typically, the request to assume responsibility includes funds to maintain the memorial.

Today, the Commission is increasingly

being asked to assume responsibility for overseas memorials whose private sponsors have

dwindled in numbers. But the passage of time

now makes it difficult for these patriots to provide the active oversight needed to ensure the

appropriate condition of the memorial.

My bill will provide the Commission an account to accept private donations, direct the

Secretary of the Treasury to invest excess

funds in interest bearing obligations of the

United States, and authorize use of those

funds for memorial maintenance.

In this manner, we can continue to honor

those who have fought and died and keep the

memory of their sacrifices alive as a reminder

for the generations who have inherited the legacy of their commitment. I urge my colleagues

to support the bill.

ABMC BACKGROUND NOTES

ABMC currently has statutory authority

to take over private monuments it considers

worthy of retention.

Past takeovers include the Ranger monument at Point du Hoc overlooking Utah

Beach and the Cabanatuan Memorial in the

Philippines honoring 75,000 U.S. and Filipino

POW’s held by Japan.

ABMC is currently considering taking over

monuments for 3 Engineer units and a 29th

Division monument on the Normandy beaches, as well as several USAF monuments.

ABMC estimates that about $300,000 is

available for these and a few other sites, if

they can get the account established. Interest on investments in government securities

will also be added to the account to maintain

solvency for the next ten years or so.

TRIBUTE TO SMYRNA NISSAN

EMPLOYEES

HON. BART GORDON OF TENNESSEE

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Thursday, June 8, 1995

Mr. GORDON. Mr. Speaker, in the coming

days and months Congress will be making big

decisions about the way our economy works.

These decisions will have a lasting impact on

how America meets the 21st century and

whether our workers and companies will have

the tools to compete. I take my responsibility

to make sure that America goes into the future

strong and prepared very seriously.

America has the most skilled, productive,

and dedicated workers in the world. Despite

vocal nay-sayers’ predictions about the American economy declining in the face of international competition, I have found the opposite

to be true.

I did not have to go far to find proof. There

are 6,000 hard-working people in Smyrna, TN

who go to work every day at the Nissan Motor

Manufacturing Corp. with the attitude that

‘‘every day we want to do better than we did

yesterday.’’ Those words came from Nissan

CEO and President Jerry Benefield who has

proven that rewarding hard work and making

sure that employees know they have the

power to create—or break—their company.

Those Smyrna Nissan employees have reason to be proud. They have built the most productive car and truck assembly plant in America for the second year in a row.

One of the secrets of their success is attitude. Another is their extensive training and

know-how. Those are the two keys that set

not only the Smyrna plant apart from other

American plants, but also what sets American

companies apart from the rest of the world.

Smyrna employees assemble a car in just 2.2

worker days, setting the benchmark for national productivity.

I want to congratulate and thank the 6,000

of you who earned this recognition on behalf

of Smyrna. It goes to show that Tennessee,

and America, are poised to take the lead in innovation and productivity. All of you are obviously going above and beyond just doing your

job—and doing it very successfully.

SCHOOL OF THE FUTURE IS HERE

fNOW

HON. ROB PORTMAN OF OHIO

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Thursday, June 8, 1995

Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. Speaker, last Friday, I

had the pleasure of touring a school in my district which is setting the trend for the future of

education. Mason Middle School, in Warren

County in southwest Ohio, uses a state-of-theart technology-driven curriculum so that students can easily enter the high-tech workplace

and adapt to a changing world.

If our world is transitioning to an information-based society, these students will be way

ahead of the curve. As our current methods of

production become obsolete, more and more

work will have to do with information processing. Because of Mason Middle School’s emphasis on information and technology, its students are being given the skills to compete in

the work force of the future and the confidence to succeed there. Students also learn

to appreciate the interconnectedness of the

world, preparing them to interact in a global

economy.

When we create schools such as this, we

are doing more than providing for our children’s success in an age of ever-expanding

technology. We are laying the groundwork for

a new political system. Our system is based

on democracy, or the will of the people. To express the will of the people, we rely on representation. Computers will make our system

of representation more responsive. What

began with polling by mail and then phone has

evolved into direct communication and decisionmaking. Instead of relying on our Senators

or Congressmen and women to represent us,

in the future, we can begin to represent ourselves. A democratic system can only be effective with an informed and engaged electorate. Technology will bring us even closer together—creating a more participatory democracy.

Using today’s far more advanced computers, satellites, telephones, cable, polling techniques, and other tools, not to mention the

Internet and other communication networks,

an educated citizenry can, for the first time in

history, begin making many of its own political

decisions. I’d say that’s pretty exciting stuff.

And I would also say that I am very proud that

a school in the Second Congressional District

is leading the way.

BUILDING DEMOCRACY IN

fUKRAINE

HON. DAVID E. BONIOR OF MICHIGAN

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Thursday, June 8, 1995

Mr. BONIOR. Mr. Speaker, the American

Overseas Interests Act, H.R. 1561, does not

encourage economic and democratic reforms

in the New Independent States.

The bill cuts aid to Ukraine and other New

Independent States by nearly $100 million.

At a time when Ukraine is receiving a more

significant share of United States assistance

to the NIS, this bill negates the gains that

have been made.

However, one positive step in the bill in the

increase of our assistance to the victims of

Chernobyl.

This bill provides a $10 million commitment

to help the victims of the Chernobyl disaster,

especially the children.

Thyroid cancer is plaguing the children in

the region.

There are hundreds of thousands of people

with severe health problems.

And the worst is yet to come, because

many of the effects of the Chernobyl nuclear

disaster will not be known until later this decade.

There is a desperate need for this aid.

Ukraine faces a severe shortage of medical

supplies and effective health care.

Our aid to Ukraine and other New Independent States is less than 10 percent of the

foreign aid budget, which is less than 2 percent of our Federal budget.

Mr. Speaker, I’m pleased we were able to

help the victims of Chernobyl.