We all owe much to my colleague Rep. Alan Mollohan, the ranking Democrat. Also pertinent to the question of the Administration's commitment, I would like to remind those who followed the debate that our bill was a zero-sum game. It was disingenuous of the President to challenge Congress to meet the caps and then to send over a budget that would break the caps. As a Peace Corps volunteer in the early '70s and as a social services case worker after that. Then, as a City Councilor in Syracuse I followed a personal philosophy which meshed nicely with the rest of the Council.
Neighborhoods are the backbone of a city.
From them come strong families and a strong community. And while all levels of government have a role to play, the federal role is most crucial. As part of the federal government now, I do not make these statements lightly. My commitment is real. I honestly don't know if the Administration's is.