[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 16 (Wednesday, February 23, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: February 23, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                  CONGRESS' ROLE IN SHAPING THE FUTURE

                                 ______


                           HON. DEAN A. GALLO

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 23, 1994

  Mr. GALLO. Mr. Speaker, last Thursday, February 17, I held a town 
meeting in Roseland, NJ, that demonstrates that the people in my 
district--and, I imagine, people around America--are deeply concerned 
abut their future and about Congress' role in shaping that future.
  In a room designed to hold 100, so many people were squeezed in that 
we had to run the air-conditioning--despite the fact that a foot and a 
half of snow was on the ground outside.
  Those who were unable to find space inside the meeting room--and 
there were at least 50--stood in the hall, listening and writing down 
questions and comments that were passed inside to be read to those 
gathered.
  In my 10 years in Congress, I cannot remember a larger or more 
interested group of citizens at a town meeting.
  Mr. Speaker, I believe that so many people braved the cold and ice on 
a weekday night because they are vitally interested in what Government 
is going to do in an effort to address the problems our country is 
facing.
  However, the common theme that ran through the meeting, and through 
the written comments of those who did not have a chance to speak, was 
not ``how will government solve my problems,'' but rather, ``what will 
government do to help me solve my problems.''
  In addressing health care, there was very little support expressed 
for the President's effort to turn over to the Federal Government our 
health care system.
  People identified problems that Government could help people solve, 
but there was no expectation--indeed there was strong opposition to the 
idea--that expanding the size of Government's control over this part of 
our lives would solve the problems in our health care system.
  Regarding crime, people expressed concern that Congress' efforts to 
reduce crime would instead restrict the rights of law abiding citizens. 
There was support, not only for harsher punishment for criminals, but 
for making certain that our judicial system does not give more weight 
to the rights of criminals than to those of the victims and the rest of 
society.
  People are also concerned about Federal spending and Congress' 
inability to bring the deficit under control. One small business owner 
in the audience told me that he wished Congress would approach its 
budgetary problems the way he would, by finding things to cut before 
raising taxes.
  All of these issues impact our future. What will the future of our 
health care system be? Will it continue to provide the best quality 
health care available anywhere in the world?
  What will the future of our communities be like? Will we be able to 
walk the streets without fear? Will our children feel safe in school?
  What will the future of our children and grandchildren be like? Will 
they find themselves so overwhelmed by the burden of Government debt 
that their ability to support themselves and their families will be 
even further eroded?
  Many other issues were raised--too many to enumerate here--but what 
they all had in common was their concern with the future of our 
families, communities, State, and Nation.
  Actions Congress takes in the coming months will help determine the 
answers to these and other important questions. I believe that each of 
the answers we attempt to provide should keep one fundamental thought 
in mind: ``Will the action we take make it easier for people to solve 
problems and plan for a better future or will they make it easier for 
government to control the shape of our future?''
  If we can keep this basic question in mind, I believe that we can 
help our constituents face the future with the optimism, spirit, and 
determination that has been the hallmark of Americans down through the 
generations.

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