[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 61 (Tuesday, May 17, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: May 17, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                      INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY

  (Mr. TRAFICANT asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. TRAFICANT. Madam Speaker, it may be mid-May but I want to talk 
about the Grinch that stole Christmas, the IRS.
  In 1991, Charles Benjamin, a laid-off plumber in Pennsylvania, took 
tax exemptions for his 10 children like he is allowed to. The IRS said, 
``No way, Mr. Benjamin. No one in America these days can afford to have 
10 kids. We don't believe it. Prove it.''
  Mr. Benjamin sent in their proof, Social Security cards, birth 
certificates, notarized records from the school system and they said, 
``That is not enough.'' They went to the bank and took $4,000 this man 
had, laid off, which was Christmas money and family money.

                              {time}  1300

  Ladies and gentlemen, this is out of control, and Congress should be 
ashamed of themselves.
  When it was pressed, do you know what the IRS said? ``Mr. Benjamin, 
prove it, prove it. We do not believe you.''
  Discharge petition No. 12 says whenever you go to court, Mr. Archer, 
for tax fraud or tax evasion, the burden of proof is on the Secretary. 
If it is good enough for the Son of Sam, it is good enough for Mr. 
Benjamin and his 10 kids.
  Think about it.

                          ____________________