[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 21 (Thursday, February 2, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H1078]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT

  (Mr. FLAKE asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. FLAKE. Mr. Speaker, today it gives me pleasure to rise and voice 
my opinion on child support enforcement as it relates to the welfare 
reform.
  Child support should be a centerpiece of any welfare reform measure 
which tends to assist welfare recipients in breaking the chain of 
poverty and entering into the work force.
  In many instances child support could be preventive welfare support. 
If more noncustodial parents paid child support, some families could 
avoid welfare dependence altogether.
  A comprehensive child support provision is essential to resolving the 
welfare crisis in this country.
  Today almost 63 percent of absent parents contribute no child support 
to their children's welfare. All children have two parents. Therefore, 
we must require that both parents live up to their responsibilities and 
obligations. Ignoring child support enforcement would send the wrong 
message.
  We would require young mothers to be responsible, while giving 
fathers a free ride; 1 in 4 children presently live in single-parent 
homes without strong child support enforcement. Many of these children 
will not have the support they need and deserve. We must do everything 
possible to rectify this terrible problem.


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