[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 33 (Wednesday, February 22, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E404-E405]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


               UPDATE ON THE PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY ACT

                                 ______

                               speech of

                            HON. GENE GREEN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 21, 1995
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Texas [Mr. Green] is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. Madam Speaker, I take the floor to continue 
the discussion about the Personal Responsibility Act. The Goodling 
substitute of the Personal Responsibility Act which will be taken up in 
the Economic and Educational Opportunities Committee tomorrow will cut 
funding for child care in the State of Texas from fiscal year 1996 
through 2000 over $485 million.
  The Personal Responsibility Act will repeal all Federal programs that 
deal with nutrition, including the school breakfast and lunch programs, 
and restrict nutrition programs under the Older Americans Act.
  I am happy that the Republicans realized that being ``penny wise and 
pound foolish'' with the cuts in senior nutrition programs was not good 
policy and were simply unworkable. However, senior nutrition programs 
are not the only programs which should be taken out of the Personal 
Responsibility Act.
  I suggest that all nutrition programs be withdrawn from the Personal 
Responsibility Act and discussed in the context of the people 
participating in the programs. For example, school breakfast and lunch 
programs should be discussed in education or health reform along with 
nutrition programs for women, infants, and children. Not simply in 
terms of reforming welfare.
  School nutrition programs provide food assistance in a school 
setting, such as the Port Houston Elementary School with Principal 
Maria Sierra, 
 [[Page E405]] and not cash paid directly to any individual person. 
Recently, I had a town hall meeting at Port Houston Elementary. Feeding 
hungry children is not welfare when it is at school and providing a 
nutrition meal to start the day. Studies show that hungry children 
cannot learn. We are endangering our future by not providing nutrition 
to children. We should be using nutrition programs to encourage 
children to learn.
  Again, I suggest to my colleagues on the other side that all 
nutrition programs which do not go directly to individuals should be 
taken out of this act.
  Finally, under summaries provided by the Republicans of the Goodling 
substitute, several references are made to the funds being increased. 
However, estimates provided to my office by the State of Texas show the 
states' school nutrition programs taking a 6.5 percent cut in funding. 
This is when we have more children every year needing food.
  I leave on this last note. Do we wish to be the Congress which cuts 
funds to feed even one hungry child? This may be reform but at what 
cost. Are we hard hearted enough to deny food to children?


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