[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 53 (Wednesday, March 22, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H3423]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                WELFARE REFORM FOR OUR CHILDREN'S SAKES

  (Mrs. KELLY asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mrs. KELLY. Mr. Speaker, who among us has not taken a child, probably 
their own, by the hand and walked with them down their neighborhood 
sidewalk? When we crossed the street, we either held their hand tighter 
or picked them up and carried them across the road to safety.
  This scene is repeated over and over again on sidewalks across our 
country. It is a simple, yet telling image of how we as a nation 
perceive the role of the stronger individual to take care of those in 
need in our society.
  For the past 30 years, we have held the hands of hundreds of 
thousands of people who needed our help, but unfortunately, we have 
forgotten how to let go, and more importantly how to help people stand 
on their own.
  Mr. Speaker, this is the essence of the Republican welfare reform 
plan.
  We all live our lives planning for our futures and those of our 
children. If we do not extend this same principle to those less 
fortunate in our society, all of our tomorrows will be bleaker. Our own 
children will confront us, asking us why we did nothing, why we allowed 
a broken system to continue unchecked.
  Mr. Speaker, let us try to work together and fix this broken system.

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