[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 54 (Thursday, March 23, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H3577]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       ABRAHAM LINCOLN'S CAN-NOTS

  (Mr. LaHOOD asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. LaHOOD. Mr. Speaker, as the misinformation swirls around the 
welfare debate, it is important to remember a few principles that have 
passed the test of time. Our great President Abraham Lincoln had a list 
of ``Lincoln's Can-Nots.'' Mr. Speaker, here are just a few:
  You cannot build character and courage by taking away a man's 
initiative and independence.
  You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatred.
  You cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they could and 
should do for themselves.
  But, Mr. Speaker, the failure that we call a welfare system snubs 
these principles. It saps initiative; it does for its victims what they 
should do for themselves; its defenders stir up class hatred to protect 
it. It replaces principle with pork, and confuses reason with 
regulation. As a result, children are born into a world without hope or 
independence.
  Mr. Speaker, answers start with principles. Our welfare reform bill 
works because it is based on solid, enduring principles. Lincoln would 
have approved.

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