[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 55 (Friday, March 24, 1995)]
[House]
[Pages H3739-H3740]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 WELFARE REFORM: DO NOT PUNISH CHILDREN

  (Mr. MASCARA asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks, and include extraneous 
material.)
  Mr. MASCARA. Mr. Speaker, it saddens me that the debate over welfare 
reform has not been more bipartisan.
  It is clear that a majority of Members on both sides of the aisle 
agree the current system is broke and needs to be fixed.
  All of us agree benefits should be limited, that recipients should be 
required to find work, and that illegitimate births should not be 
rewarded
  But the proper way to resolve these problems is to reform the system, 
not to punish children for the indiscretions of their parents.
  And that is exactly what we stand ready to do today, punish children 
by cutting back vital nutrition programs which have proven over the 
years to be so successful.
  Last Monday, I had lunch with students at Charleroi Elementary School 
in my hometown. One-third of the school's 780 children receive free or 
reduced priced lunch.
  During my visit, I also presented a flag frown over our Capitol to a 
fifth grade student who wrote a winning essay on ``What It Means To Be 
an American.''
  The bill we are about to enact is un-American. It will ultimately cut 
funding and reduce the number of those children entitled to receive 
these lunches, in some cases their major source of nutrition for the 
day.
  These children are our tomorrow. If we do not provide for them, we 
are turning our back on our future.
  My colleagues on the other side of the aisle know this is not right. 
Vote ``no'' on H.R. 4.
  Mr. Speaker, I include two winning essays for the Record.
                 What It Means to Me To Be an American

                            (By Jared Dumm)

       I am proud to be an American because I live in the greatest 
     country in the world. America fought hard to gain peace, 
     freedom, and rights for all her citizens. I would like to 
     describe what the letters in AMERICAN mean to me.
       A is for America, the greatest, strongest country in the 
     world.
       M is for the monuments, built to remember our great leaders 
     and events in our history.
       E is for equality, which insures that, no matter what our 
     color, nationality, or religion, we are treated fairly and 
     equally.
       R is for the respect and rights we have, including free 
     speech, religion, press, and the right to assemble.
       I is for independence, for which our armed services fought, 
     so that we can stand united and strong against our enemies.
       C is for the Constitution, the greatest document in the 
     world, which protects and guarantees us life, liberty, and 
     the pursuit of happiness.
       A is for our anthem, ``The Star Spangled Banner,'' which 
     makes us swell with pride when we hear it.
       N is for our nation, the best in the world, where we can 
     live in freedom and peace.
       For all the above reasons, I feel very lucky and proud to 
     be an American.

                 What It Means to Me To Be An American

                            (By Holly McLoy)

       I'm only eleven years old but my mother has taught me to 
     love my country. I admire the customs and traditions of my 
     country. It makes me have a feeling that I belong.
       If I were raised in another country I probably would be a 
     much different person. As an American I can attend the church 
     of my choice. If I lived in another country I may be forced 
     to go to a church not of my choice.
       I have the freedom of attending public school instead of 
     being forced to attend school separated from my family.
       As a child I respect the American flag. It is very special 
     to me. The flag represents the United States of America. When 
     the flag passes in a parade I place my hand over my heart.
        [[Page H3740]] As an American I feel free I can do as I 
     please, I can choose between right and wrong and tell the 
     difference between good and bad.
       I am proud to be an American. When I attended a prade in 
     Belle Verion honoring all the men and women who served their 
     country in Operation Desert Storm I was sad and happy at the 
     same time. I was happy the war wasover but sad for the ones 
     that died. This occusin made me more aware that I was an 
     American. America is a great land to live in.
     

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