[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 59 (Thursday, March 30, 1995)]
[House]
[Pages H4012-H4013]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   URGING CONGRESS TO CONTINUE WORK AFTER THE FIRST 100 DAYS TO MAKE 
                AMERICA A BETTER PLACE FOR ITS CITIZENS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Florida [Mr. Foley] is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. FOLEY. Mr. Speaker, how proud the people of Pennsylvania must be 
of their favorite son as he assumes the chair of this distinguished 
Chamber this afternoon.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to take a moment and certainly dedicate my 
5 minutes to my sister, Elizabeth, who gave birth to a new nephew of 
mine, Adam Edward. I am very, very proud of her.
  I would like to also take a moment to read what I will call Mark 
Foley's mailbag, the letters we get. A lot of people assume we come to 
Congress and just come up with ideas of the back room of the 
legislative chambers without a lot of debate and deliberation. I will 
read you a few of the letters that I receive, to reflect on the 
considerations we make when we design legislation.
  From John MacPhail of Sebring, FL:

       Dear Representative Foley: I am a life-long Republican, and 
     I believe we have a great opportunity to help this country at 
     this time if we don't blow it. My principal concern is that 
     my children and grandchildren will not have to pay for my 
     present comfort.
       Although I am a veteran of World War II, I do not believe 
     this country owes me anything. It paid for my education--
     that's enough.
       About the budget: Yes, I support PBS and NPR, but I do not 
     think the Government needs to support it any longer. Those of 
     us who enjoy it should pay for it. Yes, I'm on Medicare, and 
     it is necessary to cover my major medical expenses, but I can 
     afford higher premiums or a bigger deductible.
       Yes, I pay taxes, lots of them, but I would not object to 
     paying more if the IRS would submit a tax form I could 
     complete myself in an hour's time. Am I wealthy? No. I just 
     think that all of us who are able should begin to sacrifice 
     for the sake of those coming after us. Please do your job: 
     save this country.

  From Mrs. Easton in Stewart, FL:

       Dear Congressman Foley: I think the freshman class in the 
     House is doing a fine job, and many of the items in your 
     contract are good. But there is one that troubles me.
       I think this is not the time to cut taxes. Congress' first 
     priority should be coping with the deficit, and I hope that 
     AARP and other pressure groups will not be able to divert 
     Congress' determination from this goal.

  That is a senior citizen writing.
  Dean Balkema from Port St. Lucie, FL:

       Dear Representative Foley: Unfortunately, the balanced 
     budget amendment was defeated. On top of this sad result, 
     Representative Archer is now suggesting a tax cut.
       In view of our incredibly increasing serious Federal 
     deficit, talk of a tax cut is ridiculous. I hope you will not 
     support any tax cuts.

  A letter to the Charleston Post and Courier, from my friend and 
colleague, the gentleman from South Carolina's sister's husband, on 
food stamps.

       Recently Florida Congressman Mark Foley was quoted as 
     saying that ``It was wrong for the Federal Government to 
     subsidize people's appetites for popcorn, potato chips, ice 
     cream, Coca-Cola, and Gatorade.
       I could not agree with him more.

[[Page H4013]]

       I have no objection to my tax dollars supporting the needs 
     of poor people to have food they need to put a decent meal on 
     their table. However, I recently stood in line in a 
     supermarket behind . . . somebody in the grocery store who 
     had food stamps and bought dozens of bottles of soda.
       I resent this. And I think it illustrates the absolute need 
     for the use of food stamps to put food on the table and not 
     to buy what most of the working poor would consider luxuries.
       The food stamp program should not be abandoned, but it must 
     be put on track so that it helps those who truly need help.

  This from the parents of one of our Democratic pages, Joshua Stello, 
who wrote to me this week.

       Dear Mr. Foley: My wife and I would like to thank you for 
     the special attention you have shown our son. We also think 
     he is very special. We both have tried very hard to give him 
     the tools to make a future for himself and others.
       Both of us wish to tell you how much we feel a little 
     support and recognition helps us keep that path worthwhile. 
     With so many distractions in the world for our young people, 
     parents need all the support and positive reinforcement they 
     can get from others. This gesture by you goes a long way for 
     us parents, and especially for our son.
       I'm sure Josh has told you we have a daughter, Brianna, who 
     is also someone you would like to meet, and we are very proud 
     of. This support lets her know she can also reach for the 
     positive.
       I hope that Members of Congress realize how much weight 
     they carry for the impressions of young people. I hope this 
     new wave continues to try and work for a future--a positive 
     example and a future for our young--they need and deserve it, 
     from Robert, Jennifer, and Brianna Stello.

  I read a disturbing thing in the paper today in the New York Times. 
Michael Kauffman: ``Man's Best Friend, Fiercest Foe.''

       As the boys explained, the fights begin when owners sic 
     their dogs on each other in a preliminary round. For less 
     than a minute as the dogs lunge and bite, odds are set and 
     bets are placed. The boys said that as much as $500 is bet, 
     and people can lose thousands of dollars within minutes.
       Then there is a break, they said, which is when some owners 
     set out bound cats to further arouse blood lust in their 
     dogs.

  This illustrates, folks, the problem in America is not necessarily 
what we can do in this Chamber to devise laws that will protect us, but 
when we start rewarding people like Tanya Harding, who has injured 
another person, in giving her a movie role; when we start rewarding 
people who have created vandalist crimes in Singapore, by offering them 
money to expose their behind where they have been caned; where we tell 
our young generation that in order to be rich in society, they have to 
commit some devious crime and a devious act to make people pay 
attention to you, so you can get in People Magazine or on Oprah 
Winfrey, there is something seriously wrong in America.
  Each and every one of us has a responsibility when we receive letters 
from our constituents about the direction of this country, but we will 
not be responsible on this floor unless we debate the real problems 
that face us out in our communities.
  Those problems are many. Those problems are what I am illustrating in 
the New York Times when people allow live animals to be sicced upon 
each other, to fight each other in a gruesome display of competition, 
and reward each other with financial gain by watching this barbaric 
action.
  Our children need a future. They need a better future. There are 
things we can do as Democrats and Republicans to make Congress work for 
the people of the United States of America.
  The yelling and shouting that has gone on here in the last 95 days is 
sad, because at times both sides have good arguments, legitimate 
arguments. Let us continue to work after the 100 days to make America 
the strong and proud place it is, and give it a chance to survive. I 
know it will, because both parties need it to.

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