[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 59 (Thursday, March 30, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S4939]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



[[Page S4939]]

                    IN MEMORY OF MATTHEW ELI PUCCIO

 Mr. MOYNIHAN. Mr. President, with much sorrow, I would like to 
tell the Members of the Senate of a horrible loss. On Sunday, February 
26, 1995, Matthew Eli Puccio, a young gentleman from New York City, was 
involved in a terrible accident that took his life.
  Matthew shall be remembered fondly by his parents, teachers, and 
friends as a young man of exceptional character and kindness. His 
departure is felt by us all.
  Matthew's mother, Carol L. Ziegler, recently sent to me a short paper 
that Matthew had written for a school journalism assignment. In this 
paper, he discusses term limits and his personal opposition to the 
issue. I believe that many of my colleagues in both Houses of Congress 
will find Matthew Puccio's paper of interest, and I ask that the text 
be printed in the Record.
  The text follows:

       Over the past few years, some politicians, primarily 
     Republicans, have proposed term limits be set for Members of 
     Congress. Term limit means that a Member of Congress can be 
     elected only a certain number of times. To be exact, since 
     1990, 23 million people in 16 States have voted for this law 
     to be passed. Most of these people in 16 States have voted 
     for this law to be passed. Most of these people want term 
     limits to increase electoral competition. They want change 
     every now and then. If this law were actually passed, it 
     would be a mistake. What if a Member of Congress is doing a 
     good job? Take New York Senator, Patrick Moynihan, for 
     example. He has just been elected to his third term and is 
     doing a great job in office. Why should they be pulled from 
     office at risk of being replaced by someone who would do less 
     of a job? In this case, what is the need for change? On the 
     other hand, if a Member of Congress is doing a bad job and 
     wants to run again, he could always be voted out.
       Setting term limits also takes away a politician's 
     constitutional rights. Why shouldn't he or she be allowed to 
     run for office as much as they want, with the intention of 
     helping their country? If they are not elected, they are not 
     elected, but they should have the chance. On the flip side, 
     this also takes away the people's constitutional rights. Why 
     shouldn't the people be allowed to have who they want in 
     Congress, regardless of how long he has been in office? More 
     specifically, term limits violate the Bill of Rights which 
     list the freedoms of the people. Term limits may seem like an 
     easy answer but it is just unfair. Elections are the people's 
     choice. Anyone should be allowed to be in Congress for as 
     long as they want, as long as they are doing a good job, and 
     the people want to vote them in.
     

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