[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 107 (Wednesday, June 28, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1355-E1357]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


      AN EIGHTH-GRADE PERSPECTIVE ON PRESIDENTIAL PROBLEM SOLVING

                                 ______


                           HON. HENRY J. HYDE

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 28, 1995
  Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, ``If I were President of the United States, I 
would * * *'' was the title of an essay contest sponsored by the 
Chicago Sun Times. The eighth grade English class at Churchville Junior 
High located in Elmhurst, IL, participated in this contest. I would 
like to share with my colleagues the issues these young people see as 
important and how they would correct the problems if they were 
President.
         If I Were President of the United States I Would * * *

                           (By Aaron Hubalik)

       If I were the president of the United States I would help 
     homeless people have job opportunities, clean up crime, and 
     lower taxes.
       First, I would give the homeless people a chance to have a 
     job opportunity. I would lower the price of cars and put it 
     towards job opportunities. I would also build amusement parts 
     and take 15 percent of the money earned every month towards 
     more jobs.
       Second, I would clean up the crime in our cities. Since 
     gangs are the major problem, I would increase police presence 
     especially in bigger crime areas.
       Lastly, I would lower taxes to about 7% so people would 
     have more money to spend for their needs. This would also 
     help the economy grow and create work opportunities.
       In conclusion, as president I would give homeless people 
     opportunity, clean up crime, and lower taxes.

                          (By Jodi Carnevale)

       Make all countries come to peace with each other. I would 
     improve every state, and close Abortion clinics.
       I would put together a committee who will go to one state 
     and straighten up that state, then that state can help 
     improve the other states. It might take time, but if we all 
     help, it will happen.
       While I'm improving states, I would close all the Abortion 
     clinics by destroying the clinics, and building a playground 
     in it's place. It's better to see kids happily playing, that 
     not to see them at all.
       I'll have all the Countries sign a treaty, so there will 
     never be another war. So instead of helping just our country, 
     I helped the world.
       I could make the World better by straightening up states, 
     closing Abortion clinics, and making peace. This way, we're 
     guaranteed a better future than the one we have in store for 
     us.

                             (By Amy Byrne)

       If I could be president I would make more places for 
     homeless people to go and I would give more money to schools.
       Everybody complains about people being dirty or living on 
     the streets and sleeping on benches, so why don't we give 
     these people somewhere to go? I would build large dormitories 
     (large buildings) every couple of blocks for people to sleep, 
     eat and entertain themselves. There would be things for kids 
     to do and we would find jobs for adults or if they needed to 
     learn to read or write we would teach them.
       Another thing I would do is give more money to schools. If 
     the schools had more money we could have better uniforms, and 
     more activities, like more dances and a softball team.

[[Page E1356]]

       If I had a chance to be President of the United States of 
     America I would have places for homeless people and give more 
     money to schools

                             (By Fred Fang)

       As president, I would increase funding to space exploration 
     and conservation programs. I would also cut defense spending 
     to pay for new programs.
       First, funding space exploration is crucial. The earth is 
     crowded and resources are depleted. Many possibilities show 
     up when traveling at light speed. Not only could we explore 
     new planets, but also colonize them, and mine their usable 
     resources.
       Secondly, I would grant funding to conservation groups like 
     ``Green Peace'', and make environmental issues more 
     important. Until we find new planets with usable resources, 
     we must conserve. We must conserve so that the earth will 
     stay comfortable.
       Finally, I would cut defense spending. Prime Time Live 
     aired a special on government spending. It showed many 
     warehouses with munition surpluses. I propose to sell one-
     third of surpluses.
       In conclusion, my job is to better the world. If these 
     goals are met, my presidential term would be successful.
                           (By Maja Garmager)

       If I were president of the United States I would have all 
     abortion clinics closed, there will be no more homeless 
     people, and nothing at the grocery store would cost more than 
     fifty cents.
       First, all abortion clinics will close. If any other doctor 
     is doing abortions they will be arrested and put in jail. If 
     people want to give up the baby, put it up for adoption.
       Second, there will be no more homeless people. We will 
     build more apartment buildings, and they will have no rent, 
     so they can live there.
       Lastly, at the grocery store nothing will cost more than 
     fifty cents. So that everybody could afford it. If they don't 
     have money they can use food stamps.
       In conclusion, all abortion clinics will closed, there will 
     be no more homeless people, and everything at the grocery 
     store will be fifty cents.

                          (By Katie Durkowski)

       I would help the homeless get jobs, money and housing. I 
     would also extend the school year.
       To start off, I would help the homeless get jobs, money, 
     and housing so they can raise a family and their self esteem. 
     They would get free job training and they would be placed in 
     a job that best suits them. They would make enough money to 
     raise their family, keep their house, and have extra spending 
     money.
       Secondly, to lengthen the school year. I would take the 
     many unneeded holidays. Many kids don't appreciate them 
     anyway. I would also add every other Saturday. This will 
     improve learning and test scores.
       In conclusion, as President of the United States I would 
     help the homeless get jobs, money and housing. I would also 
     extend the school year.

                            (By Chris Buenz)

       As President, I would give money to the poor. I would also 
     help finance schools and give some important accessories to 
     the schools.
       Firstly, I would give money to the poor people. The 
     reason's why I would give money to the poor people are it 
     would help clean up our streets and make it look better. 
     Also, they could buy a nice suit and tie which would help 
     them get a job. Then, they could provide for themselves.
       Next, I would give money to the public schools. Kids going 
     to school need up to date equipment like computers, books and 
     other accessories. If kids don't have these they won't learn 
     the right stuff and be behind in technology.
       In conclusion, as President I would give money to the poor, 
     help finance schools and give schools nice equipment.

                          (By Kristi Marotta)

       As President I would help the country get on its feet. I 
     would do this by getting people jobs and having stricture 
     crime laws.
       To help people get jobs, I would lower the amount of 
     imports from other countries. This would eliminate some of 
     the competition from other countries. This way we would have 
     to make more products at home and need more workers to make 
     them. This is how I would create more jobs.
       Next, I would make stricter crime laws. To accomplish this, 
     stricter punishments for serious crimes are needed. I would 
     support the death penalty and caining. Also teenagers should 
     be tried as adults for serious crimes. These are examples of 
     crime laws that I would support.
       In conclusion, as President, I would help people get jobs 
     and make stricter crime laws.
                          (By Jeannie Gleser)

       If I were President of the United States, I would develop a 
     better country. The following are things I would do. First, I 
     would ban abortion, then take care of the homeless and 
     hungry. Last, I would destroy all weapons.
       First, I would ban abortion. Abortion is killing an unborn 
     baby. Abortion leaves guilt with the mother. It is also 
     inhumane.
       Secondly, I would take care of the homeless. I would make 
     more jobs for them, by creating more stores and businesses. I 
     would first hire bosses and managers to employ homeless 
     workers.
       Lastly, I would destroy all weapons. I would burn the 
     weapons. Weapons just hurt and kill. They are unnecessary for 
     humans. This would also cut down on crime.
       In conclusion, if I became President I would ban abortion, 
     make jobs for all, and destroy all weapons. I would then be 
     famous for my great actions.

                           (By Samantha Hiza)

       If I were President of the United States I would focus on 
     refining welfare.
       First, I'd change the requirements to get welfare. You 
     should only be eligible for welfare if you have children. 
     Adults should try to fend for themselves, but we should help 
     the children who have no control over it.
       Secondly, people shouldn't get more money for more 
     children. If you go on welfare receiving money for one child, 
     you should continue receiving that rate no matter how many 
     children you have. That way people aren't just having 
     children to get more money.
       Lastly, you should only receive welfare for a short while. 
     That way people aren't living off tax money and are motivated 
     to find a job.
       In conclusion, my main concern would be to refine welfare 
     by only giving money to people with children, not giving more 
     money for more children, and only giving money for a short 
     while.

                          (By Jim O'Sullivan)

       If I were President, I would give motivation to the 
     citizens and fix the prison problems.
       First, to motivate the people of the US to help the 
     government out (and to show we are trying), I would cut my 
     income from $200,000 to half. This would still allow a good 
     income and also save money. I would also start cutting 
     unneeded spending.
       Secondly, I would fix the prison problems. We have people 
     who are in jail, and tax payers are paying their stay. I 
     would make the prisoners work for their stay. If someone 
     would not want to work, they would have the option of doing 
     the alternate. Which would be to receive a warm jacket and 
     some food and ship them into the middle of nowhere.
       In conclusion, if I was President, I would try to motivate 
     the country by cutting government spending, and fix prison 
     problems.

                         (By Christina Suarez)

       If I were the President I would get more jobs and homes for 
     the homeless. Then I would also have shorter times in the day 
     during school.
       I would first, try to get jobs for the homeless. I would 
     then start working in stores and other places. I would get 
     the whole town to start making more shelters have more soup 
     kitchens and donate clothes. While a person is trying to get 
     a home they could stay in shelters.
       Secondly, I would have shorter times in school. What I mean 
     is have students go to school at 10:00 A.M. and go back home 
     at 3:00 P.M. This reason is so kids can sleep in and have 
     more time in the afternoon.
       In conclusion, if I were the President I would get jobs and 
     homes for the homeless. Then I would have shorter times in a 
     school day.
                          (By Kerry O'Reilly)

       If I were president of the United States, I would help 
     homeless people find homes, make school years shorter, and 
     also lower taxes.
       First, I'd help the homeless find homes. They'd get their 
     homes free of charge for about a year or until they get a 
     job. Homeless people need shelter because of the dangerous 
     conditions that occur outside our homes. After they're able 
     to support themselves, they'll be treated exactly as every 
     other American homeowner.
       Secondly, the school year would be shorter. Kids ages 10-18 
     have so much pressure during the school year. They deserve a 
     big break!! The year would be from September 1-May 1.
       Thirdly, I'd make sure to lower taxes. Americans pay too 
     much. Let's cut down! Especially on the stuff we don't need! 
     This would keep people from going poor.
       Again, if I'm president, I'd help homeless find homes, make 
     school years shorter, and lower taxes.

                           (By Jeffrey Knabe)

       If I were president; Firstly, I would pass a law outlawing 
     automatic weapons. Then I would expand the Police to stop the 
     sale of those weapons. Secondly, instead of letting people 
     have welfare money for as long as they like, I would set a 
     certain limit.
       Firstly, I would do what I could to get automatic weapons 
     off the streets. Then I would try to expand police to try to 
     get automatic weapons off the streets.
       Secondly, I would try to change the welfare policy. To ``If 
     you are out of a job you can apply for welfare for a limited 
     time''. I think that some, not all, people who are on welfare 
     should try harder to get a job.
       In conclusion, if I were president I would try to stop the 
     sale and the illegal trading of automatic weapons. Secondly, 
     I would set a limit on welfare.

                           (By Justin Scully)

       If I were president I would make more jobs, create a better 
     health plan but mainly for senior citizens, raise taxes on 
     rich and a little on the middle class to get us out of debt. 
     Also I would build low cost housing, get more police and 
     bring peace in Bosnia.
       I would make more jobs by re-creating the CCC but for all 
     ages. To get people off the streets.
       For better health plans I would make sure everybody is 
     covered and get rid of the law suits on doctors.

[[Page E1357]]

       I would raise taxes mainly on the rich to get out of debt, 
     and build low cost housing.
       Lastly crime I think we should hire more police officers 
     and that would create more jobs.
       In conclusion I think I would be a good president because 
     of all the reasons.

                           (By Daniel Jugle)

       If I were the president of the United States I would help 
     the homeless more and I would try harder to reduce crime.
       First, I would help the homeless more I would do this by 
     giving them money, making more homeless shelters, and having 
     more food drives.
       Second, I would try harder to reduce crime I would do this 
     by providing more police and having a strong Death Penalty.
       In Conclusion, helping the homeless more and trying to 
     reduce crime are the two things I would do first if I were 
     president of the United States.

                         (By Jaffray McCarthy)

       I think that government thinking in programs and creating 
     new jobs needs restructuring.
       Firstly, I would stop outrageous spending. One type of 
     spending is congressional spending. One example of this is a 
     congressman's frequent travel by transport plane, costing up 
     to $50,000*. Another type of spending is money for unneeded 
     programs. One example of this was a funded program was to 
     study how long it took ketchup to come out of a bottle*.
       Secondly, I would use the money saved from the unneeded 
     programs to create new jobs. One of the jobs I would create 
     is construction crews to build low cost housing for poor 
     people. Another job I would create is a street clean-up crew 
     to clean streets from litter and graffiti.
       In conclusion, these are my restructuring ideas. I think 
     any reasonable person would agree with at least one idea.
     

                          ____________________