[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 130 (Saturday, August 5, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1663-E1664]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


      FOREIGN OPERATIONS, EXPORT FINANCING, AND RELATED PROGRAMS 
                        APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 1996

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                               speech of

                           HON. FRED HEINEMAN

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 11, 1995

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 1868) making 
     appropriations for foreign operations, export financing, and 
     related programs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 
     1996, and for other purposes:

  Mr. HEINEMAN. Mr. Chairman, I have listened to the debate and studies 
the details in this bill. The Labor-HHS-Education appropriations bill 
reduces spending by $9 billion from last year and reduces or eliminates 
many effective, wasteful or duplicative programs. This 

[[Page E1664]]

bill prioritizes spending in areas that are proven and effective.
  And it is with great reservation that I must rise in opposition to 
the bill at this time. This was a very difficult decision, Mr. 
Chairman.
  During my years in law enforcement I learned what really causes 
crime. During my campaign I promised to fight crime. I have seen first 
hand that crime prevention begins in two places--the home and the class 
room. This bill unfortunately reduces funding in some areas which are 
important to our children, and important in deterring crime as these 
youngsters become adults.
  Mr. Chairman, these were programs I supported during my campaign; and 
I am a man of my word. In the past I have voiced my strong support for 
vocational education programs and other education assistance. I will 
not turn my back on the very people who elected me.
  In addition, as a senior citizen I was also concerned about the 
funding level in the bill for senior citizens programs. Mr. Chairman, I 
this year I voted for a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution 
and in turn voted for the Republican budget which will balance in seven 
years. Those are two of the most important votes I have cast as 
freshman Member of Congress. Those two votes carried with them a 
responsibility to the American people, and to my constituents in North 
Carolina. That responsibility was to reduce wasteful spending, make the 
government smaller, and get our fiscal house in order. I take that 
responsibility very seriously. I would have like to support this bill 
but I could not.
  As the House passes this bill, it will do so without my support this 
time. However, I want to work with our leadership and our colleagues in 
the Senate to find ways to make this a better bill. I am hopeful as we 
move forward in the budget and appropriations process that we will make 
this a better bill for our seniors and children--and that it can 1 day 
earn my support.


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