[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 152 (Wednesday, September 27, 1995)]
[House]
[Pages H9569-H9570]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      A NEW THINKING IN WASHINGTON

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Salmon). Under a previous order of the 
House, the gentlewoman from North Carolina [Mrs. Clayton] is recognized 
for 5 minutes.
  Mrs. CLAYTON. Mr. Speaker, I also want to join my colleague, the 
gentleman from New York [Mr. Owens], in stating that indeed, the 
Congressional Black Caucus had a very substantive and meaningful 
weekend wherein they not only spoke of issues that affect African-
Americans, but they talked about issues that affect Americans as a 
whole, and wanted to see how the quality of life for all Americans can 
improve. To that vein, Mr. Speaker, we are reminded, and they reminded 
us, that people are suffering.
  Mr. Speaker, like never before, Congress is seeking to change 
America, changing the role that the Government will have in the lives 
of Americans by reducing and eliminating social programs, restructuring 
college loans and grants, revisiting nutrition programs and cutting 
Medicare and Medicaid. These programs have increased the quality of 
American lives and have added to the productivity of this Nation. This 
budget cutting affects all Americans, young and old, men and women, 
low- and middle-income, black and white.
  There is now a new thinking in Washington, Mr. Speaker, a new 
thinking that does not seem to care or to focus on inspirational 
leadership, a new thinking driven by a desire to abandon the collective 
spirit of uniting all Americans, the unity that built this Nation. This 
new thinking seems to embrace the individual and isolate each of us 
from one another. That kind of thinking can only lead to weakening the 
very fabric that makes America strong.
  Mr. Speaker, if some in Congress have their way, Government would 
shift from the halls of Congress and the corridors of the Federal 
executive to places where State and local government officials can 
treat their people and citizens differently from what America stands 
for. In many instances, Congress is dumping on State and local 
governments, and they should not do this.

[[Page H 9570]]

  If some in Washington have their way, infants may not have 
immunizations, children may not have school lunches, and high school 
students may not have summer jobs, and students may not have loans to 
foster their education. More importantly, senior citizens may not have 
the opportunity for quality health care.
  Mr. Speaker, I would suggest if these new thinkers in Washington 
really want change, they should indeed change the minimum wage. They 
should have meaningful change. They should change the tax cut that they 
are proposing and make sure that they not only give a break to the 
wealthiest Americans, but give a break to all Americans. If they want 
real change, they should restore school lunches for children who need 
it. If they want to make significant change, they should change their 
mind about cutting Medicare and cutting Medicaid.
  Mr. Speaker, I am fully aware that these are difficult times and we 
all must and should be expected to make sacrifices. That is the point, 
that all of us should make the sacrifice, not just the poor.
  One of our priorities must be to reduce the Federal deficit. However, 
I believe we can achieve a better and more efficient use of our 
spending priorities without cutting education programs that have been 
the national priority for many years, without eliminating job programs 
that provide hope and a way out, without cutting nutritional programs 
that allow children to grow and live, without cutting farm programs 
that produce the food for all of us to eat, and without cutting 
Medicare and Medicaid. Medicare and Medicaid is a true contract with 
America.
  Mr. Speaker, we are strong because historically we have been able to 
make a place for all who live here, including those who are least able 
to help themselves: the young, the old, the poor, the frail, and the 
disabled. What makes us a great Nation is the compassion we show to 
those who live in the shadow of life.
  In this time of increased scrutiny, I believe we must examine each 
and every program, but we must also consider each and every person 
affected by our changes. We must ask the question: who is helped and 
who is hurt?
  Mr. Speaker, we live in a time of many problems, yet we live in a 
time of much promise. It concerns me that there are so many young 
people these days at the sunrise of their lives engaged in such 
destructive behavior as teenage pregnancy, drugs, and killing each 
other. Those are some of the problems. Too many are planning their 
funerals instead of their future.
  The hope for America rests with our young people; our children truly 
are our future. Unfortunately, Mr. Speaker, the majority in Congress 
has launched an assault on the education of young people and other 
programs like nothing we have ever witnessed in the history of our 
Nation.
  Under the pretense of ``gliding toward a balanced budget,'' their 
assault is relentless and damaging for all. The Labor-Health and 
Education bill, which passed recently, clearly demonstrates the 
difference between the policy of the Democrats and the extreme policies 
of the Republican majority. But worse, the bill ignores the pain it 
will cause to children, youth, and the elderly of America.
  Rather than promoting education, the bill is an obstruction to 
education. Half of that bill, some $4.5 billion, comes from education. 
Title I is cut by $1.1 billion, and nine critical basis education 
opportunities which make our nation strong.
  Mr. Speaker, this is no way to build America. I ask all of our 
colleagues, the time is not too late to change our minds and make sure 
we carry ourselves on the right path to restoring America.

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