[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 197 (Tuesday, December 12, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S18431]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         THE BAD DEBT BOXSCORE

  Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, before discussing today's bad news about 
the Federal debt, how about ``another go'', as the British put it, with 
our pop quiz. Remember--one question, one answer.
  The question: How many millions of dollars in a trillion? While you 
are thinking about it, bear in mind that it was the U.S. Congress that 
ran up the enormous Federal debt that is now about $12 billion shy of 
$5 trillion.
  To be exact, as of the close of business yesterday, December 11, the 
total Federal debt--down to the penny--stood at $4,988,568,481,765.63. 
Another depressing figure means that on a per capita basis, every man, 
woman and child in America owes $18,936.69.
  Mr. President, back to our quiz (how many million in a trillion?): 
There are a million million in a trillion, which means that the Federal 
Government will shortly owe five million million dollars.
  Now who's in favor of balancing the Federal budget?

                          ____________________