[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 207 (Friday, December 22, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2447-E2448]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO WANDA CARNEY

                                 ______


                            HON. JACK QUINN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, December 22, 1995

  Mr. QUINN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mrs. Wanda Carney, an 
individual who has served the constituents of western New York for 21 
years. Wanda first began working for the U.S. House of Representatives 
in the district office of former Congressman Henry Nowak and later as a 
member of my staff.
  Over those 21 years, Wanda has served as a catalyst in helping 
literally thousands of constituents who have turned to their 
Congressman as their last hope. No matter the problem's size, whether 
it was with obtaining a passport, assisting a member of our armed 
forces, or interceding in adoption proceedings, Wanda addressed it with 
the same exemplary level of devotion.
  I am sure every Member of the House of Representatives can appreciate 
the importance of having a Wanda Carney on their staff and the void 
that is left when they move on.
  I join with Wanda's family, her colleagues, the Honorable Henry 
Nowak, her friends, and the entire western New York community in 
recognition of her outstanding dedication and years of distinguished 
service. With retirement comes many new opportunities. May she meet 
every opportunity with the same enthusiasm and vigor which she 
demonstrated throughout her brilliant career; and may those 
opportunities be as fruitful as those in her past.
  Thank you, Wanda, for your tireless effort and personal commitment. 
As you enter retirement, I wish you nothing but the best.

[[Page E2448]]


   FURTHER CONTINUING APPROPRIATIONS TO ENSURE PAYMENTS OF VETERANS 
                                BENEFITS

                                 ______


                               speech of

                      HON. BLANCHE LAMBERT LINCOLN

                              of arkansas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 20, 1995

  Mrs. LINCOLN. Mr. Speaker, tonight we consider a bill that is vital 
to protect our veterans during this Christmas season. As you know, the 
current Government shutdown means that veterans' checks will be delayed 
if we do not pass a ``rifle-shot'' continuing resolution to allow the 
checks to be sent. I applaud the efforts of my fellow Arkansan, Mr. 
Hutchinson, chairman of the Subcommittee on Hospitals and Health Care, 
for his effort to get this bill to the floor so that we can protect the 
benefits of those who have served our country.
  I strongly feel that each of us is forever in debt to our fellow 
Americans who risked their lives to protect our freedoms. I believe 
that after a person has served in the military, like my father did and 
his father before him, we should make every effort as a country to care 
for them, especially if they were injured in the line of duty. I want 
to ensure that veterans benefits receive fair treatment during the 
current budget negotiations. The current budget debate should not cloud 
our country's responsibilities and obligations to her veterans and this 
bill safeguards that obligation.
  As important as this bill is, it should not be necessary. There is no 
excuse for holding any of our citizens hostage to the partisan 
bickering which has led to the current government shutdown. Although 
this bill will protect our veterans throughout the rest of the budget 
debate, we still have millions of other citizens who are not protected 
from the ill effects of this ideological impasse. For example, many 
hunters in Arkansas have been turned away from our wildlife refuges at 
the height of hunting season, even though they played by the rules and 
purchased their permits.
  Since the principal parties have agreed to balance the budget in 7 
years, let's end this partisan bickering and accomplish our stated 
goal. No group, especially our veterans who selflessly served to 
protect our liberty and freedom, should be pawns in our political 
games. I strongly support this legislation because it protects our 
veterans from being used again. However, we should do the same for our 
hunters and all Americans. The coalition budget proves that a 
reasonable compromise is possible. Let's stop this demagoguery and get 
down to the heavy lifting we were sent here to do.

                          ____________________