[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 1 (Wednesday, January 3, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2-E3]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  A POEM DEDICATED BY LYNN MURPHY OF PRINCETON, WV, IN TRIBUTE TO HER 
                                 FATHER

                                 ______


                         HON. NICK J. RAHALL II

                            of west virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, January 3, 1996

  Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I have received thousands of letters and 
other manner of communication from my constituents in southern 

[[Page E3]]
West Virginia in recent months and recent days, expressing concern over 
the budget impasse. More recently, their communications have dealt with 
the Government shutdown and their fears not only for themselves who are 
Federal employees, but the fears of those who are not, but whose family 
members rely upon earned Social Security and veterans benefit checks 
arriving on time.
  One such person--Lynn Murphy of Princeton, WV, wrote to voice her 
concern over the worry she could see in her father's eyes when report 
after report told him that his Social Security disability and veterans 
benefit checks might be delayed or fall short of the total benefits due 
as a result of the budget battles and the longest Government shutdown 
in our history--a battle still raging in Congress.
  While we were able to vote on a measure that assured Social Security 
and veterans benefit checks would arrive on time and not fall short of 
their total amount due, when Lynn Murphy wrote her letter and 
accompanying tribute to her veteran father in the form of a poem, 
neither she nor her father knew for sure and they were worried.
  In Ms. Murphy's poem, she not only pays homage to her father, but 
speaks to each of us as Members of the House concerning our need to get 
it together and put a stop to scaring the elderly, our veterans, and 
others who depend upon benefits of one kind or another for their daily 
necessities, She calls upon Congress not to forget her father and 
others like him as they continue to debate a balanced budget.
  On behalf of Ms. Murphy's deep and abiding love for her father, I am 
privileged to commend the poem she wrote in tribute to him and his 
life, to the reading of my colleagues and all who have access to the 
Congressional Record as we try to make some progress on coming to an 
agreement to fund the U.S. Government.
  Mr. Speaker, the untitled poem by Lynn Murphy follows:

     My father fought in two separate wars and still come out with 
           life.
     He then worked for the mines, and took my Mom to be his wife.

     With my Mom came a family, and my Dad wanted it that way.
     No matter how bad my Daddy felt, He was still at work every 
           day.

     Finally, my Dad retired at the age of Fifty-five
     And with all my Dad has endured in his life, his is lucky to 
           be alive.

     So Congress, when you make your decisions, the way you need 
           to do,
     remember my Dad risked his life, for others, and for you.

     Why shouldn't he get his disability checks from Social 
           Security and the VA?
     Those checks pay the bills for he and Mom; he doesn't throw 
           his money away.

     I've watched my parents do without to see that us kids had.
     And they both were on their feet each day, Although often 
           they felt so bad.

     My Dad deserves an honorary award for he is the greatest Dad 
           in the land.
     I hope he will always get his checks, and I hope you will 
           understand.

     Look to God for answers to questions, that may arise on 
           Capitol Hill.
     And think about my Dad who still strives to do God's will.

     Let God ease the problems. Have faith and you will see
     that everything seems to work out, if it is God's will for it 
           to be.

                          ____________________