[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 51 (Friday, April 19, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E581]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               CHILDREN ARE OUR MOST PRECIOUS POSSESSION

                                 ______


                          HON. MAJOR R. OWENS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 18, 1996

  Mr. OWENS. Mr. Speaker, our children are our most precious 
possessions. Both Republicans and Democrats theoretically and 
philosophically agree on this self-evident, but nevertheless profound 
truth. In practice and policymaking with respect to programs that 
benefit children; however, there is a deep chasm of disagreement 
between the two parties. Since it gained control of the House of 
Representatives the Republican majority has waged a cruel and 
unrelenting war on children.
  While trumpeting its support for the ``right-to-life'' for unborn 
children, the Republican majority has made survival much more difficult 
for living children. Aid to Families with Dependent Children has been 
eliminated as a Federal entitlement in House legislation. Within the 
next few weeks it is expected that the White House will surrender and 
agree to remove this Federal protection for poor children that has 
existed since the New Deal. The entitlement for MedicAid which protects 
the health of our poorest children is also under attack with all of the 
State's Governors voting to eliminate it. The new Government-health 
care industrial complex has already begun to endanger the lives of 
newborn infants and their mothers by forcing them out of hospitals 
within 24 to 48 hours after birth.
  Immigrant children will now be searched out in schools and denied 
school lunches if Republican legislation prevails. And, of course, 
immigrant children will be denied access to Medicaid. Cuts in funding 
for education threaten the provision of opportunity for all poor 
children. Republicans have proposed to cut even the very successful 
HeadStart Program. Teenagers who have benefited from the Summer Youth 
Employment Program for more than 20 years may be the victims of the 
zero funding passed by the Republican majority and find there are no 
jobs in this summer of 1996. Children in poor working families will 
continue to suffer despite the fact that their parents go to work every 
day but are still unable to adequately provide for their families on 
the present hourly minimum wage.

  The ``right-to-life'' is just an empty slogan unless it is 
accompanied by programs and policies which provide an even playing 
field of opportunity for all children. On June 1 the Children's Defense 
Fund is sponsoring a great summit in Washington called ``Stand For 
Children.'' This is a gathering which deserves the support of all 
Members of Congress. We should all join the ``Stand For Children'' on 
that specific day. And for all the days before and after June 1 
Congress should refocus on the business of protecting our most precious 
resource--children outside of their mothers' wombs as well as children 
inside the wombs.

                 MESSAGE FROM THE NEWBORN TO THE FETUS

     Man stay in there
     The womb is where its at
     Until tots slide out and breathe
     The right-to-life is guaranteed
     You never had it so good
     Out here in America
     They don't treat us
     Like they promised they would
     Right away at the hospital
     They put us out
     Cause my welfare Mom
     Didn't have no clout
     Stay where you are man
     The womb is where its at
     A smart fetus can live
     Like a rich lady's cat
     No food stamps for immigrants
     But long picket lines protect
     Our pre-birth rights
     The womb they glorify
     Outside they watch us die
     The womb is where its at
     Curled up in that nice nest
     You always get the very best
     But out here only fear
     They'll take my entitlement
     Man stay in there
     Cash in on this fetus fetish
     Be a hero embryo
     Pro-life politicians
     Offer nine months of love
     But at birth's border
     Immigrants from heaven
     Receive a hellish shove
     Until tots slide out and breathe
     The right to life is guaranteed
     Long protest lines protected
     Our pre-birth rights
     We crave the medals they gave
     When we were hidden
     Intimately way out of sight
     The womb is where its at
     Safely grow soft and fat
     Immigrant school lunches are now gone
     Budget cuts down to the bone
     Newborns sound the trumpet
     This land is littered
     With ugly infant tombs
     Babies must unite in battle
     Make war to regain
     Out wonderful respected wombs
     The womb is where its at
     Until tots slide out and breathe
     The right-to-life is guaranteed
     We appeal to the United Nations
     We cry out to the Almighty Pope
     The holy right of return
     Is now our only hope
     Man stay in there
     The womb is where its at.

                          ____________________