[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 63 (Wednesday, May 8, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E732-E733]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             HONORING THE HILHAM VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT

                                 ______


                            HON. BART GORDON

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 8, 1996

  Mr. GORDON. Mr. Speaker, I am taking this opportunity to applaud the 
invaluable services provided by the Hilham Volunteer Fire Department. 
These brave, civic minded people give freely of their time so that we 
may all feel safer at night.
  Few realize the depth of training and hard work that goes into being 
a volunteer firefighter. To quote one of my local volunteers, ``These 
firemen must have an overwhelming desire to do for others while 
expecting nothing in return.''
  Preparation includes twice monthly training programs in which they 
have live drills, study the latest videos featuring the latest in fire 
fighting tactics, as well as attend seminars where they can obtain the 
knowledge they need to save lives. Within a year of becoming a 
volunteer firefighter, most attend the Tennessee Fire Training School 
in Murfreesboro where they undergo further, intensified training.
  When the residents of my district go to bed at night, they know that 
should disaster strike and their home catch fire, well trained and 
qualified volunteer fire departments are ready and willing to give so 
graciously and generously of themselves. This peace of mind should not 
be taken for granted.
  By selflessly giving of themselves, they ensure a safer future for us 
all. We owe these volunteer fire departments a debt of gratitude for 
their service and sacrifice.

[[Page E733]]



                            CAPS THE ECONOMY

                                 ______


                            HON. RON PACKARD

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 8, 1996

  Mr. PACKARD. Mr. Speaker, every year since President Clinton took 
office, Americans have watched their paychecks dwindle and their tax 
bill skyrocket. My Republican colleagues and I want to reverse this 
trend. We want to enable families to earn more and keep more of what 
they earn.
  The President's tax-and-spend policies mean the Government gets more 
and families get less. Last year, families earned $803 less in after-
tax dollars than in 1992. In 1993, the President and his colleagues 
passed the largest tax increase in American history. Taxes are now the 
highest they have been in peacetime history and almost every American 
household and business feels the impact.
  My Republican colleagues and I have worked diligently to put American 
families first. We passed tax cuts for families. We passed a balanced 
budget that would lower interest rates. We passed genuine welfare 
reform that would have saved taxpayers billions of dollars. Why have 
America's families not seen any of these savings? President Clinton 
vetoed all of them.
  We have successfully passed a line-item veto and cut foreign aid. We 
have passed regulatory reform--overregulation costs American households 
$6,000 a year. Further, my Republican colleagues and I will press on 
and pass health insurance reform to ensure families are able to keep 
their coverage if they lose or change jobs, get sick, or move.
  I am committed to helping America's families get ahead and putting an 
end to the Clinton assault on hardworking taxpayers. It is time 
Washington started working for them, instead of making them work for 
Washington.

                          ____________________