[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 64 (Thursday, May 9, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E744-E745]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 LET'S FILL THE EDUCATIONAL GAS TANKS, NOT LET THE KIDS RUN OUT OF GAS

                                 ______


                          HON. CARDISS COLLINS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 8, 1996

  Mrs. COLLINS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to make my point 
for the children in school today who may be struggling with economics 
as put forth by Representative Armey over the weekend. The Gingrich-
Armey Republicans have now suggested that a reduction in a Federal tax 
on gasoline should be offset by further cutting Federal spending for 
education.
  All across America students and teachers are probably scratching 
their heads this morning trying to figure out how any person in their 
right mind, much less a person in an apparent position of 
responsibility such as being a Member of the U.S. Congress, could 
conceive of such a crazy robbing Peter to pay Paul scenario.
  If we were to seriously consider such a crazy alternative--then we 
would probably be dumb enough to believe some of the statistics 
reported by Representative Armey in a national television talk show 
last weekend. In fact, Mr. Armey said that the Gingrich-Armey proposed 
gasoline tax repeal might make Americans happy because it would save 
the average motorist about $27 a year.
  If Mr. Armey would do his own math on comparing the proposed gasoline 
tax repeal

[[Page E745]]

with a raise in the minimum wage, he would see that the average 
American minimum wage earner would benefit to the tune of about $36 per 
week by an increase from $4.15 to $5.25 per hour. That's about $1,872 a 
year. Now I ask you, what American in their right mind would prefer $27 
and a reduction in funding for education to $1,872 a year. As the young 
people say these days, ``I don't think so.''
  A proposed rebate by repeal of $27 per year wouldn't even be a drop 
in the bucket to most Republicans, pocket change to those who usually 
avoid any comparison with the average American unless it is an election 
year. Even as an election year ploy, the Gingrich-Armey Republicans 
ought to be able to do better than $27 a year. But to suggest that even 
that pittance be offset on the backs of children takes Gingrich to 
grinch in a fast minute.
  Mr. Speaker, our educational system is already in danger of running 
out of gas because of all the cuts that the Gingrich-Armey Republicans 
have already shoved down the throats of the kids on the playgrounds, 
parents, and the members of school boards across America. We need to 
increase Federal support to education, not reduce it.
  The Gingrich-Armey Republicans want our educational system to run out 
of gas in the middle of the superhighway. Once again, the Gingrich-
Armey Republicans have shown that they are completely out of touch with 
the American people.

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