[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 69 (Thursday, May 16, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E833-E834]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           BUDGET RESOLUTION

                                 ______


                          HON. RICHARD E. NEAL

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 16, 1996

  Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, a few months ago we were all 
engaged in a tough debate commonly referred to as the ``battle of the 
budget.'' Once again, we are here debating the budget and lines are 
being drawn in the sand. While the budget which is before us is not as 
outrageous as the budget resolution before us last year, however, this 
budget resolution is still out of touch with the average American. This 
resolution harms programs that benefit many of our constituents and 
represent values which I think should define America.
  For the past few years, I have been very active on the debate on 
welfare. We all agree with President Clinton that ``we have to end 
welfare as we know it.'' The welfare provisions of this budget 
resolution are better than the budget which was passed Congress, but 
the structural changes this provision makes are fatally flawed.
  All individual guarantees for assistance to needy families would be 
replaced with block grants to the States. The States would receive 
funding but there is not enough guidance from the Federal level to 
determine how these funds will be spent. Also, the maintenance of 
effort requirements are weak. The cornerstone of welfare reform should 
be work. The only way to successfully reform welfare is to move 
individuals toward work. This cannot be done without having a 
successful work program which is adequately funded.
  Not only does this budget resolution not provide funding for work. It 
cuts the earned-income tax credit by $20 billion over 7 years. 
President Reagan referred to the earned-income tax credit as ``the 
best, antipoverty, the best pro-family, the best job-creation measure 
to come out of Congress.'' Why are we cutting this successful programs 
that provides an incentive to get off welfare and work? The proposed 
cuts go beyond eliminating the EITC for childless workers. In 
Massachusetts, 8 percent of the taxpayers will benefit from the EITC in 
1996.
  This resolution is less harsh on Medicaid than the resolution before 
us last year. But once again, the proposal calls for a massive 
restructuring of the current Medicaid Program and this will hurt the 
elderly. The proposal does not guarantee low-income seniors who cannot 
afford Medicare that their premiums and copayments will be covered by 
Medicaid. This jeopardizes guaranteed health coverage for nursing home 
residents. Why are we attacking the elderly in this budget? We are 
hurting those who need our help the most.
  Deficit reduction needs to be accomplished and we need to address 
many complicated issues. We need to continue to talk about these 
issues. The budget resolution that will be before us tomorrow is not 
the right solution. Spending in certain areas can be reduced and 
programs can be reformed, but this budget just goes too far. We need to 
continue to work on a path to balance the budget and this should be 
done in a bipartisan manner.

[[Page E834]]



                  YOUTH CRIME WATCH OF DADE COUNTY, FL

                                 ______


                        HON. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 16, 1996

  Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay special tribute to 
the staff, students, and faculty advisors who comprise Youth Crime 
Watch of Dade County, a program of Citizens' Crime Watch of Dade 
County, for their continuing meritorious service and assistance in 
improving the quality of life within Dade County.
  In an era when violence in our Nation's schools is mounting, and the 
public has come to perceive many young people as apathetic, Youth Crime 
Watch of Dade County provides a shining example of the best in 
America's youth. In my community alone, students at schools such as 
Hialeah Senior, American Senior, Hialeah Middle, Henry H. Filer Middle, 
and Palm Springs Middle have worked through their Youth Crime Watch of 
Dade County programs to set up student patrols which have significantly 
reduced crime in their schools; educated their student bodies on how to 
anonymously report crimes; collected canned goods, toys, and clothing 
for needy families; visited orphanages and nursing homes; hosted 
students from other countries such as Japan and the Bahamas; and worked 
to alleviate the physical and emotional suffering of the Cuban children 
who had to endure the camps in Guantanamo. These young leaders 
undertake these activities not for class credit or special recognition, 
but simply to satisfy their desire to help others.
  Mr. Speaker, I would also like to take a moment to recognize the 
School Board of Dade County, FL, for their unwavering support of the 
Youth Crime Watch of Dade County program. They have shown great wisdom 
and foresight in ensuring that this much-needed program continues to 
reach tens of thousands of students every year.
  All of these people--staff, students, and advisors--truly exemplify 
the ideal of community service. As a Nation, we must be proud to have 
such individuals in our society. I for one am privileged that so many 
of them reside in my community.

                          ____________________