[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 116 (Thursday, August 1, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1454]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   CONFERENCE REPORT ON H.R. 3734, PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY AND WORK 
                 OPPORTUNITY RECONCILIATION ACT OF 1996

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. PAUL E. GILLMOR

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 31, 1996

  Mr. GILLMOR. Mr. Speaker, I am happy to vote for this conference 
report H.R. 3734 reforming our Nation's outdated welfare system. The 
current welfare program has been the biggest social and financial 
failure in the history of the country. We are replacing it with a 
program of hope and responsibility.
  It is a good thing we have Presidential elections occasionally. The 
President, who is now in an election, has said he will sign welfare 
reform after vetoing it two times before.
  Over the past 30 years more than $5 trillion has been spent on 
welfare. That figure is more than the national debt. During that time 
the poverty rate went up, not down. More children are in poverty, more 
families have broken up than before the current program was adopted.
  The American people have consistently said they believe in helping 
others and that there should be a safety net in society. They also do 
not want this help to be wasted on outdated formulas. This bill 
restores the promise of hope for the families on welfare and the trust 
between taxpayers and the managers of our welfare program.
  In the final analysis, it is clear Republican leadership was 
necessary to finally tackle this problem. I am happy we were able to 
lead the President to reform instead of standing in the way.

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