[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 130 (Thursday, September 19, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S10979]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              CONVENTION SPEECH OF SENATOR JAY ROCKEFELLER

  Mr. BYRD. Mr. President, recently at the Democratic National 
Convention in Chicago, my colleague, Senator Jay Rockefeller addressed 
the delegates assembled there. His remarks were, as usual, right on 
point, discussing some of the most important issues of our times. I ask 
unanimous consent that the full text of Senator Rockefeller's remarks 
be printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the remarks were ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

           [The Charleston Gazette, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 1996]

                Text of Rockefeller's Convention Speech

                         (The Associated Press)

       Prepared remarks of Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va., at the 
     Democratic National Convention in Chicago on Tuesday:

       My name is Jay Rockefeller: I'm from West Virginia. And I'm 
     a Democrat. Let me tell you why.
       We Democrats understand what makes America different. In 
     America, a lifetime of hard work adds up to something: owning 
     your own home; putting your kids through college; having 
     peace of mind when you retire.
       And no return on a lifetime of hard work means more to more 
     Americans than the peace of mind provided by Medicare and 
     Medicaid.
       Medicare--the rock solid guarantee that poor health won't 
     put you in the poor house.
       Medicare--part of the sacred trust that binds us together.
       Medicare--conceived by Democrats. Passed by Democrats. 
     Defended by Democrats.
       In 1964, I went to West Virginia as a VISTA worker--to the 
     small coal camp of Emmons. I worked in Emmons for two years 
     to make a difference, to change some lives. But in the end, I 
     was the one who was transformed. I learned that even the 
     smallest changes can take a lifetime of effort. And I learned 
     that even the smallest efforts count.
       In 1965, Lyndon Johnson signed the Medicare and Medicaid 
     bills into law. He carried on the work of Harry Truman and 
     Jack Kennedy, fighting to see health security guaranteed for 
     every senior citizen and working family.
       Today, Democrats are fighting to extend that same peace of 
     mind to every American. Today, we are fighting to protect our 
     legacy from Republican rollbacks.
       At the Republican convention, Bob Dole talked about going 
     back to the America of his youth. Yes, there is a lot to be 
     said about a time when life was simpler. But nostalgia can 
     play tricks on you * * * not all aspects of the good old days 
     were so good.
       There was a time in America when our elderly often lived 
     out the end of their lives in poverty and despair. There was 
     a time when widows were left with nothing, when husbands 
     would lose their homes after caring for a terminally ill 
     spouse. There was a time in America when families' college 
     savings could be wiped out and family farms were sold to pay 
     parents' hospital bills.
       But in 1965, we turned a corner. Because of Medicare and 
     Medicaid, we live in a different America. A better 
     America.
       Remember, no family is immune to sudden tragedy, old age or 
     illness. The heartbreak is the same for every one of us. That 
     is why we must remember that Medicare and Medicaid are the 
     only safety net protecting working families against 
     impoverishment caused by catastrophic illness.
       Today, Americans can all look toward their retirement years 
     with hope and confidence, not fear and anxiety. Today, older 
     Americans and people with disabilities can be assured that 
     they will be treated with dignity.
       Democrats are committed to a balanced budget, but we won't 
     do it on the backs of the people who built this country and 
     made it great.
       Last year, Republicans tried to give out $245 billion of 
     tax breaks for the rich and cut $270 billion to try to pay 
     for it. And watch out! If the Republicans win, Medicare and 
     Medicaid will be back on the chopping block.
       Thirty years ago, Republicans fought against the creation 
     of Medicare. Bob Dole voted against it. Remember what he said 
     only a year ago, and I quote, ``I was there, fighting the 
     fight, one of the 12, voting against Medicare in 1965 . . . 
     because it wouldn't work.'' And Newt Gingrich talks of 
     letting Medicare wither on the vine. We will not let that 
     happen.
       And why will we defend Medicare for the family trying to 
     take care of an aging parent? Because that's what families 
     do.
       And why will we defend Medicare for senior Americans who 
     have lost their spouses? Because that's what families do.
       And why will we be there to defend Medicaid for the family 
     of a child with a disability? Because that's what families 
     do.
       And why will we be there to defend Medicare for the couple 
     approaching retirement who need peace of mind? Because that's 
     what families do.
       Why will we safeguard Medicaid for children? Because that's 
     what families do.
       Why do we continue to push for health care for all 
     Americans? Because that's what families do.
       And why are we going to vote Clinton-Gore in `96?
       Because that's what families do. And because of what they 
     do for families.

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