[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 135 (Thursday, September 26, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1700]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         INTERNATIONAL WELSHERS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHRISTOPHER SHAYS

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 25, 1996

  Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to submit to you an editorial 
from the New Canaan Advertiser regarding the United States' debt to the 
United Nations and one Connecticut community's attempt to repay it.

                         International Welshers

       Detractors of the United Nations probably applaud the 
     failure of the United States to get current on its dues for 
     membership in that global association.
       But if isolationism and a disdain for foreign influences on 
     our sovereignty are to be perceived as some sort of super-
     patriotism, then it would seem incumbent on American flag-
     wavers also to rid us of our unenviable reputation as 
     international welshers.
       Like it or not, it is true the United States had agreed to 
     a treaty that stipulated the level of dues we'd have to pay 
     as a member of this ``family of nations.'' Alas, we are more 
     than a billion dollars in arrears and Congress seems loathe 
     to make up the shortfall.
       Of course, it is inherently true that despite the 
     delinquency, the United States contributes more to support 
     the UN than any other country in the world. That does not, 
     however, alter the fact that we also owe more in unpaid dues 
     than any other country. Americans, even those who don't 
     subscribe to participation in the UN, ought to be embarrassed 
     by the ``deadbeat'' status of their country.
       Unlikely as it may seem for a small Connecticut community 
     to assume a role in an international drama, a group in New 
     Canaan has undertaken a unique attempt to ease that national 
     embarrassment. Taking its cue from John Whitehead, a former 
     member of the Reagan cabinet, the citizen initiative here is 
     expressing indignation over the fact that this nation is 
     shirking an obligation that it knowingly incurred by treaty. 
     That, not necessarily the worthiness of the United Nations, 
     is the heart and soul of the symbolic protest here.
       Mr. Whitehead had calculated that if each American sent in 
     a check for $4.40, the United States' debt to the UN would be 
     paid off. So more than 220 people in New Canaan have done 
     that and are urging others to join them.
       Of course, it won't really happen. Even in New Canaan, 
     where the issue is viewed so passionately by so many, less 
     than $1000 has been sent in. That's a far cry from a billion 
     dollars, even if the effort is copied in other communities 
     across the nation, but the message it sends is far more 
     powerful than the cash value.
       It says pointedly that we are ashamed that our country has 
     failed to meet responsibilities it agreed to assume. It 
     emphasizes that we want to project a more positive 
     international image and that our status as welshers impairs 
     our standing among nations. It tells Congress that we ought 
     to pay what we owe and then, if it's really all that painful 
     and we don't want to get caught in that kind of bind again, 
     maybe we ought to see about renegotiating that treaty.
       Citizens joining the symbolic protest here are sending 
     their ``dues money'' to Pay Our UN Debt, P.O. Box 1002, New 
     Canaan 86840. Each $4.40 check turns up the volume on that 
     message. Maybe Congress will finally hear it.

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