[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 44 (Tuesday, April 15, 1997)]
[House]
[Page H1458]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    NO TAXATION WITHOUT RESPIRATION

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of 
January 21, 1997 the gentleman from Colorado, Mr. Bob Schaffer, is 
recognized during morning hour debates for 1 minute.
  Mr. BOB SCHAFFER of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, it is April 15, tax day, 
and I rise to speak about a grave matter. The American farmer, the 
owners of small businesses, the freedom-loving Americans across the 
land want to abolish one of the most offensive taxes of all. That is 
right, I am talking about the inheritance tax or the death tax as it 
has come to be known.
  Mr. Speaker, let me be clear about what our policy ought to be. No 
taxation without respiration. The injustice of this tax, a tax that 
strikes at the hearts of the bond between generations, cannot be 
denied. It is offensive to the American ideal. This tax is a scandal 
among thousands in our Tax Code and, an outrage against the living and 
a crime against the departed.

                              {time}  1045

  Mr. Speaker, what kind of sinister motives lie behind this tax? Who 
could conceive of such a scheme that assures that the Federal 
Government has more of a claim on our life's work than the family we 
have left behind?
  I say death to the death tax. The tax man cometh already once, may 
the tax man cometh no more.

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