[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 51 (Friday, April 25, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3724-S3725]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       THE VERY BAD DEBT BOXSCORE

  Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, at the close of business yesterday, 
Thursday, April 24, 1997, the Federal debt stood at 
$5,343,216,863,246.54. (Five trillion, three hundred forty-three 
billion, two hundred sixteen million, eight hundred sixty-three 
thousand, two hundred forty-six dollars and fifty-four cents)
  One year ago, April 24, 1996, the Federal debt stood at 
$5,110,704,000,000. (Five trillion, one hundred ten billion, seven 
hundred four million)
  Five years ago, April 24, 1992, the Federal debt stood at 
$3,879,889,000,000.

[[Page S3725]]

(Three trillion, eight hundred seventy-nine billion, eight hundred 
eighty-nine million)
  Ten years ago, April 24, 1987, the Federal debt stood at 
$2,264,943,000,000. (Two trillion, two hundred sixty-four billion, nine 
hundred forty-three million)
  Twenty-five years ago, April 24, 1972, the Federal debt stood at 
$427,998,000,000 (Four hundred twenty-seven billion, nine hundred 
ninety-eight million) which reflects a debt increase of nearly $5 
trillion--$4,915,218,863,246.54 (Four trillion, nine hundred fifteen 
billion, two hundred eighteen million, eight hundred sixty-three 
thousand, two hundred forty-six dollars and fifty-four cents) during 
the past 25 years.

                          ____________________