[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 67 (Tuesday, May 20, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S4746]
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, Monday, 
May 19, 1997, the Federal debt stood at $5,344,451,048,224.65. (Five 
trillion, three hundred forty-four billion, four hundred fifty-one 
million, forty-eight thousand, two hundred twenty-four dollars and 
sixty-five cents)
  Five years ago, May 19, 1992, the Federal debt stood at 
$3,920,456,000,000. (Three trillion, nine hundred twenty billion, four 
hundred fifty-six million)
  Ten years ago, May 19, 1987, the Federal debt stood at 
$2,291,418,000,000. (Two trillion, two hundred ninety-one billion, four 
hundred eighteen million)
  Fifteen years ago, May 19, 1982, the Federal debt stood at 
$1,066,133,000,000. (One trillion, sixty-six billion, one hundred 
thirty-three million)
  Twenty-five years ago, May 19, 1972, the Federal debt stood at 
$428,331,000,000 (Four hundred twenty-eight billion, three hundred 
thirty-one million) which reflects a debt increase of nearly $5 
trillion--$4,916,120,048,224.65 (Four trillion, nine hundred sixteen 
billion, one hundred twenty million, forty-eight thousand, two hundred 
twenty-four dollars and sixty-five cents) during the past 25 years.

                          ____________________