[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 81 (Wednesday, June 11, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1179]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

[[Page E1179]]



                               TAX RELIEF

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. RON PACKARD

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 11, 1997

  Mr. PACKARD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of America's 
families. Yesterday afternoon, Ways and Means chairman Bill Archer 
unveiled our plan to provide tax relief for American families. This 
Nation's hard-working, tax-paying citizens have finally won a major 
victory.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud that my Republican colleagues have kept our 
promise to the American people by providing the first major tax relief 
in 16 years. It is hard to believe that only 4 years ago, a Democrat-
controlled Congress passed the largest tax increase in the history of 
mankind. We have undoubtedly come a very long way.
  All too often, our detractors overlook the heavy burden of taxation 
on families. According to the Tax Foundation, the average American 
household will pay $24,357 in taxes in 1997. That is over a 5 percent 
increase since last year.
  Chairman Archer has fired the first salvo in our fight to return 
dollars back to families and out of Washington. Tax relief has become a 
reality because the American people spoke loudly and their elected 
representatives have listened.
  I urge my colleagues to now continue our fight for America's families 
by working to abolish the IRS altogether and enact a fairer, flatter 
tax system. I have cosponsored legislation that would establish a 
national retail sales tax in favor of our current Tax Code.
  Mr. Speaker, tax relief is vital to the steady growth of the American 
economy and to the continued health of the American family.

                          ____________________