[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 91 (Wednesday, June 25, 1997)]
[House]
[Page H4379]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     THE MEAN-SPIRITED WELFARE BILL

  (Mr. REYES asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, this morning I want to put a human face on 
one of the hundreds of thousands of elderly and disabled legal 
immigrants who are the targets of a mean-spirited welfare bill.
  Piedad Gonzalez entered the United States as a lawful permanent 
resident in 1986, then a healthy woman with no history of any physical 
or mental illness. Like countless other immigrants, she came to this 
country willing to work hard and contribute.
  She soon found employment and had worked for 4 years before she began 
experiencing severe back pain. She became too disabled to continue 
working, having contracted arthritis.
  In 1994, Ms. Gonzalez applied for SSI benefits and in November 1996 
received a favorable decision. However, 1 month later, this was 
overturned, denying her SSI benefits due to the restrictions of the 
welfare bill.
  Ms. Gonzalez should not be punished for coming to this country 
legally and working hard and playing by the rules. Instead, this bill 
wants to punish her and leave her with no means of support.
  The gentleman from California [Mr. Becerra] had an amendment to the 
spending bill which would have provided men and women like Ms. Gonzalez 
the means to survive. It was not made a part of the manager's 
amendment. I urge my colleagues to vote against the rule.

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