[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 98 (Friday, July 11, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1404]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


               H.R. 849--CORRECTIONS DAY CALENDAR SUCCESS

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                            HON. RON PACKARD

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 10, 1997

  Mr. PACKARD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend this House for 
instituting a way Congress can quickly correct illogical and sometimes 
absurd quirks in our laws. Just this week, the Corrections Day Calendar 
was used to pass a bill I introduced, H.R. 849, that will save the 
taxpayers millions.
  This past February, I was shocked to hear that because of a small 
loophole in the law, an illegal immigrant living in my own hometown was 
paid $12,000 in taxpayer dollars to move her home. I then discovered 
that potentially millions were being handed out in this same way across 
the country. Mr. Speaker, the folks back home were outraged. My office 
received literally hundreds of letters and phone calls. They demanded 
that this practice be stopped.
  Because of the Corrections Day Calendar, my bill to close that 
loophole was able to bypass the long process of hearings that accompany 
legislation, and go virtually straight to the floor for a vote. After 
only a short discussion, H.R. 849 passed without any opposition, 399 to 
0.
  Mr. Speaker, my constituents are not satisfied with tough talk and no 
action. The folks in my district, much like folks all across the 
country, want to see results from Washington. Using the Corrections Day 
Calendar to pass H.R. 849 shows America that this Congress is serious 
about cleaning up our laws and saving the taxpayer's money.

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