[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 107 (Friday, July 25, 1997)]
[House]
[Page H5783]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         A STIFLING TAX BURDEN

  (Mr. RYUN asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. RYUN. Madam Speaker, the great historian, Will Durant, wrote, and 
I quote,

       A great civilization is not conquered from without until it 
     has destroyed itself within. The essential causes of Rome's 
     decline lay in her people, her morals, her class struggle, 
     her failing trade. . . her stifling taxes.

  Madam Speaker, as in ancient Rome, our tax burden is stifling, and 
instead of working to reduce taxes, just as Members have heard, the 
Democrats are trying to promote class warfare. We should not be arguing 
over who is rich in this country; we should provide a $500-per-child 
tax credit for all Americans who honestly pay an income tax.
  There are more than 130,000 children in my second district of Kansas 
whose families need this tax cut. These Kansans deserve relief from a 
crushing tax burden and an oppressive government that undermines the 
family unit.
  Madam Speaker, when we balance the budget for the first time in 30 
years and cut taxes for the first time in 16 years, we will come a step 
closer to the America envisioned by our Founding Fathers, where we have 
freedom, faith, and families that prosper.

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