[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 30 (Wednesday, March 18, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E407]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM

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                             HON. RON KIND

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 18, 1998

  Mr. KIND. Mr. Speaker, yesterday this body welcomed Lois Capps as the 
newest member of Congress. In her acceptance speech Representative 
Capps complimented the people of her district for raising their voice 
above the avalanche of special interest money to tell her what was 
important in their lives. I also rise to complement the people of the 
22nd district of California.
  In the special election to replace my friend Walter Capps, an 
unprecedented amount of special interest money poured into this 
district. The outside interest groups tried to push issues like 
abortion and term limits, important issues to be sure, but not the 
issues the people of California were concerned about. Lois Capps, and 
her opponent, should be credited for standing up to the special 
interests and remembering that the most important issues are the ones 
advanced by the people.
  The race for the 22nd district in California is just one more example 
of why we need campaign finance reform. The people of the 22nd district 
wanted to talk about education, taxes and transportation. The special 
interests spent thousands of dollars trying to convince the people that 
they had other interests. We must act now to take the special interest 
money out of the political system. The people of my district, and the 
people of the 22nd district of California refuse to accept this.

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