[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 65 (Wednesday, May 20, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E923]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            CAMPAIGN FINANCE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOHN SHIMKUS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 20, 1998

  Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to 
support provisions in our upcoming campaign finance debate which 
require full disclosure of all campaign contributions and expenditures.
  In the past several years, we have too often seen abuses of the 
campaign financing system, where money is pouring into elections from 
foreign and other unknown sources with little consequence. I find it 
disturbing that campaigns are sometimes run behind the scenes, behind 
the backs of voters, so that the campaign finance process generates 
fear and distrust among voters, instead of honesty and openness.
  Although the popular opinion polls may show an indifference or apathy 
toward campaign finance, I feel that many Americans see these 
questionable escapades as an inherent part of the campaign finance 
system, and they feel the situation may never improve.
  As a Member of Congress who has no extravagant personal wealth, and 
no means to independently finance my own campaign, I believe in letting 
the system work. I believe that candidates young or old, rich or poor, 
black or white, can and must continue to be able to serve their 
community and country as a Representative in Congress. The opportunity 
to serve in Congress must not be limited to only those who have 
personal wealth, which is the effect that many of the campaign reform 
bills would have on candidates.
  In order to preserve this opportunity for future Congressional 
aspirants, I believe we must focus our campaign finance reform efforts 
on getting the truth to the American people--because that is what they 
want. And finding the truth means opening up our books, all of our 
campaign finance documents, and letting the light shine brightly on who 
is giving money to our candidates, who is spending special interest 
money on their elections, and how much they are spending on these 
races.
  Because too often, people inherently fear that which they do not 
know. The American people have been kept in the dark about who is 
getting what money, how much is coming in and from where it comes. Only 
then will the people be able to decide who best represents them.
   Congress must support full disclosure of all campaign related 
financing, and full publication of campaign documents, and let the sun 
shine in on how candidates finance their campaigns.

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