[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 70 (Wednesday, June 3, 1998)]
[House]
[Pages H4038-H4039]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




IN SUPPORT OF H.R. 2604, THE RELIGIOUS LIBERTY AND CHARITABLE DONATION 
                                  ACT

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE. Mr. Speaker, first I would like to thank the 
gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Maloney) for her kindness. I realize 
how important an issue we have to discuss in just a few minutes, and I 
wanted to add my support and respect for the importance of legislation 
that we just discussed here on the House floor just a short while ago.
  One in particular, H.R. 2604, the Religious Liberty and Charitable 
Donation Act, particularly comes to mind as we are poised for some 
other discussions dealing with the First Amendment and, as well, 
religious liberty.
  This bill is a bill that must and should have been passed, for it 
recognizes and respects the freedom of religion, and it was captured in 
the words of Judge Alphonzo Taft, father of President Howard Taft:

       The ideal of our people as to religious freedom is absolute 
     equality under the law of all religious opinions and sects . 
     . . the government is neutral and while protecting all, it 
     prefers none and disparages none.

  This legislation protects donations to charities and to one's 
religious institution in the form of tithe or offering,

[[Page H4039]]

and separates it in protecting it from bankruptcy laws. I think it is 
crucial, as we move toward reforming or trying to do a better job in 
the bankruptcy arena, that we clearly emphasize the sanctity of the 
separation of church and State and the ability of an individual, an 
individual American, to give money to the religion of their choice.
  As a proponent of freedom, I can say without reservation that this 
bill cuts to the heart of what our Constitution and our country are all 
about. It is so very important that we make sure that commercial public 
bankruptcy laws do not interfere with anyone who desires to indicate 
their choice of religion and their charity, particularly if that person 
is a debtor.
  So, Mr. Speaker, I support this particular legislation and welcome 
its passage. If the person is a chapter 13 participant, they could be 
barred from tithing to their local church if their creditors object to 
the addition of this gift to their restructuring plan. By this 
legislation, we assure that will not occur. I believe this is a vote 
for religious freedom and opportunity.
  With that, Mr. Speaker, I also would like to make sure and to 
emphasize my support for the Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency Act of 
1998, H.R. 3433. There could not be a better bill recognizing the value 
of people with disabilities.
  This bill allows the rejoining to the workforce of over 8 million 
people with disabilities who are currently collecting money from Social 
Security income or Social Security disability insurance. More than 
30,000 of those people live in Harris County in the State of Texas.
  I believe that the majority of the people with disabilities want to 
work, but under the current law, vocational counseling for people 
receiving SSI or SSDI can only be done by State-run vocational 
rehabilitation agencies who are only able to serve about 10 percent of 
disabled people.
  This bill allows nonprofit and private organizations to help these 
people find meaningful and productive work. I think this certainly adds 
to the ability of getting individuals who want to stand up for 
themselves, who do not want to be discriminated against, who want to 
show people they can be independent, but at the same time helping them 
to move from dependence, along with many in the welfare arena, to 
independence.

                              {time}  1915

  This bill saves money for taxpayers. I do not think it precludes our 
public agencies from being involved, but it is extremely important that 
we allow more and more people with disabilities to find their way into 
the work force as they so choose.

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