[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 143 (Wednesday, October 20, 1999)]
[House]
[Page H10373]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 PRESIDENT'S TAX VETO ALLOWS ``DEATH TAX'' TO CONTINUE TO CLOSE SMALL 
                               BUSINESSES

  (Mr. HEFLEY asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. HEFLEY. Mr. Speaker, I have here a headline from the Colorado 
Springs Gazette newspaper. It says, ``Brookhart's Lumber Business 
Selling to Avoid `Death Tax,' Company Says.''
  I have known this company for over 30 years. I watched their struggle 
over this issue. This is a company that is 52 years old, locally owned, 
three generations. They wanted to continue to operate this profitable 
small business. They wanted their boys to inherit it when they are 
gone. But they cannot because of the death tax.
  Locally-owned company sells out to a Dallas conglomerate. We lose a 
locally-owned company.
  Be proud, Mr. President, your veto saved the Nation from this evil 
tax cut that would have gotten rid of the death tax and prevented 
incidences like the Brookharts which are occurring all over the Nation 
with small farms and businesses everywhere.
  In his passion for more tax dollars and for the bigger Government he 
so loves, he should remember that there are real-life consequences to 
his irresponsible actions.
  Be proud, Mr. President. But I am ashamed of you and your thirst for 
the hard-earned tax dollars of working Americans.

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