[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 76 (Tuesday, June 5, 2001)]
[House]
[Page H2852]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           HELP IS ON THE WAY

  (Mr. GIBBONS asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. GIBBONS. Madam Speaker, national tax freedom day, that day that 
we start working for ourselves instead of the tax collector, fell on 
May 4 this year, and that is the latest date in history according to 
the tax foundation.
  Many Nevadans found this to be not only unbelievable, but 
unconscionable. It is unconscionable that the typical and average 
American family pays more than 38 percent of its income in taxes. That 
is more than it spends on food, clothing, and shelter combined.
  Madam Speaker, over the past 8 years, personal income of Americans 
has grown by more than $2.8 trillion, yet nearly half of all this new 
wealth went to pay tax bills. Is it any wonder why Americans feel they 
are working harder than ever but cannot seem to get ahead? Thankfully, 
this Congress listened to Nevada families and their pleas for help in 
paying this crushing tax burden, and soon Nevadans will be getting some 
much-needed relief in the form of a tax rebate check; and may I say, it 
is about time.
  Madam Speaker, Nevadans, and indeed all Americans, should not be 
working for Washington; Washington should be working for Nevadans and 
Americans. Mailing out those tax rebate checks is simply the first step 
in putting working Americans ahead of government bureaucracy.

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