[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 62 (Wednesday, May 15, 2002)]
[House]
[Page H2478]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page H2478]]
         SUPPORT WELFARE REFORM TO MAKE THE PROGRAM EVEN BETTER

  (Mr. GIBBONS asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, over the past 5 years we have all witnessed 
how well our Nation's welfare system can work. Taking a look at this 
chart, we can see that in 1996 we had over 14 million welfare cases on 
the books, and in the year 2002 we now have 5 million. Nine million 
Americans have moved from welfare to work, a success story. We have 
heard the success stories from thousands of Americans who have moved 
from the welfare-to-work process. Now these former welfare recipients 
have the ability to support their families, hold down jobs and pay 
their bills. But more importantly, Mr. Speaker, they have recovered 
their dignity and self-esteem that was once lost to the bureaucracy of 
welfare.
  We promised America 6 years ago that welfare reform would get people 
back to work. Despite the doubts and naysaying of our critics, we have 
kept that promise. And while the latest welfare reduction statistics 
are very impressive, there is always room for improvement. This is our 
chance to reach out and do the right thing again to the people in need. 
We owe it to the millions of people that we have already gotten off the 
welfare rolls, and we owe it to the next million eager to join them.
  I urge Members to support H.R. 4700, and I urge them to stand up 
today and do the right thing.

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