[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 72 (Wednesday, June 5, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E948]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          RECOGNIZING CONSTITUENT SURVEY RESULTS FROM COLORADO

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BOB SCHAFFER

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 4, 2002

  Mr. SCHAFFER. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to speak about Colorado's 
Fourth Congressional District and the opinions of the constituents I 
serve concerning the direction of their country. I would like to share 
with you the thoughts of thousands of citizens from Eastern Colorado by 
reporting the results of an opinion survey I sent to each household.
  Among its several questions, the survey asked, ``What is the single 
most important issue facing our country today?'' Respondents came back 
with a host of answers including preserving social security, a strong 
national defense, our country's moral deterioration, and the lack of 
immigration law enforcement.
  Unsurprisingly, an overwhelming majority of Colorado's Fourth 
Congressional District constituents believe tax relief and education 
are the two most important issues facing American families today. In 
separate questions, they voiced opinions citing problems and solutions 
to these tough issues.
  With regards to education, parents cited the need for parental 
involvement and school choice, smaller classroom sizes, more direct 
school funding to reach the classroom, eliminating drugs and violence 
in schools, and more local control. While the answers were varied, the 
message is the same: Parents expect quality and choice in their 
children's education, and deservingly feel as though they should get 
the most for their tax dollars by decreasing the bureaucracy that 
currently exists.
  Eastern Coloradans are also concerned with the burden of taxes and 
are interested in reform. Last year I fought to repeal the death tax 
and marriage penalty taxes along with many other tax-relief provisions 
in the bill signed by President Bush. However, due to an unfortunate 
Senate amendment, these taxes will be increased again in 2011. This is 
an unfair and punitive measure, and the people of Colorado expect these 
provisions to be made permanent.
  As has always been the case since first being elected to the 
Congress, my constituents expect me to vote to balance the federal 
budget, provide needed tax relief, increase parent choice in education, 
eliminate government waste, and save Social Security. Coloradans 
believe they should keep more of their hard-earned money for themselves 
and their children's futures, and thus I will continue to fight for 
this just cause.
  Mr. Speaker, I would also like to point out Fourth District 
Coloradans, more than two-to-one, oppose partial birth abortions and 
overwhelmingly oppose any restriction on Second Amendment gun rights. 
In addition, they also are concerned about our providing care for the 
elderly and veterans.
  Finally, national defense and protection against terrorism are 
repeated concerns. The tragic events of September 11th were not only 
aimed at our financial and political centers, but more importantly the 
freedom Americans enjoy and the values we espouse. Dedication to family 
and love of community are displayed in these responses, and all 
Coloradans I serve demand no less than personal protection.
  Mr. Speaker, I am grateful for the opinion survey responses I 
received. I consider this valuable input and commend these results to 
our colleagues. The voice of the people is the cornerstone of our 
political system and I encourage all Americans to share their opinions 
to their elected officials.

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