[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 98 (Thursday, July 18, 2002)]
[House]
[Pages H4876-H4877]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            RAISING CONCERNS ABOUT CORPORATE ACCOUNTABILITY

  (Mr. LANGEVIN asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my deep concerns 
about corporate accountability and its impact on our Nation's economic 
future.
  In the wake of recent corporate bombshells, investor confidence in 
our financial markets has been badly shaken. Congress cannot afford to 
wait for reports of another tragic example of corporate deception, 
followed by more lost jobs and depleted pensions.

[[Page H4877]]

  While I welcome the President's comments during his visit to Wall 
Street last week, this looming crisis requires a firm commitment from 
our administration to seriously address this problem. But words, like 
stocks, lose their value when actions do not back them up.
  We must hold those irresponsible few accountable for their actions 
now and enact safeguards to protect our markets, our workers, our 
consumers and reputations of companies who do play by the rules. Our 
economic recovery and the future of millions of American families 
depend on it.

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