[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 166 (Monday, November 17, 2003)]
[House]
[Page H11194]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  BEWARE THE GHOSTS OF CHRISTMAS PAST

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Green) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I want to associate myself with the 
remarks of both my colleague, the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Ross) 
and also my colleague, the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Brown) in the 
concern about what happened in the Medicare conference committee on 
prescription drugs.
  It is sad that we came here to talk about a prescription drug plan 
for seniors, but we are actually going to take it away from them in the 
process. But the reason I am here tonight, Mr. Speaker, is to talk 
about the problem we have in our country with the unemployment.
  Mr. Speaker, as we embark on what we hope will be our last week in 
sessions before the holiday recess, I rise to warn my colleagues about 
the ghost of Christmas Past, the economic mistakes that Congress and 
this administration have made on the eve of past holidays. Let us take 
time to learn from those mistakes and not recreate them.
  I can say with confidence that each Member of this Chamber was 
pleased to hear the impressive economic growth figures for July through 
September. Over the past 3 years, this country has suffered through 
some of the worst economic conditions since the Great Depression, and 
it was certainly uplifting to see the reports of 7.2 percent growth in 
gross domestic product. While we remain optimistic about an economic 
rebound for the country, I, however, caution my colleagues against 
relying on the sustainability of this economic growth.
  Economic indicators show that these figures were the result of 
consumer spending and a tremendous boost in the housing market. Yet 
with consumer spending outpacing consumer income, it is clear that 
spending cannot fuel our economic growth indefinitely. Let us remember 
our reaction to similar news in 2002. After months of job losses and a 
dismal economic growth, the country boasted growth of 5 percent in the 
first quarter of 2002. Despite our optimism, however, job losses 
continued and the next quarter yielded a 1.3 percent growth.
  This time last year we were celebrating third quarter growth of 4 
percent, and like today, entering the holidays with high hopes. 
Needless to say, our hopes were dashed and the country has since 
endured the worst job conditions in 20 years. These are our ghosts of 
Christmas Past, the flurry of mistaken optimism that failed to deliver 
on its economic promises.
  Like the optimism of Christmas Past, this recent economic growth 
belies the fact that our manufacturing sector has cut jobs for the 39th 
straight month. My State of Texas, with 1.6 million lost jobs, ranks 
third in the amount of manufacturing jobs lost since September of 2000. 
While the country may be making modest gains in employment, 6 percent 
of America's workers are still unemployed. Almost one-quarter of these 
8.8 million people have been out of work for more than 6 months. These 
figures do not even count the discouraged workers, 462,000 Americans 
who have completely given up looking for jobs and are no longer on our 
unemployment roles.
  Fortunately, many former unemployed workers have found jobs, but we 
must examine the kind of jobs they are turning to; 4.8 million 
Americans work part-time, but only because they cannot find full-time 
work, and many of these workers are former engineers, former computer 
technicians who previously earned up to $60,000 a year, but now must 
settle for $7.50 an hour at a retail store.
  No amount of economic statistics can hide the realities that these 
people face. Our unemployed workers are hurting. Our unemployed 
families are draining their savings to survive. And this Congress holds 
in its hands the ability to extend their unemployment benefits.
  Let me remind my colleagues that the holiday season is the time of 
the year when we give thanks for our blessings and extend our hearts to 
the less fortunate. Last year, that important lesson must have been 
lost on the majority's leadership, because Congress packed up for the 
year without extending unemployment benefits.
  That is right. Congress left town to enjoy the holidays and in doing 
so, left America's unemployed workers in the cold.
  Mr. Speaker, this year is no different. Unfortunately, if we do not 
act soon, the Ghost of Christmas Past will be forced to remind us of 
the tremendous mistake we made by withholding these benefits last year. 
Even Scrooge learned from his mistakes.
  I implore the administration and my colleagues to let us take a hard, 
realistic look at our economy and make sure that any recovery helps the 
Americans who have been most hurt by this downturn, and above all, let 
us pass the extension of the temporary unemployment benefits before we 
adjourn for the holidays.
  It is the right thing to do for our economy and for America's 
unemployed.

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