[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 25 (Tuesday, March 2, 2004)]
[House]
[Page H713]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     PRAISING CONGRESSMAN KINGSTON

  (Mr. PITTS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. PITTS. Madam Speaker, an economist once said that it is easy to 
spend money that you do not earn or for which you do not have to take 
responsibility. That seems to sum up the way we operate around here 
lately.
  Last week, my friend, the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Kingston), took 
a step to change that. After looking at requests, asking for as high as 
30 percent increases from legislative agencies, requested from his 
subcommittee, he canceled hearings on their requests until they came to 
their senses. While the other agencies were facing cutbacks, the 
legislative branch thought it was Christmas morning.
  If we are serious about being fiscally responsible, we need to start 
right here in this branch of government. If we cannot keep ourselves in 
check, how do we expect other agencies to do so? Fiscal responsibility 
should start right here. Either we have the courage to cut back or 
freeze here, or we will not have the courage to cut back or freeze at 
all.
  While we all have a long way to go, the gentleman from Georgia's 
actions are a step in the right direction. We need to stop robbing from 
our children to pay for our addiction in spending.

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