[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 128 (Saturday, August 4, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1750]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   THE SOVIET BASKETBALL TEAM OF 1972 AND THE VOTE TO ALLOW ILLEGALS 
                            FEDERAL BENEFITS

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                              HON. TED POE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, August 3, 2007

  Mr. POE. Madam Speaker, slightly before midnight last night, the 
House of Representatives had a replay of the 1972 Summer Olympic Games 
in Munich.
  Here's what I recall happened: A vote was being conducted on a 
Republican motion to recommit that would allow no Federal aid, such as 
food stamps, to be given to illegals in this country. This was hotly 
debated and then the votes started being recorded. The vote was close--
most Republicans and a few Democrats supported the motion denying 
taxpayer dollars to illegals. Most Democrats opposed the motion. With 
the vote tied at 214-214, the Speaker called the vote and denied the 
motion. (A tie means the motion failed.) But the official electronic 
board on the House Floor that records the votes read 215-213--FINAL 
VOTE--meaning the motion passed--no benefits for illegals. But, the 
official vote was disallowed more time put on the clock and the Speaker 
announced the real final vote to be 212-216, after some Members changed 
their vote after the Final Tally.
  In my opinion, this illegal action gave some illegals Federal 
benefits that only Americans and legals should receive.
  In 1972, Team USA was playing the Soviets for the Gold Medal in 
Olympic Basketball. When the buzzer sounded, Team USA had won the game 
50-49. But the timekeeper put 3 seconds back on the clock; gave the 
ball to the Soviets; who scored a basket, and the new final score was 
51-50. The Soviets were declared the winners even though they cheated--
Team USA refused their Silver Medals and walked off the stage in 
disgust.
  Last night, I and over 100 Republicans walked out of the House 
because of the illegal vote giving illegals Federal benefits that only 
American citizens and lawful immigrants deserve. Both the Soviet 
Basketball Team and those that want illegals to receive taxpayer 
benefits will do just anything to win--by any means necessary, whether 
legal or not.
  In both cases, Americans were not defeated, but cheated.
  And that's just the way it is.




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