[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 70 (Thursday, May 7, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1099]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                           HONORING JACK KEMP

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                             HON. RON PAUL

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 6, 2009

  Mr. PAUL. Mr. Speaker, I support H. Res. 401, which honors the legacy 
of former Representative Jack Kemp. I became friends with Jack when we 
served together in the House of Representatives from 1976 to 1985. Our 
friendship was based on our shared conviction that low taxes and sound 
monetary policy are essential to liberty and prosperity.
  Jack is probably best known for the key role he played in the 
``supply side revolution'' that led to the tax rate reductions of the 
early eighties. However, what I most remember about Jack was that he 
was one of the few politicians I have met who understood how fiat money 
harms Americans. Jack was passionate about reforming monetary policy so 
America would again have, as Jack memorably put it, a ``dollar as good 
as gold.'' It was largely due to Jack's efforts that the Republican 
Party platform of 1980 endorsed a return to the gold standard. Jack's 
support was instrumental in me being named to the U.S. Gold Commission 
in 1982. While I was not always in total agreement with Jack's views on 
monetary policy, I always appreciated his interest in the issue.
  In his later years, Jack was critical of the idea that the best way 
to promote human liberty was through an aggressively militaristic 
foreign policy. In his 1996 campaign for Vice President, Jack attacked 
the Clinton Administration's aggressive foreign policy, famously 
quipping that the United States government should not ``bomb before 
breakfast.'' In my last conversation with Jack, he shared with me his 
opposition to the Iraq war.
  In conclusion, I urge my colleagues to support H. Res. 401 and honor 
the best of Jack Kemp's legacy by working for low taxes, sound money, 
and a sensible foreign policy.

                          ____________________