[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 197 (Tuesday, December 20, 2011)]
[House]
[Page H10001]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            A SAD AND WORRISOME TIME MADE WORSE BY THIS DAY

  (Ms. SCHAKOWSKY asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute.)
  Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. At just about this hour, the Sun is setting, and 
Jewish families around the country, including mine, are going to their 
Hanukkah Menorah--the festival of lights, the festival of a miracle 
that the lights lasted for 8 days. Usually, this is a joyful time--a 
beautiful, holy celebration. For many families around this country, 
this is a very sad and worrisome time, made worse by this day.
  With millions of Americans unemployed and relying on a meager average 
$286-a-week check while they look for work, Republicans voted today to 
not extend unemployment insurance, to not extend a tax cut for middle-
income people who need it so badly this year when the economics were so 
hard. It just breaks my heart that at this holiday season and when 
people are feeling in such a fragile economic state that today's vote 
took place. It didn't need to. We would have helped the American people 
today.
  Happy Hanukkah.

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