[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 23 (Wednesday, February 13, 2013)]
[House]
[Page H461]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   THE CONSEQUENCES OF SEQUESTRATION

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Bera) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. BERA of California. Mr. Speaker, in a few short weeks, we face 
automatic across-the-board spending cuts. If allowed, they could not 
only stall our economic recovery; these cuts will immediately threaten 
the future of our children and grandchildren. If we allow sequestration 
to take place, we threaten to kick 70,000 of our children off of the 
Head Start program. If we allow sequestration to take place, 10,000 
American teachers will lose their jobs. We threaten the very future of 
our children and grandchildren. This is irresponsible.
  In the spirit of their future, the children from Mrs. Gibson's third-
grade class at Foulks Ranch Elementary School in Elk Grove, California, 
wanted me to deliver a message to Congress. They are five simple tips: 
They want Congress to be responsible. They want Congress to be 
respectful. They want Congress to be kind. They want Congress to be 
accountable. Mr. Speaker, the third-graders from Mrs. Gibson's class 
want Congress to make good choices.
  Allowing sequestration to take place is a bad choice. If the third-
graders can figure it out, I certainly hope we in Congress can as well. 
Let's do what they advise. Let's be responsible and let's make good 
choices.

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