[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 16]
[House]
[Page 22355]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




    FEDERAL RESOURCES OUGHT TO BE FOCUSED ON THOSE THAT NEED IT MOST

  (Mr. WOLF asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. WOLF. Mr. Speaker, as Congress considers how to provide Federal 
assistance to these victims of these hurricanes, it is critical that we 
make sure resources are focused on helping the poor and the needy 
rather than subsidizing certain self-sustaining industries like the 
gambling industry.
  The vast majority of the casinos on the gulf coast are owned and 
operated by entertainment companies that have been and are likely to 
continue record profits. Most gambling conglomerates have been named to 
the Fortune list of 100 fastest-growing companies for the fifth 
consecutive year. These conglomerates have vowed to rebuild bigger and 
better along the coast.
  With budget deficits growing to historic levels, we need to make sure 
that tax dollars for hurricane relief are going to those who truly need 
the government's help and not the gambling industry. The truth of the 
matter is, as Congress struggles to rein in the growth of mandatory 
spending, it just does not make any sense to give tax breaks to 
casinos.
  Mr. Speaker, I hope and trust that Congress will do the right thing 
and make sure our Federal resources go to the poor, the needy, the 
vulnerable and not the big gambling interests to rebuild the casinos.

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