[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 2]
[House]
[Page 1794]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




    JUST PLANE STUPID--CITIGROUP IS ENJOYING SPENDING TAXPAYER MONEY

  (Mr. POE of Texas asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute.)
  Mr. POE of Texas. Madam Speaker, the big fat cat executives of 
Citigroup are busy spending taxpayer bailout money on a brand new 
luxury jet.
  That's right, Madam Speaker. Citigroup claimed it was on the brink of 
financial disaster, then demanded and took $45 billion from the 
taxpayers through government giveaways. Now they're buying a new $50 
million jet. And did I mention this swanky jet is made in France?
  Madam Speaker, the arrogance and ignorance of the ``Big Banking Boys 
Gang'' is astonishing. While average Americans are hunkering down 
worried about their jobs, food, clothes, and mortgage payments, these 
irresponsible executives are blowing millions on high-dollar toys.
  It's about time the elites in the financial industry quit acting like 
they're entitled to special perks. Americans shouldn't be forced to pay 
for CEO bonuses and luxury corporate jets for the rich and famous 
robber barons.
  But you see, Madam Speaker, they must need that jet to fly to New 
York Mets games because Citigroup is spending $400 million to plaster 
its name on its new stadium, Citi Field.
  And that's just the way it is.

                          ____________________