Gary Hart: “I rise in opposition to the Kucinich amendment in the nature of a substitute and in support of H.R. 4. Mr. Chairman…”

“I rise in opposition to the Kucinich amendment in the nature of a substitute and in support of H.R. 4. Mr. Chairman, quality of life is much more than having food and shelter. The amendment would simply provide food and shelter. It would provide some assistance similar to what we provide in H.R. 4; however, it does not provide the incentive that people need, the incentive to move from welfare to a productive and free life. The American dream, Mr. Chairman, is that dream to be able to provide for one's family, to be able to dream and achieve dreams of success in the future, to raise one's children, to be able to achieve the next step on the economic ladder. H.R. 4 provides this. We have helped so many already. This reauthorization is necessary to continue to help those who have been dependent. They have secured more than the basics of life. They have been educated. They have achieved. Children have now seen a wonderful example to move forward in the United States and achieve a higher standard of living, that sense of accomplishment. They have received education. We provide in H.R. 4 more child care at different kinds of times so that those who are working and who have that grit and want to succeed will be assisted in doing so. It also provides them with health care for that first year where they may not be able to get a job that provides health care. Our goal here, Mr. Chairman, is to raise people from poverty. We have succeeded with 3 million children already.”