Jeff Fortenberry: “You may remember this around the holidays. It was a television commercial that played quite frequently. It may still be…”

“You may remember this around the holidays. It was a television commercial that played quite frequently. It may still be on. But it shows a shelter for the poor and homeless around Christmastime, and men and women are entering from the cold wintry streets, and they are gathering under bright lights and sharing good cheer, and they are clearly benefitting from the holiday outpouring of charity and compassion and fellowship. But then the commercial shifts and the environment changes. It is a dreary downtrodden affair at this point. The new year has begun and the shelter is left darker and less full than its former ambient light, and laughter has dimmed into somber tones. All the while, a man is sitting at the piano in this emptying place singing, ``Don't You Forget About Me.'' The scene concludes with the adage: ``The season of giving ends, but the need remains.'' Mr. Speaker, as our economy begins to recharge, giving more and more hope with more and more Americans gaining jobs, it is important, though, to continue to reflect on this still early stage of the new year. After some important budget battles here and a major tax reform piece of legislation, it is important to reflect on the proper balance between responsibility and charity, as well as those who continue to be left behind or forgotten. Americans are the most generous people in the world, and they also deeply value responsibility, and they know that a fulfilled life requires rewarding work.…”