William Helms: “at the close of business yesterday, Wednesday, March 3, 1999, the federal debt stood at $5,653,396,336,274.78 (Five…”

“at the close of business yesterday, Wednesday, March 3, 1999, the federal debt stood at $5,653,396,336,274.78 (Five trillion, six hundred fifty-three billion, three hundred ninety-six million, three hundred thirty-six thousand, two hundred seventy-four dollars and seventy-eight cents). One year ago, March 3, 1998, the federal debt stood at $5,528,587,000,000 (Five trillion, five hundred twenty-eight billion, five hundred eighty-seven million). Five years ago, March 3, 1994, the federal debt stood at $4,546,225,000,000 (Four trillion, five hundred forty-six billion, two hundred twenty-five million). Ten years ago, March 3, 1989, the federal debt stood at $2,745,475,000,000 (Two trillion, seven hundred forty-five billion, four hundred seventy-five million) which reflects a doubling of the debt--an increase of almost $3 trillion--$2,907,921,336,274.78 (Two trillion, nine hundred seven billion, nine hundred twenty-one million, three hundred thirty-six thousand, two hundred seventy-four dollars and seventy-eight cents) during the past 10 years.”