E1096 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks June 2, 2003 their jobs in the last two years, we should be guished career, she has served successfully in Siemens-Westinghouse Scholar, Shaan has doing more. This plan leaves over one million numerous capacities. Her knowledge of also participated in the NASA SHARP PLUS unemployed behind, and fails to provide them Adams County politics is encyclopedic, and program, is a National Merit Scholarship Final- the benefits they need to put food on the her insistence on application of House Ethics ist, and has been accepted to Harvard Univer- table, clothes on their backs, and a roof over Rules has become legendary with members of sity. their heads. my staff. We will deeply miss the staff parties Therefore, I am proud to join with his many We also should be extending this benefit for at her home, her annual Christmas carols— admirers in extending my highest praise and 26 weeks, not just 13. Although the bill pro- which started with the earliest snowfall in Sep- congratulations to Shaan Gandhi for his selec- vides that in high unemployment states jobless tember—and her tendency to break into song tion as winner of a LeGrand Smith Scholar- workers would be eligible for 13 more at any moment. Coworkers will also recall ship. This honor is a testament to the parents, weeks—in addition to the 13 extra weeks those rare moments in CJ’s career when her teachers, and others whose personal interest, available to all jobless workers who have ex- blue eyes turned steely gray, signaling a red strong support and active participation contrib- hausted their 26 weeks of regular benefits— alert to everyone in the vicinity. uted to his success. To this remarkable young the entire country is in need of this assistance. One of the things I share with CJ is a deep man, I extend my most heartfelt good wishes Because of the strict requirements for a state interest in young people. She has been the for all his future endeavors. to qualify as a high unemployment state under driving force behind my annual Youth Wash- f this program, only six states currently qualify— ington Seminar and she has mentored young APPOINTMENT OF CONFEREES ON Alaska, Connecticut, , Oregon, people, chaperoning high school students in H.R. 2, JOBS AND GROWTH REC- Pennsylvania and . We should Washington with care and joy. She has shown ONCILIATION ACT OF 2003 pass the full Democratic package immediately young Coloradans that politics is not just to help everyone seeking work, not just the about policy debates and electioneering, but SPEECH OF few. also about having fun. High School students Research shows that during previous reces- visiting Washington with her could always HON. sions, the stimulative power of unemployment count on a visit to the monuments, but also a OF benefits saved an average of 131,000 jobs visit to the Hard Rock Cafe«. To serve so IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES and slowed the drop in the Gross Domestic broadly, so successfully, and with such grace, Thursday, May 22, 2003 Product by 15 percent. National studies have heart, and spirit is deserving of recognition. Mr. UDALL of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, shown that $1 in unemployment insurance CJ plans to spend some well-deserved time the facts are startling. In just over 2 years, this leads to $2.15 worth of economic growth. relaxing and traveling with her husband Bill, administration has taken a vibrant economy Every week without unemployment insur- and spoiling her grandchildren. As a dedicated and turned it into a total mess. Once we saw ance benefits, states lose $200 million in wife, mother and grandmother, CJ will con- projected federal surpluses for years, but now cash—cash that in all likelihood would be tinue to be the center of her family and the we see unprecedented deficits as far as the spent at the local grocery store and the local light of their lives. I know that they look for- eye can see. Once we saw Americans work- gas station. Indeed, a recent study by Econ- ward to having her undivided attention and ing in good paying jobs, but now we see over omy.com, an independent financial research time. She will no doubt continue to be a force two million jobs lost and families needing help group, found that the single most effective to be reckoned with in the arena of her garden to make ends meet. Once we saw states thriv- stimulus measure would be further extension and home. ing and providing much needed benefits to the of emergency Federal unemployment insur- Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join most needy, but now we see massive state ance benefits. with me in expressing our gratitude to CJ deficits that require federal assistance to Mr. Speaker, this legislation unfortunately is Jones for her exemplary public service to the close. long overdue, and very necessary. I urge my people of and their elected officials. Something needs to be done to fix these colleagues to vote for H.R. 2158, and quickly Her many accomplishments go beyond reck- problems. The question is what’s the best way send this legislation to the Senate to ensure oning, and I wish her good health and happi- to do it? When we began the debate earlier these benefits continue uninterrupted. ness in the future. this year about how to turn around our strug- f f gling economy, I was looking for a plan that IN HONOR OF CAROLYN ‘‘CJ’’ HONORING SHAAN GANDHI, OF passed three simple tests. Was the plan fair? Was the plan fast-acting? Was the plan fis- JONES BATTLE CREEK, MI, LEGRAND SMITH SCHOLARSHIP WINNER cally sound? Tonight, the House is voting on the Presi- HON. dent’s proposal. The answer to all three of OF COLORADO HON. NICK SMITH these simple questions is a resounding ‘‘no.’’ IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF MICHIGAN Is it fair? Monday, June 2, 2003 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES The other side likes to point out that the av- Monday, June 2, 2003 erage family will receive about $1,000 in tax Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, I am breaks. What they don’t tell you is that 53 per- pleased to rise today to acknowledge Ms. Mr. SMITH of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, it is cent of all taxpayers—yes, 53 percent of all Carolyn ‘‘CJ’’ Jones for her many years of with great respect for the outstanding record taxpayers—will see less than $100 in their public service and for the depth and diversity of excellence he has compiled in academics, pockets. However, if you make over $1 million of contributions she has made to my staff and leadership and community service, that I am a year, you get a tax cut of $93,500. This to so many people in Colorado. proud to salute Shaan Gandhi, winner of the clearly is not fair. Upon my election to the 2nd Congressional 2003 LeGrand Smith Scholarship. This award Is it fast acting? District in 1998, CJ was the first person I in- is made to young adults who have dem- Well, it’s going to take effect this year. Yes, vited to join my staff. She was instrumental in onstrated that they are truly committed to play- that much is true. Unfortunately, the Presi- organizing my campaign effort in Adams ing important roles in our Nation’s future. dent’s plan gives the break this year and next, County, and in the early days after my elec- As a winner of the LeGrand Smith Scholar- then it takes it away again in 2005. So, the av- tion, she organized our fledgling congressional ship, Shaan is being honored for dem- erage middle class taxpayer will actually see office from the basement of her house and onstrating that same generosity of spirit, intel- their taxes go up 2 years from now. And this took constituent inquiries on her cell phone. ligence, responsible citizenship, and capacity trickle-down tax policy will not stimulate the CJ Jones assisted in training many of my nov- for human service that distinguished the late economy now. In fact, it totally depends on ice staff members and has subsequently set LeGrand Smith of Somerset, Michigan. those who benefit—the few—to reinvest their the standard of excellence for my office in the Shaan is an exceptional student at Harper windfall down the road. In fact, there is no 2nd Congressional District. Creek High School, and possesses an out- guarantee that any of this will happen, so Prior to becoming my staff assistant, CJ standing record of achievement in high school. there is no guarantee that this tax cut will gen- served in the offices of Senator and Shaan has received numerous awards for his erate any jobs, let alone the one million prom- Congressman . She is also the excellence in science and math, as well as his ised by the President. only member of my staff with her own election volunteer activities with the Calhoun County Is it fiscally sound? certificate—this to the Adams County School Chapter of the and the The answer is a resounding no. The divi- District 12 Board. Throughout her distin- Substance Abuse Council of Battle Creek. A dend tax reduction and the cut in the capital

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