2001 Ron Paul 106:1
Mr. PAUL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition
to H.R. 3054. At the same time, I rise
in great respect for the courage and compassion
shown by those who gave their lives attempting
to rescue their fellow citizens in the
aftermath of the World Trade Center attacks.
I also rise in admiration and gratitude to the
passengers of Flight 93 who knowingly sacrificed
their lives to prevent another terrorist
attack. However, I do not believe that an unconstitutional
authorization for Congressional
Gold Medals is in the true spirit of these
American heros. After all, this legislation purports
to honor personal sacrifices and acts of
heroism by forcing others to pay for these gold
medals.
2001 Ron Paul 106:2
Mr. Speaker, money appropriated for gold
medals, or any other unconstitutional purpose,
is, in the words of Davy Crockett, “Not Yours
to Give.” It is my pleasure to attach a copy of
Davy Crockett’s “Not Yours to Give” speech
for the record. I hope my colleagues will carefully
consider its’ message before voting to
take money from American workers and families
to spend on unconstitutional programs and
projects.
2001 Ron Paul 106:3
Instead of abusing the taxing and spending
power, I urge my colleagues to undertake to
raise the money for these medals among ourselves.
I would gladly donate to a Congressional
Gold Medal fund whose proceeds would
be used to purchase and award gold medals
to those selected by Congress for this honor.
Congress should also reduce the federal tax
burdened on the families of those who lost
their lives helping their fellow citizens on September
11. Mr. Speaker, reducing the tax burden
on these Americans would be a real sacrifice
for many in Washington since any reduction
in taxes represents a loss of real and potential
power for the federal government.
2001 Ron Paul 106:4
H.R. 3054 violates fundamental principles of
fiscal responsibility by giving the Secretary of
the Treasury almost unquestioned authority to
determine who can and cannot receive a gold
medal. Official estimates are that implementation
of this bill will cost approximately 3.9 million
dollars, however the terms of the bill suggest
that the costs incurred by the United
States taxpayer could be much higher. Furthermore,
unlike previous legislation authorizing
gold medals, H.R. 3054 does not instruct
the Secretary of the Treasury to use profits
generated by marketing bronze duplicates of
the medal to reimburse the taxpayer for the
costs of producing the medal. Unfortunately,
because this bill was moved to the suspension
calender without hearings or a mark-up there
was no opportunity for members of the Financial
Services Committee such as myself to examine
these questions.
2001 Ron Paul 106:5
Because of my continuing and uncompromising
opposition to appropriations not authorized
within the enumerated powers of the
Constitution, I must remain consistent in my
defense of a limited government whose powers
are explicitly delimited under the enumerated
powers of the Constitution — a Constitution
which each Member of Congress swore to
uphold. Therefore, Mr. Speaker, I must oppose
this legislation and respectfully suggest
that perhaps we should begin a debate among
us on more appropriate processes by which
we spend other people’s money. Honorary
medals and commemorative coins, under the
current process, come from other people’s
money. It is, of course, easier to be generous
with other people’s money, but using our own
funds to finance these gold medal is true to
the sprit of the heros of September 11.
