The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE 16TH DISTRICT STUDENT CONGRESSIONAL COUNCIL” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Transportation was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E1029-E1030 on May 12, 1995.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE 16TH DISTRICT STUDENT CONGRESSIONAL COUNCIL
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HON. RALPH REGULA
of ohio
in the house of representatives
Friday, May 12, 1995
Mr. REGULA. Mr. Speaker, every year I sponsor a student congressional council in the 16th District of Ohio. High school students are selected to participate and are assigned issues of national importance to research and debate. This year the students were told to formulate their own ``Contract With America.''
The students spent many weeks researching and discussing the annual topic. They conclude the project by holding a mock Congress. On this final day the students debate and vote on their contract proposals.
The students considered over 30 pieces of legislation. I am proud to insert the following proposals which passed their student legislature into the Congressional Record:
The participating high schools are: Alliance, Central Catholic, Glen Oak, Fairless, Fredericktown, Hillsdale, Hoover, Louisville, Marlington, Minerva, Northwestern, R.G. Drage, Tuslaw, and West Holmes.
Welfare Reform
It is clear that the current welfare system is slowly destroying the very fabric of our society. The current system encourages both irresponsible behavior and fraud. In an attempt to save the American society by strengthening the American family, encouraging responsibility, and eliminating unnecessary illegal behavior, I urge the passing of this bill.
A bill to establish guidelines for the Aid to Families with Dependent Children program.
In order to quality for and receive Aid to Families payments all applicants and recipients must be at least 18 years of age, a legal citizen of the United States, and either possess a high school diploma, have passed the Graduation Equivalency Test, or currently be enrolled in a course of study leading to a GED test.
All applicants or recipients whom the State determines to be addicted to alcohol or any type of drug shall be required to participate in and successfully complete an addiction treatment program. Those applicants and recipients whom the State determines to be addicted to alcohol or any type of drug shall also be subject to random alcohol and/or drug testing.
All guardians of children whose parent(s) are currently incarcerated shall continue to
[[Page E1030]] receive ADFC payments for the care of these children.
All States shall have the power to require recipients of AFDC payments to
perform community service, providing that they offer child care to those whom they determine need it.
All unwed mothers must establish paternity in order to receive AFDC payments. Once paternity is established, AFDC benefits will not increase for those women who are currently on welfare who give birth to additional children.
All fathers that fail to pay child support shall not be eligible to receive AFDC payments, however, job training and placement assistance shall be offered to these men.
All States shall be required to terminate AFDC payments to recipients who have received these payments for at least three years. All States shall have the power, however, to end these AFDC payments after one year, providing that they offer a job training and assistance program to their recipients.
All State-provided job training and placement assistance programs shall be funded through block grants, comprised of the savings generated by denying AFDC benefits to those under the age of 18. All State-provided child care to recipients of AFDC payments may also be funded through these block grants, or States may provide the position of child care administrator as a community service opportunity to those recipients whom must complete a State determined requirement of community service.
Stricter Legislation Regarding Persons on Trial, Punishments, and Their
Appeals
A bill to have a stricter legislation regarding trials, punishments and appeals of accused persons. If a person is accused of committing a felony, they should be tried as an adult regardless of their age when they committed the crime. There should be stricter psychiatric evaluations for accused persons claiming temporary insanity. Useless questioning or the use of irrelevant evidence should be abolished. There should be stricter punishments for criminals convicted of crimes involving guns, drugs, and other serious felonies. Any criminal convicted of any 3 felonies will be locked up in prison for the rest of their life. Life sentences should be serviced for the remainder of the criminal's life. We should cut back on jail privileges for the white collar criminals, such as tennis courts, exercise rooms, swimming pools, etc. A convicted criminal should only be allowed to receive two appeals. By doing this, it will eliminate the use of tax payers' funding of useless court trials. If released, the criminal must pay court fees.
Mandatory Railroad Crossing Warning Light and Gate Placement and Repair
This bill would impose mandatory placement of lights and gates at all railroad crossings in use and require immediate repair of all faulty gates and lights.
A bill to create gates and lights for all railroads in use.
Sec. 1. The federal government will allocate funds from Department of Transportation to state governments for the building of railroad crossings that are in use.
Sec. 2. All faulty gates and lights must be repaired immediately. Gates and lights that are not working or are being repaired must have signs posted to notify this to drivers.
Sec. 3. If a railroad crossing does not have gates of lights then trains must reduce their speed to 25 m.p.h. through the crossing until the installation of gates and lights is complete.
Sec. 4. If a state does not comply with this bill all federal funding for highways will be cut off for that state.
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