Jesse Helms

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, at the close of business yesterday, Monday, November 8, 1999, the Federal debt stood at $5,660,688,811,424.68 (Five trillion, six hundred sixty billion, six hundred eighty-eight million, eight hundred eleven thousand, four hundred twenty-four dollars and sixty-eight cents). Five years ago, November 8, 1994, the Federal debt stood at $4,724,109,000,000 (Four trillion, seven hundred twenty-four billion, one hundred nine million). Ten years ago, November 8, 1989, the Federal debt stood at $2,895,742,000,000 (Two trillion, eight hundred ninety-five billion, seven hundred forty-two million). Fifteen years ago, November 8, 1984, the Federal debt stood at $1,616,564,000,000 (One trillion, six hundred sixteen billion, five hundred sixty-four million). Twenty-five years ago, November 8, 1974, the Federal debt stood at $478,873,000,000 (Four hundred seventy-eight billion, eight hundred seventy-three million) which reflects a debt increase of more than $5 trillion--$5,181,815,811,424.68 (Five trillion, one hundred eighty-one billion, eight hundred fifteen million, eight hundred eleven thousand, four hundred twenty-four dollars and sixty-eight cents) during the past 25 years.

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, at the close of business Friday, November 5, 1999, the Federal debt stood at $5,661,710,720,483.34 (Five trillion, six hundred sixty-one billion, seven hundred ten million, seven hundred twenty thousand, four hundred eighty-three dollars and thirty-four cents). One year ago, November 5, 1998, the Federal debt stood at $5,561,271,000,000 (Five trillion, five hundred sixty-one billion, two hundred seventy-one million). Fifteen years ago, November 5, 1984, the Federal debt stood at $1,619,575,000,000 (One trillion, six hundred nineteen billion, five hundred seventy-five million). Twenty-five years ago, November 5, 1974, the Federal debt stood at $475,739,000,000 (Four hundred seventy-five billion, seven hundred thirty-nine million) which reflects a debt increase of more than $5 trillion--$5,185,971,720,483.34 (Five trillion, one hundred eighty-five billion, nine hundred seventy-one million, seven hundred twenty thousand, four hundred eighty-three dollars and thirty-four cents) during the past 25 years.

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, the Senate is today considering the Serbia Democratization Act, which I introduced on March 25 with eleven other Senators, and which was approved by the Foreign Relations Committee on August 5. The purpose of the legislation is clear: to undermine and ultimately eradicate the murderous regime of the Yugoslav President, Slobodan Milosevic. Just one day before I introduced this legislation, NATO began its air campaign against Yugoslavia in response to that country's brutal treatment of the ethnic Albanian population in Kosovo. After NATO bombs started falling, Yugoslav army, police, and paramilitary forces controlled by Mr. Milosevic slaughtered thousands more Kosovar Albanians. More than one million were forced to flee Kosovo to neighboring counties. And hundreds of thousands more Kosovars eluded Serb forces by hiding in the hills. This brutality was conceived, directed, and carried out under the orders of Slobodan Milosevic. As you know, Mr. President, the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia indicted this madman as a war criminal for his activities in Kosovo. And if I might add, I have no doubt of his culpability for the ethnic cleansing and mass murder in Bosnia during the war there. Now that the NATO bombs have stopped falling and there is hope for a peaceful future for the people of Kosovo, we must look to the next step. A ``Marshall Plan'' for the Balkans has been proposed. The European Union, the United States, and other allies have negotiated a so-called ``Stability Pact'' for Southeastern Europe, designed to encourage cooperation between countries in the region and target foreign assistance most effectively. But no matter what kind of proposals put forth by the United States and our allies for this region, I am convinced that until the Balkans is rid of the dictatorial rule of Mr. Milosevic, we will be forced to confront crises that he manufactures well into the future. There is but one hope for stability in the Balkans, and that is the removal of Milosevic from power. To achieve that objective is why I encourage the Senate to pass this legislation today. The United States should provide extensive support for democratic forces, including independent media, and non- governmental organizations in Serbia. Just as the United States did during the days of the cold war, it is in our interests to identify and give aid to those forces in Serbia that share our values and our goals. We should make clear that unless and until the government of Yugoslavia is based on democratic principles and the rule of law and respects internationally recognized human rights, the United States will maintain the sanctions regime that we have in place today. But Mr. President, when the Serbian people have a government in Belgrade based on these important principles--the government that they deserve--this legislation calls for substantial support by the United States to assist their transition to democracy, including by helping Yugoslavia integrate into international institutions. I am pleased that the Clinton administration agrees with me on the importance of assisting the democratic opposition in Serbia. Let me emphasize, however, that we need to act quickly. We missed an opportunity to encourage democratic change in Serbia three years ago, when tens of thousands of Serbian citizens took to the streets, demanding political change. We must not lose another chance to help those in Serbia who are trying to help themselves. I urge my colleagues to support the Serbia Democratization Act.

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, at the close of business yesterday, Wednesday, November 3, 1999, the Federal debt stood at $5,654,990,773,682.18 (Five trillion, six hundred fifty-four billion, nine hundred ninety million, seven hundred seventy-three thousand, six hundred eighty-two dollars and eighteen cents). One year ago, November 3, 1998, the Federal debt stood at $5,553,893,000,000 (Five trillion, five hundred fifty-three billion, eight hundred ninety-three million). Five years ago, November 3, 1994, the Federal debt stood at $4,723,729,000,000 (Four trillion, seven hundred twenty-three billion, seven hundred twenty-nine million). Ten years ago, November 3, 1989, the Federal debt stood at $2,864,340,000,000 (Two trillion, eight hundred sixty-four billion, three hundred forty million) which reflects a doubling of the debt--an increase of almost $3 trillion--$2,790,650,773,682.18 (Two trillion, seven hundred ninety billion, six hundred fifty million, seven hundred seventy-three thousand, six hundred eighty-two dollars and eighteen cents) during the past 10 years.

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, for the Committee on Foreign Relations, I report favorably nomination lists which were printed in the Records of February 23, 1999, and September 8, 1999, and ask unanimous consent, to save the expense of reprinting on the Executive Calendar, that these nominations lie at the Secretary's desk for the information of Senators.

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, at the close of business yesterday, Tuesday, November 2, 1999, the Federal debt stood at $5,668,409,010,147.10 (Five trillion, six hundred sixty-eight billion, four hundred nine million, ten thousand, one hundred forty-seven dollars and ten cents). One year ago, November 2, 1998, the Federal debt stood at $5,539,037,000,000 (Five trillion, five hundred thirty-nine billion, thirty-seven million). Five years ago, November 2, 1994, the Federal debt stood at $4,730,361,000,000 (Four trillion, seven hundred thirty billion, three hundred sixty-one million). Ten years ago, November 2, 1989, the Federal debt stood at $2,864,778,000,000 (Two trillion, eight hundred sixty-four billion, seven hundred seventy-eight million). Fifteen years ago, November 2, 1984, the Federal debt stood at $1,619,801,000,000 (One trillion, six hundred nineteen billion, eight hundred one million) which reflects a debt increase of more than $4 trillion--$4,048,608,010,147.10 (Four trillion, forty-eight billion, six hundred eight million, ten thousand, one hundred forty-seven dollars and ten cents) during the past 15 years.

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, at the close of business yesterday, Monday, November 1, 1999, the Federal debt stood at $5,664,867,046,795.77 (Five trillion, six hundred sixty-four billion, eight hundred sixty-seven million, forty-six thousand, seven hundred ninety-five dollars and seventy-seven cents). Five years ago, November 1, 1994, the Federal debt stood at $4,728,710,000,000 (Four trillion, seven hundred twenty-eight billion, seven hundred ten million). Ten years ago, November 1, 1989, the Federal debt stood at $2,879,489,000,000 (Two trillion, eight hundred seventy-nine billion, four hundred eighty- nine million). Fifteen years ago, November 1, 1984, the Federal debt stood at $1,624,438,000,000 (One trillion, six hundred twenty-four billion, four hundred thirty-eight million). Twenty-five years ago, November 1, 1974, the Federal debt stood at $479,476,000,000 (Four hundred seventy-nine billion, four hundred seventy-six million) which reflects a debt increase of more than $5 trillion--$5,185,391,046,795.77 (Five trillion, one hundred eighty-five billion, three hundred ninety-one million, forty-six thousand, seven hundred ninety-five dollars and seventy-seven cents) during the past 25 years.

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, at the close of business Friday, October 29, 1999, the Federal debt stood at $5,679,726,662,904.06 (Five trillion, six hundred seventy-nine billion, seven hundred twenty-six million, six hundred sixty-two thousand, nine hundred four dollars and six cents). One year ago, October 29, 1998, the Federal debt stood at $5,559,428,000,000 (Five trillion, five hundred fifty-nine billion, four hundred twenty-eight million). Fifteen years ago, October 29, 1984, the Federal debt stood at $1,599,006,000,000 (One trillion, five hundred ninety-nine billion, six million). Twenty-five years ago, October 29, 1974, the Federal debt stood at $480,331,000,000 (Four hundred eighty billion, three hundred thirty-one million) which reflects a debt increase of more than $5 trillion-- $5,199,395,662,904.06 (Five trillion, one hundred ninety-nine billion, three hundred ninety-five million, six hundred sixty-two thousand, nine hundred four dollars and six cents) during the past 25 years.

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, at the close of business yesterday, Tuesday, October 26, 1999, the Federal debt stood at $5,678,650,010,507.85 (Five trillion, six hundred seventy-eight billion, six hundred fifty million, ten thousand, five hundred seven dollars and eighty-five cents). One year ago, October 26, 1998, the Federal debt stood at $5,555,572,000,000 (Five trillion, five hundred fifty-five billion, five hundred seventy- two million). Five years ago, October 26, 1994, the Federal debt stood at $4,713,110,000,000 (Four trillion, seven hundred thirteen billion, one hundred ten million). Ten years ago, October 26, 1989, the Federal debt stood at $2,878,967,000,000 (Two trillion, eight hundred seventy-eight billion, nine hundred sixty-seven million). Fifteen years ago, October 26, 1984, the Federal debt stood at $1,599,295,000,000 (One trillion, five hundred ninety-nine billion, two hundred ninety-five million) which reflects a debt increase of more than $4 trillion--$4,079,355,010,507.85 (Four trillion, seventy-nine billion, three hundred fifty-five million, ten thousand, five hundred seven dollars and eighty-five cents) during the past 15 years.

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, at the close of business yesterday, Monday, October 25, 1999, the federal debt stood at $5,676,428,132,415.49 (Five trillion, six hundred seventy-six billion, four hundred twenty-eight million, one hundred thirty-two thousand, four hundred fifteen dollars and forty-nine cents). Five years ago, October 25, 1994, the federal debt stood at $4,711,435,000,000 (Four trillion, seven hundred eleven billion, four hundred thirty-five million). Ten years ago, October 25, 1989, the federal debt stood at $2,876,559,000,000 (Two trillion, eight hundred seventy-six billion, five hundred fifty-nine million). Fifteen years ago, October 25, 1984, the federal debt stood at $1,599,358,000,000 (One trillion, five hundred ninety-nine billion, three hundred fifty-eight million). Twenty-five years ago, October 25, 1974, the federal debt stood at $480,139,000,000 (Four hundred eighty billion, one hundred thirty-nine million) which reflects a debt increase of more than $5 trillion-- $5,196,289,132,415.49 (Five trillion, one hundred ninety-six billion, two hundred eighty-nine million, one hundred thirty-two thousands, four hundred fifteen dollars and forty-nine cents) during the past 25 years.

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. I thank the Chair.

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, if there be no further business to come before the Senate, I now ask unanimous consent that the Senate stand in adjournment under the provisions of S. Res. 206 as a further mark of respect to the memory of our former colleague and Senator, John Chafee, following the remarks by Senator Robb from Virginia.

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. I thank the Chair. I further ask unanimous consent that the cloture vote regarding the motion to proceed to the trade bill occur at 10 a.m. on Tuesday.

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, on behalf of the majority leader, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until the hour of 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, October 26. I further ask unanimous consent that on Tuesday, immediately following the prayer, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, the morning hour be deemed expired, the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day, and the Senate then begin 30 minutes of debate on the motion to proceed to H.R. 434, the African trade bill, to be equally divided in the usual form.

Mr. HELMS. I further ask unanimous consent that the Senate stand in recess from the hour of 12:30 p.m. until 2:15 p.m. on Tuesday so that the weekly party conferences can meet.

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the flowers be permitted in the Senate Chamber during the week of October 25 to honor the life of our former colleague, John Chafee.

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, for the information of all Senators, the Senate will immediately resume debate on the motion to proceed to the African trade bill at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday. In accordance with rule XXII, the Senate will proceed to a cloture vote on the motion to proceed at 10 a.m. It is hoped that cloture will be invoked and that a time agreement can be reached so that the Senate may begin debate on the bill and that Senators may begin to offer their amendments. The Senate may also consider any legislative or Executive Calendar items cleared for action, as well as any appropriations conference reports that may become available.

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, at the close of business Friday, October 22, 1999, the Federal debt stood at $5,674,164,714,443.85 (Five trillion, six hundred seventy-four billion, one hundred sixty-four million, seven hundred fourteen thousand, four hundred forty-three dollars and eighty-five cents). One year ago, October 22, 1998, the Federal debt stood at $5,548,924,000,000 (Five trillion, five hundred forty-eight billion, nine hundred twenty-four million). Fifteen years ago, October 22, 1984, the Federal debt stood at $1,591,515,000,000 (One trillion, five hundred ninety-one billion, five hundred fifteen million). Twenty-five years ago, October 22, 1974, the Federal debt stood at $479,517,000,000 (Four hundred seventy-nine billion, five hundred seventeen million) which reflects a debt increase of more than $5 trillion--$5,194,647,714,443.85 (Five trillion, one hundred ninety-four billion, six hundred forty-seven million, seven hundred fourteen thousand, four hundred forty-three dollars and eighty-five cents) during the past 25 years.

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, this is a sad afternoon for all of us. Senator Chafee and I had been seatmates for nearly a decade. I can testify that never once during those years did he comport himself in the slightest manner to diminish his image--which was widely held--as a perfect gentlemen and a dedicated American. His whole life was such. He was a man whose dedication to his wife and family was demonstrable in everything he did and said. Often were the times that we exchanged tidbits of news about his family and mine; we talked a lot about those whom we love. I was one of the many Senators who, with some frequency, did not agree with some of John's votes. And you know, it is a funny thing, Mr. President, he disagreed with me the same number of times but always pleasantly. I never doubted that he was genuine, honest, and sincere in all that he did and said as a Senator and as a human being. I never once heard him speak a harsh word about anyone, and I never was aware of his losing his temper. He may have, but I never saw it. Mr. President, John Chafee was a thoroughly decent and unfailing gentlemen who was respectful of the opinions and judgments of others but unyielding in his own opinions. That is the way it is supposed to be around here. Did I like John Chafee? You bet. Did I respect his quiet independence? Of course. Like the good U.S. Marine that he was in World War II, he was demonstrably willing to give his life for his country and to serve his country in other capacities, such as Secretary of the Navy. I shall miss his sitting next to me; I shall always remember our agreement to nudge each other when the rhetoric in this Chamber caused heads to begin to nod, which frequently happens when some long-winded speaker takes up a lot of time, which I am not going to do at this time. John Chafee was a friend whom I shall forever miss, and Dot Helms and I extend our deepest sympathy to John's dear wife, Virginia, whom I admire greatly, to his five children, and all of his splendid family which he loved so dearly. One final personal note. I know how the staffs feel; he had two of them--his personal staff and the committee staff. I know exactly how they feel this afternoon. I extend my sympathy to them as well because I have been there and I have done that. I served as an administrative assistant to a distinguished U.S. Senator in the early '50s, and he died unexpectedly; he had a heart attack. I remember the helplessness that all of us felt. Coming here to make these remarks, I rode over on the underground trolley that connects the Dirksen building with the Capitol. In the car with me was one of Senator Chafee's staff members. He was sad, and I told him that I knew exactly how he felt. It is not a good day. But it is so good that all of us, the staff members, his friends and family, were able to know and be with John Chafee. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the ``Thoughts from Senator Chafee's Staff'' be printed in the Record. There being no objection. The material was ordered to be printed in

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. Madam President, at the close of business yesterday, Wednesday, October 20, 1999, the Federal debt stood at $5,669,462,199,918.75 (Five trillion, six hundred sixty-nine billion, four hundred sixty-two million, one hundred ninety-nine thousand, nine hundred eighteen dollars and seventy-five cents). One year ago, October 20, 1998, the Federal debt stood at $5,543,686,000,000 (Five trillion, five hundred forty-three billion, six hundred eighty-six million). Five years ago, October 20, 1994, the Federal debt stood at $4,709,361,000,000 (Four trillion, seven hundred nine billion, three hundred sixty-one million). Ten years ago, October 20, 1989, the Federal debt stood at $2,876,433,000,000 (Two trillion, eight hundred seventy-six billion, four hundred thirty-three million) which reflects a doubling of the debt--an increase of almost $3 trillion--$2,793,029,199,918.75 (Two trillion, seven hundred ninety-three billion, twenty-nine million, one hundred ninety-nine thousand, nine hundred eighteen dollars and seventy-five cents) during the past 10 years.

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, I thank the Chair for recognizing me. Let me say at the outset, I am so grateful to the younger Senators who have taken up this battle. And they are doing well with it. They may not win, but they are doing the Lord's work as far as I am concerned. I remember, on January 22, 1973--and I had barely arrived in the Senate--Jim Buckley and I were sitting right over there, and the clerk brought in a bulletin from the Associated Press announcing the Supreme Court decision in Roe v. Wade. Jim Buckley looked at me, and he said: We've got to fight this. I said: We certainly do. And we did. And we are still fighting it--in different ways. He is a Federal judge now, and I am a somewhat older Senator. But my respect goes out to the ladies outside who are standing up for the right to life. They will always be dear to me. Mr. President, before I launch into what I want to say, I have thought so many times of a beautiful Afro-American lady named Ethel Waters, born in Mississippi, the product of a rape. Her mother was much beloved by citizens in that Mississippi town. And they offered to take care of an abortion for her. She said: No. I don't want it. The Lord put that child in me, and I want it to be born. The baby turned out to be a girl who grew up to be one of the greatest singers in the history of this country. Ethel Waters' name is in all of the musical records as being a great voice. That brings me up to the point that I want to try to make today, as briefly as possible. The United Nations recently sounded its alert button to announce what the United Nations described as the arrival of the six-billionth baby born in this world. And the news reports went on and on, of course, in great lamentation that the Earth does not produce enough resources to handle such population growth, the point being, of course, that the United Nations crowd does not believe bringing more babies into the world is advisable. If I may be forgiven, I do not regularly agree with the United Nations, and this is another time when I do not agree. In fact, the spin doctors worked steadily drumming up all manner of contrived environmental statistics to persuade the American people to support abortion. And those spin doctors, of course, used the term ``population control''--which is nothing more than a diplomatic way of promoting abortion because that is exactly what ``population control'' means. It means brutally killing innocent unborn babies. Anyone doubting the horrors of population control need only to look at Red China, a Communist country, that proudly boasts of its population control program, a program which forces pregnant women, who have already given birth to a male child, forces those women to undergo an abortion. Astonishingly, Red China's Premier, Zhu Rongji, boasted that the world had been spared the ``burden'' of 300 million babies as a result of Red China's forced-abortion policy. So I think there is no doubt that the ``population control'' spin doctors are, without fail, pro-abortionists with an undying and unyielding commitment to the abortion movement. And no matter where it is performed, whether it is in Red China or in the United States, abortion, in any form, is atrocious and wrong. And my critics may come out of their chairs, but they are breaking one of the Ten Commandments. That is why I am grateful to the distinguished Senator from Pennsylvania, Mr. Santorum, for his strength and conviction in standing up in defense of countless unborn babies. Rick Santorum's willingness to continue to lead the fight on behalf of the passage of the Partial- Birth Abortion Ban Act is a demonstration of his courage. From the moment the Senate first debated the Partial-Birth Ban Act in the 104th Congress, the extreme pro-abortion groups have sought to justify this inhumane, gruesome procedure as necessary to protect the health of women in a late-term complicated pregnancy. That is what they always say. However, well-known medical doctors, obstetricians, and gynecologists have repeatedly rejected this assertion that a partial- birth abortion can be justified for health reasons. Moreover, there is much to be said about the facts surrounding the number of partial-birth abortions performed every year and the reasons they are performed--or at least the stated reasons. It is difficult to overlook the confession of Ron Fitzsimmons, executive director of the National Coalition of Abortion Providers, who acknowledged that he himself had deceived the American people on national television about the number and nature of partial-birth abortions. Mr. Fitzsimmons has since then estimated that up to 5,000 partial-birth abortions are conducted annually on healthy women, carrying healthy babies--a far cry from the rhetoric of Washington's pro-abortion groups who have insisted that only 500 partial-birth abortions, as they put it, are performed every year, and only--they say, every time--in extreme medical circumstances. It is time for the Senate, once and for all, to settle this matter and pass the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act with a veto-proof vote and affirm the need to rid America of this senseless, brutal form of killing. It is also important to note that the American people recognize the moral significance of this legislation. The majority of Americans agree that the Government must outlaw partial-birth abortion. In fact, in recent years, polls have found as many as 74 percent of Americans want the partial-birth procedure banned. Unfortunately, the American people have to contend with President Clinton's adamant refusal to condemn this senseless form of killing, despite the public's overwhelming plea to ban it. The President of the United States should have to explain, over and over again, to the American people why he will not sign this law. The spotlight will no longer shine on the much proclaimed ``right to choose.'' I remember vividly the day when the Supreme Court handed down the decision to legalize abortion. As I said earlier, Jim Buckley and I-- Senator Jim Buckley of New York and I--were sitting side by side because we were back-bench Senators at that time. Each of us who has fought, heart and soul, to undo that damaging decision, understood so well that day that we had yet to see what devastation would come of such a horrendous rule. Indeed, when you stop to think about it, when the President of the United States condones the inhumane procedure known as ``partial-birth abortion,'' it is clear that our worst fears that January morning are coming true. So it is time, once again, Mr. President, for Members of the Senate to stand up and be counted for or against the most helpless human beings imaginable, for or against the destruction of innocent human life in such a repugnant way. Senators are going to have to consider whether an innocent, tiny baby, partially born, just 3 inches from the protection of the law, has a right to live and to love and to be loved. In my judgment, the Senate absolutely must pass the Partial- Birth Abortion Ban Act. I pray that it will do it by a great margin, of at least the 67 votes to override Bill Clinton's veto. I thank the Chair and yield the floor. Modification to S. 1692

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, at the close of business yesterday, Tuesday, October 19, 1999, the Federal debt stood at $5,670,293,241,725.48 (Five trillion, six hundred seventy billion, two hundred ninety-three million, two hundred forty-one thousand, seven hundred twenty-five dollars and forty-eight cents). One year ago, October 19, 1998, the Federal debt stood at $5,541,765,000,000 (Five trillion, five hundred forty-one billion, seven hundred sixty-five million). Five years ago, October 19, 1994, the Federal debt stood at $4,705,195,000,000 (Four trillion, seven hundred five billion, one hundred ninety-five million). Ten years ago, October 19, 1989, the Federal debt stood at $2,876,712,000,000 (Two trillion, eight hundred seventy-six billion, seven hundred twelve million). Fifteen years ago, October 19, 1984, the Federal debt stood at $1,592,001,000,000 (One trillion, five hundred ninety-two billion, one million) which reflects a debt increase of more than $4 trillion-- $4,078,292,241,725.48 (Four trillion, seventy-eight billion, two hundred ninety-two million, two hundred forty-one thousand, seven hundred twenty-five dollars and forty-eight cents) during the past 15 years.

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, at the close of business Friday, October 15, 1999, the Federal debt stood at $5,664,657,029,541.87 (Five trillion, six hundred sixty-four billion, six hundred fifty-seven million, twenty-nine thousand, five hundred forty-one dollars and eighty-seven cents). One year ago, October 15, 1998, the Federal debt stood at $5,537,594,000,000 (Five trillion, five hundred thirty-seven billion, five hundred ninety-four million). Fifteen years ago, October 15, 1984, the Federal debt stood at $1,590,669,000,000 (One trillion, five hundred ninety billion, six hundred sixty-nine million). Twenty-five years ago, October 15, 1974, the Federal debt stood at $478,586,000,000 (Four hundred seventy-eight billion, five hundred eighty-six million) which reflects a debt increase of more than $5 trillion--$5,186,071,029,541.87 (Five trillion, one hundred eighty-six billion, seventy-one million, twenty-nine thousand, five hundred forty- one dollars and eighty-seven cents) during the past 25 years.

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, at the close of business yesterday, Thursday, October 14, 1999, the Federal debt stood at $5,666,668,943,905.59 (Five trillion, six hundred sixty-six billion, six hundred sixty-eight million, nine hundred forty-three thousand, nine hundred five dollars and fifty-nine cents). One year ago, October 14, 1998, the Federal debt stood at $5,536,803,000,000 (Five trillion, five hundred thirty-six billion, eight hundred three million). Five years ago, October 14, 1994, the Federal debt stood at $4,691,920,000,000 (Four trillion, six hundred ninety-one billion, nine hundred twenty million). Twenty-five years ago, October 14, 1974, the Federal debt stood at $478,496,000,000 (Four hundred seventy-eight billion, four hundred ninety-six million) which reflects a debt increase of more than $5 trillion--$5,188,172,943,905.59 (Five trillion, one hundred eighty- eight billion, one hundred seventy-two million, nine hundred forty- three thousand, nine hundred five dollars and fifty-nine cents) during the past 25 years.

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, at the close of business yesterday, Wednesday, October 13, 1999, the Federal debt stood at $5,662,720,361,489.64 (Five trillion, six hundred sixty-two billion, seven hundred twenty million, three hundred sixty-one thousand, four hundred eighty-nine dollars and sixty-four cents). One year ago, October 13, 1998, the Federal debt stood at $5,537,721,000,000 (Five trillion, five hundred thirty-seven billion, seven hundred twenty-one million). Five years ago, October 13, 1994, the Federal debt stood at $4,690,874,000,000 (Four trillion, six hundred ninety billion, eight hundred seventy-four million). Ten years ago, October 13, 1989, the Federal debt stood at $2,869,041,000,000 (Two trillion, eight hundred sixty-nine billion, forty-one million) which reflects a doubling of the debt--an increase of almost $3 trillion--$2,793,679,361,489.64 (Two trillion, seven hundred ninety-three billion, six hundred seventy-nine million, three hundred sixty-one thousand, four hundred eighty-nine dollars and sixty- four cents) during the past 10 years.