Jesse Helms

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, at the close of business yesterday, Monday, May 17, 1999, the federal debt stood at $5,587,730,041,115.05 (Five trillion, five hundred eighty-seven billion, seven hundred thirty million, forty-one thousand, one hundred fifteen dollars and five cents). Five years ago, May 17, 1994, the federal debt stood at $4,588,709,000,000 (Four trillion, five hundred eighty-eight billion, seven hundred nine million). Ten years ago, May 17, 1989, the federal debt stood at $2,781,561,000,000 (Two trillion, seven hundred eighty-one billion, five hundred sixty-one million). Fifteen years ago, May 17, 1984, the federal debt stood at $1,486,043,000,000 (One trillion, four hundred eighty-six billion, forty-three million). Twenty-five years ago, May 17, 1974, the federal debt stood at $469,577,000,000 (Four hundred sixty-nine billion, five hundred seventy-seven million) which reflects a debt increase of more than $5 trillion--$5,118,153,041,115.05 (Five trillion, one hundred eighteen billion, one hundred fifty-three million, forty-one thousand, one hundred fifteen dollars and five cents) during the past 25 years.

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. I ask unanimous consent that any further remarks by other Senators today or subsequent to today relative to Bud Nance be printed in tandem with the remarks that will already appear.

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, I am not sure I can adequately thank the Senators for their comments. They know I appreciate them. We are trying to go from one side to the other, and I ask the Chair to recognize the distinguished Senator from Virginia.

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, I thank the Senator. I am touched by all of these remarks. I hope the Chair will recognize Senator McCain next. But before he does, I want to make a point that Bud Nance said many times how much he admired Senator McCain's father. With that, I hope the Chair will recognize Senator McCain.

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, at the close of business Friday, May 14, 1999, the federal debt stood at $5,580,329,294,134.40 (Five trillion, five hundred eighty billion, three hundred twenty-nine million, two hundred ninety-four thousand, one hundred thirty-four dollars and forty cents). One year ago, May 14, 1998, the federal debt stood at $5,492,886,000,000 (Five trillion, four hundred ninety-two billion, eight hundred eighty-six million). Fifteen years ago, May 14, 1984, the federal debt stood at $1,480,234,000,000 (One trillion, four hundred eighty billion, two hundred thirty-four million). Twenty-five years ago, May 14, 1974, the federal debt stood at $469,667,000,000 (Four hundred sixty-nine billion, six hundred sixty- seven million) which reflects a debt increase of more than $5 trillion--$5,110,662,294,134.40 (Five trillion, one hundred ten billion, six hundred sixty-two million, two hundred ninety-four thousand, one hundred thirty-four dollars and forty cents) during the past 25 years.

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, with that I thank the Chair for recognizing me and I yield the floor. Exhibit No. 1 Center for the Prevention of School Violence, Raleigh, NC, May 11, 1999. Hon. Jesse Helms, Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, DC. Dear Senator Helms: I appreciate your letting me know of Senator Ashcroft's school safety amendment, which would free the hands of local school districts to discipline dangerous students without regard to their status under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. I am certainly pleased to offer my support for this proposal, and I hope it will be swiftly adopted by the Senate. I believe it is entirely appropriate--indeed, entirely necessary--for Congress to allow local schools the flexibility to discipline students who bring weapons to school or threaten violence on their teachers or peers, regardless of whether the student is classified as disabled. While I believe it is important to make sure disabled students receive quality education, the safety of our classrooms should be an overriding goal of federal education policy. As Director of the Center for the Prevention of School Violence at North Carolina State University, I know our local officials are struggling to curb the worsening problem of violence in our schools. The Center's vision that ``Every student will attend a school that is safe and secure, one that is free of fear and conductive to learning.'' I hope the federal government will take all proper steps to assist in obtaining this goal, and I believe the Ashcroft amendment is a step in the right direction. Sincerely, Dr. Pamela L. Riley, Executive Director. Exhibit No. 2 North Carolina School Boards Association, Raleigh, NC, May 13, 1999. public education: north carolina's best investment Hon. Jesse A. Helms, Dirkson Senate Office Building, Washington, DC. Dear Senator Helms: Thank you for sharing with me the Ashcroft School Safety Act, which seeks to amend the IDEA and the Guns Free Schools Act of 1994. The North Carolina School Boards Association strongly supports this Act. As you know, school safety is an issue of paramount concern for school districts. If we cannot maintain safety, it is impossible for us to teach children. Being able to appropriately discipline all students is essential to maintaining safe schools. The Ashcroft School Safety Act would give school systems more ability to discipline special education students the same as regular education students in specific situations. This would allow the entire school's safety to not be impaired by one individual student. If I can be of further assistance to you, please let me know. Sincerely, Leanne E. Winner, Director of Governmental Relations.

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, I am grateful to the able Senator from Missouri, Mr. Ashcroft, and the able Senator from Tennessee, Mr. Frist, for offering this amendment which corrects a glaring flaw in the Federal disabilities law and, in my judgment, is among the most important amendments to the juvenile justice legislation when, again, it is pending. This past Thursday morning, I was aghast when I noted an op-ed piece in the Washington Times written by Kenneth Smith. It was entitled ``Disabled Educators.'' The article detailed a number of disturbing incidents of students threatening their teachers and peers with violence, bringing knives and guns to campus and even burning down their own schools. In the wake of the tragedy of Littleton, CO, these news items, of course, are particularly chilling. What is most alarming about the column is not the individual stories of violence, it is that a well-intentioned Federal law nevertheless prevents local school officials from expelling these dangerous students from their schools for all but a short period of time. Let me admit up front that I bear my share of the responsibility for this situation. Two years ago, I was one of 98 Senators who voted to reauthorize the Individuals with Disabilities Act, the so-called IDEA legislation. Only the courageous and farsighted Senator from Washington, Mr. Gorton, voted against final passage of IDEA shortly after his commonsense amendment to address these discipline procedures failed by just three votes. Two years later, Senator Gorton's warnings began to appear prophetic, and I certainly appreciate his crucial leadership on this issue, as well as the many others Senator Gorton has helped the Senate to follow. In any case, I voted for IDEA because I believed then, and I continue to believe, that it is appropriate for the Federal Government to help local school districts bear the financial burden of attending to the special needs of disabled children. But it is unfair and it is unwise for the Federal Government to use these funds to mandate unreasonable and even dangerous discipline procedures on the local schools. I believe that the amendment which I hope will be pending shortly will be an important first step in correcting this flaw in the IDEA legislation. There are 165,402 children in North Carolina classified as learning disabled. I believe that every one of these children is entitled to get an education. But under the IDEA legislation, if 1--even 1--of those 165,402 children brings a weapon to school, he or she must be returned to the classroom within 45 days if the school district wants to keep its IDEA funding. If a disabled student threatens violence or poses any other kind of general discipline problem, the student can be suspended for only 10 days. Worse, these limitations apply to disabled children even if their behavior is unrelated to the disability. Clearly, this policy defies common sense. This amendment frees the hands of school administrators to use their discretion to discipline a learning-disabled student who brings a weapon to school or threatens violence. I believe the Senate should adopt this eminently reasonable position. Anybody who does not want to take my word for it should listen to the experts. For example, North Carolina State University is home to a unique organization called the Center for the Prevention of School Violence. It is, as far as I know, one of the few public policy outlets devoted solely to the issue of school violence. Its director, Pam Riley, works tirelessly to collect statistics, analyze legislation, and suggest solutions to make our schools safer. I called Dr. Riley and asked her to look over the amendment I am discussing and to let me know her opinion. With the Chair's permission, I shall read a paragraph from her reply to me, because she states the issue quite clearly and succinctly, as far as I am concerned. Let me quote her: I believe it is entirely appropriate--indeed, entirely necessary--for Congress to allow local schools the flexibility to discipline students who bring weapons to school or threaten violence on their teachers or peers, regardless of whether the student is classified as disabled. While I believe it is important to make sure disabled students receive quality education, the safety of our classrooms should be an overriding goal of federal education policy. That says it all, as far as I am concerned. I know that Senator Ashcroft and Senator Frist share my appreciation for Dr. Riley's support of this amendment. I ask unanimous consent that her entire letter, dated May 11, be printed in the Record at the conclusion of my remarks.

Mr. HELMS. I thank the Chair. Mr. President, the North Carolina School Boards Association, in a letter dated May 13, 1999, echoed Dr. Riley's sentiments: Being able to appropriately discipline all students is essential to maintaining safe schools. Dr. Bob Bowers, superintendent of the Buncombe County Schools, wrote: [T]he Ashcroft amendment-- And it is now the Ashcroft-Frist-Helms amendment-- is a necessary and proper response to student threats of violence in our schools made against teachers and [other students]. Moreover, weapons have no place in our schools and making exceptions erodes confidence regarding overall school safety. I certainly agree. I ask unanimous consent that this letter from the North Carolina School Boards Association and the Buncombe County Public Schools be printed in the Record at the conclusion of my remarks.

Mr. HELMS. I thank the Chair. I hope those listening to this discussion are not misled into thinking that school administrators are suddenly discovering this problem as an aftermath of the Littleton tragedy. The fact is that schools have long been concerned about this aspect of IDEA. This letter to my office dated April 2, 1998, from the Onslow County Schools in Jacksonville, NC, clearly indicates that discipline procedures have long been a problem for our school districts. More than a year ago, Superintendent Ronald Singletary wrote to me to say that under the IDEA law, ``we convey [to students] that there are no real consequences for the serious misbehavior of a disabled student.'' I cannot imagine a more inappropriate message to send to our students. The problems we are discussing are more than just a quirk in the law or a technical matter. It is clearly an ill-conceived mistake by Congress, in which I participated. And I hope Senators will ask themselves what possible reason the Federal Government would have to prevent local school officials from making sure that their students have safe classrooms. This is the real problem. Our school boards and our administrators are asking for our help in correcting a part of IDEA that does not work. And I sincerely hope the Senate will listen. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the article ``Disabled educators'' to which I referred at the outset of my comments be printed in the Record at the conclusion of my remarks.

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, at the close of business yesterday, Thursday, May 13, 1999, the federal debt stood at $5,579,720,008,674.59 (Five trillion, five hundred seventy-nine billion, seven hundred twenty million, eight thousand, six hundred seventy-four dollars and fifty- nine cents). One year ago, May 13, 1998, the federal debt stood at $5,492,157,000,000 (Five trillion, four hundred ninety-two billion, one hundred fifty-seven million). Five years ago, May 13, 1994, the federal debt stood at $4,579,502,000,000 (Four trillion, five hundred seventy-nine billion, five hundred two million). Twenty-five years ago, May 13, 1974, the federal debt stood at $469,298,000,000 (Four hundred sixty-nine billion, two hundred ninety- eight million) which reflects a debt increase of more than $5 trillion--$5,110,422,008,674.59 (Five trillion, one hundred ten billion, four hundred twenty-two million, eight thousand, six hundred seventy-four dollars and fifty-nine cents) during the past 25 years.

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, at the close of business yesterday, Wednesday, May 12, 1999, the Federal debt stood at $5,578,150,283,470.74 (Five trillion, five hundred seventy-eight billion, one hundred fifty million, two hundred eighty-three thousand, four hundred seventy dollars and seventy-four cents). One year ago, May 12, 1998, the Federal debt stood at $5,491,841,000,000 (Five trillion, four hundred ninety-one billion, eight hundred forty-one million). Five years ago, May 12, 1994, the Federal debt stood at $4,577,406,000,000 (Four trillion, five hundred seventy-seven billion, four hundred six million). Ten years ago, May 12, 1989, the Federal debt stood at $2,764,990,000,000 (Two trillion, seven hundred sixty-four billion, nine hundred ninety million) which reflects a doubling of the debt--an increase of almost $3 trillion--$2,813,160,283,470.74 (Two trillion, eight hundred thirteen billion, one hundred sixty million, two hundred eighty-three thousand, four hundred seventy dollars and seventy-four cents) during the past 10 years.

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, at the close of business yesterday, Tuesday, May 11, 1999, the federal debt stood at $5,575,359,326,029.03 (Five trillion, five hundred seventy-five billion, three hundred fifty- nine million, three hundred twenty-six thousand, twenty-nine dollars and three cents). One year ago, May 11, 1998, the federal debt stood at $5,487,765,000,000 (Five trillion, four hundred eighty-seven billion, seven hundred sixty-five million). Five years ago, May 11, 1994, the federal debt stood at $4,575,659,000,000 (Four trillion, five hundred seventy-five billion, six hundred fifty-nine million). Ten years ago, May 11, 1989, the federal debt stood at $2,765,542,000,000 (Two trillion, seven hundred sixty-five billion, five hundred forty-two million). Fifteen years ago, May 11, 1984, the federal debt stood at $1,480,589,000,000 (One trillion, four hundred eighty billion, five hundred eighty-nine million) which reflects a debt increase of more than $4 trillion--$4,094,770,326,029.03 (Four trillion, ninety-four billion, seven hundred seventy million, three hundred twenty-six thousand, twenty-nine dollars and three cents) during the past 15 years.

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, at the close of business yesterday, Monday, May 10, 1999, the federal debt stood at $5,571,919,882,068.64 (Five trillion, five hundred seventy-one billion, nine hundred nineteen million, eight hundred eighty-two thousand, sixty-eight dollars and sixty-four cents). Five years ago, May 10, 1994, the federal debt stood at $4,571,813,000,000 (Four trillion, five hundred seventy-one billion, eight hundred thirteen million). Ten years ago, May 10, 1989, the federal debt stood at $2,765,710,000,000 (Two trillion, seven hundred sixty-five billion, seven hundred ten million). Twenty-five years ago, May 10, 1974, the federal debt stood at $469,195,000,000 (Four hundred sixty-nine billion, one hundred ninety- five million) which reflects a debt increase of more than $5 trillion-- $5,102,724,882,068.64 (Five trillion, one hundred two billion, seven hundred twenty-four million, eight hundred eighty-two thousand, sixty- eight dollars and sixty-four cents) during the past 25 years.

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, at the close of business Friday, May 7, 1999, the Federal debt stood at $5,569,913,164,536.03. One year ago, May 7, 1998, the Federal debt stood at $5,484,428,000,000. Fifteen years ago, May 7, 1984, the Federal debt stood at $1,484,934,000,000. Twenty-five years ago, May 7, 1974, the Federal debt stood at $468,096,000,000 which reflects a debt increase of more than $5 trillion--$5,101,817,164,536.03 during the past 25 years.

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, I know everybody wants to go home, but let me say, if we tried to review Joe Biden's accomplishments, it would take all night. Let me put it this way: I opposed most of them. (Laughter.) Furthermore--this is serious--Joe Biden is a caring person. I work with him on the Foreign Relations Committee. He is great to work with. Joe, I am proud of you. (Applause.) Mr. ROTH addressed the Chair.

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, at the close of business yesterday, Wednesday, May 5, 1999, the Federal debt stood at $5,573,001,415,759.57 (Five trillion, five hundred seventy-three billion, one million, four hundred fifteen thousand, seven hundred fifty-nine dollars and fifty- seven cents). One year ago, May 5, 1998, the Federal debt stood at $5,486,129,000,000 (Five trillion, four hundred eighty-six billion, one hundred twenty-nine million). Five years ago, May 5, 1994, the Federal debt stood at $4,573,713,000,000 (Four trillion, five hundred seventy-three billion, seven hundred thirteen million). Ten years ago, May 5, 1989, the Federal debt stood at $2,770,989,000,000 (Two trillion, seven hundred seventy billion, nine hundred eighty-nine million) which reflects a doubling of the debt--an increase of almost $3 trillion--$2,802,012,415,759.57 (Two trillion, eight hundred two billion, twelve million, four hundred fifteen thousand, seven hundred fifty-nine dollars and fifty-seven cents) during the past 15 years.

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, at the close of business yesterday, Tuesday, May 4, 1999, the federal debt stood at $5,563,049,386,516.94 (Five trillion, five hundred sixty-three billion, forty-nine million, three hundred eighty-six thousand, five hundred sixteen dollars and ninety-four cents). One year ago, May 4, 1998, the federal debt stood at $5,477,263,000,000 (Five trillion, four hundred seventy-seven billion, two hundred sixty-three million). Five years ago, May 4, 1994, the federal debt stood at $4,572,995,000,000 (Four trillion, five hundred seventy-two billion, nine hundred ninety-five million). Ten years ago, May 4, 1989, the federal debt stood at $2,770,422,000,000 (Two trillion, seven hundred seventy billion, four hundred twenty-two million). Fifteen years ago, May 4, 1984, the federal debt stood at $1,489,259,000,000 (One trillion, four hundred eighty-nine billion, two hundred fifty-nine million) which reflects a debt increase of more than $4 trillion-- $4,073,790,386,516.94 (Four trillion, seventy-three billion, seven hundred ninety million, three hundred eighty-six thousand, five hundred sixteen dollars and ninety-four cents) during the past 15 years.

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, at the close of business yesterday, Monday, May 3, 1999, the federal debt stood at $5,562,741,424,540.43 (Five trillion, five hundred sixty-two billion, seven hundred forty-one million, four hundred twenty-four thousand, five hundred forty dollars and forty-three cents). Five years ago, May 3, 1994, the federal debt stood at $4,569,524,000,000 (Four trillion, five hundred sixty-nine billion, five hundred twenty-four million). Ten years ago, May 3, 1989, the federal debt stood at $2,769,324,000,000 (Two trillion, seven hundred sixty-nine billion, three hundred twenty-four million). Fifteen years ago, May 3, 1984, the federal debt stood at $1,489,259,000,000 (One trillion, four hundred eighty-nine billion, two hundred fifty-nine million). Twenty-five years ago, May 3, 1974, the federal debt stood at $467,768,000,000 (Four hundred sixty-seven billion, seven hundred sixty-eight million) which reflects a debt increase of more than $5 trillion--$5,094,973,424,540.43 (Five trillion, ninety-four billion, nine hundred seventy-three million, four hundred twenty-four thousand, five hundred forty dollars and forty-three cents) during the past 25 years.

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. Madam President, I thank my distinguished friend and great American, Senator McCain. Madam President, before commenting on the substance of the resolution before us today, I think I ought to make it clear that I take exception to the circumstances that would have been dictated by the War Powers Act had the Foreign Relations Committee not acted voluntarily this past Friday morning to take an action. In my judgment, the War Powers Act is ill considered and fundamentally unconstitutional, as such distinguished Senators of years gone by have declared it to be--along with near unanimity of sitting conservative Senators today. In any case, Madam President, including the distinguished Presiding Officer at the moment, this past Friday, April 30, the Foreign Relations Committee met formally and officially reported S.J. Res. 20 without recommendation in order to avoid setting a precedent in support of the War Powers Act. Let me repeat, had we not met and had we not reported the type of legislation that we did report, we would have set a precedent in support of the War Powers Act. And I would resign from the Senate before I would have done that voluntarily. The committee reported S.J. Res. 20 without recommendation by a vote of 14-4. While I do support the underlying sentiment of the resolution offered by my friend, John McCain, to win the war against Serbia, I do not--and I cannot--support S.J. Res. 20. In times of armed conflict between the United States and a hostile power, it is the duty of the President of the United States, in his role as Commander in Chief, to provide leadership in seeking to achieve our political and military objectives. The Senate cannot and must not force the President to take measures that he is unwilling or unprepared to take. So I am not prepared to sign off prematurely on measures and methods on which I do not yet have details. Approval of this resolution would mistakenly--even dangerously perhaps--authorize the President to use force in a manner far exceeding anything that he has thus far publicly or privately indicated to the Congress. Now, approval of this resolution would also provide the President with prior congressional approval--prior congressional approval--for any and all action he may want to subsequently undertake in prosecuting the war--and that is what it is--against Serbia. And that would have the effect of preventing Congress from exercising its responsibilities in authorizing, or limiting, options as circumstances may change. Now let me be clear: I detest the unspeakably cruel acts committed by the Milosevic forces, and I certainly pray for that evil man's early and speedy defeat in this war. But that, however, is not what this resolution is about, despite what are, without doubt, the good intentions by the author. I worry that a negative vote by the Senate on S.J. Res. 20 will provide comfort to Mr. Milosevic, and lead him to assume falsely that the United States is not resolute in its determination to prevail in this conflict. Yet I am more concerned about what may be unintended effects of this resolution. This resolution would simply give the President a blank check. It would provide the President with prior Congressional approval for anything and everything the President may decide to undertake in prosecuting the war against Serbia. S.J. Res. 20 puts the cart before the horse. Giving the President carte blanche to do whatever he wants in Kosovo without first coming to Congress to explain his mission and ask for authorization, is not a solution for the President's failure to follow the Constitution. I thank the Chair, and I yield the floor.

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, at the close of business, Friday, April 30, 1999, the federal debt stood at $5,585,839,850,171.61 (Five trillion, five hundred eighty-five billion, eight hundred thirty-nine million, eight hundred fifty thousand, one hundred seventy-one dollars and sixty-one cents). One year ago, April 30, 1998, the federal debt stood at $5,499,895,000,000 (Five trillion, four hundred ninety-nine billion, eight hundred ninety-five million). Fifteen years ago, April 30, 1984, the federal debt stood at $1,486,116,000,000 (One trillion, four hundred eighty-six billion, one hundred sixteen million). Twenty-five years ago, April 30, 1974, the federal debt stood at $472,852,000,000 (Four hundred seventy-two billion, eight hundred fifty-two million) which reflects a debt increase of more than $5 trillion--$5,112,987,850,171.61 (Five trillion, one hundred twelve billion, nine hundred eighty-seven million, eight hundred fifty thousand, one hundred seventy-one dollars and sixty-one cents) during the past 25 years.

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, at the close of business yesterday, Thursday, April 29, 1999, the federal debt stood at $5,597,263,457,235.83 (Five trillion, five hundred ninety-seven billion, two hundred sixty-three million, four hundred fifty-seven thousand, two hundred thirty-five dollars and eighty-three cents). One year ago, April 29, 1998, the federal debt stood at $5,512,959,000,000 (Five trillion, five hundred twelve billion, nine hundred fifty-nine million). Five years ago, April 29, 1994, the federal debt stood at $4,568,704,000,000 (Four trillion, five hundred sixty-eight billion, seven hundred four million). Twenty-five years ago, April 29, 1974, the federal debt stood at $471,613,000,000 (Four hundred seventy-one billion, six hundred thirteen million) which reflects a debt increase of more than $5 trillion--$5,125,650,457,235.83 (Five trillion, one hundred twenty-five billion, six hundred fifty million, four hundred fifty-seven thousand, two hundred thirty-five dollars and eighty-three cents) during the past 25 years.

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, at the close of business yesterday, Wednesday, April 28, 1999, the federal debt stood at $5,598,229,787,052.49 (Five trillion, five hundred ninety-eight billion, two hundred twenty-nine million, seven hundred eighty-seven thousand, fifty-two dollars and forty-nine cents). One year ago, April 28, 1998, the federal debt stood at $5,512,794,000,000 (Five trillion, five hundred twelve billion, seven hundred ninety-four million). Five years ago, April 28, 1994, the federal debt stood at $4,564,295,000,000 (Four trillion, five hundred sixty-four billion, two hundred ninety-five million). Ten years ago, April 28, 1989, the federal debt stood at $2,756,668,000,000 (Two trillion, seven hundred fifty-six billion, six hundred sixty-eight million) which reflects a doubling of the debt--an increase of almost $3 trillion--$2,841,561,787,052.49 (Two trillion, eight hundred forty-one billion, five hundred sixty-one million, seven hundred eighty-seven thousand, fifty-two dollars and forty-nine cents) during the past 15 years.

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, at the close of business yesterday, Tuesday, April 27, 1999, the federal debt stood at $5,596,529,776,391.98 (Five trillion, five hundred ninety-six billion, five hundred twenty-nine million, seven hundred seventy-six thousand, three hundred ninety-one dollars and ninety-eight cents). One year ago, April 27, 1998, the federal debt stood at $5,507,607,000,000 (Five trillion, five hundred seven billion, six hundred seven million). Five years ago, April 27, 1994, the federal debt stood at $4,562,363,000,000 (Four trillion, five hundred sixty-two billion, three hundred sixty-three million). Ten years ago, April 27, 1989, the federal debt stood at $2,754,734,000,000 (Two trillion, seven hundred fifty-four billion, seven hundred thirty-four million). Fifteen years ago, April 27, 1984, the federal debt stood at $1,485,189,000,000 (One trillion, four hundred eighty-five billion, one hundred eighty-nine million) which reflects a debt increase of more than $4 trillion--$4,111,340,776,391.98 (Four trillion, one hundred eleven billion, three hundred forty million, seven hundred seventy-six thousand, three hundred ninety-one dollars and ninety-eight cents) during the past 15 years.

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, at the close of business yesterday, Monday, April 26, 1999, the federal debt stood at $5,591,807,374,069.84 (Five trillion, five hundred ninety-one billion, eight hundred seven million, three hundred seventy-four thousand, sixty-nine dollars and eighty-four cents). Five years ago, April 26, 1994, the federal debt stood at $4,561,451,000,000 (Four trillion, five hundred sixty-one billion, four hundred fifty-one million). Ten years ago, April 26, 1989, the federal debt stood at $2,756,180,000,000 (Two trillion, seven hundred fifty-six billion, one hundred eighty million). Fifteen years ago, April 26, 1984, the federal debt stood at $1,485,043,000,000 (One trillion, four hundred eighty-five billion, forty-three million). Twenty-five years ago, April 26, 1974, the federal debt stood at $471,530,000,000 (Four hundred seventy-one billion, five hundred thirty million) which reflects a debt increase of more than $5 trillion-- $5,120,277,374,069.84 (Five trillion, one hundred twenty billion, two hundred seventy-seven million, three hundred seventy-four thousand, sixty-nine dollars and eighty-four cents) during the past 25 years.