H696 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 3, 1998 10,000 volunteers, up about 35,000 more Currier. However, before Martha and time, Garner spent a lot of his time volunteers, serving overseas by the Garner had a chance to begin raising a taking care of the direct needs and con- year 2000. The demand for their service family, World War II pulled Garner cerns of his constituents back in Kan- is there, the supply is not, and the only away from home for 3 years. He en- sas. As a senior member of the power- thing that stands between that is the listed in the Navy, but after only 10 ful House Appropriations Committee, United States Congress and its ability months he received a commission as Garner was in a unique position to pro- to appropriate the funds. I encourage Lieutenant, leaving the Navy after 3 tect the vital interests of both the 4th my colleagues to do so. years as an officer. During his tour in Congressional District and the State of The proposed expansion of the Peace the Navy, Garner commanded a boat Kansas. Corps comes at a time when the inter- group in the Pacific by the end of the When Garner left Congress in 1977, he est in serving as a volunteer is particu- war. was ranking member of the Appropria- larly high. Last year, more than 150,000 Not long after the war ended, Garner tions Foreign Operations Subcommit- Americans contacted the Peace Corps made his first attempt at elected of- tee and the third ranking Republican to request information on serving as fice. His wife Martha Jane recently re- on the full committee. In that impor- volunteers, an increase of more than 40 counted the story in the Wichita Eagle tant capacity, Garner was able to make percent since 1994. of how Garner first got into politics. sure Kansas was never overlooked dur- The value of the volunteers and their She noted that ‘‘he figured he didn’t ing the Federal budget process. experience is not restricted to overseas have anything to lose,’’ so in 1946, Gar- On a more personal level, I want to service. I can testify that the best serv- ner ran for the Kansas House of Rep- express my heartfelt thanks again to ice that is given to the Peace Corps is resentatives. She continued, ‘‘When we Garner for his advice and counsel upon the domestic dividend that we all bring went to bed that election night, we my appointment to the Appropriations when we come home. didn’t know anything about elections. Committee after my reelection last I urge all of those Members of Con- We woke up the next morning to find year. Before my appointment last year, gress that they ought to think some- out he had won by 222 votes.’’ 20 years had passed since a Kansan had day even when they retire, that Peace So began the long and distinguished served on the important committee in Corps has no limit to the age that one career of a great Kansas politician. either the House or Senate. Seeking to can enter. Remember President After serving only 2 terms in the Kan- understand the first thing about the Carter’s mother who entered the Peace sas House, Garner set his sights higher Appropriations Committee and how it Corps in her elderly years. I encourage and was elected to the Kansas State operated, I was fortunate to be able to on this 37th anniversary of the Peace Senate, where he served two terms. receive the sage counsel of Garner on Corps that we all be proud of what was During his 12 years of service in the the ins and outs of this committee. created here in the House of Represent- Kansas legislature, Garner championed After leaving Congress in 1977, Gar- atives and what has served its country many worthwhile causes, including ner returned home to Wichita, Kansas, well, the United States Peace Corps. education for handicapped and retarded where he resumed the practice of law and spent the rest of his life alongside f children, getting and keeping reckless his lovely and dedicated wife, Martha drivers off the highways, creating the A TRIBUTE TO CONGRESSMAN Jane. Today, it is only appropriate State Park Authority, important flood GARNER E. SHRIVER that we remember and celebrate the control legislation, and setting up the The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under life and accomplishments of Garner E. 4–H livestock show. the Speaker’s announced policy of Jan- Shriver. In 1960, Garner left State politics to uary 21, 1997, the gentleman from Kan- Garner Shriver will be missed, not run for Congress. Winning what was sas (Mr. TIAHRT) is recognized during only by his family, but by me and a lot characterized as a very spirited race, morning hour debates for 5 minutes. of other Kansans, Kansans who consid- Garner became the new representative Mr. TIAHRT. Mr. Speaker, today I ered him a friend, an American hero, of the 4th Congressional District. At come to the floor of the House both to who lived his life with courage, char- that time the district included Sedg- commemorate and honor the life of a acter and integrity. former Member of this distinguished wick and 14 other counties and was So long, Garner. May God bless your body, Garner E. Shriver. Garner died considered to be heavily democratic. soul and your family. this past Sunday, March 1, at age 85. Garner went on to win 8 consecutive Mr. Speaker, I include for the record Both my wife Vickie and I were deep- races before losing in a narrow defeat, a copy of a letter to Mrs. Martha Jane ly saddened when we learned of Gar- 3,200 votes, in 1976, to former Congress- Shriver signed by the entire Kansas ner’s death. Over the past couple years, man and now Secretary of Agriculture delegation. Garner had become a personal friend Dan Glickman. U.S. CONGRESS, and someone whom I admired greatly. I During his 16 years in Congress, Gar- Washington, DC, March 2, 1998. speak for the entire Kansas delegation ner became an influential voice on sig- Mrs. MARTHA JANE SHRIVER, in Congress when I say our thoughts nificant issues of the day, including Wichita, Kansas. health and education benefits for our DEAR MRS. SHRIVER: We were deeply sad- and prayers are with Garner’s wife, dened when we learned of Garner’s death yes- Martha Jane, and their three children, Nation’s veterans, and landmark civil rights legislation. Garner served on the terday morning. We want you and your three Kay, David and Linda. children, Kay, David and Linda to know that Born on July 6, 1912, in Towanda, committee that drafted the the Civil our thoughts and prayers are with you dur- Kansas, Garner’s family later moved to Rights Act of 1964. His family is very ing this difficult time. We wish we could be Wichita in 1925, where he attended pub- proud of the fact that they have one of with you this Wednesday for Garner’s fu- lic schools and graduated from East the pens LBJ used to sign the historic neral. However, Congress will be in session High School. legislation into law. that day. Representative Tiahrt has reserved Garner stayed in Wichita to receive Elected in the same class as fellow time on the floor of the House of Representa- his undergraduate degree from the Uni- Kansan Bob Dole, Garner quickly be- tives for this Tuesday, March 3, to allow us came a close friend and political con- the opportunity to commemorate the distin- versity of Wichita, now Wichita State guished life of Garner. University, in 1934. Today his Congres- fidant of Senator Dole. Upon learning During the nearly 30 years of elected public sional papers, amounting to over of Garner’s death, Senator Dole stated office the name of Garner Shriver became 180,000 items, are kept at the Wichita that ‘‘Garner was one of my closest po- synonymous with Wichita and south-central State Ablah Library. litical friends when we served together Kansas. Indeed, Monday’s headline in the In 1940, Garner graduated from in Congress. I, like many others, Wichita Eagle obituary for Garner summed Washburn Law School in Topeka, Kan- learned a lot from Garner, who was it up well: Garner Shriver was a political sas. Garner put himself through both known as a quiet and effective legisla- giant. While most of us were too young to re- member back 50 years ago when Garner undergraduate and law school by work- tor, and someone who kept his word. began his political career, everyone can be ing odd jobs, including serving as a He was an exemplary husband and fa- proud of the many accomplishments he doorman. ther.’’ achieved during the 12 years he served in the In 1941 Garner married his wife of While Garner worked on various Kansas Legislature and the 16 years he now 56 years, the former Martha Jane issues of national concern during his served in the United States Congress. March 3, 1998 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H697 Elected to Congress in 1960, Garner quickly The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there The answer is pretty clear. Not only became a close friend and advisor to another objection to the request of the gen- is the marriage tax penalty unfair, but famous Kansan—fellow classmate Bob Dole. tleman from Kansas? it is wrong that our Tax Code punishes During his tenure in Congress, Garner be- came an influential voice on significant There was no objection. a married working couple with two in- issues of the day, including health and edu- f comes with higher taxes than an iden- tical couple that chooses to live to- cation benefits for our nations veterans, and b the 1964 Civil Rights Act. Additionally, Gar- 1300 gether outside of marriage. Twenty-one ner effectively combined his political prow- CONGRESS HAS AN HISTORIC OP- million married working couples suffer ess and position on the powerful House Ap- PORTUNITY TO IMPROVE THE an average marriage tax penalty of propriations Committee to make sure Kan- QUALITY OF OUR NATION’S EDU- $1,400 more in higher taxes just because sas was never overlooked during the federal they are married. budget process. And while championing the CATION rights of the average taxpayer, Garner was (Under the Speaker’s announced pol- Some would say, why does that hap- often heard complaining that members spent icy of January 21, 1997, the gentleman pen? Under our current Tax Code, a married working couple with two in- ‘‘too much of taxpayers’ money on from California (Mr. MILLER) is recog- junketeering and increased staff.’’ comes usually files jointly. When they In addition to being a loyal husband, Gar- nized during morning hour debates for 1 minute.) do, their combined income pushes them ner was a caring and loving father, an hon- into a higher tax bracket. ored public servant and a personal friend to Mr. MILLER of California. Mr. thousands of Kansans who, like us, will miss Speaker, this year the Congress has an Let me give an example here of a his wit and personal charm. Finally, we wish historic opportunity to improve the south suburban couple. I represent the to recognize, as was noted in his obituary, quality of our Nation’s education. south side of Chicago, the south sub- that Garner viewed public service as a man- Teachers are the foundation of our en- urbs in Illinois, as well as a lot of bed- date for living a Christian life. We pray that tire educational system, but right now room communities and rural areas. Let the Lord gives us the same grace he provided we have a serious problem with the me give an example of a couple that Garner during his distinguished public ca- lives in Joliet. Say you have a machin- reer. way we prepare and deploy teachers. If there is anything we can do to help you One in four high school teachers does ist who is working at the Joliet Cat- during this difficult time, please do not hesi- not even have a college minor in the erpillar Manufacturing Plant, where tate to call. subject they teach. In high poverty they make heavy industrial equipment Sincerely, schools, the figure is one in two. like bulldozers and cranes and earth SAM BROWNBACK, Last week it was reported that U.S. movers. This machinist is making PAT ROBERTS, $30,500 a year in average income. If he U.S. Senate. students performed poorly in math and science compared to students in other is single, after standard deductions and TODD TIAHRT, exemptions, he is in the 15 percent tax JERRY MORAN, countries. It is no coincidence that JIM RYUN, many of these students’ teachers have bracket, being taxed at the 15 percent VINCE SNOWBARGER, no math or science background. The rate. Members of Congress. Committee on Education and the Say he meets a gal and she is a public Mr. MORAN of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, I join Workforce is about to mark up legisla- school teacher in the Joliet public my colleagues today in honoring the memory tion to upgrade teacher preparation schools. She has an identical income. of former Kansas Congressman Garner Shriv- and to attract talented individuals to This machinist who works the caterpil- er who was sadly taken from us this week. the profession of teaching. lar and this Joliet public school teach- Garner Shriver will always be remembered as I will offer my own legislation, H.R. er decide to get married. She has an in- one of Kansas' most effective and revered 2228, which would provide for the for- come of $30,500 as well. When you com- public servants. giveness of student loans to qualified bine their income when they file joint- Garner served his country as an enlisted entry-level teachers, increase profes- ly, it produces a $1,400 average mar- man and as an officer in the U.S. Navy during sional development of new teachers, riage tax penalty. Is that fair, just be- World War II. Upon his return, he served 12 strengthen the standards for federally- cause this machinist at Caterpillar and years in the Kansas Legislature and was later supported teacher programs, and re- this Joliet public school teacher decide elected to serve 8 consecutive terms in the quire schools to inform parents about to get married, that they should pay U.S. House of Representatives. the qualifications of their child’s higher taxes just because they are mar- Here in the House of Representatives he teacher. ried? quickly became known as a tireless advocate I support reducing classroom size by I think it is wrong that our Tax Code for our nation's veterans and as a thorough hiring more teachers, but when it punishes this machinist and this school legislator who made sure Kansas was never comes to teachers, more is not enough. teacher. I believe we should make it a overlooked in needed federal appropriations. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. priority to eliminate the marriage tax A quiet, thoughtful man, Garner viewed his 2228. penalty. If we think about it, in Joliet public service as a Christian duty. In the proc- f Illinois, in the district I am proud to ess, he achieved great legislative successes represent, for this machinist and public benefiting both our nation and his home state ELIMINATE THE MARRIAGE TAX schoolteacher, $1,400 is a lot of money. of Kansas. PENALTY NOW That is one year’s tuition at Joliet Garner Shriver was a skilled political leader Junior College, it is 3 months of day who helped shape the attitudes of an entire The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. care at a local day care center, it is generation of young Kansans. It is to his cred- SNOWBARGER). Under the Speaker’s an- several months’ worth of car payments it, that those of us who have gathered here nounced policy of January 21, 1997, the and a significant portion of a down today on the floor of the U.S. House of Rep- gentleman from Illinois (Mr. WELLER) payment on a new home. resentatives to pay tribute to him were among is recognized during morning hour de- The Marriage Tax Elimination Act, them. bates for 5 minutes. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife, Mr. WELLER. Mr. Speaker, today I which now has 235 cosponsors, would Martha Jane, and their three children, Kay, rise to explain why enactment of the eliminate the marriage tax penalty and David, and Linda. Garner Shriver has left a Marriage Tax Elimination Act is so im- eliminate it now, because we would void that will surely be hard to fill. portant with a series of questions: Do give married working couples with two f Americans feel that it is fair that our incomes the power of choice to choose Tax Code imposes a higher tax penalty to file as two singles or jointly, which- GENERAL LEAVE on marriage? Do Americans feel that it ever is to their financial advantage. Mr. TIAHRT. Mr. Speaker, I ask is fair that 21 million married working The bottom line is, each individual, unanimous consent that all Members couples suffer a tax penalty of $1,400 this machinist and this schoolteacher, may have 5 legislative days within more in taxes just because they are under the Marriage Tax Elimination which to revise and extend their re- married? Do Americans feel that it is Act, would be able to enjoy the lower marks on the tribute to the late Honor- right that our Tax Code actually pro- tax rate and would be at the 15 percent able Garner E. Shriver. vides an incentive to get divorced? rate, allowing them to keep that $1,400.