January 24, 1996 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E 77 PERSONAL EXPLANATION begin by thanking the chairman and the rank- we pass this bill and have the President sign ing member of the National Security Commit- it into law. HON. MAXINE WATERS tee who worked hard to bridge their dif- ferences and produce a bill that the President f OF CALIFORNIA will sign into law. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES I would like to point out that I voted against IN PRAISE OF THE PBS AND MR. Wednesday, January 24, 1996 this conference report back in December be- GEORGE COVINGTON Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, due to pressing cause of the objectionable language governing personal business, I was unable to vote on the national missile defense policy and the restric- HON. CHARLES WILSON conference report on S. 1124, the Department tions on the President's constitutional preroga- OF TEXAS tives to make foreign policy. My vote against of Defense Authorization bill. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Although this conference report did make the initial conference report was the first time Wednesday, January 24, 1996 important changes from the version which was in my congressional career that I cast a ``no'' vetoed by President Clinton, there remain seri- vote on a defense bill, be it authorization or Mr. WILSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ous policy issues such as the proposed re- appropriations. Moreover, the reservations and congratulate a friend and fellow Texan, Mr. strictions of overseas abortion and the lan- the objections to the original conference report George Covington, on his upcoming appear- guage requiring the discharge of HIV-positive by the respected Senator from Georgia, Mr. ance on the Public Television series ``People NUNN, cast serious doubt on the wisdom of personnel, about which I continue to have se- in Motion.'' enacting such restrictive and potentially harm- rious concerns. As such, had I been present, George has spent the past 20 years estab- ful language. I would have voted ``no''. lishing himself as one of this country's most As President Clinton said it last night, ``since vocal advocates for the millions of Americans f the dawn of the nuclear age, there is not a with disabilities. He worked for and has been single Russian missile pointed at the United GILROY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE a member of the President's Committee on States and North Korea has frozen its dan- HONORS MAN OF THE YEAR TOM Employment of People with Disabilities. He gerous nuclear weapons program.'' We have CARR served on the staff of former Speaker Jim accomplished that because both Democratic Wright as the speaker's disability specialist and Republican administrations have worked and for Vice President Dan Quayle, as Special HON. ZOE LOFGREN tirelessly to ratify the START Treaty which sig- Assistant for Disability Policy. With my office, OF CALIFORNIA nificantly reduced the nuclear stockpile be- he designed and implemented the first fully IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES tween the former Soviet Union and the United accessible mapping of Capitol Hill and the States. And now we are on the verge of fur- Wednesday, January 24, 1996 monuments. This project, the Tactile Capital, ther reducing weapons of mass destruction by Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to embracing START II. provided hand-held braille and table-top scale join the Gilroy Chamber of Commerce in hon- We cannot and should not do anything to maps of Washington, DC, that brought our Na- oring Mr. Tom Carr of Gilroy, CA, for his ex- endanger the prospects for ratification of tion's capital into focus for the first time for traordinary volunteer efforts. Mr. Carr has START II. I voted against the conference re- millions of visitors with low or no vision. been named ``Man of the Year'' after also re- port in December precisely because it amount- He is an internationally recognized speaker ceiving ``Volunteer of the Year'' recognition ed to an anticipatory breach of the Anti-Ballis- on universal design, disability rights, and pho- from the city of Gilroy and the ``Elk's Distin- tic Missile Treaty. Further, the language con- tography. That last entry is particularly note- guished Citizenship Award.'' tained in the bill would have had a significant worthy, because George has been legally What is so noteworthy about Mr. Carr is the impact on Russian consideration of the blind since birth and now has only 5 percent pride that he takes in his community and his START II Treaty which will reduce Russian usable vision. His career has spanned the dedication toward keeping his city safe and nuclear weapons by 25 percent. fields of law, journalism, education, govern- beautiful. I am aware that Mr. Carr spends on I am pleased to see that the language re- ment, and disability civil rights. But he is the average several hours each day eradicating garding the deployment of a national missile first to tell you point blank that he does not graffiti from throughout the city. His work defense system was struck from the bill as want the burden of being ``inspirational'' to sends a signal, loud and clear, that we will not well as the language restricting the President's able-bodied peopleÐand add that this is the allow taggers to take over our neighborhoods. ability to utilize U.S. troops for peacekeeping wish of most people with disabilities. That is important, because fighting graffiti is a missions. It is clear by now that for all of the It is for this reason that George's appear- vital step toward keeping our streets safe. dire predictions and the harsh rhetoric aimed ance is so very appropriate and important to Likewise, Mr. Carr has been a staunch sup- at the President's proposal to send troops to a series like ``People in Motion.'' He has spent porter of our local police department by help- enforce the peace in Bosnia, the President's most of his life fighting negative images, ing to raise funds for special projects that en- plan has largely been a success thus far. We myths, and stereotypes about people with dis- able the department to better serve the public. have stopped the bloodshed and have ush- abilities. Mr. Speaker, on February 2, 1996, at the ered in new hope for the future of all Serbs, Last year PBS broadcast the first install- Gilroy Chamber of Commerce's Annual Meet- Muslims, and Croatians. ments of this unique series. In April, PBS sta- ing and Awards Dinner, Mr. Carr will formally While I applaud the compromise that was tions around the country will air three new epi- receive his award. At this time, I would like to made with respect to this conference report, I sodes of ``People in Motion.'' Like the premier invite my colleagues in the U.S. House of am dismayed that the conference committee episodes, these seek to break through the Representatives to join me in saluting this fine neglected to delete the abortion language and standard media representation of people with community volunteer. the language that discharges those HIV-posi- disabilities, and will help change forever the f tive service members. way most of us see those with a disability. I think it is important for the Congress to With a census estimate of 49 million Ameri- DOD AUTHORIZATION take note that this was the first time in dec- cans falling into this constituency, I suggest CONFERENCE REPORT ades, a defense appropriations bill was en- that it is important for us to learn more about acted without an authorization bill being en- these fellow citizens. HON. VIC FAZIO acted first. I want to commend PBS for its commitment OF CALIFORNIA I support the compromise version of the to ``People in Motion'' as well as recognize the IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES conference report knowing that this bill author- important contribution of local public television izes more money than I would personally pre- stations planning to air this series. I urge you Wednesday, January 24, 1996 fer. But given the realities of our current mis- to watch this outstanding series, so that we Mr. FAZIO. Mr. Speaker, I rise reluctantly in sion in Bosnia, the need to maintain military may all applaud the work of people like support of the fiscal year 1996 Defense au- readiness and move forward with defense George Covington and the foresight of PBS thorization conference report. I would like to conversion efforts, I believe it is important that programming. E 78 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks January 24, 1996 ROGER ERICKSON’S DEPARTURE Erickson will continue to participate in ship lasted until 1992, when Boone cut back FROM THE WCCO GOOD MORNING prerecorded ‘‘Good Morning’’ features, such his hours. They reigned supreme in the SHOW as the ‘‘Minnesota Hospital’’ spoofs. He’ll mornings for almost three decades, chal- still do personalized plugs for certain adver- lenged only by the Knapp and Donuts team tisers and work on Saturdays with Charlie on KSTP–FM in the ’80s and finally edged HON. BRUCE F. VENTO Boone. But he’s handing over the helm of the out in, the ’90s by Tom Barnard’s morning OF MINNESOTA weekday show to Dave Lee, who has been crew on KORS–FM. The ‘‘Good Morning IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES part of it for the past four years. Show’’ remains one of WCCO’s strengths. Erickson dropped out of Monday mornings Wednesday, January 24, 1996 I’ll still be around the station four or five days a week,’’ Erickson said Wednesday. ‘‘I last fall, a move designed to lighten his Mr. VENTO. Mr. Speaker, today I want to may even do some live stuff occasionally. workload and give heir apparent Lee an op- pay tribute to Roger Erickson, one of Min- ‘‘I won’t be doing school closings, my one portunity to flex some different muscles. claim to fame,’’ he added. ‘‘I feel very comfortable leaving now,’’ nesota's special radio personalities, as he Erickson said. ‘‘It’s in good hands.’’ steps down from hosting WCCO Radio's Good Erickson said he had been talking with general manager Jim Gustafson for some f Morning Show. Although Roger Erickson is not time about cutting back. ‘‘Roger actually retiring, as of February 1, 1996, after 35 years wanted to make this change sooner, but he ENDING COLA INEQUITY on the WCCO Station Good Morning Show, graciously agreed to wait until now,’’ Gus- he will hand over control of the program to his tafson said. HON. SAM FARR new on-air partner, Dave Lee. Erickson lists his age at 47, but that’s in OF CALIFORNIA Just a few years ago, Charlie Boone, a Jack Benny years. He’s actually closer to 67, IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES and he concedes that his wife, Margaret, has long-time cohost, stepped out of this special Wednesday, January 24, 1996 Good Morning program and, in a way, been after him for years to make some ad- justments that would allow him to stay up a Erickson's departure marks the end of an era. Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to dis- little later than his usual 7:30 or 8 p.m. cuss an issue of great importance to our Na- I have no doubt, based on the good talent of Erickson said he has never seen ‘‘ER,’’ let Dave Lee and the format, Good Morning will tion's military retirees: COLA equity. alone ‘‘Late Show with David Letterman.’’ The thousands of veterans and military retir- remain a Minnesota early morning tradition. ‘‘I hear there are people who eat dinner as ees in my district have repeatedly asked that But the warm surround sound of Roger late as 6 o’clock,’’ he said. ‘‘Is that true?’’ the inequity in COLA's for military and Federal Erickson's dulcet tone crooning ``Good Morn- ‘‘You really don’t have a life at night,’’ he civilians be endedÐmost recently during a ing'' or school announcements will be missed. continued, more seriously. ‘‘I know I’m not veterans' town hall meeting I held last week. Over the past three and a half decades, the only one. I know there are a whole lot of people doing a variety of jobs who have those This House has been unprecedented in Roger Erickson has become a preeminent kind of hours, so I’m not going to sit here dedicating itself toward ending the problem of voice in Minnesota morning radio. Roger has and complain. I’ve had just a great run. I’ve inequity in military cost of living adjustments relayed the news with insight and compassion loved doing that morning show.’’ for military retirees. Early last year, legislation and entertained us with stories and humorous Erickson, born and raised in Winthrop, was introduced by my colleague, Mr. JIM sketches. His school closing announcements Minn., studied theater at the University of Minnesota. MORAN, to end COLA inequity. The House have become a Minnesota institution: Genera- also included a provision ending the disparity tions of children have listened breathlessly to He gushes about the great early training he got doing radio drama for campus station in COLA's in the budget reconciliation billÐa Roger on cold winter mornings hoping to hear KUOM–AM. provision which, unfortunately, was removed their school called. Roger's warmth, spontane- Erickson left a Stillwater radio station in by the Senate. In response, my Republican ity, and imagination have earned him thou- 1959 to take his first job in Minneapolis, colleague, Mr. BILL YOUNG, introduced a new, sands of loyal listeners. Some conjecture has which wasn’t as one would guess, at the Good fast-track bill to accomplish the same task. I it that in his youth he was a character in a Neighbor of the North—or even on radio. am proud to have cosponsored both Mr. Charlie Brown comic strip. ‘‘I auditioned at WCCO about 2,000 times,’’ Erickson recalled. ‘‘I knew it was where I YOUNG's and Mr. MORAN's bills, and I applaud Roger Erickson's radio shows have been the tenacity with which the House leadership popular not only because he is a gifted broad- wanted to be, but I’m sure that, like most radio stations, they listened to the tape and has pursued this important matter. caster, but because he truly understands Min- then they put it aside. So I never got a call. A provision to end the COLA inequity prob- nesota and the culture of subtle Scandinavian And then the Bozo opportunity came up.’’ lem was included in the conference report of humor. Roger was raised on a farm in Win- The Bozo opportunity? the Department of Defense authorization bill, throp and studied speech and theater at the Erickson said the original Bozo the Clown, which the House approved today. While I University of Minnesota. He was determined to Chicago broadcaster Larry Harmon, syn- strongly supported the provision, I could not work for WCCO Radio and, in 1959, took a dicated his show’s format to TV stations support the entire bill, a bill which mandated a around the country, which had only to hire a job as Bozo the Clown on WCCO-TV in Min- $7 million increase in defense spending over neapolis to get his foot in the door at the sta- live clown to talk to kids and introduce the provided cartoons. the President's original budget. tion. Within 2 months he was offered a WCCO ‘‘I thought, ‘This is the opportunity I’m This spending increase comes at a time Radio job, and he has continued there ever looking for. I’m going to go into [radio] when other Federal programsÐespecially pro- since, enthralling local audiences with spoofs through the back door. I’m going to go in grams serving veteransÐare suffering from like ``Minnesota Hospital,'' ``Charlie's Cafe Me- through television.’’’ serious budget cuts. For example, last year's diocre,'' ``Air Lutefiska,'' and, most recently, Erickson auditioned to be Bozo at WCCO– Veterans Affairs budget, which provides for fishing stories from two characters, Gill and TV, Channel 4, and got the job. Two months medical care for millions of veterans and mili- Finn. later, the radio station offered him a job as tary retirees and the construction and improve- WCCO Radio prides itself on its Good well. After a couple of years of night work, ment of VA medical facilities, was cut by near- Neighbor approach to broadcasting and Roger WCCO teamed Erickson with Maynard ly $1 billion from 1994. At the very least, we Erickson exemplifies the very best of the Good Speece (‘‘a great storyteller who regularly cannot speak about mutual sacrifice in ending Neighbor tradition. Although we will miss hear- challenged the parameters of Minnesota the deficit at the same time that we actually in- ing Roger's voice every day on the Good taste’’) on the 5 to 7 a.m. shift and with crease spending in defense. Morning Show, we are pleased he is continu- Charlie Boone in the afternoons. I will continue to support the House's legis- ing his work at WCCO in other capacities and ‘‘I would run over [to Channel 4] between 7 lative efforts to remove the COLA inequity wish him the very best in all his endeavors. and 9 and put on the [Bozo] makeup and the once and for all. Our Nation's military retirees costume and do some live spots for maybe [From the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Jan. 4, deserve no less. Hostess Twinkies, take the makeup off, run 1996] back,’’ Erickson said, ‘‘Charlie and I would f NO MORE SCHOOL CLOSINGS FOR ERICKSON AS start working on our afternoon show, work OUR 2 CENTS’ WORTH HE LEAVES COHOST ROLE AT WCCO up to 1 o’clock, go on the air 1 to 3. About (By Noel Holston) 3:30, I go back over to television, prepare the Shouldn’t there be an honorary school Bozo show, which went from 4:30 to 5. And at HON. JOHN CONYERS, JR. closing or something? least once or twice a week, I’d visit a store OF MICHIGAN WCCO Radio’s Roger Erickson says he has as Bozo the Clown, with about a thousand IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES had enough of the early-to-bed, early-to-rise kids lined up. And I wouldn’t have had it any Wednesday, January 24, 1996 lifestyle that’s been his for almost 35 years. other way. It was fantastic.’’ He plans to give up his cohost role on ’CCO’s Boone and Erickson eventually became the Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, yesterday ‘‘Good Morning Show’’ on Feb. 1. morning team, and their weekday partner- marked the first day workplace and civil rights