Congressional Record - Circumventing the Civil Service Retirement System Mike Mansfield 1903-2001
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University of Montana ScholarWorks at University of Montana Mike Mansfield Speeches Mike Mansfield Papers 2-24-1975 Congressional Record - Circumventing the Civil Service Retirement System Mike Mansfield 1903-2001 Let us know how access to this document benefits ouy . Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.umt.edu/mansfield_speeches Recommended Citation Mansfield, Mike 1903-2001, "Congressional Record - Circumventing the Civil Service Retirement System" (1975). Mike Mansfield Speeches. 1241. https://scholarworks.umt.edu/mansfield_speeches/1241 This Speech is brought to you for free and open access by the Mike Mansfield Papers at ScholarWorks at University of Montana. It has been accepted for inclusion in Mike Mansfield Speeches by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks at University of Montana. For more information, please contact [email protected]. :OUR:.IXG~OX, VER.:V~O:T SU1~AY , Y~RC?. 2> 1975, 8:00 P.M . INTRODUCTION · ·· · When George Aiken announced his retirement from the Senate last year, my first reaction was to talk to him at breakfast the next day about changing his wind . He was , it seemed to me , too full of energy and too full of new ideas to talk about leaving the federal gover~~ent . Most of all, I thought he was too essential to the preservation of sanity ·. in Washington. Then, there flashed through my mind an "Aikenism" of some years ago . George was quoted on the subject of pruning trees in these words : 11 So:r.e say you shouldn't prune except at the right time of the year. I generally do it when the saw is sharp. " Mike Mansfield Papers, Series 21, Box 50, Folder 43, Mansfield Library, University of Montana I -2- I With that thought in mind it was possible to under- stand his decision to leave Washington. All those years he had spent in the Senate, thir~y-three of them, he was sharpening the saw of his wisdom and he had determined with that accumulated wisdom that the moment for pruning had arrived. George Aiken \ knew it was time to come back to his own people and to his native soil~ to the green mountains and quiet streams of this lovely state, with the magnificent tool of a f~ne mind and a warm heart-- in excellent shape. In .retrospect, it is apparent, in truth, that he never left Vermont; rather, he brought Vermont to Washington. George Aiken not only understands pruning and when to do it, he is also one of the nation's foremost authorities on wildflowers. Wildflowers and George Aiken go together, just as George Aiken and Lola Perotti Aiken go together. Wildflowers grow in a quiet field, on a rocky lecge, in a garden or in a wooded glen. That is how it is with George Aiken. He is at home and flourishes wherever he may find himself. Mike Mansfield Papers, Series 21, Box 50, Folder 43, Mansfield Library, University of Montana , The wildflower is a si~p:e thing, yet ~t euerges from one of the most co~plex o~ che~is~ries . It demands life; it affirms life. And in its un~o - ding, life finds expression. So it is with George Aiken . His is ~he si~plici~y which comes when the complex forms into an integrated and harmonious whole . George Aiken has dug deep into the soil of hurr.an under- standing. He has planted kindness and strength wherever he has gone . He has touched, with pa~ience and tolerance, all that his hand has r eached. I consider myself very fortunate, indeed, to have come near enough t o him t o fall under hi s influence. He has had and will always have my deep affection and admiration. I have long since regarded him as an outstanding colleague and an under- standing and beloved friend . So I am delighted with this opportun- ity to be in his local habitat wherein lie the well- spr ings of : .. his warmth and wisdom. Mike Mansfield Papers, Series 21, Box 50, Folder 43, Mansfield Library, University of Montana 83534 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-SENATE MaTch 10, 1975 Now, what was our involvement? The the American Revolution. It was not the ful ringing In the ears. It can, In more War of 1776. As John Adams said, that serious cases, portend sudden political death. Senate majority leader has certainly It Is even rumored to be the only known given us a good thumbnail sketch of that had nothing to do with the American cure for Potomac fever. background. But again, merely to under Revolution; that was but the conse However, that may be, It Is obvious that score, we were told In 1971 that the only quence of the Revolution. The Revolution the public Impression of the Federal gov military involvement we had, or the only began 15 years before a drop of blood ernment, a.t this time, Is not a. happy one. reason for any military involvement In was spilled at Lexington, because as John An August 1974 public opinion poll shows Cambodia, was to protect the orderly and Adams pointed out, the American Revo the Congress a.t Its highest point In history safe withdrawal of American troops from lution began in the hearts and minds -48 percent---{)ompa.red to 21 percent In De of the people when they came here for cember 1974. The Presidency has also had Its South Vietnam. ups and downs, as we all know. What our After we withdrew our troops, we were a better way of life and a redefinition respective standings are now 1s open to ques told that the only reason we had a mili of lives and values. · tion, but I fear they are very low Indeed. tary involvement in Cambodia was to So I think we better start looking for Leaving aside for the moment the ques assist in getting a cease-fire. the ideals and principles America has to tion of whether such feeling Is warranted, So, we see that our so-called commit exert, rather than the kind of military the fact remains that what Is being expressed ments have been rather nebulous, at best, firepower that can destroy homes and Is, In part, a deep sense of public dissatis the lives of fam111es. faction and concern with the Federal govern and certainly have been subject to vari ment. Our people are caught between the ous interpretation from time to time ac I am very concerned that we bring jaws of lnfla.tlon and recession. The effects cording to the political Interests of our this to an end and I very deeply believe of this painful pressure were Intensified by State Department. that we can do so by increasing support the Indo-China. war, the oil crisis and a. grow We also need to ask ourselves this ques for the people through food aid. I think Ing awareness of an lnequltable tax struc tion: Why are we losing on the military this kind of aid will facilitate the nego ture. To cap the situation are the shocking front? tiations and help bring this war to an blows against the nation's political Institu Unfortunately, we most often under end. tions which have been delivered by the Remember, the only thing we are nego tragedies of Watergate and related matters. stand a situation after the fact rather Whatever the sense of frustration, I hasten than in anticipation of facts. I am sorry tiating is a transfer of power. That is the to add that I do not think that the nation to say that our Cambodian involvement onlY thing to negotiate, a transfer of 1s at the end of the road. To the bumper is another example of our State Depart power from the Lon Nol regime to an in sticker which commands, "America.: Love It ment being great in hindsight but unable surgent regime. or leave It," the response Is simple: what to demonstrate any foresight. I hope that will help bring this killing ever the current Irritants, who Is leaving and to an end. who doesn't love It? Are we losing militarily because the You understand the reasons !or that senti Russians, the North Vietnamese, the ment. Your University at Its best 1s a. symbol Chinese, and the so-called Communist ORDER OF BUSINESS of this country. It 1s energy and growth. It countries have a greater ideology to per Is fresh Ideas, compet! tlon, progress, service, petrate or promulgate in Cambodia than The ACTING PRESIDENT protem a faith In the future of the people of the the American forces? pore. The Senator from Maryland is nation. Qualities such as these go with the I think not. I do not think this is an recognized. United States. They have enabled us to ideological war. I think we have tried to <The remarks made by Mr. BEALL at Withstand the gravest adversity In the past. this point appear in today's RECORD under They provide the binders which hold the make it so, but it is not. I am reminded Statements on Introduced Bills and Joint nation together, even at a. time of govern of my own experience in Hanoi in 1945. Resolutions.) ment disarray. We were at that time allies to Ho Chi Out of these qua.lltles will come the source Minh, and everywhere we looked were of tomorrow's renewal of the nation's spirit. these slogans: "The land shall be yours." SENATOR MANSFIELD OPENS THE It Is in this context-in the context of re Ho Chi Minh spoke to the people and newal-that I would like to discuss the Con AIKEN LECTURE SERIES gress of the United States, Its rote and the they understood what he was represent leadership It Is trying to contribute to the ing.