S3228 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE , 1997 threats are of such great concern that istration’s recognition of many of year of eligibility. He had a career most of the original report can not be problems it faces is a good first step. batting average of .311 with the Dodg- made public. However, it is unclear how establishing ers; won the 1949 batting title with a What is at stake here? The con- new layers of bureaucracy will improve .342; was selected as fidence of the taxpayer is at stake. Tax the situation at IRS. We also need to MVP in 1949; and named National laws must be fairly enforced at the understand how giving IRS greater per- League Rookie of the Year in 1947. least possible cost and personal intru- sonnel and budgetary flexibilities As my dear friend, , sion and IRS must meet the standards would enable it to better manage its wrote in an op-ed piece which ran in it expects the taxpayer to meet. programs and finances. on Sunday, April Our credibility as the steward of the It is necessary for Congress and the 13, 1997, ‘‘Jackie showed me and my money we ask the taxpayer to contrib- administration to work together to re- generation what we could do, he also ute is at stake. Each dollar the Govern- form the IRS. As for the next step, the showed us how to do it. By watching ment collects is a dollar someone else Congress needs more details on the ad- him, we knew that we would have to has earned. It is our obligation to ministration’s IRS reform proposals. I swallow an awful lot of pride to make make the best use of that dollar, and plan to work with my colleagues to en- it in the big leagues.’’ not waste a cent of it. sure that a detailed plan is sent to Con- and Hank Aaron not only made it in Finally, at stake is the very ability gress as soon as possible to address the the big leagues, but they also suc- of government to perform its necessary IRS’ high risk problems. This reform ceeded with their lives. responsibilities and functions. Without plan should be linked to IRS’ GPRA Mr. President, I ask that the entire taxpayer confidence that we are col- strategic plan and should include spe- text of Hank Aaron’s op-ed that ap- lecting money fairly and wisely, our cific performance measures that will peared in the New York Times on April system of government is crippled. successfully address IRS’ high-risk 13, 1997, be printed in the RECORD. Taxation in this country has a long areas. The material follows: and tumultuous history. We are a na- Congress is also taking up today leg- [From the New York Times, Apr. 13, 1997] tion founded on a tax revolt and are islation on criminalizing the snooping WHEN MATTERED continuously renewed by a healthy by IRS employees of confidential tax- (By Hank Aaron) skepticism toward all forms of tax- payer data. This is an issue with a ATLANTA.—Jackie Robinson meant every- ation. It is important to remember longstanding history at the Govern- thing to me. that it is only with the American peo- mental Affairs Committee. The issue Before I was a teen-ager, I was telling my ple’s consent that the IRS exists in the was first brought to light during finan- father that I was going to be a ballplayer, first place. cial audits under the Chief Financial and he was telling me, ‘‘Ain’t no colored As a nation we collect taxes to pay Officers Act. In 1994, it was thought ballplayers.’’ Then Jackie broke into the for the responsibilities we have as- that IRS would address this issue in a Dodgers lineup in 1947, and Daddy never said that again. When the Dodgers signed to our Government. Right over comprehensive manner. At last week’s the entrance to the IRS are the words played an exhibition game in Mobile, Ala., hearing, GAO found that snooping was on their way north the next spring, Daddy of Oliver Wendell Holmes: ‘‘Taxes are still a significant problem. All of us are even came to the game with me. A black the price we pay for a civilized soci- greatly disturbed about reports of lax man in a major-league uniform: that was ety.’’ But, recognizing the need to fund security and the unauthorized brows- something my father had to see for himself. government responsibilities does not ing by IRS employees of taxpayer in- Jackie not only showed me and my genera- imply that we should continue with formation. This invasion of privacy is a tion what we could do, he also showed us how business as usual at the IRS. If an breech of public trust and only further to do it. By watching him, we knew that we agency fails in its fundamental mis- would have to swallow an awful lot of pride lowers the faith of the taxpayer in the to make it in the big leagues. We knew of the sion, or fails to keep its promises to fairness of the system. hatred and cruelty Jackie had to quietly en- Congress and the American people, we I want to work with the administra- dure from the fans and the press and the need to be prepared to make fundamen- tion and other congressional commit- anti-integrationist teams like the Cardinals tal changes. I, for one, favor greatly tees to implement lasting solutions to and the Phillies and even from his team- simplifying the Tax Code. A simpler identified management problems at mates. We also knew that he didn’t subject code, fairly administered, will help to IRS and reduce the risks to the tax- himself to all that for personal benefit. Why restore the taxpayers’ faith in the sys- payers. Most of these problems have would he choose to get spiked and cursed at tem. It will also make the system more and spat on for his own account? existed for years. I recognize that this Jackie was a college football hero, a hand- manageable. administration, and previous ones, some, intelligent, talented guy with a lot In the meantime, it is imperative for have tried to solve them. But, time is going for him. He didn’t need that kind of IRS to improve its operations. It is growing short. The confidence of our humiliation. And it certainly wasn’t in his outrageous that IRS programs put on citizens is low and the risks are high.∑ nature to suffer it silently. But he had to. GAO’s high-risk list remain there year- f Not for himself, but for me and all the young after-year. GAO testified before the black kids like me. When Jackie Robinson Governmental Affairs Committee in JACKIE ROBINSON loosened his fist and turned the other cheek, June of 1991 and described key areas in ∑ Mr. CLELAND. Mr. President, I rise he was taking the blows for the love and fu- ture of his people. which IRS needed to improve its oper- today to pay tribute to Jackie Robin- Now, 50 years later, people are saying that ations. Six years later, we heard vir- son, a true American hero. Born in Jackie Robinson was an icon, a pioneer, a tually the same message in the same Cairo, GA and raised by a moth- hero. But that’s all they want to do: say it. areas from GAO. What has IRS been er in Pasadena, CA, Jackie Robinson Nobody wants to be like Jackie. Everybody doing in the last 6 years? What has integrated 50 wants to be like Mike. They want to be like been done to correct systemic manage- years ago today. It was not an easy Deion, like Junior. ment problems at IRS? task. He faced outright prejudice from That’s O.K. Sports stars are going to be Fortunately, the forces for change fans, other teams, as well as his own role models in any generation. I’m sure Jackie would be pleased to see how well may now be coming into place. Con- teammates. He was cursed and spit black athletes are doing these days, how gress has used its power of the purse to upon. It is hard to imagine how one mainstream they’ve become. I’m sure he express its dissatisfaction with IRS’ man could endure such circumstances. would be proud of all the money they’re computer modernization. A new Com- But, he persevered and paved the way making. But I suspect he’d want to shake mission to Restructure the IRS has for young blacks who had long dreamed some of them until the dollar signs fell from been formed to address how the Nation of wearing a major league baseball uni- their eyes so they could once again see collects taxes and the administration form. His courageous actions forced all straight. has announced a new plan for reform at Jackie Robinson was about leadership. Americans to face the issue of integra- When I was a rookie with the Braves and we IRS. The Deputy Secretary of Treasury tion, and he helped to jump start the came north with the Dodgers after spring Lawrence Summers, testified before . training, I sat in the corner of Jackie’s hotel the Governmental Affairs Committee Jackie Robinson was deservedly room, thumbing through magazines, as he last Thursday on this plan. The admin- elected to the Hall of Fame in 1962, his and his black teammates—, April 15, 1997 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S3229 , Junior Gilliam and Joe honor him in a way that really matters. It Development Institute Metro-Detroit Black—played cards and went over strategy: could start more youth programs, give tick- Affiliate. what to do if a fight broke out on the field; ets to kids who can’t afford them, become a Throughout her 18-year career in the if a threw at them; if somebody social presence in the cities it depends on. It Michigan House, Alma Stallworth was called one of them ‘‘.’’ could hire more black umpires, more black In his later years, after blacks were secure doctors, more black concessionaries, more widely recognized as a champion of in the game, Jackie let go of his forbearance black executives. women, children, and minorities. She and fought back. In the quest to integrate It could hire a black commissioner. fought to expand prenatal coverage for baseball, it was time for pride to take over You want a name? How about Colin Pow- pregnant women, increase Michigan’s from meekness. And Jackie made sure that ell? He’s a great American, a man more pop- child immunization rate and provide younger blacks like myself were soldiers in ular, maybe, than the President. I’m not out parenting education to teenagers with the struggle. there pushing his candidacy, but I think he children. She was an active member of When I look back at the statistics of the would be great for baseball. He would restore the National Black Caucus of State late 1950’s and 60’s and see the extent to some social relevance to the game. He would which black players dominated the National do honor to Jackie Robinson’s name. Legislators, as well as a successful League (the was somewhat It would be even more meaningful, per- fundraiser for the United Negro College slower to integrate), I know why that was. haps, if some of Jackie’s descendants—to- Fund, raising more than $1 million We were on a mission. And, although Willie day’s players—committed themselves this over the past 11 years. Mays, , , Willie year to honoring his name, in act as well as Representative Stallworth was also a Stargell, , and I were rhetoric. leader on issues related to public utili- trying to make our marks individually, we Jackie’s spirit is watching. I know that he ties. She served as chair of the Public understood that we were on a collective mis- would be bitterly disappointed if he saw the sion. Jackie Robinson demonstrated to us Utilities Committee in the Michigan way today’s black players have abandoned House of Representatives, and was a that, for a black player in our day and age, the struggle, but he would be happy for their true success could not be an individual success nonetheless. And I have no doubt vice-chair of the Telecommunication thing. that he’d do it all over again for them.∑ and Banking Committee in the Na- To players today, however, that’s exactly tional Conference of State Legisla- f what it is. The potential is certainly there, tures. perhaps more than at any time since Jackie MUSIC IN OUR SCHOOLS MONTH Alma Stallworth’s legislative leader- came along, for today’s stars to have a real ship will be missed, but I am confident impact on their communities. Imagine what ∑ Mr. SANTORUM. Mr. President, I that she will continue to serve as a could be accomplished if the players, both would like to take a few minutes of champion for those people who often black and white, were to really dedicate Senate business to discuss Music in lack a voice in the political process. I themselves—not just their money, although Our Schools Month. that would certainly help—to camps and know my colleagues will join me in Throughout the month of March, counseling centers and baseball programs in congratulating Alma on her illustrious which was designated Music in Our the inner city. career and in wishing her well in her Schools Month, the Pennsylvania Some of the players have their own chari- future endeavors.∑ table foundations, and I applaud them for Music Educators Association [PMEA] that. (I believe , for instance, promoted public awareness of arts edu- f is very sincere.) But as often as not these cation. On March 11, the Pennsylvania FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF JACK- good works are really publicity stunts. Alliance for Arts Education sponsored IE ROBINSON BREAKING BASE- They’re engineered by agents, who are acting the Second Annual Arts in Education in the interest of the player’s image—in BALL’S COLOR BARRIER other words, his marketability. Players Day in Harrisburg, PA. Representa- ∑ Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, I rise these days don’t do anything without an tives from PMEA also attended the to pay special tribute to a legendary agent leading them every step of the way ‘‘SingAmerica’’ campaign here in figure in our Nation’s history; Jack (with his hand out). The agent, of course, Washington, DC, on March 13. In addi- Roosevelt Robinson. One half century could care less about Jackie Robinson. tion to renewing an interest in music, The result is that today’s players have lost ago today, Jackie Robinson stepped ‘‘SingAmerica’’ sought to restore a out of the before an Ebbets all concept of history. Their collective mis- sense of pride in our communities. sion is greed. Nothing else means much of Field crowd of 30,000 to play first base anything to them. As a group, there’s no dis- For years, public schools in Penn- for the Brooklyn Dodgers. In doing so, cernible social conscience among them; cer- sylvania have provided opportunities he became the first African-American tainly no sense of self-sacrifice, which is for children to grow and learn through to play in the what Jackie Robinson’s legacy is based on. the arts. Several teachers have ob- modern major leagues. It’s a sick feeling, and one of the reasons I’ve served that studying music has helped However, Jackie Robinson did not been moving further and further away from children learn to work in groups, to merely break baseball’s color barrier, the game. think creatively, and to communicate he shattered it in the most spectacular The players today think that they’re mak- more effectively. Moreover, music edu- ing $10 million a year because they have tal- fashion imaginable. He was the first ent and people want to give them money. cation has helped introduce students to African-American to lead the league in They have no clue what Jackie went through history and cultural studies. stolen bases, to win the batting title, on their behalf, or or Monte Mr. President, I would like to take to play in the All-Star Game, to play Irvin or Don Newcombe, or even, to a lesser this opportunity to recognize the in the , to win the Most extent, the players of my generation. People teachers who have dedicated their lives Valuable Player Award, and to be in- wonder where the heroes have gone. Where to preparing children for the future. I ducted into the Hall of Fame. there is no conscience, there are no heroes. hope my colleagues will join me in The saddest thing about all of this is that As an ardent baseball fan, I marvel at baseball was once the standard for our coun- thanking them for their commitment his accomplishments on the field. As try. Jackie Robinson helped blaze the trail to improving education.∑ an American, I stand in gratitude for for the civil rights movement that followed. f all he did for civil rights in this coun- The group that succeeded Jackie—my con- try. The impressive nature of his long temporaries—did the same sort of work in THE HONORABLE ALMA litany of baseball firsts is far surpassed the segregated minor leagues of the South. STALLWORTH by the measure of his exceptional char- Baseball publicly pressed the issue of inte- gration; in a symbolic way, it was our civil ∑ Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, I rise acter. To be able to bear the brunt of rights laboratory. today to pay tribute to my friend, the national adversity and hostility and It is tragic to me that baseball has fallen Honorable Alma Stallworth, a truly still perform with such dignity and so far behind and even football in dedicated public official who recently grace requires a courage far greater terms of racial leadership. People question retired after 18 years of serving the than most could summon. whether baseball is still the national pas- people of northwest Detroit in the To many, the details of April 15, 1947 time, and I have to wonder, too. It is cer- Michigan House of Representatives. are long forgotten. For the record, in tainly not the national standard it once was. The upside of this is that baseball, and Representative Stallworth is being the seventh inning Robinson scored the baseball only, has Jackie Robinson. Here’s honored at a retirement celebration deciding in a 5 to 3 win over the hoping that on the 50th anniversary of Jack- hosted by the Black Caucus Founda- Boston Braves. When Robinson crossed ie’s historic breakthrough, baseball will tion of Michigan and the Black Child home plate, it was a victory for his