S332 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE February 4, 1998 years. Irving Berlin did not die until he (The remarks of Mr. GRAMS pertain- ments that don’t nullify the legisla- was 101 years old, but he was inves- ing to the introduction of S. 1603 are tion, but there is not time now to deal tigated by J. Edgar Hoover for most of located in today’s RECORD under with this effectively with the House his life. ‘‘Statements on Introduced Bills and and meet the attempt to have this He conducted surveillance on Albert Joint Resolutions.’’) occur on the President’s birthday. So Einstein, Wernher Von Braun, Vice Mr. GRAMS. I suggest the absence of the week has cost us the ability to re- President Hubert Humphrey, Marilyn a quorum. solve some of the other issues. In any Monroe, Clark Gable, Rock Hudson, The PRESIDING OFFICER. The event, I would have been opposed to the Elvis Presley, Senator John Tower, clerk will call the roll. amendment offered by the good Sen- Cesar Chavez. The legislative clerk proceeded to ator from Virginia. Mr. President, in Chavez’s case, the call the roll. I yield the floor. FBI seemed omnipresent, tuning in to Mr. COVERDELL. Mr. President, I Mr. ROBB addressed the Chair. the Reverend Jesse Jackson’s radio ask unanimous consent that the order The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- broadcasts dealing with Cesar Chavez for the quorum call be rescinded. ator from Virginia, Mr. ROBB, is recog- when Jesse Jackson was simply appeal- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without nized. Mr. ROBB. Mr. President, I suggest ing for support for the farm workers. objection, it is so ordered. that the lack of time is part of the Chavez created so much concern by J. f Edgar Hoover that they had many FBI problem that we are dealing with here, agents keeping tabs on a Valentine’s RONALD REAGAN WASHINGTON as just alluded to by the distinguished Day dance at Grand Rapids Junior Col- NATIONAL AIRPORT Senator from Georgia. This is not the right way to do what we propose to do, lege in Michigan where there was lit- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under erature being distributed about a grape even if that is our objective. the previous order, the Senate will now This amendment, crafted by the mi- boycott. He even had investigators fol- resume consideration of S. 1575, which nority leader’s office, would simply lowing people who were on a 12-man the clerk will report. provide a procedure whereby there march dealing with the grape boycott. The legislative clerk read as follows: would be input from the local jurisdic- We simply do not honor the histori- A bill (S. 1575) to rename the Washington tions. The problem right now is that cal record of this country by maintain- National Airport located in the District of this bill was introduced, held at the ing this man’s name on Bureau head- Columbia and Virginia as the ‘‘Ronald desk, and there were no committee quarters. Reagan Washington National Airport.’’ hearings, no committee votes, no pub- Mr. President, in a biography that I The Senate resumed consideration of lic hearings on the matter. We have talked about yesterday, written by the bill. heard from countless people who have a Curt Gentry, which he spent 10 years Pending: local interest. Those jurisdictions—Al- writing, Gentry says that Hoover used Reid Amendment No. 1640, to redesignate exandria, Arlington, Washington Met- his FBI files to advance the careers of the J. Edgar Hoover FBI Building in Wash- ropolitan Airports Authority, Greater numerous politicians he liked, includ- ington, District of Columbia, as the ‘‘Federal Washington Board of Trade—are Bureau of Investigation Building’’. ing President Nixon, and against those against it. Normally, even in judge- he did not like, including the Ken- Dodd Amendment No. 1641, to establish a Federal Facilities Redesignation Advisory ships we give the local Senators input nedys, Estes Kefauver and Adlai Ste- on whether the judge who would be sit- venson. Group to consider and make recommenda- tions for the renaming of existing Federal fa- ting in their particular jurisdiction Gentry further said that extensive cilities. ought to go forward without some addi- records were maintained on the sus- Daschle Amendment No. 1642, to require tional debate. You do not have the sup- pected amorous adventures of Presi- the approval by the Metropolitan Washing- port of either of the local Senators or dent Kennedy. And Hoover ordered the ton Airports Authority of the renaming of the local Members of Congress on this. bugging of the entire Justice Depart- Washington National Airport as the Ronald I normally don’t suggest this is sci- ment during Bobby Kennedy’s tenure Reagan National Airport. Robb Amendment No. 1643, to provide an entific or pay that much attention to as Attorney General. Gentry isn’t say- sheer numbers, but the calls are over- ing that he maintained wiretaps of var- orderly process for the renaming of existing Federal facilities. whelmingly against proceeding with ious places in the Justice Department, this. This sets up a procedure so that but everything was wiretapped in the AMENDMENT NO. 1643 The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under we can consider it in an appropriate Justice Department. manner. the previous order, there will be 4 min- So the list is endless of people who With that, I think my two minutes utes equally divided in the usual form this man thought was suspicious. are about up. I ask for the support of on amendment No. 1643 offered by the There is no question in my mind that this amendment. Senator DASCHLE has he is the greatest violator of human Senator from Virginia, (Mr. ROBB). an amendment that is even more pre- rights during this century in this coun- Mr. COVERDELL addressed the cise and specific, if we want to deal try. That says a lot. I hope that my Chair. with this issue in a very short period of colleagues will remove from that build- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- time. But the problem is the lack of ing something that is and should be an ator from Georgia, (Mr. COVERDELL), is time to thoughtfully consider the im- embarrassment to all people who be- recognized. plications for the renaming, as well as lieve in human rights. Mr. COVERDELL. Mr. President, I for all of the local jurisdictions con- I suggest the absence of a quorum. rise in opposition to the amendment. cerned. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The My remarks were made last night. In With that, I yield whatever time I clerk will call the roll. essence, the amendment by my distin- have remaining. The legislative clerk proceeded to guished colleague from Virginia viti- Mr. COVERDELL. Mr. President, call the roll. ates or makes moot the entire effort of how much time do I have left? Mr. GRAMS. Mr. President, I ask the bill. His amendment has the effect The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- unanimous consent that the order for of nullifying what we have been en- ator from Georgia has approximately the quorum call be rescinded. deavoring to do throughout the week. 35 seconds. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without I might take another second to say Mr. COVERDELL. Mr. President, I objection, it is so ordered. that several of these amendments that just say that I think there has been Mr. GRAMS. Mr. President, I want to have been offered—and I see the Sen- sufficient time to consider a very un- rise today to introduce the Survivors ator from Nevada here—have consider- complicated issue here, renaming the of Torture Support Act and to ask my able merit and substance. The problem airport Ronald Reagan Washington Na- colleagues for their support, and I send is that we have used the week in a very tional Airport. the bill to the desk. inefficient way. I have been up very As I said to the Senator last evening, The PRESIDING OFFICER. The bill late last evening and early this morn- the Governor of his State does support will be received and referred to the ap- ing endeavoring to resolve this matter this. This is not the Alexandria air- propriate committee. and deal with some of these amend- port; this is a national airport. February 4, 1998 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S333 I yield back my time. Mr. DODD addressed the Chair. this section until at least 60 days after the The PRESIDING OFFICER. All time The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- date of the meeting at which the proposal having been yielded back, the question ator is recognized. was considered. occurs on amendment No. 1643, offered (3) ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT.—The Admin- AMENDMENT NO. 1641, AS MODIFIED istrator of General Services shall provide by the Senator from Virginia, Mr. Mr. DODD. Mr. President, I ask unan- such meeting facilities, staff support, and ROBB. The yeas and nays have been or- imous consent to send a modification other administrative support as may be re- dered. of my amendment to the desk. quired for meetings of the Advisory Group. The clerk will call the roll. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there (e) REPORTS.—The Advisory Group shall re- The legislative clerk called the roll. objection? Without objection, it is so port to the Congress from time to time its Mr. NICKLES. I announce that the ordered. recommendations with respect to proposals to rename existing Federal facilities. Senator from Indiana (Mr. COATS) is The modification is as follows: SEC. 2. REPORT REQUIRED BEFORE EITHER necessarily absent. SECTION 1. FEDERAL FACILITIES REDESIGNA- Mr. FORD. I announce that the Sen- HOUSE PROCEEDS TO THE CONSID- TION ADVISORY GROUP. ERATION OF LEGISLATION TO RE- ator from New York (Mr. MOYNIHAN) is (a) IN GENERAL.—There is established a NAME FEDERAL FACILITY. necessarily absent. Federal Facilities Redesignation Advisory (a) IN GENERAL.—It shall not be in order, in The PRESIDING OFFICER. Are there Group comprised of— the Senate or in the House of Representa- any other Senators in the Chamber de- (1) 2 members of the House of Representa- tives, to proceed to the consideration of any siring to vote? tives designated by the Speaker of the bill, resolution, or amendment to rename an The result was announced—yeas 35, House; existing Federal facility unless the Advisory nays 63, as follows: (2) 2 members of the House of Representa- Group has reported its recommendation in tives designated by the Minority Leader of writing under section 1(e) concerning the [Rollcall Vote No. 4 Leg.] the House; proposal and the report has been available to YEAS—35 (3) 2 members of the Senate designated by the members of that House for 24 hours. Akaka Glenn Leahy the Majority Leader of the Senate; (b) RULES OF EACH HOUSE.—This section is Baucus Graham Levin (4) 2 members of the Senate designated by enacted by the Congress— Biden Harkin Mikulski the Minority Leader of the Senate; and (1) as an exercise of the rulemaking power Bingaman Hollings Moseley-Braun (5) the Administrator of General Services. of the Senate and of the House of Represent- Bryan Inouye Murray (b) PURPOSE.—The purpose of the Advisory atives, and as such subsection (a) is deemed Bumpers Johnson Reed Group is to consider and make a rec- Cleland Kennedy Reid to be a part of the rules of the Senate and Conrad Kerrey Robb ommendation concerning any proposal to the House of Representatives; and it super- Daschle Kerry Sarbanes change the name of a Federal facility to sedes other rules only to the extent that it is Dorgan Kohl Torricelli commemorate or honor any individual, inconsistent therewith; and Feingold Landrieu Wellstone group of individuals, or event. (2) with full recognition of the constitu- Ford Lautenberg (c) CRITERIA.— tional right of the Senate and the House of NAYS—63 (1) IN GENERAL.—In considering a proposal Representatives to change the rules (so far to rename an existing Federal facility, the as relating to the procedure of the Senate or Abraham Enzi Mack Advisory Group shall consider— Allard Faircloth McCain House of Representatives, respectively) at Ashcroft Feinstein McConnell (A) the appropriateness of the proposed any time, in the same manner and to the Bennett Frist Murkowski name for the facility, taking into account same extent as in the case of any other rule Bond Gorton Nickles any history of association of the individual of the Senate or House of Representatives. Boxer Gramm Roberts for whom the facility is proposed to be SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS. Breaux Grams Rockefeller named with the facility or its location; Brownback Grassley Roth For purposes of this Act: (B) the activities to be carried out at, and (1) ADVISORY GROUP.—The term ‘‘Advisory Burns Gregg Santorum function of, the facility; Byrd Hagel Sessions Group’’ means the Federal Facilities Redes- Campbell Hatch Shelby (C) the views of the community in which ignation Advisory Group established by sec- Chafee Helms Smith (NH) the facility is located (including any public tion 1. Cochran Hutchinson Smith (OR) comment, testimony, or evidence received (2) FEDERAL FACILITY.—The term ‘‘Federal Collins Hutchison Snowe under subsection (d)); facility’’ means any building, road, bridge, Coverdell Inhofe Specter (D) the appropriateness of the facility’s ex- complex, base, or other structure owned by Craig Jeffords Stevens isting name, taking into account its history, the United States or located on land owned D’Amato Kempthorne Thomas function, and location; and DeWine Kyl Thompson by the United States. (E) the costs associated with renaming the Dodd Lieberman Thurmond TITLE III—SENSE OF THE SENATE CON- facility and the sources of funds to defray Domenici Lott Warner CERNING COMMISSION TO NAME FEA- the costs. Durbin Lugar Wyden TURES OF CAPITOL BUILDING AND (2) AGE AND CURRENT OCCUPATION.—The Ad- NOT VOTING—2 visory Group may not recommend a proposed GROUNDS Coats Moynihan change in the name of a Federal facility for SEC. 301. SENSE OF THE SENATE CONCERNING The amendment (No. 1643) was re- a living individual unless that individual— COMMISSION TO NAME FEATURES (A) is at least 70 years of age; and OF CAPITOL BUILDING AND jected. GROUNDS. (B) has not been an officer or employee of Mr. COVERDELL. Mr. President, I It is the sense of the Senate that Congress the United States, or a Member of the Con- should establish, in accordance with the move to reconsider the vote. gress, for a period of at least 5 years before rules of the Senate and the House of Rep- Mr. LOTT. I move to lay that motion the date of the proposed change. resentatives, a commission consisting of the on the table. (d) ADMINISTRATION.— Architect of the Capitol and of former mem- The motion to lay on the table was (1) MEETINGS.—The Advisory Group shall bers of Congress, appointed by the Speaker agreed to. meet publicly from time to time, but not less of the House, the Minority Leader of the frequently than annually, in Washington, The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. House, the Majority Leader of the Senate, D.C. HUTCHINSON). Under the previous order, and the Minority Leader of the Senate, to there will now be—— (2) HEARINGS, ETC.—In carrying out its pur- pose the Advisory Group— recommend the naming or renaming of— Mr. COVERDELL addressed the (1) architectural features of the Capitol (A) shall publish notice of any meeting, in- (including any House or Senate office build- Chair. cluding a meeting held pursuant to sub- ing); and The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- section (f), at which it is to consider a pro- (2) landscape features of the Capitol ator from Georgia. posed change of name for a Federal facility Grounds. Mr. COVERDELL. Could we have in the Federal Register and in a newspaper of order? general circulation in the community in The PRESIDING OFFICER. There The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- which the facility is located, and include in will now be 4 minutes of debate equally ate will be in order. that notice an invitation for public com- divided for each side on the amend- Mr. COVERDELL. Mr. President, I ment; ment as modified. ask unanimous consent that the next (B) not earlier than 30 days after the date Mr. DODD. Mr. President, let me, vote in this series be limited to 10 min- on which the applicable meeting notice was first of all, say to my colleagues here, issued under subparagraph (A), shall hold utes in length. such hearings, and receive such testimony my intention, as I have said earlier, is The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there and evidence, as may be appropriate; and to support the underlying legislation objection? Without objection, it is so (C) may not make a recommendation con- to name the airport in honor of Ronald ordered. cerning a proposed change of name under Reagan. S334 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE February 4, 1998 As I said yesterday, I certainly had granted 1 minute to make her com- spectively to deal with these sorts of no lack of disagreements with Ronald ments on this matter. matters. Reagan during the 8 years of his stew- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without I yield back all time. ardship but believe that a two-term objection, it is so ordered. The Senator Mr. DODD addressed the Chair. President deserves to be recognized. from Texas. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- And if it is the desire of his family and Ms. HUTCHISON. I agree with what ator from Connecticut. others to rename this airport, given the Senator from Connecticut is doing AMENDMENT NO. 1641, AS MODIFIED, WITHDRAWN the fact it has had name changes over in laying this aside. I do think we need Mr. DODD. Mr. President, I withdraw the years, I do not object to that. I had a process and procedure. I am on the my amendment. offered this amendment for the purpose Rules Committee. I will work with the The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without of dealing in the future with these Senator from Georgia and our leader- objection, the amendment is with- same issues. ship as well as the Democratic leader- drawn. In a sense, Mr. President, it has be- ship. I would like to see us have a proc- AMENDMENT NO. 1640 come sort of a modern day graffiti ess in which all the views are rep- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under when we run around naming things resented and then we can go forward. the previous order there will now be 4 here willy-nilly, both on the Capitol And I pledge to the Senator from Con- minutes of debate equally divided in grounds and in this city. We are mere necticut my support. the usual form on amendment No. 1640 custodians of these facilities; we don’t Mr. BAUCUS. Mr. President, will the offered by the Senator from Nevada, own them, and we ought to have a Senator yield? Mr. REID. process by which we make solid deter- Mr. President, who has time? The Senator from Nevada is recog- minations about whose names are asso- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- nized. ciated with great monuments, build- ator from Georgia controls the time. Mr. REID. My friend from Connecti- ings and rooms that we have. When we Mr. BAUCUS. Will the Senator yield cut indicated that any amendment as an institution decided to decorate for just 15 seconds? that was offered to this bill was re- the reception room with five of our Mr. COVERDELL. I yield. jected. I have not heard that. I have former colleagues, it was Senator John Mr. BAUCUS. I might inform the not heard a single person come forward Fitzgerald Kennedy who chaired that Members there is a process. It is the and speak against the amendment I commission—I look to my colleague Environment and Public Works Com- have offered. I suggest that this from West Virginia as our historian— mittee. If this bill had been referred to amendment would not hold up this bill where a deliberative process went for- the proper committee, we would have one bit; that anyone voting against ward and that decision was made. gone through the proper process. That this amendment is voting against good It seems to me we as a body ought to committee has jurisdiction over public Government. There is not an organiza- adopt something like this so that we buildings. We have rules as to naming tion in this country that is concerned are not faced with these situations and when not to name buildings after about human rights or civil rights that year in and year out. whom and under what circumstances. wants J. Edgar Hoover’s name on the Now, Mr. President, I gather from There is a process. One of the problems FBI building. This is a building that talking with my colleague and friend with this whole procedure here today is houses officials sworn to defend and from Georgia that my amendment to the process was skirted. The process protect the Constitution of the United the underlying legislation is going to wasn’t used. States, our civil liberties, the liberties be rejected, but I hope that we might Mr. President, this is a very difficult of all Americans. No official in the his- consider something like this amend- issue for me, but I am going to be vot- tory of this country has done more to ment at the appropriate place. Unfor- ing against the underlying bill basi- violate the rights of people than J. tunately, what happens in the absence cally because I do not think we should Edgar Hoover. Consider going after Ir- of a decision like this, these matters displace George Washington, our ving Berlin, the man who wrote God get shunted aside and we do not bring Founding Father, with what we might Bless America. He is one of scores of them up again until the next issue be doing here, and a whole host of people I have talked about these last emerges. But I happen to believe that other reasons which I do not have time few days. setting up a commission that would to get into. I think we should honor those who deal with these issues, having a com- There is a process. We are not follow- work in that building by removing this mission made up of former Members to ing it. man’s name from the building. It is one deal with Capitol grounds, possibly the The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- of the most popular places to visit by Architect of the Capitol included, is ator from Georgia has 11⁄2 minutes re- visitors that come to this Nation’s the way we ought to go about the proc- maining. Capital, and they should not be sub- ess of naming rooms, buildings, and re- Mr. COVERDELL. Mr. President, I jected to a building with this man’s naming facilities, Federal facilities, should like to address my remarks to name on it. here in Washington and elsewhere. my colleague from Connecticut. He ap- Mr. President, Ronald Reagan stands Having said that, I know my col- peared yesterday. He has been very fa- for what is good about this country. J. league from Georgia will want to be cilitating to the effort. I appreciate Edgar Hoover stands for what is bad heard on this. When he completes his very much what he and my colleague about this country. This small man comments, I will withdraw my amend- from Texas are endeavoring to do. As I violated the rights of hundreds, if not ment and hope that at some point in said to him this morning, I look for- thousands, of people, famous and not so the not too distant future we can bring ward to joining with him in his at- famous. He was a vindictive, petty man this matter up through the Rules Com- tempt to prospectively deal with these who harassed and abused untold thou- mittee or other such committees where kinds of issues in the future. I am very sands during his entire 48 years as the it would be appropriate. I see my col- appreciative of his collegiality. Director of the Federal Bureau of In- league from Texas who I know is inter- I would say, as I have said repeat- vestigation. We should remove the last ested in this as well. edly, that there are certain extraor- segment of the McCarthy era by delet- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- dinary conditions associated with the ing his name from one of the most im- ator from Texas. manner in which we are dealing with portant buildings in this city. Who yields time to the Senator from this issue. The former President’s Mr. COVERDELL addressed the Texas? birthday is this Friday, and he is fac- Chair. Mr. COVERDELL. How much time ing the most difficult battle he has The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- have we remaining? faced in his life. And he has faced ator from Georgia. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- many. This is a spontaneous response Mr. COVERDELL. First, let me say ator from Georgia has 2 minutes re- to that. I will leave it at that. But I do to my colleague from Nevada I appre- maining. want to again thank the Senator from ciate the remarks he made about the Mr. COVERDELL. I ask unanimous Connecticut and make known that I in- underlying bill. We do have a logistical consent the Senator from Texas be tend to join with him in his efforts pro- problem here in terms of—and we have February 4, 1998 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S335 spent the better part of the week per- responsible for the arrest of notable other agencies or memorials into the haps in a less efficient manner than we gangsters such as John Dillinger and equation. could have, and it has robbed me of the Baby Face Nelson. During World War II So I hope our colleagues will vote opportunity to iron the way on the the FBI spearheaded efforts to uncover against this amendment. I respect my other side, so I regretfully will in a mo- Nazi saboteurs and spies infiltrating good friend from Nevada, but I oppose ment move to table the amendment. the United States in an effort to dis- this amendment. It may not be much comfort to the rupt the Allied war effort. Mr. COVERDELL. Mr. President, I Senator from Nevada at this time, but In the 1950’s under Hoover’s leader- move to table the amendment. I would welcome working with him. ship the Bureau was instrumental in The PRESIDING OFFICER. All time Obviously, there have been a number of the identification and arrest of Soviet has expired. The question is on agree- assertions made about the individual Spies of the likes of Sobel and Abel, as ing to the motion to table amendment to which the Senator from Nevada well as the arrest of Julius and Ethel No. 1640 offered by the Senator from takes umbrage. It is a complex issue, Rosenberg. Remember also, that it was Nevada, Mr. REID. The yeas and nays and as I said I simply do not have time, the Hoover FBI that cracked the infa- have been ordered. The clerk will call given where we are in the week and mous Brinks robbery in Boston, loudly the roll. what we are attempting to do, to re- touted as the ‘‘Crime of the Century’’ The bill clerk called the roll. Mr. NICKLES. I announce that the solve the matter in the House. So for at that time. Senator from Indiana (Mr. COATS) is that reason, Mr. President, I move to Among many other responsibilities, the FBI played a vital role in the 1960’s necessarily absent. table the amendment. Mr. FORD. I announce that the Sen- Mr. HATCH. Will the Senator with- in fighting deep seated racism in the ator from New York (Mr. MOYNIHAN) is deep south. It was Hoover’s FBI that hold for just a short moment? necessarily absent. Mr. COVERDELL. I withhold my mo- combated threats from the Ku Klux The PRESIDING OFFICER. Are there tion. Klan. It was this same FBI that inves- any other Senators in the Chamber Mr. HATCH. Will the Senator yield? tigated the infamous ‘‘Mississippi who desire to vote? The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- Burning’’ case that brought to justice The result was announced—yeas 62, ator from Georgia has 40 seconds re- those responsible for the senseless mur- nays 36, as follows: maining. der of 3 civil rights workers. It was this [Rollcall Vote No. 5 Leg.] Mr. COVERDELL. I yield to the Sen- same FBI that brought James Earl Ray YEAS—62 ator from Utah. to justice. It was also the Hoover FBI Abraham Frist McCain The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- of the 1960’s that conducted an exten- Allard Graham McConnell ator from Utah is recognized. sive investigation into organized crime Ashcroft Gramm Murkowski Mr. HATCH. I thank my colleague. that led to the identification of an Baucus Grams Nickles I oppose this amendment. Yes, there Bennett Grassley Roberts enormous criminal network stretching Bond Gregg Rockefeller are things that can be said, but there from Chicago to New York and Boston, Breaux Hagel Roth are many things that have been accom- and touched the lives of countless com- Brownback Hatch Santorum plished during the tenure of Hoover. I munities in between. Today we recog- Burns Helms Sessions have to say there is a raft of FBI Byrd Hutchinson Shelby nize this network as La Cosa Nostra. Campbell Hutchison Smith (NH) agents who would be very offended by This is merely a snap shot of the con- Cochran Inhofe Smith (OR) this. And I don’t think we should do it. siderable accomplishments made by Collins Jeffords Snowe As a matter of fact, if we go back the FBI under the leadership of J. Coverdell Johnson Specter Craig Kempthorne Stevens through time, if you look at all the Edgar Hoover. Let me remind my col- D’Amato Kohl Thomas good things that were done and all the leagues that the day after his death in DeWine Kyl Thompson many accomplishments of the FBI, you 1972, Hoover’s body was laid in State in Dodd Lieberman Thurmond have to conclude there was an awful lot Domenici Lott Warner the Rotunda of the Capitol—an honor Enzi Lugar Wellstone that we have to be proud of even bestowed upon only 21 other Americans Faircloth Mack though there are some things that are in the history of this great nation. NAYS—36 certainly to be criticized and rightfully In his death, despite revelations that Akaka Feingold Lautenberg so. have been made, it is undeniable that Biden Feinstein Leahy When the Senate takes action to Hoover’s legacy in building the FBI to Bingaman Ford Levin honor—or discredit—men and women its current stature continues to have a Boxer Glenn Mikulski who have favorably shaped this nation, Bryan Gorton Moseley-Braun profound effect upon the safety and se- Bumpers Harkin Murray we should do so only after careful re- curity of this nation. From the inves- Chafee Hollings Reed flection and deliberation. We must also tigation and arrest of those responsible Cleland Inouye Reid be careful not to allow the faults or ex- for the World Trade Center bombing, to Conrad Kennedy Robb Daschle Kerrey Sarbanes cesses of an individual overshadow the the recent conviction of Unabomber Dorgan Kerry Torricelli contributions they have made to our Ted Kaczynski; from the arrest of CIA Durbin Landrieu Wyden country. agent Aldrich Ames for espionage, to NOT VOTING—2 I think we need to consider the nega- the investigation that resulted in the Coats Moynihan tive effect passage of this amendment convictions of Timothy Macveigh and could have on an institution that has Terry Nichols for the Oklahoma City The motion to lay on the table the made a profound contribution to the bombing, the FBI continues to be rec- amendment (No. 1640) was agreed to. Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, I move to safety and security of this nation. The ognized as a vital component of law en- reconsider the vote by which the mo- FBI is deservedly recognized as the pre- forcement. Let us honor the legacy of eminent law enforcement agency in the tion was agreed to. this honorable institution, by continu- Mr. COVERDELL. I move to lay that world. And whether we care to like him ing to give appropriate recognition to motion on the table. or not, unlike any other institution in Mr. Hoover, the principal architect in The motion to lay on the table was our federal government, there is one its rise to prominence. agreed to. person that is directly responsible for In reviewing my colleague from Ne- Mr. HATCH addressed the Chair. the FBI’s rise in prominence, J. Edgar vada’s reasoning for this amendment, The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- Hoover. Under Hoover, the FBI was it is clear that he believes he is doing ator from Utah. transformed from a small sleepy Wash- the right thing. I do not question his Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, may we ington office, into the major force sincerity. But I do not think the Sen- have order? thwarting criminal activity in this ate should act on accounts contained The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- country. in a single book. ate will be in order. The Senator from Hoover took over the FBI in May 1924 More importantly, we are here today Utah is recognized. and placed the Bureau at the forefront to honor President Reagan. I urge each Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, I want to in combating the major gangster activ- of my colleagues to address this issue compliment the manager of the bill for ity of that era. The FBI was directly alone without being compelled to bring his good arguments. S336 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE February 4, 1998 Mr. DASCHLE. Mr. President, we Mr. DASCHLE. Mr. President, thank Second of all, again, I am intrigued still do not have order. you. I had the opportunity to discuss by this continuous argument from the The PRESIDING OFFICER. The this amendment last night. President other side that Washington National Democratic leader is correct, we do not Reagan stood for a lot of things, but I Airport, which identifies the airport as have order. The Senate will be in order. think the things for which we identify servicing Washington, DC, is somehow The Senator from Utah. him more than anything else is local George Washington. Obviously, we Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, I want to control, the need to ensure that at the know that is not true. compliment the manager of the bill local level, government is given the If we want to give local control to and others who voted against this greatest opportunity. National Airport and the Metropolitan amendment. I know it was sincerely In 1987, President Reagan signed a Washington Airports Authority, I brought, and I know that there may be bill into law that provided authority to strongly suggest to my friend, the dis- some arguments that some could raise. the Metropolitan Washington Airports tinguished Democratic leader, that we But in all honesty, the FBI has been Authority for all decisionmaking re- repeal the perimeter rule which is a one of our most venerable institutions garding the operation of the Washing- Federal law which prevents aircraft for all of these years. ton National Airport. That was 11 from flying any further west than the We know that the former Director years ago. My amendment, Mr. Presi- far western end of the runway at Dal- deserves most of the credit for building dent, simply says, let’s keep the spirit las-Fort Worth Airport, a law that was it and that there are literally thou- of Ronald Reagan alive as we pass this passed by former Speaker of the House sands of FBI agents who would have piece of legislation; let’s ensure that Jim Wright who happens, as we all been very upset if that amendment was the Metropolitan Washington Airports know, to reside there. adopted. Authority, in keeping with local con- So, if we are going to give truly local I thank all of our colleagues for hav- trol, has an opportunity to voice its ap- control, I hope the distinguished Demo- ing voted to table the amendment, and proval. That is what this amendment cratic leader would want to remove I hope that we do not do this in the fu- does. Federal laws that also affect Washing- ture. We do not put names on buildings Mr. FORD. Mr. President, may we ton National Airport which, frankly, idly, and we do not do them face- have order? There are pockets of con- has affected the lives of millions of tiously, and we do not do them fool- versation all over this Chamber, and I Americans for many years in prevent- ishly. Once they are there, we ought to want my leader to be heard. ing them from going from one end of remember the traditions and history The PRESIDING OFFICER. The this country to the other without stop- and the good things that really were Democratic leader deserves to be ping in between. done. All of us have faults, all of us heard. Conversations will cease or be So I say to my colleagues, have no make mistakes, and all of us need to removed from the Senate Chamber. doubt about the effect of this amend- work out our own repentance for things The Democratic leader is recognized. ment. It would kill our ability to do an that we do from time to time. Mr. DASCHLE. I thank my friend appropriate thing and, if I may add as So I thank everybody who did vote to from Kentucky and I thank the Presid- an aside, I hope we get this done pretty table the amendment for having done ing Officer. soon, because I think everybody knows so, and I think they did the right thing. I simply conclude, Mr. President, by how we and the majority of the Amer- Mr. REID addressed the Chair. saying if we are for local control, if we ican people feel about this issue. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- are for the spirit of what Ronald The PRESIDING OFFICER. The ator from Nevada. Reagan represented, then we all ought question is on agreeing to amendment Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unan- to be supporting this amendment. This No. 1642 offered by the Democratic imous consent to be allowed to speak amendment, again, simply says, let’s leader, Mr. DASCHLE. The yeas and for 2 minutes. give the Washington Airports Author- nays have been ordered. The clerk will The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there ity the authority given to them by call the roll. objection? Without objection, it is so President Reagan in 1987, the oppor- The assistant legislative clerk called ordered. tunity to be heard, to have a voice, to the roll. Mr. REID. Mr. President, I say to my say yes. So I hope my colleagues will Mr. NICKLES. I announce that the friend from Utah and others who voted join me in the adoption of this amend- Senator from Indiana (Mr. COATS) is to table this amendment that I think it ment. necessarily absent. was a bad vote. The fact of the matter Mr. REID. Will the leader yield? Mr. FORD. I announce that the Sen- is, when the name was placed on this Mr. DASCHLE. Whatever time I have ator from New York (Mr. MOYNIHAN) is building, J. Edgar Hoover’s record was remaining I will be happy to yield to necessarily absent. not clear to the American public. It the Senator from Nevada. The result was announced—yeas 35, was not clear that he conducted inves- Mr. REID. Mr. President, I just say nays 63, as follows: tigations of Irving Berlin and hundreds briefly to my friends on the other side [Rollcall Vote No. 6 Leg.] and hundreds of other people. of the aisle, I support renaming the air- I say without any qualification, there port after President Reagan, but using YEAS—35 is no one this century who has violated the logic of my friend from Utah, the Akaka Glenn Levin the human rights and civil rights of Baucus Harkin Mikulski chairman of the Judiciary Committee, Bingaman Hollings Moseley-Braun America’s citizens more than J. Edgar he said you should not change the Breaux Inouye Murray Hoover. name of existing buildings. I assume Bryan Johnson Reed I have the greatest respect for the Bumpers Kennedy Reid that should also apply to airports. So if Cleland Kerrey Robb chairman of the Judiciary Committee, that logic is carried through, I would Conrad Kerry Sarbanes my good friend, but on this issue, I think everybody on the other side of Daschle Kohl Torricelli think he is flat wrong, and I think we the aisle would vote against renaming Dorgan Landrieu Warner missed an opportunity to take a per- Feingold Lautenberg Wellstone this airport for the President. Ford Leahy son’s name off a building that should Mr. COVERDELL. Mr. President, I be an embarrassment and is an embar- yield the manager’s time to my distin- NAYS—63 rassment to the people who work inside guished colleague from Arizona. Abraham Cochran Frist that building, as reflected in private Allard Collins Gorton The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- Ashcroft Coverdell Graham conversations with an FBI agent today. ator from Arizona is recognized. Bennett Craig Gramm AMENDMENT NO. 1642 Mr. McCAIN. Mr. President, I think Biden D’Amato Grams The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under we all ought to understand that if this Bond DeWine Grassley Boxer Dodd Gregg the previous order, there will now be 4 amendment were accepted, it would Brownback Domenici Hagel minutes equally divided in the usual kill our effort to rename Washington Burns Durbin Hatch form on amendment No. 1642 offered by National Airport after President Ron- Byrd Enzi Helms Campbell Faircloth Hutchinson the Democratic leader, Mr. DASCHLE. ald Reagan. So let’s be very clear about Chafee Feinstein Hutchison The Democratic leader is recognized. the effect of this amendment. February 4, 1998 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S337 Inhofe McConnell Smith (NH) outstanding President of the 20th Cen- all Americans owe Ronald Reagan a Jeffords Murkowski Smith (OR) Kempthorne Nickles Snowe tury. great debt, one that the simple renam- Kyl Roberts Specter There have been others who served ing of an airport doesn’t begin to Lieberman Rockefeller Stevens well but it was President Ronald repay. But this does not lessen the im- Lott Roth Thomas Reagan who stout-heartedly defended portance that the name of Ronald Lugar Santorum Thompson Thomas Jefferson’s counsel that the Mack Sessions Thurmond Reagan be enshrined in national insti- McCain Shelby Wyden least government is the best govern- tutions. ment. In the same farewell address to which NOT VOTING—2 Indeed, the enormity of President I referred a moment ago, President Coats Moynihan Reagan’s domestic achievement bog- Reagan issued a warning for those who The amendment (No. 1642) was re- gles the mind. Consider the unprece- would forget history. ‘‘If we forget jected. dented Gross National Product expan- what we did,’’ he said, ‘‘we won’t know Mr. COVERDELL. I move to recon- sion and job creation after a period of who we are.’’ He spoke of an ‘‘eradi- sider the vote. failed statist economic policies; declin- cation * * * of the American memory Mr. INOUYE. I move to lay that mo- ing interest rates that allowed entre- that could result, ultimately, in an tion on the table. preneurs to enter the market, bringing erosion of the American spirit.’’ The motion to lay on the table was energy and innovation to countless in- This Friday, Ronald Reagan will be agreed to. dustries; tax cuts that at long last al- 87 years old. All of us are saddened by Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, as we lowed Americans to keep more of what his illness, but we are inspired by the move into a vote on final passage, it they earned; a long overdue hiatus in gracious manner in which he and his still seems somehow impossible that 23 the unchecked growth of the federal family have faced it. And while he is years have passed since that genial bureaucracy. Simply put, our economy still with us, we should heed his ad- American—the one who had starred in is strong and vibrant today because monishment to remember the values he movies and television, who early in his Ronald Reagan had the courage to stood for, the President he was, and the career had been a talented sports trust the free market. man that he is. broadcaster, who served as a commis- Ronald Reagan did all of this, yes, Today, our classrooms and our uni- sioned officer during World War II and but the real heart of his legacy will for- versities are a battlefield of revisionist who had served with distinction as ever rest upon in his courageous oppo- history and sometimes venomous ideol- Governor of California—that this re- sition to communism and totalitarian- ogy. But long after today’s petty scho- ism opposition that led to the birth of markable man yielded to the urgings of lastic disputes lie forgotten in the freedom in Eastern Europe and the end thousands of his fellow Americans and pages of some academic journal, the of the Cold War. tossed his hat in the ring for consider- Washington Monument, and the Jeffer- Two years before the remarkable fall son and Lincoln Memorials, and other ation as the 1976 Republican presi- of the Berlin Wall, Ronald Reagan dential nominee. national shrines will continue to stand traveled to Berlin, stood at the Bran- in tribute to achievements of great But in the instance of Ronald denburg Gate, and thundered: ‘‘As long Reagan, history proves that tempus Americans. as this gate is closed, as long as this Ronald Reagan richly deserves to be does fugit. It has indeed been 23 years. scar of a wall is permitted to stand, it Ronald Reagan has done all of the remembered for his achievements just is not the German question alone that as earlier great American patriots are above, and done them well. But when remains open, but the question of free- he agreed to be a candidate for the remembered. I am proud to support the dom for all mankind.’’ Ronald Reagan Washington National Presidential nomination, there were In this cynical age, when so many few who foresaw the profound effect Airport, and I hope that Americans ridicule anyone attempting to divine will accept this gesture of deep and this remarkable American would have the difference between right and on his party, his country—and the en- genuine appreciation. wrong, Ronald Reagan dared to believe Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. President, I sup- tire world. in democracy. It was, perhaps, his old- port this legislation. I disagreed with Mr. Reagan did not, of course, win fashioned belief in the goodness of President Reagan on many issues, but I the nomination in 1976. But he did lay America and all that it represented believe this proposal is an appropriate the groundwork for 1980 when delighted that led him to understand what so honor for a distinguished former Presi- Republicans chose him as the party’s many so-called experts failed to under- dent. I also support it because of the standard bearer in the presidential stand: that the Cold War was a struggle many personal kindnesses that Presi- election that year. not of military might or economic the- dent Reagan and his family have shown He won overwhelmingly and, as Paul ory, but of the human spirit’s longing Harvey always says, now you know the to the Kennedy family over the years. to be free. In particular, I remember two ex- rest of the story. President Reagan never lacked de- traordinary occasions. On a wonderful Mr. President, I had known Ronald tractors—it seems there is no easier morning in the Rose Garden in June of Reagan for some years when he an- way to arouse scorn than to stand up 1981, President Reagan presented a nounced in 1976—the year when I was in for traditional values—but even his Gold Medal authorized by Congress and the middle of my first six years in the most vociferous opponents stood in awe honoring Robert Kennedy to our fam- U.S. Senate. Like Mr. Reagan I had of his amazing rhetorical gifts. They ily, and he spoke about my brother. once been a registered Democrat—and I called him the ‘‘Great Communicator.’’ Four years later, on a magnificant confess that I was stunned on that No- But President Reagan—with his typical evening in June of 1985, President came vember 1992 evening when the election humility—rejected the moniker. In his to my home in McLean, Virginia and returns were coming in that I had be- farewell address to the Nation, deliv- spoke about President Kennedy. These come the first U.S. Senator ever elect- ered on January 11, 1989, he said: are two of the finest tributes that any- ed by the people of North Carolina. I never thought it was my style or the one has ever given to my brothers. I be- I was disappointed in 1976 when Mr. words I used that made a difference: it was lieve our colleagues will find these Reagan failed to win the GOP primary the content. I wasn’t a great communicator, tributes of interest, and I ask unani- for president because it seemed clear to but I communicated great things, and they mous consent that they be printed in me then, and clear to millions of oth- didn’t spring full bloom from my brow, they came from the heart of a great nation—from the RECORD. ers, that Ronald Reagan was an elo- There being no objection, the mate- quent and forceful defender of conserv- our experience our wisdom, and our belief in the principles that have guided us for two rial was ordered to be printed in the ative values. For that reason, and be- centuries. They called it the Reagan revolu- RECORD, as follows: cause of my friendship with him, I be- tion. And I’ll accept that, but for me it al- REMARKS OF PRESIDENT RONALD REAGAN ON came the first sitting Senator in 1976 ways seemed more like the great rediscov- PRESENTING THE ROBERT F. KENNEDY to endorse Candidate Reagan for the ery, a rediscovery of our values and our com- MEDAL TO MRS. ETHEL KENNEDY, JUNE 5, Presidency—a fact that I shall forever mon sense. 1981 note with pride because history is al- Indeed, the Reagan years were a rec- The President. Mrs. Kennedy, the Congress ready clear that Mr. Reagan was the lamation of traditional principles. And has authorized the presentation of a medal S338 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE February 4, 1998 for you in recognition of the distinguished American contradictions. We know from his Many men are great, but few capture the and dedicated service which your husband, many friends and colleagues, we know in imagination and the spirit of the times. The Robert Kennedy, gave to the government and part from the testimony available at the li- ones who do are unforgettable. Four admin- to the people of the United States. brary, that he was self-deprecating yet istrations have passed since John Kennedy’s Robert Kennedy’s service to his country, proud, ironic yet easily moved, highly lit- death; five Presidents have occupied the his commitment to his great ideals, and his erary yet utterly at home with the common Oval Office, and I feel sure that each of them devotion to those less fortunate than him speech of the ordinary man. He was a writer thought of John Kennedy now and then and self are matters now for history and need lit- who could expound with ease on the moral his thousand days in the White House. tle explanation from me. The facts of Robert forces that shaped John Calhoun’s political And sometimes I want to say to those who Kennedy’s public career stand alone. He philosophy. On the other hand, he possessed are still in school and who sometimes think roused the comfortable. He exposed the cor- a most delicate and refined appreciation for the history is a dry thing that lives in a rupt, remembered the forgotten, inspired his Boston’s political wards and the characters book: Nothing is ever lost in that great countrymen, and renewed and enriched the who inhabited it. He could cuss a blue house; some music plays on. American conscience. streak—but then, he’d been a sailor. I’ve even been told that late at night when Those of us who our philosophical disagree- He loved history and approached it as both the clouds are still and the Moon is high, you ments with him always appreciated his wit romantic and realist. He could quote Ste- can just about hear the sound of certain and his personal grace. And may I say I re- phen Vincent Bene´t on General Lee’s army: memories brushing by. You can almost hear, member very vividly those last days of the ‘‘The aide de camp knew certain lines of if you listen close, the whir of a wheelchair California primary and the closeness that Greek and other such unnecessary things rolling by and the sound of a voice calling had developed in our views about the grow- that are good for peace, but are not deemed out, ‘‘And another thing, Eleanor!’’ Turn ing size and unresponsiveness of government so serviceable for war.* * *’’ down a hall and you hear the brisk strut of and our political institutions. Among the And he could sum up a current statesman a fellow saying, ‘‘Bully! Absolutely ripping!’’ last words he spoke to this Nation that night with an earthy epithet that would leave his Walk softly, now, and you’re drawn to the in Los Angeles were, ‘‘What I think is quite audience weak with laughter. One sensed soft notes of a piano and a brilliant gather- clear is that we can work together in the last that he loved mankind as it was, in spite of ing in the East Room when a crowd sur- analysis, and that is what has been going on itself, and that he had little patience with rounds a bright young President who is full within the United States—the division, the those who could perfect what was not really of hope and laughter. violence, the disenchantment with our soci- meant to be perfect. I don’t know if this is true, but it’s a story As a leader, as a President, he seemed to ety; the divisions, whether it’s between I’ve been told. And it’s not a bad one because have a good, hard, unillusioned understand- blacks and whites, between poor and more it reminds us that history is a living thing ing of man and his political choices. He had affluent, or between age groups or on the war that never dies. A life given in service to written a book as a very young man about in Vietnam—is that we can start to work to- one’s country is a living thing that never gether. We are a great country, an unselfish why the world slept as Hitler marched on. And he understood the tension between good dies—a life given in service, yes. country, and compassionate country.’’ History is not only made by people; it is and evil in the history of man; understood, Obviously, many of you here knew him people. And so, history is, as young John indeed, that much of the history of man can better than most. You knew him as husband, Kennedy demonstrated, as heroic as you as brother, as father, and uncle. He wrote to be seen in the constant working out of that tension. He knew that the United States had want it to be, as heroic as you are. his son, Joseph, on the day of President Ken- And that’s where I’ll end my remarks on nedy’s death, ‘‘Remember all the things that adversaries, real adversaries, and they weren’t about to be put off by soft reason this lovely evening, except to add that I Jack started. Be kind to others that are less know the John F. Kennedy Library is the fortunate than we and love our country.’’ and good intentions. He tried always to be strong with them and shrewd. He wanted our only Presidential library without a full en- And it is in the final triumph of Robert Ken- dowment. Nancy and I salute you, Caroline nedy that he used his personal gifts to bring defense system to be unsurpassed. He cared that his country could be safe. and John, in your efforts to permanently this message of hope and love to the country, He was a patriot who summoned patriot- endow the library. You have our support and to millions of Americans who supported and ism from the heart of a sated country. It is admiration for what you’re doing. believed in him. ‘‘Come my friends,’’ he liked a matter of pride to me that so many men Thank you, and God bless you all. to quote the Tennyson lines, ‘‘it’s not too and women who were inspired by his bracing Mr. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, I late to seek a newer world.’’ And this is how vision and moved by his call to ‘‘ask not,’’ rise in strong support of this bill to re- we should remember him, beyond the distin- serve now in the White House doing the busi- name the Washington National Airport guished public service or our own sadness ness of government. Which is not to say I ‘‘Ronald Reagan National Airport.’’ that he is gone. supported John Kennedy when he ran for His friend, composer John Stuart, said I am disappointed in the partisanship President; I didn’t. I was for the other fellow. about him what he said about the first fallen and delay tactics involved in stalling But you know, it’s true, when the battle’s Kennedy and about us: that when a chill over and the ground is cooled, well, it’s then this legislation. Personally, I can think wind takes the sky, we should remember the that you see the opposing general’s valor. of no more fitting tribute to our 40th years he gave us hope, for they can never die. He would have understood. He was fiercely, President then renaming the main air- happily partisan. And his political fights port facility for visitors to our nation’s REMARKS OF PRESIDENT RONALD REAGAN AT A were tough—no quarter asked, none given. FUNDRAISING RECEPTION FOR THE JOHN F. capital. But he gave as good as he got. And you could During his eight years in as Presi- KENNEDY LIBRARY FOUNDATION JUNE 24, see that he loved the battle. 1985 Everything we saw him do seemed to be- dent, Ronald Reagan stood as a Presi- I was very pleased a few months ago when tray a huge enjoyment of life. He seemed to dent of principle, integrity and opti- Caroline and John came to see me and to ask grasp from the beginning that life is one mism. He took America at a time of for our support in helping the library. I fast-moving train, and you have to jump great disillusionment—gasoline short- thought afterwards what fine young people aboard and hold on to your hat and relish the ages, hyper-Inflation and American they are and what a fine testament they are sweep of the wind as it rushes by. You have diplomats held hostage abroad—and to their mother and father. to enjoy the journey; it’s unthankful not to. It was obvious to me that they care deeply I think that’s how his country remembers transformed our spirit through vision about their father and his memory. But I was him, in his joy—and it was a joy he knew and leadership also struck by how much they care about how to communicate. He knew that life is President Reagan showed America history. They felt strongly that all of us rich with possibilities, and he believed in op- that leadership is not making prom- must take care to preserve it, protect it, and portunity, growth and action. ises, it’s keeping promises. hand it And when he died, when the comet dis- Ronald Reagan promised us a better They’re right, of course. History has its appeared over the continent, a whole nation future and he delivered. His message claims, and there’s nothing so invigorating grieved and would not forget. A tailor in New as the truth. In this case, a good deal of York put up a sign on the door: ‘‘Closed be- was simple: America can be better. His truth resides in a strikingly sculpted library cause of a death in the family.’’ The sadness charm, wit and eloquence combined to that contains the accumulated documents, was not confined to us. ‘‘They cried the rain communicate exactly the message that recollections, diaries, and oral histories of down that night,’’ said a journalist in Eu- Americans needed to hear. And the na- the New Frontier. But I must confess that rope. They put his picture up in huts in tion reacted: ever since Caroline and John came by, I’ve Brazil and tents in the Congo, in offices in Interest rates, inflation and unem- found myself thinking not so much about the Dublin and Warsaw. That was some of what ployment fell faster under President John F. Kennedy Library as about the man he did for his country, for when they honored Reagan than they did immediately be- himself and what his life meant to our coun- him they were honoring someone essentially, try and our times, particularly to the his- quintessentially, completely American. fore or after his Presidency; tory of this century. When they honored John Kennedy, they hon- The nation experienced a 31% in- It always seemed to me that he was a man ored the Nation whose virtues, genius, and crease in real, inflation-adjusted gross of the most interesting contradictions, very contradictions he so fully reflected. national product; February 4, 1998 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S339 Exports increased 92.6% and manu- worked together on many pieces of leg- designating Washington National air- facturing increased by 48%; islation. One of my proudest achieve- port as the ‘‘Ronald Reagan National Median family income grew every ments was the passage of the national Airport.’’ Mr. President, I am honored year during his Presidency for an in- minimum drinking age bill that estab- to participate in renaming this airport crease of nearly $4000, after years of lished a national drinking age of 21. after such a distinguished American. zero-growth in pre-Reagan years; That law, which President Reagan Ronald Reagan presided over an era In short, during the Reagan era, eco- proudly signed, is credited with saving of tumultuous change and great chal- nomic growth was stronger, job cre- nearly 1,000 young lives each year. I am lenge. His policies helped reverse stag- ation was faster, incomes were higher thankful to President Reagan for being flation and high interest rates, and un- and productivity was healthier. a part of that fight. While I did not leashed the longest economic recovery President Reagan’s accomplishments agree with him on a number of other in recent history. were achieved because he believed that issues, I do respect him and believe his His courage extended freedom around a healthy economy should create op- legacy is a powerful one. the world. Ronald Reagan knew that However, Mr. President, Washington portunities and reward responsibility weakness is provocative. He not only National Airport in Alexandria, is al- and work. In his first inaugural address restored America’s military strength, ready named after a great American— he told us: but challenged the tyrants who would George Washington, our first president. It is not my intention to do away with gov- shed American blood and deny freedom George Washington’s role in our na- ernment. It is rather to make it work work to others. He confronted terrorists tion’s history and in this area’s history with us, not over us; stand by our side, not boldly and decisively—with or without is rich and well documented. ride on our back. Government can and must the assistance of other nations. He de- provide opportunity, not smother it; foster George Washington, the father of our productivity, not stifle it. country, the man who led our troops fied conventional wisdom to challenge Mr. Gorbachev to ‘‘tear down [this] Some people believe that President against the powerful British army, the wall.’’ And the wall fell. He dem- Reagan’s greatest legacy was the res- man who chaired the Constitutional onstrated that America would stand toration of pride and optimism in Convention, the man who lived a short strong—even when she stood alone. America. He made us believe in our- 15 miles away at Mount Vernon in Vir- selves and told us: ‘‘There are no such ginia, certainly does not deserve to But perhaps most importantly, Ron- things as limits to growth, because have his name stripped from the air- ald Reagan helped restore faith in the there are no limits on the human ca- port, and replaced by another, which American dream. When Reagan took pacity for intelligence, imagination this bill would effectively do. If this office, America, is was said, was suffer- and wonder.’’ legislation passes, most people will ing from ‘‘malaise.’’ Reagan reaffirmed Americans reawakened to themselves refer to it as Ronald Reagan airport, the vision of a ‘‘shining city on a hill.’’ as a great people with a great future. A and President Washington’s name will He spoke to the hopes and dreams of notable Democrat, our former col- rarely be associated with this facility ordinary citizens for opportunity, league, Majority Leader George Mitch- again. achievement, and growth. He helped ell said, ‘‘Like President Roosevelt, Mr. President, a short time ago, Con- dispel the public cynicism that had President Reagan possesses a legendary gress named the second largest federal darkened politics for years, and cele- ability to inspire in Americans pride in office building in the nation—second to brating the dawning of ‘‘morning in their nation and faith in its future.’’ the Pentagon—after Ronald Reagan. America.’’ And, perhaps, our colleague Senator Naming the Federal Triangle Project President, Franklin Delano Roo- in downtown Washington the Ronald TED KENNEDY said it best in a quote sevelt once said that ‘‘the presidency is Reagan Building and International from the Boston Globe in 1989: ‘‘He pre-eminently a place of moral leader- Trade Center is a fitting tribute to (Reagan) has restored the public’s con- ship.’’ It was in this area that Reagan’s President Reagan, who signed the au- fidence in the presidency. For that leadership was the most significant. thorization for that project into law, alone, he deserves our appreciation.’’ Reagan was always more simple than and who believed strongly in free trade. Not only did President Reagan re- subtle. The American people knew In the wake of honoring President store our sense of purpose and meaning where he stood, and what he stood for. Reagan with that naming, this bill is as a great country, but it was because In times of economic or international not necessary. crisis, Americans knew that Reagan’s of his vision and commitment to free- Mr. President, I have other concerns dom and democracy that today there is word was true, and that his resolve with this legislation, and I believe that would not waver. no longer a Union of Soviet Socialist those issues would also concern Presi- Republics. There is today, no longer a It is for these reasons that I offer my dent Reagan. support for S. 1575, to honor a man who Berlin Wall. There is a serious question as to honored America. These two seminal events of the 20th whether it is appropriate for Congress century are a direct result of the poli- to change the name of Washington Na- Mr. ALLARD. Mr. President, I rise cies of President Reagan. Our children tional Airport. The bill would impose today to add my vocal support to S. and grandchildren will know a level of Congress’s will upon the local authori- 1575, the bill to rename Washington Na- security and peace well into the next ties by forcing them to change the air- tional Airport the ‘‘Ronald Reagan century because President Reagan un- port’s name. This would be done with Washington National Airport.’’ derstood that peace can only be no input from the local communities. Last year, I was the first co-sponsor achieved and maintained when we pro- No hearings. No votes. No discussion. of this measure. At the time, I thought vide the full measure of resources to No opportunity for public comment. I had just beat the rush, and that I our men and women in the military Simply put, the airport authority must would be merely the first of a long list who stand guard to protect liberty 24 adopt the name as determined by Con- of co-sponsors. I though that surely, if hours a day, seven days a week, 365 gress, the federal government. This every Member of this chamber was days a year. clear mandate from the federal govern- aware of the debt they and their coun- Mr. President, I ask my fellow col- ment, imposed on the local commu- try owe to Ronald Reagan, this bill leagues to help demonstrate to Presi- nities, is precisely what President would have 99 co-sponsors. dent Reagan that appreciation. I ask Reagan would object to. Instead, I was surprised that only 35 my colleagues to help me in passing S. His legacy is clear on this matter. We others have co-sponsored Senator 1575. should not offend that legacy in an at- COVERDELL’S bill. I was surprised when Mr. LAUTENBERG. Mr. President, I tempt to honor the man himself. I learned that this bill is encountering would like to voice my opposition to I am not ruling out any legislation serious opposition. And I will be more this bill. with respect to this issue, but the un- than surprised if this bill does not pass. Mr. President, I certainly have re- derlying bill will have to be improved I will be shocked and I will be sad- spect for our former President, Ronald before I will vote for it. dened. It is not often we are able to Reagan. I served in the Senate during Mr. BROWNBACK. Mr. President, I consider a bill so simple and so right as his two terms as President and we rise today in strong support of this bill this one. S340 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE February 4, 1998 Ronald Reagan can truthfully be nomic program brought both of these There are many past Presidents, ad- called one of the greatest living Ameri- down dramatically. The 1970’s malaise mired by millions of Americans, and cans. President Reagan’s most impor- brought on by high inflation, sky- others around the world, including tant contribution to his country was rocketing interest rates, high unem- Harry S Truman who have no monu- the leadership he provided during the ployment, and high taxes was replaced ment in Washington, D.C. West’s long struggle with totalitarian by an economy that fostered oppor- We have already, quite appropriately, communism. When he called the Soviet tunity, growth, and optimism. recognized the accomplishments of Union an ‘evil empire’ media pundits President Reagan rallied our Nation. President Ronald Reagan in several ap- scorned him. Today, we all know that He reminded each of us of our proud propriate ways, including the new fed- he was right. But President Reagan history and heritage. He was never eral Ronald Reagan Building and Inter- provided far more than rhetoric in the afraid to proclaim his love for Amer- national Trade Center at Federal Tri- struggle against communism. In 1980, ica. Most important, he stood up for angle (which is the largest building in America was dangerously weak and de- what he believed. He knew the impor- D.C.) and the Navy’s newest Nimitz- moralized. President Reagan under- tance of strength and resolve. The re- class aircraft carrier. stood this and he directed the strength- sult was the most successful Presi- The Washington Post, in an editorial ening of all aspects of our military, co- dency in decades. As Reagan himself this past Saturday titled ‘‘Don’t Re- ordinating our efforts with other mem- reminded us: name Washington National’’ stated, ‘‘It bers of the Western alliance. History comes and goes, but principles en- is a bad proposal on many counts, all of From the point when Ronald Reagan dure and inspire future generations to defend them going well beyond any public entered the White House, no additional liberty, not as a gift from government, but wishes to honor the former president.’’ territory fell to the Communists. From as a blessing from our creator. Mr. President, I ask unanimous con- that point forward the tide began to I know that the Federal Triangle sent that the Washington Post edi- turn. On all fronts, the Reagan admin- building will be opening soon. I know torial be printed in its entirety imme- istration backed the forces of freedom. that it is named after Reagan. But diately following my statement. Reagan supported Solidarity in Poland, Ronald Reagan was a man of the peo- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without he backed the freedom fighters in Af- ple, not of bureaucrats. When he was objection, it is so ordered. (See exhbit ghanistan, Grenada was liberated, and called ‘‘The Great Communicator’’ it 1.) Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, for all he helped democratic struggles was not because of his skill with these reasons and others, I cannot sup- throughout Latin America. The Soviet memos or inter-office correspondence. port this legislation to precipitously Union was everywhere confronted by a It was because of his ability to speak strip Washington National Airport of with, and for, the average American. Western alliance that had finally the name it has borne for more than Some good can come of the irony in awakened to the dangers of appease- half a century. ment. The alliance was greatly naming the second largest and by far EXHIBIT 1 strengthened by the friendship and sup- the most expensive federal building in [From the Washington Post, Feb. 1, 1998] port of President Reagan’s close friend America after Ronald Reagan. We can DON’T RENAME WASHINGTON NATIONAL and ally, British Prime Minister Mar- let the name of the Ronald Reagan building stand as a direct counter to With alarming speed and little serious garet Thatcher. Together they thwart- thought, members of the House and Senate ed Communism and made the Kremlin the waste and excess involved in its are pushing a bill to strip Washington Na- and its puppet states aware that the building. It will also be a constant re- tional Airport of its time-honored name and free world intended to remain free. The minder to the civil service workers in- call it instead Ronald Reagan National Air- West won the cold war, and Ronald side of President Reagan’s belief in a port. It is a bad proposal on many counts, all Reagan deserves much of the credit. small, responsible and effective govern- of them going well beyond any public wishes President Reagan’s second great tri- ment. to honor the former president. As it happens, umph was his economic plan. He was But again, Reagan was not a man this capital city already has honored Mr. Reagan in a most impressive way, naming a the first modern President to directly who loved big government. He should major new, heart-of-downtown federal office challenge the notion that more govern- not be memorialized solely by a big building after him. As it also happens, the ment was good. In his view, Govern- government building. The Ronald name Washington National honors this coun- ment does not solve problems, it sub- Reagan Washington National Airport— try’s first president, who lived just down the sidizes them. While this view is widely an airport that is used by our govern- road a bit from the airport site. In addition, held today, it was ridiculed throughout ment, but more importantly, by our the name Washington National clearly iden- the 1960’s and 1970’s. During those people, and by the free people of the tifies the airport’s location and market—an years, Reagan was nearly alone in his world—should stand as the monument important aid to travelers and shippers all over the world. struggle against the endless growth of to the Great American President. There is yet another solid reason to drop government. But he never altered his President Reagan’s 87 Birthday is the proposal. Former Virginia governor message. Unlike other politicians, he Friday. We need to approve this bill, Linwood Holton, the first Republican to hold stood firm, and gradually the country and present him with a small but well statewide office in the Old Dominion since moved his way. He stopped the slow so- deserved gift from the country he so Reconstruction and former head of the Wash- cialist slide of our Nation, and instead ably served. ington Airports Authority, cites the history, Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, I will not intent and spirit of congressional legislation implemented policies that provided the signed in 1986 by President Reagan. That act catalyst for the unparalleled financial support the legislation to rename the transferred Washington National and Dulles and economic security and freedom we Washington National Airport. This is International to the regional authority, now enjoy. not legislation to name an unnamed granting it control and oversight of the two The Reagan program of lower taxes airport or a new airport. Washington airports. Gov. Holton notes that the purpose and less regulation was a tremendous National Airport already has an appro- of the transfer, ‘‘as recited in the lease itself, success. In the early Reagan years all priate name and has had that name was to achieve ‘local control, management, income taxes were cut across-the-board since it opened in 1941. operation and development’ of the airports. I We should have a normal and system- am very concerned that after ten years of by 25 percent. The decade to follow wit- this lease arrangement, the Congress now nessed the longest peacetime economic atic process for the naming of build- proposes to take unilateral action to change expansion in the history of our Nation. ings, bridges, monuments, airports and the name.’’ All income groups experienced signifi- other public facilities. The names of Mr. Holton notes that in the past, any cant income gains from 1980 to 1989. these landmarks should not bounce changes in the lease at the request of Con- Twenty million new jobs were created, around from name to name in response gress were done with agreement to secure and the vast majority were high-paying to current events. Such decisions the consent of the regional authority. And in should be made in a non-political and this instance, the local governments in- professional, production, and technical volved oppose the change—not for any par- jobs. careful manner weighing the many fac- tisan or political reasons but because of the In the late 1970’s inflation was as tors which come into play, including name recognition that Washington National high as 18 percent, and interest rates the concerns of local governments and Airport conveys in the travel and commer- rose to 21 percent. The Reagan eco- authorities. cial industries, as well as the costs that February 4, 1998 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S341 would have to be borne by businesses in and est distinction to occupy the chair he [Rollcall Vote No. 7 Leg.] around the airport (changing signs, business had honored. His work and leadership YEAS—76 forms and promotional materials, for exam- as President is a benchmark by which Abraham Feinstein Mack ple). Allard Frist McCain Yet the renaming proposal is being rushed we should measure all those who serve in that high office. Ashcroft Gorton McConnell along without proper hearings in an attempt Bennett Graham Mikulski to make it law in time for Mr. Reagan’s Most of the work that engaged Wash- Biden Gramm Murkowski birthday next week. Thoughtful members of ington had to be achieved through peo- Bond Grams Murray Congress should consider the negative effects ple. President Washington found that Boxer Grassley Nickles of this measure. There are many ways to sa- success depended on their cooperation Breaux Gregg Reid lute Ronald Reagan—as has been done here Brownback Hagel Roberts and that they would do best if they had Bryan Hatch Rockefeller already—but stripping Washington National faith in causes and leaders. To gain and Burns Helms Roth of its name and history is not an appropriate hold their approval were among his Byrd Hutchinson Santorum way. There is no insult attached to voting Campbell Hutchison Sessions no; on the contrary, this is the respectful foremost objectives. He thought of peo- Chafee Inhofe Shelby and proper way to redirect and continue any ple, in the main, as right-minded and Cochran Jeffords Smith (NH) movement to honor President Reagan here dependable, and he believed that a Collins Kempthorne Smith (OR) or elsewhere in the country. Coverdell Kennedy Snowe leader should make the best of their Craig Kerrey Specter Mr. BAUCUS. Mr. President, earlier good qualities. D’Amato Kerry Stevens today this body passed legislation to As a national leader he upheld the DeWine Kohl Thomas rename Washington National Airport right of everyone to freedom of worship Dodd Kyl Thompson Domenici Landrieu Thurmond to the Ronald Reagan National Air- and equality before the law, condemn- Durbin Leahy Warner port. I rise today to express my opposi- ing all forms of bigotry, intolerance, Enzi Lieberman Wyden tion to that legislation. My opposition discrimination, and persecution. Faircloth Lott Feingold Lugar is in no way meant to dishonor Presi- Throughout his public life, Washing- dent Reagan. Recently, we have named ton contended with obstacles and dif- NAYS—22 the nation’s second largest federal ficulties. His courage and resolution Akaka Ford Moseley-Braun building after President Reagan and steadied him in danger, just as defeat Baucus Glenn Reed Bingaman Harkin Robb have named a Nimitz-class aircraft car- steeled his will. His devotion to his Bumpers Hollings Sarbanes rier after him as well. Clearly, Ronald country and his faith in its cause sus- Cleland Inouye Torricelli Reagan accomplished a great deal dur- tained him. Averse to harsh measures, Conrad Johnson Wellstone ing his Presidency, and he deserves to Daschle Lautenberg he was generous in victory. ‘‘His integ- Dorgan Levin be recognized for that contribution to rity,’’ wrote Thomas Jefferson, ‘‘was our country. the most pure, his justice the most in- NOT VOTING—2 However, I do not believe that we flexible I have ever known. He was, in- Coats Moynihan should seek to honor President Reagan deed, in every sense of the word, a wise, The bill (S. 1575) was passed, as fol- by diminishing the honor that we have a good, and a great man.’’ lows: bestowed upon President George Wash- Therefore, Mr. President, despite the S. 1575 ington when we named the Washington respect and admiration I have for Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- National Airport—truly one of our na- President Reagan, I cannot in good resentatives of the United States of America in tion’s greatest founding fathers. Mr. conscience support a bill which will di- Congress assembled, President, I recently finished reading a minish the great contributions Presi- SECTION 1. REDESIGNATION. biography of George Washington. I rec- dent George Washington has made to The airport described in the Act entitled ommend everyone in this body do so our nation. ‘‘An Act to provide for the administration of also. It is important to remember and I yield the floor, Mr. President. the Washington National Airport, and for recognize the many contributions that The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under other purposes’’, approved June 29, 1940 (54 Stat. 686), and known as the Washington Na- he made to this country. For it is the previous order, the question is on largely through his efforts that the tional Airport, shall be known and des- the engrossment and third reading of ignated as the ‘‘Ronald Reagan Washington United States is a world leader in every the bill. National Airport’’. sense of the word. The bill was ordered to be engrossed Because of his leadership, the thir- SEC. 2. REFERENCES. for a third reading, and was read the (a) IN GENERAL.— teen individual colonies united to be- third time. (1) The following provisions of law are come the United States—a sovereign, Mr. COVERDELL addressed the amended by striking ‘‘Washington National independent nation. Chair. Airport’’ each place it appears and inserting After the Revolutionary War, George The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- ‘‘Ronald Reagan Washington National Air- Washington took a lead role in crafting port’’: ator from Georgia. our constitution and in the campaign (A) Subsection (b) of the first section of Mr. COVERDELL. Mr. President, for its ratification. The success of the Act of June 29, 1940 (54 Stat. 686, chapter needless to say, I think we are all Washington’s campaign was assured by 444). grateful to be at this moment. (B) Sections 106 and 107 of the Act of Octo- 1797, at the end of his second presi- I ask for the yeas and nays on final ber 31, 1945 (59 Stat. 553, chapter 443). dential term, and his legacy continues (C) Section 41714 of title 49, United States to be the basis of law today. passage. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there a Code. President Washington acted with (D) Chapter 491 of title 49, United States Congress to establish the first great ex- sufficient second? There is a sufficient Code. ecutive departments and to lay the second. (2) Section 41714(d) of title 49, United foundations of the modern federal judi- The yeas and nays were ordered. States Code, is amended in the subsection ciary. He directed the creation of a dip- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The bill heading by striking ‘‘WASHINGTON NATIONAL lomatic service. Three presidential and having been read the third time, the AIRPORT’’ and inserting ‘‘RONALD REAGAN WASHINGTON NATIONAL AIRPORT’’. five congressional elections carried the question is, Shall the bill, S. 1575, pass? (b) OTHER REFERENCES.—Any reference in a new government, under the Constitu- The yeas and nays have been ordered. The clerk will call the roll. law, map, regulation, document, paper, or tion, through its initial trials. other record of the United States to the His policies procured adequate reve- The legislative clerk called the roll. Washington National Airport shall be nue for the national government and Mr. NICKLES. I announce that the deemed to be a reference to the ‘‘Ronald supplied the country with a sound cur- Senator from Indiana (Mr. COATS). is Reagan Washington National Airport’’. rency, a well-supported public credit, necessarily absent. Mr. COVERDELL. I move to recon- and an efficient network of national Mr. FORD. I announce that the Sen- sider the vote. banks. ator from New York (Mr. MOYNIHAN). is Mr. SANTORUM. I move to lay that Above all, he conferred on the presi- necessarily absent. motion on the table. dency a prestige so great that political The result was announced—yeas 76, The motion to lay on the table was leaders afterward esteemed it the high- nays 22, as follows: agreed to. S342 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE February 4, 1998 Mr. COVERDELL addressed the leader, I can understand the pressures We’ll get around to enacting the Chair. that are upon our own distinguished ISTEA bill after the budget resolution The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. ROB- majority leader at this time with ref- is finished. Mr. President, that places ERTS). The Senator from Georgia. erence to the highway bill. I have had our State highway departments in an Mr. COVERDELL. Mr. President, I discussions with the able majority extremely precarious and uncertain po- thank the Senate and our cosponsors. I leader, and prior to the reconvening of sition as they struggle to continue, want to reiterate my gladness that this the Senate, I had the pleasure of talk- without interruption, the Nation’s has been a spontaneous effort on the ing with the majority leader in my of- critically important highway construc- part of the U.S. Senate to respond to a fice. He showed me the courtesy of tion, bridge construction and repair, great American President. coming to my office, and we sat for 30 highway safety and transit programs. Throughout the debate it was ques- minutes and discussed this measure Now, every highway department is tioned from time to time, what was the and other matters. I can understand being put into that position. How can position of the Reagan family? There the pressures that are on him from we be sure that the budget resolution was not a position. This is a gesture other Senators in this body. Having will be completed at all, much less by from a people and grateful nation and a been majority leader, I know that one the April 15 statutory deadline? Even- grateful Senate. And I thank my col- cannot please all Senators on his own tually, it will be completed, but how leagues, those who disagree, for the side, much less Senators on the other can we be sure that it will be finished collegiality in which this matter was side of the aisle. I am fully aware of in time to meet that deadline? In the resolved. that. And what I say with respect to past 25 years, Congress has only met I yield the floor. the bill certainly is not in denigration that deadline three times, as I have al- Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I want to of our majority leader. I have an excel- ready indicated. On all other occasions, congratulate and express my apprecia- lent relationship with him, as I do with the deadline was missed, sometimes by tion to the Senator from Georgia for my own leader on this side of the aisle, months, as it was in fiscal year 1985 the leadership he has exhibited here. and I would not want to do anything to when the budget resolution was not He kept calm and he got the job done. impair that relationship. completed until October 1, 1984; and for I think it was the right thing to do, But, Mr. President, having said that, fiscal year 1991, when the budget reso- and I am very proud that the Senate, this would be a very shortsighted ap- lution was not completed until October in a very broad, bipartisan vote, voted proach to handling one of the most im- 9, 1990. to name this airport after former portant matters to come before this But even if it is passed, how can we President Reagan. I had the oppor- Congress—the highway bill. I under- afford to wait until that deadline? How tunity to talk to a couple of colleagues stand that the very able chairman of can we afford to wait until April? How here in the well as we were voting the Budget Committee, Mr. DOMENICI, can we afford to wait until April 15 to —Democrats who came up and remem- has expressed his hope and intention to bring up the highway bill? Construc- bered acts of kindnesses they had expe- proceed quickly with his hearings and tion seasons are upon us. Construction rienced from former President Reagan, the markup of the budget resolution. seasons in the northern States, in par- and they voted for the legislation. As Senators are aware, Section 300 of ticular, are going to be constricted. I know some had reservations or mis- the Congressional Budget Act sets a If the leadership continues to hold up givings, but I think it was the right date of April 1 as the deadline for the the ISTEA bill, I am concerned that thing to do and it was the right time to Senate Budget Committee to report Congress will not be able to act on a do it. I thank the Senator for his ef- the budget resolution each year. The new highway bill prior to the statutory forts; he did an excellent job. I thank Congressional Budget Act requires deadline now in existence for the obli- one and all for their cooperation. Congress to complete action on budget gation of highway and transit funds. Mr. BYRD addressed the Chair. resolutions every year by April 15. How many more days do we have, Mr. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- I was here, Mr. President, when we President until May 1? May 1 is the ator from West Virginia is recognized. enacted the Congressional Budget Act drop-dead date with respect to highway f of 1974, and I spoke for it, supported it, obligations—new obligations by the and had a considerable bit to do with highway departments throughout this THE HIGHWAY BILL the formulation of it. But in all of the country. May 1. How many more days Mr. BYRD. Mr. President, the Inter- years since the Congressional Budget remain? We don’t count Saturdays and modal Surface Transportation Effi- Act of 1974, Congress has met the dead- Sundays, naturally. But only 41 session ciency Act reauthorization, ISTEA—in line for completing action on budget days remain. Only 41 session days when other words, the highway bill—sets the resolutions only 3 times. Those 3 years the Senate will be in session. The authorization levels for the current fis- were fiscal years 1976, 1977 and 1994. States will hit the spending walls for cal year and the next 5 years for our I say to all Senators, but particularly highway transfer funding on May 1. I Federal highway construction, bridge, to the leadership, that this is not a assure all Senators that we will hear highway safety, and transit programs. very good record upon which to base from the American people if we con- When the Senate found itself unable to our hopes for early completion of the tinue to ignore the basic transpor- complete action on S. 1173 at the end of fiscal year 1999 budget resolution. Yet, tation needs of this Nation in such a the last session, it was necessary to that’s what the plan appears to be, as cavalier fashion. The disruption of pass a short-term extension bill to tide it relates to the highway bill. As I say, these transportation projects will be these programs over from October of I implored, I importuned, I beseeched, I massive, massive in the Northeast, in last year until May 1, 1998. I supported pleaded with the distinguished major- the Northwest, in the Southwest, and that short-term extension measure, but ity leader before this session was con- in the Southeast—all over this coun- I did so with the understanding from vened and urged that we be allowed to try. The disruption of these projects the distinguished Senate majority bring up the highway bill. That was the will be massive across the Nation as leader, and others in the leadership, commitment that was made. It was States will be required to stop obligat- that ‘‘immediately following the Presi- made to the Senate, it was made to the ing funds on May 1 for the highway and dent’s State of the Union Address,’’ the American people. As I say, I know the transit programs. Congress needs to Senate would return to the highway re- majority leader has a lot of pressures get its act together! authorization bill. on him, and I can understand those, This is an irresponsible and unneces- It now appears that things have having been majority leader. So I am sary course that threatens the very changed and that the distinguished ma- not going to be one to criticize the ma- lives of people as well as the economic jority leader is being urged by a hand- jority leader in this respect. Heavy and well-being of the people throughout the ful of Senators to delay action on it uneasy is the head that wears the country. Does it take a crisis, Mr. and not bring up ISTEA until after crown. President, to force us to act here in Congress completes action on the fiscal We are being told we should just be Congress? Do we have to have a bridge year 1999 budget resolution. Mr. Presi- patient and our State highways and collapse and possibly have people dent, as one who has been majority transit authorities should not worry. killed before we wake up? I have not