October 10, 1998 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E2043 AUTHORIZING THE COMMITTEE ON THE GOOD FRIDAY TRADE AND ous and solid signal of support to the parties THE JUDICIARY TO INVESTIGATE INVESTMENT ACT in Northern is crucial for their contin- WHETHER SUFFICIENT GROUNDS ued forward progress. For your information, I EXIST FOR THE IMPEACHMENT HON. JIM McDERMOTT have attached an executive summary of the OF WILLIAM JEFFERSON CLIN- OF WASHINGTON bill and some recent news items which illus- TON, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES trate the need for a reinvigorated effort on our STATES part. Friday, October 9, 1998 GOOD FRIDAY TRADE AND INVESTMENT ACT SPEECH OF Mr. MCDERMOTT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today (1) Statement of policy/findings: to introduce legislation that targets a trade and HON. VITO FOSSELLA a. Economic growth and stabilization of investment initiative toward Northern Ireland (NI) and Irish Republic OF NEW YORK and the border counties of the Irish Republic. Border Counties (IR) are key to full imple- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES My view is that using existing trade and in- mentation of the Good Friday Peace Agree- Thursday, October 8, 1998 vestment tools to stimulate economic hope ment. and opportunity in the Irish region is the best b. The is a clear example Mr. FOSSELLA. Mr. Speaker, it is with a chance we have for ensuring the Good Friday of a small town that desperately needs im- heavy heart that I rise today to support this Peace Agreement is fully implemented. mediate relief and assistance for reconstruc- resolution. I say this not as a Republican, not tion. The pace and scale of aid and invest- Over the past few months, my thoughts, ment in Omagh and other towns recently as a New Yorker, but as a person who loves hopes, and concerns have fixed upon the Irish this great country and all it represents. bombed—, Markethill, and region. From the peaks of the Good Friday Newtownhamilton—could determine whether Earlier today, the gentleman from New York, Peace Agreement and election of the first the Agreement holds. Mr. NADLER, stated in essence: ``This matter local government in Northern Ireland in over c. The International Community, including will be the most divisive issue this nation has twenty five years, to the valleys of Drumcree, the European Union and the World Trade Or- faced since Vietnam. While I do not question the arson deaths of three young brothers in ganization (WTO), has a strong record of re- the gentleman from New York's belief that he , and the horrors of the Omagh sponding to historic political and economic believes this to be true, I do take exception to circumstances. It has fought for and ap- bomb, my hopes for that troubled land have proved WTO waivers, such as transitional the comparison and respectfully disagree. twisted and turned with events seemingly be- Here is whyÐduring the Vietnam War, as has measures to take account of German Unifi- yond our ability to impact or entirely under- cation and the Treaty of Lome, that allow been the case with every war or military con- stand. necessary international flexibility and co- flict since our Nation's birth, men and women Northern Ireland needs our nation's support operation to enhance trade and investment were sent overseas with a willingness to die and assistance at one of its most critical and stabilize economically deprived and po- for freedom, liberty and to defend the rule of stages along the path to lasting peace and litically revitalized regions. law. In the case before us, the President of consensual self government. On the very edge d. The U.S. can continue its crucial role in the peace process by creating and promoting the United States has been charged with vio- of undertaking their governmental duties and lating the rule of law that so many Americans economic growth through trade and invest- offices as set forth in the Good Friday Peace ment in the region’s severely economically have died for and are still willing to die for at Agreement, the political leaders face one final deprived areas. In addition to promoting a moment's notice all over the globe. The fenceÐthe decommissioning issueÐthat trade and investment in NI and IR, the U.S. same rule of law that we must ensure applies stands between them and the promise of a should consider grant assistance to aid com- equally to every single American, including the democratic and prosperous government for munities suffering terrorist attacks. President of the United States. both communities. Time is short and a clear e. Fair employment practices in Northern This matter goes to the very heart and soul sign of support from Congress could help lift Ireland are an essential element for an ex- panding full employment economy. Congress of what America is all about. This matter will the parties over the last hurdle. determine whether we defend the Constitution, notes with approval the constant efforts un- As you know, Irish free trade legislation has dertaken by the Northern Ireland Fair Em- or destroy it. I hope and pray that each distin- been slowed by resistance from the European ployment Commission and Employment Tri- guished Member of this body places America Union, which considers a free trade agree- bunal to achieve this end. Congress is also first and that each Member sees through the ment between the U.S. and Northern Ireland aware that the Good Friday Peace Agree- clouds of rhetoric to uphold the rule of law. and the Border counties as a threat to their ment established an Anti-discrimination It is the rule of law that unifies this country. customs union. As member states of the EU, Committee to augment the work done by the It is the rule of law that allows each American both Ireland and Britain have viewed free Committee and Tribunal. Congress believes their continuing efforts constitute persua- the opportunity to enjoy and to pursue what trade legislation with some trepidation. our Founding Fathers and every generation of sive evidence that economic justice prin- Faced with continued resistance to the Irish ciples contained herein are being effectively Americans since have always hoped forÐthat free trade legislation, I concluded that a fresh safeguarded, secured and promoted for all each American be entitled to life, liberty, and attempt to fashion legislation that could ad- communities. (Assistance in legislation is the pursuit of happiness. If we, indeed, cherish dress European reticence while quickly deliv- contingent on MacBride principles as agreed the notions of personal freedom and individual ering meaningful trade and investment assist- to in H.R. 1757 conference report). liberty granted to every single American, then ance to Northern Ireland was in order. f. The strengthening of a police force ac- we will seek to vindicate the rule of law and I have developed legislation that targets ex- ceptable to both communities in Northern proceed with this matter with all deliberate isting trade and investment tools such as the Ireland is essential for the formation and success of a peaceful and prosperous civil so- speed and an unbreakable bond with each Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) to ciety. The Congress notes the Independent other toward fairness, equity and justice for assist Northern Ireland's exporters to grow Commission on Policing is to report on the each party involved, including the President of their economy and job base. The legislation policing problems in Northern Ireland. The the United States. also ensures that the Overseas Private Invest- President, taking into consideration the rec- Mr. Speaker, too many Americans have ment Corporation (OPIC) generates private ommendations of the Commission, shall re- died to defend these principles we hold so sa- sector focus and interest in Northern Ireland port to Congress on a bi-annual basis how cred. Too many generations of Americans and the Border area and makes sure that the United States can assist in the establish- have given so much to wish reluctantly that women entrepreneurs have meaningful access ment of an acceptable policing force in Northern Ireland with the highest level of this matter just disappear. Just as important, to that funding. I have additionally utilized the professionalism. Mr. Speaker, with the Almighty blessing, gen- International Fund for Ireland as a channel to (2) OPIC directive: OPIC shall establish erations of Americans yet unborn will look increase funding for projects that will create $300 million in equity funds for infrastruc- back to this day and claim this to be one of rapid job growth in the private sector. Finally, ture and business development in NI and IR. America's finest hours, not as a sideshow that I have targeted five projects for funding and Funds should emphasize investment in se- some are trying to depict this as. support that will provide both immediate and verely economically deprived counties in NI Each Member of this body still must main- mid-term job generating growth. and IR as well as emphasize the role of women. tain an obligation and responsibility to be While there are few days left before ad- a. Women into Business Fund: No less than bound to our oath of office. The same oath of journment, I am determined to advance this 20% of the equity fund should be dedicated to office voluntarily taken by the President of the new bill as far as the legislative schedule and encourage investment by women entre- United States. Accordingly, Mr. Speaker, I the leadership will allow. I ask for your help, preneurs and should be targeted to ventures support this resolution. assistance, and cosponsorship. A clear, seri- headed or owned by women. E2044 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks October 10, 1998 b. New Technology Fund: No less than $10 on promoting awareness of regional business Valley’s Midas touch rubs off. ‘‘There is a million shall be dedicated to investment in opportunities, encouraging joint ventures, risk they’ll develop the business and stay projects emanating from new technologies. and emphasizing the development of women- over there,’’ Toal says. ‘‘At the same time, (3) Increased funding for the international owned businesses. we’re hoping some Americans stay here.’’ fund for Ireland (IFI) by $30 million this year (5) Generalized system of preferences If they do, they will be living in a city and that U.S. contribution to IFI shall not amended to allow NI & IR Border Counties to founded in 546, which more than a millen- fall below $40 million/year through 2003. The qualify as a ‘‘beneficiary developing coun- nium later gave birth to the Catholic civil President shall ensure that enhanced con- try’’ through 2008 or 10 years after receipt of rights movement. Early protest marches in tribution is used for projects in severely eco- WTO waiver. (Requirements of eligibility— the late 1960s drew the world’s attention to nomically deprived areas. transhipment protections—based on 1985 British rule. When British paratroopers shot a. 50% of annual U.S. contribution should U.S.-Gaza free trade agreement that includes 13 demonstrators to death in January 1972, go to projects that are most likely to Qualified Industrial Zones, territories of the bloody course of the next two-and-a-half produce jobs and economic expansion. The Egypt and Jordan.) decades was fixed. projects funded shall be selected by the Di- Implementation of provision contingent on A major issue in those early marches was rectors of the IFI in consultation with mem- USTR receiving waiver from WTO. USTR economic discrimination against the city’s bers of the Economic Development Commit- must work with EU, UK, and IR to seek Catholic majority. But the spreading vio- tee of Northern Ireland Assembly, and mem- waiver from WTO and it must be sought lence brought the economy to a standstill for bers of the Cross Border Economic Commit- within one year of enactment of this legisla- everyone. At one point in the summer of tee from the Republic of Ireland. The Presi- tion. USTR must report on an annual basis 1973, only 20 of the city’s 150 shops were dent also shall report to Congress a list of to Congress on the progress of their waiver undamaged by terrorist bombs. Maeve Galla- suggested projects. For FY ’99 the following attempt and the status of US–IR–NI trade re- gher, a teen-ager at the height of the conflict projects shall be given first consideration. lations. USTR report must also include rec- known simply as ‘‘,’’ worked in i. $8 million in financing for Omagh Memo- ommendations on how to effectively expand her father’s plastics store. ‘‘It was blown up rial and other Science Parks. The UK plans US–NI–IR trade. several time. We were actually down there to set aside $16 million to support the cre- (6) Definitions of eligible counties and fair helping clean up the broken glass,’’ she says. Today, Gallagher, 33, an accountant, and ation of Science Parks in Northern Ireland employment principles (MacBride principles her engineer husband work here for Seagate to bring to the marketplace the fruits of the of H.R. 1757 conference report). scientific research undertaken in Northern Technology, the U.S. disk-drive maker. The Ireland’s two universities. The IFI should Gallaghers are among the beneficiaries of a consider leveraging this investment by allo- [From USA Today, May 5, 1998] flood of foreign cash. cating funds to establish 5 science parks in JOBS, INVESTMENT KEY TO PEACE IN FROM SHIPYARDS TO SEAGATE , Coleraine, Magee College, Armagh, NORTHERN IRELAND For much of its 77-year existence, the prov- and Omagh—each of which are located near (By David J. Lynch) ince was a heavy manufacturing arm of the existing research centers and campuses. It is DERRY, NORTHERN IRELAND—One in every British economy. But recent years have seen the hope that these parks could attract addi- seven jobs in this city is with a U.S. com- changes that would be familiar to residents tional private sector businesses and generate pany, the legacy of a friendly financial inva- of the ‘‘Rust Belt’’ states of the midwestern between 20 and 30 viable businesses over a 5- sion the past decade. Now, further such in- USA. Belfast’s Harland & Wolff shipyard year period. vestment is critical. If the economy doesn’t once was famed as the builder of the SS Ti- ii. $5 million in co-financing to the $8 mil- produce more jobs, last month’s historic tanic. Today, the yard’s idle elbow-shaped lion Innovation Fund established by the UK peace deal could be stillborn. cranes bear mute witness to the region’s de- to provide support for technology-transfer ‘‘There’s a direct correlation between un- industrialization. An early coup in the ongoing economic start-ups with commercial potential. employment and violence,’’ says former U.S. iii. $250,000 over 2 years toward the overhaul was Seagate’s 1994 opening of a senator George Mitchell, who chaired the strengthening of existing ties between Hand- disk-drive component plant. The company, Northern Ireland peace talks. which had been wooed by Ireland and Scot- made in America and the Northern Ireland Despite 30 years of sectarian conflict, land as well, settled on the North largely be- craft sectors. Enhancing the existing part- Northern Ireland’s economy in the 1990s has cause of the ready supply of educated work- nership would go a long way toward boosting grown jobs faster than any other part of the ers, says Ken Allen, 38, a Seagate vice presi- the contribution of craft industry to employ- . But early hopes for a peace dent. Salaries for similar workers in Ireland ment and economic growth and deepen cul- boom likely are unfounded. Instead, job have been bid up because of Dublin’s success tural, heritage, artistic, and commercial re- growth threatens to stall—just when it is lations between the U.S. and Northern Ire- in attracting high-tech companies. most needed to bolster political stability. An Meanwhile, concerns over possible work- land. overvalued currency is pinching exporters. iv. $250,000 for executive development. One force instability amid Northern Ireland’s Budget cuts promise pink slips in govern- of the key weaknesses in the Northern Ire- periodic turmoil were easily assuaged. ‘‘The ment offices, where a stunning one-third of land economy is the relatively low level of hard fact is that when somebody gets a job, all workers are employed. And the European skills and competency at the middle man- they’re going to damn well hang onto it,’’ Union is expected to trim subsidies to farm- agement level in both the public and private says Town Clerk John Keanie. ’’They’re not ers, still reeling from the mad cow disease sector. Closing the skills gap must include going to put it at risk.’’ export ban. continuous executive development. An exec- Last year, Northern Ireland’s output grew utive development program for up to 50 ex- BOOSTING TRADE WITH USA 3.1% while unemployment fell to 7.9%, well ecutives drawn from local government and So, Northern Ireland officials are accel- below 1990’s 12%. If peace takes hold, the private sector can be developed to meet erating efforts to promote trade and invest- province could see a tourist bonanza. Up to these training needs. A 20-week program of ment with the USA. 20,000 new jobs would result if tourism rose workshops, peer learning, peer assessment U.S. companies already are prominent fix- to the 7% of gross domestic product that it and internships could be implemented be- tures here. DuPont has produced synthetic constitutes in Ireland, Coopers & Lybrand tween a university such as the Ulster Busi- materials at a giant plant outside this city says. Meanwhile, the North’s jobless rate is ness School and a U.S. Business school. since 1960. Seventy miles southeast in Bel- still higher than in the rest of the United Local government and business could be en- fast, Ford Motor employees 650 workers Kingdom, and its growth rate pales com- couraged to co-finance the project with the making water pumps and other car parts. pared with that of its southern neighbor, the IFI. The past four years, U.S. employers ac- best-in-Europe ‘‘Celtic Tiger’’ economy. v. $13 million for Springvale Project to counted for more than 53% of foreign invest- TRAILING ITS NEIGHBORS tackle twin problems of urban economic re- ment in Northern Ireland. The USA is a key The North suffers because of the high value generation and the growth of further and part of the province’s economic strategy— of the British pound, which has cut export- higher education. Springvale would be a uni- and nowhere more so than in Derry. ers’ profits and thus depressed hiring. And versity campus in a very deprived area of In July, local officials expect to welcome a too many workers—193,000 of a total work- West Belfast, the scene of much of the ter- 60-member Silicon Valley delegation, includ- force of about 600,000—draw government pay- rorist violence and community strife over ing executives from Hewlett-Packard and checks. The economy must grow by about 2% the past 30 years. Springvale project would Informix, headed by San Jose, Calif., Mayor just to absorb likely public sector cuts, says be supported by the Central Government, the Susan Hammer. And this fall, about a half- Coopers & Lybrand. University of Ulster and Belfast Institute of dozen would-be entrepreneurs from Derry Prolonged joblessness is an especially ma- Further and Higher Education. IFI support and San Jose will switch cities for six lignant problem. Almost half of the 60,000 would represent a significant vote of con- months to two years, says Barney Toal, a de- unemployed have been without work for fidence for this important initiative. velopment officer with Derry Investment more than one year. Until early last year, (4) Department of Commerce initiatives for Initiative, a public-private partnership. Eddie McIntyre was among them. Then, NI and IR shall emphasize the awareness of The U.S. participants will get access to the thanks to a last-minute cancellation, he got U.S. business opportunities and the creation local university’s supply of well-educated into a coveted computer training program. of joint ventures in the region. DOC shall though inexperienced, computer whizzes. Early last year, when a job operating produc- consolidate its current activities and focus Those headed to the USA are hoping Silicon tion machines opened up at Seagate’s local October 10, 1998 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E2045 factory, he was chosen. ‘‘It’s changed every- countries. This is the same as last year, and funding. On the other are the disadvantaged thing for me,’’ says McIntyre, 45, who was marks the end of a period of steady improve- border, midland and western counties, bereft born and raised in the Catholic ghetto here ment in the rankings. of investment and facing serious population known as the Bogside. Since it was first compiled in 1990, HDI has declines. Derry’s efforts to cultivate U.S. economic become a widely accepted measure of quality Ballina, County Mayo’s biggest town with links began about a decade ago. On frequent of life. It is based not only on income levels a population of 8,000, has an unemployment trips to the USA, Derry’s John Hume, an ar- but also on life expectancy and education rate of 25 per cent—over twice the national chitect of the peace agreement as leader of levels. average. In the early 1970s Asahi, the Japa- the Social Democratic Labor Party, tapped For the fifth year in a row, Canada tops nese group, opened a synthetic fibres plant an extensive network of Irish-American po- this index. Canadians rank first in overall near the town with the promise of 1,100 jobs. litical contacts, including Sen. Edward Ken- health, general level of education and the de- At its peak, employment reached 500—the nedy, D–Mass. Hume pitched Northern Ire- gree to which an average person enjoys a de- plant was forced to close down last year due land to companies looking for a European cent standard of living. France and Norway to worldwide overcapacity for its product. foothold. ‘‘There had been a substantial follow in second and third places. amount of support for violence coming from African countries occupy the bottom 15 ‘‘The government does not have any proper America,’’ Hume says. ‘‘I told them the real places in the index. Sierra Leone comes last, regional policy,’’ says Mr. McCole. ‘‘The help they could give us was economic.’’ but other politically unstable countries such whole system is designed for the cities. The In those days, when car bombs and bullets as Rwanda are not listed this year because of one place in the west that is really thriving appeared to fill Northern Ireland’s streets, the difficulties in gathering information. is Galway, which has attracted millions in the province was a tough sell. The report says consumption, if properly investment and is now the fastest growing Declan O’Hare, who ran the investment regulated and directed, offers a route out of city in Europe. But we have had to fight very promotion office in New York in the late poverty for the world’s poor. ‘‘For the more hard to achieve some progress.’’ 1980s, says, ‘‘You’d have doors slammed in than one billion people living at or near the Ballina’s efforts have met with some suc- your face. You’d say you were from Northern margin, increased consumption is essential. cess. A 1 10m hotel and apartment complex Ireland and people didn’t want to see you.’’ For those at the top, it has become a way of £ is being built in central Ballina. The tourism Now, with U.S. investment last year of $620 life,’’ says the UNDP administrator, Mr. Gus industry is flourishing. More than 150,000 at- million, vs. about $50 million 10 years ago, Speth. tended a recent festival there—attractions the Derrymen get a different reception. In Mr. Speth says massive increases in con- March, Hume spoke to more than 500 U.S. ex- sumption often place at risk those who bene- included an animal olympics, with heavy ecutives on a tour of Boston, New York and fit least in the first place. Thus, global betting on the duck and pig races. Washington—several times the number he warming caused by increases in carbon diox- A number of small industries, including a attracted during previous visits. ide emissions primarily threaten the poor of seed potato enterprise, have been estab- And for those who still think Northern Ire- low-lying developing countries such as Egypt lished. A computer company is creating 100 land is synonymous with random violence? and Bangladesh. jobs. Coca Cola recently announced a multi- Says Allen: ‘‘I feel a lot safer in Derry than While consumption increases have proved million pound investment in a research facil- in Minneapolis or Chicago or many other ‘‘the life-blood of human advances’’, spend- ity in the town which will employ 150 people. American cities.’’ ing is misdirected. Europe spends £8 billion a And there are plans to set up a small univer- year on ice-cream, when £6 billion would pro- sity institution, specializing in theological vide water and sanitation for all. Almost £12 studies. [From the Irish Times, Sept. 9, 1998] billion is spent annually on pet food in Eu- ‘‘There’s no doubt there is a confidence POVERTY IN REPUBLIC IS SECOND IN UN rope and the U.S., when £9 billion would pro- that was absent five years ago,’’ says Terry REPORT vide basic health and nutrition for the poor. Reilly, editor of the local Western People (By Paul Cullen) According to the report, the wealth of the newspaper. ‘‘But in comparison with what’s world’s 225 richest people is equal to the an- The Republic has the highest concentra- going on in the east of the country, develop- nual income of half the world’s population. tion of poverty among Western countries ment in this area is still slow. The great The richest three people are wealthier than outside the U.S., according to a United Na- worry is when the economic downturn the poorest 48 countries. tions report published today. comes—as it inevitably will—what will hap- In spite of growing wealth and improving pen here? The west has always been the last social services, the Human Development Re- [From the Financial Times, Sept. 22, 1998] area to receive the benefits of economic port 1998 reveals wide disparities in the dis- growth and the first to be hit by a decline.’’ tribution of wealth within the State. RURAL AREAS COMPLAIN OF PITIFUL NE- GLECT—TOWNS SUCH AS BALLINA IN COUNTY Irish women are worse off economically Many schools, hospitals and police stations MAYO TYPIFY THE REGION’S POOR RELATION than in any other industrialised country. in the area have been forced to close. The STATUS They are also less likely to hold positions of road and rail network is in dire need of up- influence in business or politics. Functional (By Kieran Cooke) dating. Graduates are forced to migrate to illiteracy here is higher than in the 16 other The town of Ballina lies on the western the east in search of jobs—the result is a de- industrialised states covered by the survey, edge of Ireland, surrounded by the bleak but clining skills pool in the west and problems and Irish long-term unemployment ranks hauntingly beautiful landscape of County of overcrowding and rapidly increasing house second-highest. Mayo. The Moy, one of Europe’s finest salm- prices in the east, primarily in Dublin. More The report, from the UN Development Pro- on rivers, flows by churches and old ware- than a third of Ireland’s population now lives gramme, echoes the annual report of the house buildings. The Atlantic wind whips in the Dublin area. Combat Poverty Agency published earlier down streets lined with fishing tackle shops Next year Brussels is due to review Ire- this week. This said that up to onethird of and pubs. land’s Objective One status, under which the the population is at risk of poverty, while 9 Mention of the Celtic tiger brings a wry country has received millions of pounds of to 15 percent live in persistent poverty. smile to the face of Terry McCole, a Ballina EU development funding. Mr. Reilly and Most of the data in the UN report comes college principal and former head of the many others say the government won those from 1995, before the Celtic Tiger phenome- local urban district council. ‘‘People round funds due to the underdeveloped state of the non took effect. Some indicators, such as un- here say Ireland’s economic tiger must have west of the country—but then proceeded to employment, have improved since then, run out of steam on its journey to the west spend the bulk of the Brussels money in the while others have remained static. from Dublin. The politicians and planners east. The Human Poverty Index (HPI) ranks Ire- have largely ignored this part of the coun- Due to the rapid growth of its economy, land 16th out of the 17 countries, with 15.2 try. Dublin and the east have been grabbing Ireland is almost certain to lose its Objec- percent of the population in poverty. Only the bulk of investment and benefits of eco- tive One status. However, many in the west the U.S., with 16.5 percent in poverty, is nomic growth—we’re left to fight over the are determined to fight for its retention in worse. The UK comes 15th and top of the list crumbs.’’ their region. is Sweden, with a rating of 6.8 percent. Mr. McCole’s views are echoed all along The HPI was included in the report for the Ireland’s Atlantic seaboard—from County ‘‘So far we’ve had lots of government re- first time this year to expose internal dis- Donegal in the northwest to County Clare in ports and initiatives but no real action,’’ parities in wealth within the richer coun- the southwest. Ireland, say the government’s says Mr. McCole. ‘‘What’s encouraging is tries. critics, is fast becoming a two-nation state. that local people are now getting on with de- In the main measure of quality of life con- On the eastern side of the country are the in- veloping the area, with or without govern- tained in the report, the Human Develop- creasingly wealthy areas around Dublin and ment help. Perhaps we’ll breed our own Celt- ment Index, the State comes 17th out of 175 Cork, sucking up inward investments and EU ic tiger.’’ E2046 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks October 10, 1998 AUTHORIZING THE COMMITTEE ON A principled man, comfortable with him- attorney-client privilege for public officials, THE JUDICIARY TO INVESTIGATE self and the Constitution, should be able to and he has abused the grand jury system. WHETHER SUFFICIENT GROUNDS argue that no citizen may be compelled to And the hymn-singing, Bible-quoting Starr EXIST FOR THE IMPEACHMENT testify about intimate details of his sex life has produced the best-read piece of Puritan unless there is a showing of transcendent pornography in human history. In his zeal to OF WILLIAM JEFFERSON CLIN- public need. Clinton could have invoked pro- remove the President, he has transformed TON, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED visions of the First, Fourth and Fifth amend- the American political process into an exer- STATES ments to create a zone of privacy, a so-called cise in voyeurism. intimacy privilege. But instead, Clinton ap- Rather than needlessly drag the country SPEECH OF pears to have lied—more than once. Let the through the degrading process of impeach- lawyers argue whether this technically ment hearings based on Starr’s document, HON. JOHN CONYERS, JR. qualifies as perjury. Clinton would be wise to the House Judiciary Committee might con- OF MICHIGAN quit quibbling and rely on the good sense of sider conducting a debate that assumes the IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES the American people to see that Congress ad- truth of all the allegations in the Starr re- dresses this transgression (which does not port. The question for the committee would Thursday, October 8, 1998 compare with Clinton’s more serious failures then become: Are these charges serious Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I am inserting in addressing the nation’s problems of grow- enough to rise to the level of being ‘‘high ing corporate power and inequality) with a into the RECORD two insightful and useful edi- crimes and misdemeanors’’? If not, in what punishment that fits the crime. One of the torials from The Nation magazine. The first would essentially be the granting of a mo- most striking aspects of this surreal situa- tion to dismiss, the committee could decide one, titled ``Clinton, Starr and the Constitution'' tion has been the consistency of the public’s not to present the House with articles of im- points out that ``this inquiry has been driven by insistence that what happened between peachment. The process could stop right politics from the start.'' The Nation, which has Monica Lewinsky and Bill Clinton is their there. It would then remain only for Con- been a strident critic of Bill Clinton almost from own business, and that of their families. The gress to decide whether to drop the matter the beginning of his Presidency, states that punditocracy’s obsession with the salacious or to censure the President, in a form to be ``Kenneth Starr's impeachment report rep- details of Oval Office sex has been matched determined. The President, for his part, by its hypocrisy in playing morality police could do his party and the country a favor by resents an assault not merely on Bill Clinton to an audience that does not care what the but, more significant, on the presidency, the admitting he lied and making clear that he pundits think. would accept such a censure. A censure reso- Constitution and our democracy.'' The Constitution says that Congress shall lution, if it comes to that, should be nar- It also rightly points our that ``What the con- impeach only for ‘‘treason, bribery, or other rowly focused on the nation’s top law-en- servatives could not stop by election they high crimes and misdemeanors.’’ The Presi- forcement official lying under oath in his have thwarted by investigation. This Congress dent’s lawyers are on firm ground when they Paula Jones deposition. It should not give saw no important legislation passed on to- assert, ‘‘The impeachment clause was de- credence to Starr’s unproven claims of grand signed to protect our country against a bacco and children, education, childcare, mini- jury perjury and obstruction of justice. President who was using his official powers Going forward, Congress should also in- mum wage or campaign finance reform.'' against the nation, against the American The second editorial points out that the tac- sure, by way of changes in statutes govern- people, against our society. It was never de- ing the independent counsel’s office, that no tics of this investigation have amounted to signed to allow a political body to force a person will ever again be vested with the un- ``sexual McCarthyism.'' In drawing a powerful President from office for a very personal controlled power that Kenneth Starr has so historical analogy, the Nation points suggest mistake.’’ effectively misused. Inquisitions, sexual or This inquiry has been driven by politics that ``the Enemy Other is sexual rather than otherwise, are ‘‘inappropriate’’ in a constitu- from the start. Kenneth Starr is a partisan tional democracy. political deviance.'' Just like during the 1950's, conservative Republican who has been the there have been secret grand jury leaks, wire- spearhead of an unprincipled, well-funded at- STARRISM tapping has been used to entrap witnesses tack on the Administration almost from the Everyone from Alan Dershowitz to a front- and the legal process is being used to punish moment it took office. Lest we forget: Starr, page classified advertiser in the New York or defame people for activities that may be former chief of staff to Reagan Attorney Times has sounded the alarm about ‘‘sexual ``politically and culturally anathema,'' but not General William French Smith, was chosen McCarthyism’’ in connection with Kenneth necessarily crimes. Hence the need for the for his current job in 1994 by a three-judge Starr, his report and all the rest. The word ‘‘McCarthyism,’’ as many have public to hear all the salacious details con- panel that itself was selected by Chief Jus- tice William Rehnquist, who would preside pointed out [see Navasky, ‘‘Dialectical tained in the Ken Starr report. over the Senate in the event of an impeach- McCarthyism(s),’’ July 20] is a misnomer I bring these fine editorials to the attention ment trial. Starr considered writing an ami- since it describes a phenomenon that began of my colleagues and the public. cus brief to advance Paula Jones’s case before the junior senator from Wisconsin ar- [From The Nation, Oct. 5, 1998] against the President. Starr continued, as a rived on the scene and persisted after he was million-dollar-a-year lawyer, to represent retired from it. And each time this umbrella CLINTON, STARR AND THE CONSTITUTION the tobacco industry while investigating term for the excesses of the anti-Communist Kenneth Starr’s impeachment report rep- Clinton and planned to accept a Richard Mel- crusade is recycled as a metaphor for the lat- resents an assault not merely on Bill Clinton lon Scaife-funded deanship at Pepperdine est political mugging, it loses something of but, more significant, on the presidency, the University until a national uproar forced its original power and precision as a descrip- Constitution and our democracy. It is crucial him to give it up. And Starr’s office is under tion of a social pathology. to the future of all three that it be repudi- investigation for the unprofessional and pos- Moreover, in the case of Starr & Co. the ated before its damage becomes irreversible. sibly illegal manner in which it leaked infor- metaphor seems inexact because McCarthy We have no great affection for the Presi- mation designed to damage the President. was notorious for the sloppiness of his meth- dent, who has systematically betrayed al- Whether it achieves its goal of inspiring ods, the manipulation of numbers (first there most everyone and everything for which he Clinton’s impeachment, Starr’s investiga- were 205, then fifty-seven, then eighty-one professed to stand during his six years in of- tion has succeeded beyond its originators’ card-carrying Communists in the State De- fice. But those failings should not obscure wildest dreams. It has crippled the Adminis- partment) and, as often as not, getting the the great danger posed by the possibility of tration and the Democratic Party. What the wrong guy. Whereas the sexual allegations Starr and his minions forcing Bill Clinton conservatives could not stop by election they against Clinton appear to be well docu- out of office. Whatever the degree of the have thwarted by investigation. This Con- mented, and Starr seems obsessively precise President’s responsibility for bringing this gress saw no important legislation passed on and meticulous (although the closer one calamitous situation on his own head—and tobacco and children, education, childcare, looks at his report the less confidence one that responsibility is considerable—the na- minimum wage or campaign finance reform. has in its integrity). tion cannot allow itself to be decapitated by Not much planning for the future appears to Is ‘‘sexual McCarthyism’’ a misleading what is, at its core, a politically motivated be under way in the White House, as Demo- metaphor for what is happening? Not really. witch hunt. crats run for cover in hopes of surviving Though there are obvious differences, there Clinton’s actions ought not to be the sub- what could be major Republican gains come are at least three significant similarities be- ject of an impeachment inquiry. Starr went November. tween then and now. It’s important to iden- after possibly more serious allegations More significant, however, is the damage tify what they are before too many reputa- against the President related to Whitewater, that Starr and his team have done to time- tions get shredded, too many democratic val- Filegate and Travelgate, but despite a nearly honored constitutional prerogatives and ues violated, too many dangerous precedents crazed obsession with nailing his prey, he ap- common decency. President Clinton’s right established, too much privacy invaded. parently came up empty-handed. He has to privacy has been shredded. Starr has used First and foremost, there is the attempt to therefore been forced to base an impeach- his unlimited powers to threaten White demonize a political target as the Enemy ment case entirely on Clinton’s adulterous House staff and to intimidate Lewinsky and Other. Historians like the late Frank Donner affair and attempts to cover it up. her family. He has eviscerated the right of have demonstrated how the great Red hunt