January 4, 2001 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE 71 first place. They were observing some- election is a State and local responsi- OKLAHOMA SOONERS FOOTBALL— thing that was as foreign as watching bility, as it should be. But my col- 2000 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS an Australian rules football game, try- league from the State of New York, Mr. NICKLES. Mr. President, I rise ing to understand what this is all Senator SCHUMER, who sits next to me, today to congratulate the Oklahoma about. has proposed that we bring forward a Sooner football team which defeated We ought to be reflecting on the fact fund for electoral reform across Amer- the Florida State Seminoles last night that so few people participate in our ica and create incentives and opportu- by a score of 13–2, the seventh national elections. I think it is important to nities for States and localities to up- championship for the Sooners and their think anew in this new millennium, in grade their voting equipment. 17th appearance in the Orange Bowl. this new century, as to how we will Let me tell you about a piece of vot- I was in Florida last night for this make America not only more demo- ing machinery that is used in South great game with my friend and col- cratic in name but more democratic in America. It is a piece of machinery league from the House, J.C. WATTS practice; what we can do to make our where you have indicated the name of elections more effective, to bring more who is a former quarterback for OU. the candidate and the office and a sym- The Sooners went to the Orange Bowl people to the polls. I think we ought to bol for the candidate’s party. When you approach it with an open mind. with a perfect 12–0 record. To reach the vote and push on the screen for your Orange Bowl, they defeated several Why do we vote on Tuesday? I don’t choice, up pops the picture of the can- know. Somebody thought Tuesday was outstanding teams including the once- didate to verify that you picked the a good day at one point in time. But is number-one-ranked-Nebraska person for whom you want to vote. it a good day now for most Americans, Cornhuskers, the University of Texas, Doesn’t that sound modernistic and fu- or is there a better day? Could we find and Kansas State. And although we did turistic? You may be surprised to know a way to vote on a weekend without, not play the Florida State Seminoles the equipment is produced in the perhaps, raising some religious objec- before last night, Bobby Bowden, the United States. It is sold in South tions from some groups? I hope so. Can head coach, has an outstanding foot- we find ways to vote that are more America, but it has not become popular ball team and a fantastic program. It convenient for voters? In States such here in this country. But think of the was an honor for me to be in Florida to as Oregon and Washington, more and unlimited possibilities for us to create watch these two great teams. more people vote by mail. In fact, in a system that is honest and fair and I also want to congratulate Coach Oregon virtually all the ballots were helpful to voters, instead of one cre- Bob Stoops and his topnotch coaching cast by mail. My brother-in-law lives ating obstacles and problems that can staff. Stoops, who is only in his second in the State of Washington. He is a per- be strewn in their paths so they would year at the University of Oklahoma manent absentee voter. He always re- leave the polling place uncertain and was named the ‘‘AP Coach of the ceives his ballot by mail and returns it. maybe frustrated. Year’’—a well-deserve honor. We are You can do that in Illinois, but it is During this great debate over the very proud to have such a first-class pretty difficult. We should be trying to election of November 7, 2000, with this and outstanding person leading our establish a national means by which electoral vote next Saturday and the Sooners to the No. 1 spot. people can vote without these obsta- swearing in of President George W. In addition, I wish to congratulate cles. Bush on January 20, in just a few my friend and our former colleague in And let’s talk about the voting ma- weeks, if we do not stop to think about the Senate, David Boren, who is the chinery. In my home State of Illinois, the long-term impact of the integrity President of the University of Okla- and in 40 percent of the polling places of voting in America, I think we are homa. He is not only doing a fantastic across America, they have these infa- derelict in our duty as elected officials. job of raising the academic standards, mous Votomatic punch systems. I have I hope, if we are not going to amend but also the athletic goals of the Uni- been through enough election contests our great Constitution to eliminate the versity. as a staffer, as an attorney, and as an electoral college, we will at least dedi- Again my congratulations to the elected official, that by the time I fin- cate ourselves, on a bipartisan basis, to team, to their leader, and to President ish punching my ballot out, I stop for a modernizing the machinery of elec- David Boren. minute, turn it to the light, I knock off tions across America so the next elec- From the entire State, we are all the chads. I know what to look for. I tion in 2 years or beyond will be a fair very proud of the University of Okla- know what can disqualify my vote. election, a more honest election, and homa. How many Americans know how to do one that creates more opportunities. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The that? Probably more today than last I do not believe there is a partisan clerk will call the roll. year. Still, an awful lot have gone to spin to this. I believe Republican can- The legislative clerk proceeded to the polls and made a personal sacrifice didates, Democratic candidates, and call the roll. to do their civic duty to cast their vote independent candidates alike can all be Mr. DASCHLE. Madam President, I and have their vote be heard, when it disadvantaged by the uncertainties of ask unanimous consent that the order comes to the election of the President, the current election system. We need for the quorum call be rescinded. only to learn afterwards that tens, if to encourage more people to be in- The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mrs. not hundreds of thousands, of ballots volved, and we need to say to them: We MURRAY). Without objection, it is so have been voided, possibly their own. are doing everything within our power ordered. That is not fair. It is not American. It to use the technology and resources of f is not something we ought to tolerate. America to make elections in this THE ORGANIZATIONAL I think it is more than a coincidence country an even better experience for RESOLUTION that the biggest breakdown in disquali- all Americans. fication of these ballots turns out to be I yield the floor and suggest the ab- Mr. DASCHLE. Madam President, I in inner-city precincts. I don’t think sence of a quorum. want to give a report on the progress that is any accident. In many in- The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Senator LOTT and I have been making stances, that is where we have the old- JOHNSON). The clerk will call the roll. throughout the day. We have been dis- est voting equipment, we have less at- The legislative clerk proceeded to cussing matters relating to the organi- tention paid to the education of voters, call the roll. zational resolution throughout the day and, as a consequence, folks who are Mr. NICKLES. Mr. President, I ask and have just, again, had the last of making a genuine effort to do their unanimous consent that the order for our meetings for the day. best and do their civic duty are denied the quorum call be rescinded. While we are closer than we were at that opportunity. The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. ED- the beginning of the day, there are still By and large, this decision on how to WARDS). Without objection, it is so or- some matters to be resolved. However, run a campaign and how to manage an dered. it is my hope that we could resolve the

VerDate Aug 31 2005 10:35 Feb 28, 2007 Jkt 029102 PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 0686 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR01\S04JA1.000 S04JA1 erjones on PRODPC74 with SENATE 72 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE January 4, 2001 outstanding issues some time tomor- the original author of the Desert Pro- ciated at the time and was overshadowed by row, and then it would be my hope that tection Act and he called me shortly his departure from the Senate. It’s that body the Senate will proceed to a vote on after I won election to the Senate in of work that should be remembered and cele- the organizing resolution. 1992 to ask me if I would take over the brated now. Senators should be aware that it may effort to get the bill approved. In 1994, Mr. President, our Nation is no doubt require a rollcall vote. It is my hope we we amended the bill a number of times a better place because of Senator Alan can avoid that, but that is yet a possi- but were able to get it passed and make Cranston’s service, and we will miss bility. So for purposes of the schedule, the legislation a reality. him deeply. I think Senators should be prepared to This landmark measure created two f be here to vote. It is my intention to new national parks—Death Valley and CONCEALED WEAPONS LAW call the Senate back into session at Joshua Tree—and one national pre- 10:30 a.m. tomorrow. We will have fur- serve—the Mojave. In total, the meas- Mr. LEVIN. Madam President, I am ther reports about our progress and ure has permanently saved and pro- very disappointed that the Governor of about the schedule for the day after we tected over 7 million acres of pristine Michigan chose to sign a bill that will convene. California desert wilderness for all increase the number of concealed weap- ons on our streets by tens of thousands. f time. As Thomas Jefferson said in 1809 that On New Year’s Day, Governor Engler TRIBUTE TO FORMER CALIFORNIA ‘‘the care of human life and happiness, signed into law House Bill 4530, which SENATOR ALAN CRANSTON and not their destruction, is the first takes discretion away from local gun Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Madam President, and only legitimate object of good gov- boards and requires that authorities this past weekend, our nation lost one ernment,’’ it appears to me that Sen- must issue concealed weapons licenses of its finest public servants with the ator Cranston demonstrated this view to those who meet certain require- passing of former California Senator with strong and forceful advocacy of ments. Alan Cranston. arms control. On December 13, 2000, I wrote a letter Senator Cranston served California In the Senate, Alan Cranston played to the Governor asking him to veto the well, and our hearts and thoughts go to a leading role in moving the SALT and legislation. I asked the Governor to his son Kim and the rest of his family START arms control treaties through support our law enforcement personnel at this difficult time. this body, and he drafted the first bill who believe the concealed weapons bill Senator Cranston holds the distinc- to eliminate funding for the Vietnam will make them and the public less tion of being the only Democrat in our War. safe. These groups include the Michi- State’s history to win four terms to the In 1983, Alan Cranston said that end- gan Association of Chiefs of Police and United States Senate, serving 24 years. ing the arms race would be the para- the Michigan Police Legislative Coali- Born in Palo Alto, California in 1914, mount goal of his run for the Presi- tion, which includes the Michigan Alan Cranston was a tireless champion dency. That effort was not successful, State Police Troopers Association, the for peace, justice, and human rights. but his effort to promote an honest dia- Michigan State Police Command Offi- He was also a steadfast advocate for logue on this issue grew and he contin- cers Association, the Michigan Asso- the poor and oppressed. ued to work toward a more peaceful ciation of Police, the Police Officers Senator Cranston was educated at planet right up until the time of his Labor Council, Detroit Police Lieuten- Stanford University where he excelled death. ants and Sergeants Association, De- as both a student and athlete. After In 1996, he became chairman of the troit Police Officers Association, War- graduating, Senator Cranston worked Gorbachev Foundation USA based in ren Police Officers Association and as a correspondent for the Inter- San Francisco, founded by former So- Flint Police Officers Association. national News Service and then served viet President Mikhail Gorbachev and I support the position of law enforce- his nation well in the U.S. Army in devoted to nuclear disarmament. ment groups in this matter and I be- World War II. More recently, he served as President lieve the people of Michigan do also. In 1939, Alan Cranston edited the first of the Global Security Institute, a Local gun boards should retain control unexpurgated English translation of think tank devoted to same end. The of these often life and death decisions. Adolf Hitler’s ‘‘Mein Kampf’’ published Institute recently persuaded more than f in the U.S. in an effort to alert Ameri- 100 international civilian leaders, in- KENNEDY CENTER HONORS cans to the dangers of the Third Reich. cluding 44 former presidents and prime In fact, Senator Cranston had the ministers, to sign on to its nuclear Mr. HOLLINGS. Madam President, very unique experience of being sued by weapon elimination initiative. each year since 1978 our capital city Hitler for copyright violation for his Signators included former President has inaugurated its season of celebra- work on this editing project—and in Jimmy Carter, former Defense Sec- tion with the Kennedy Center Honors, true Alan Cranston form—he wore this retary Robert McNamara, Nobel Laure- a joyful celebration of the lifetime as a badge of honor and demonstrated ates Kenneth Arrow and Elie Weisel, achievements of our greatest per- that he would stand up to anyone in Coretta Scott King, astronaut Sally forming artists. The whole nation pursuit of Democratic principles and Ride and retired Supreme Allied Com- shares in that celebration during the ideals. mander General Andrew Goodpaster. CBS broadcast of the Honors Gala, His first service in elected office was Former Representative Lionel Van which this past year was on December when he won his race for California Deerlin describes Senator Cranston’s 27. State Controller in 1962. He then ran devotion to nuclear disarmament well All Americans should be grateful to successfully for the Senate in 1968 and when he said, ‘‘He’s got to be remem- CBS for its commitment to what has was elected seven times as party whip. bered for pioneering, when the Cold become an American institution, our He was called by many as one of the War was still on, limiting the worst highest honor for the performing art- best ‘‘nose counters’’ in the Senate. My weapons ever conceived.’’ ists who do so much to define our na- esteemed colleague and former Senate In summing up the career of Senator tional spirit and our identity around Majority Leader ROBERT BYRD said of Alan Cranston, I believe a recent edi- the world. Senator Cranston, ‘‘He is absolutely torial in the Los Angeles Times aptly Our deepest gratitude goes to those superb when it comes to knowing how sums up his life and his service to our talented individuals who conceived the the votes will fall in place on a given Nation: Honors and have produced it for more issue.’’ [Senator Cranston] toiled in the trenches than two decades. George Stevens, Jr., Senator Cranston also was a strong during a long political career in behalf of Washington’s own showman who came leader in an effort to protect our envi- California and world peace. The value of his here in the Kennedy Administration to ronment. I am proud to say that he was efforts and dedication was not fully appre- work with Edward R. Murrow and who

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