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January 29, 1998 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S209 commitment, not only through the further consideration of S. 1297 and fur- issue forward in an expeditious fashion. newspapers he owned, but also through ther the Senate proceed to its imme- I do believe President’s Reagan’s up- his efforts to launch a variety of other diate consideration, and further, that coming birthday is an important time publications, including one of today’s there be one amendment in order rel- for us to mark this occasion. I thank most successful law journals, the Har- ative to the modification of the origi- Senator COVERDELL, whose original vard Journal of Law and Public Policy, nal bill, with total time for debate lim- thought I believe this was, along with which he helped to initiate through ited to 2 hours equally divided between the encouragement of millions of personal investments. Senators MCCAIN and HOLLINGS or their Americans all across the country. I Mostly, I think John McGoff would designees, and, following the debate, have a longer statement, I would say to want to be remembered as a man who the Senate proceed to a vote on or in the majority leader, that I would like loved his family. Indeed, I can remem- relation to the amendment, to be fol- to give after his remarks, but let me ber how, on virtually every occasion in lowed by third reading and final pas- just say, briefly, I find this—I find this which we were together I would receive sage. I further ask that if a rollcall astounding, that we would block this. a detailed account of every one of his vote is requested in relation to the There have been many fallen leaders. children, what they were doing and amendment or passage, the votes be There are many former Presidents we what their most recent achievements postponed to occur on Tuesday, Feb- have had, and living Presidents, that— and challenges were. When we paid him ruary 3, at a time to be determined by there has never been any problem with tribute last Saturday, each of those the majority leader after notification the naming of things. I have been told children was there to help remember of the minority leader. that there may be an effort to name their father and to pay great testament The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. the Justice Department after the late to his wonderful life. SANTORUM). Is there objection? Robert F. Kennedy. I would strongly So, on behalf, I know, of many people Mr. DASCHLE. Reserving the right support such a thing and I believe most in our State who certainly will miss to object, and I will be compelled to ob- of my colleagues on the other side of John McGoff and regret his passing, I ject at this time, for several reasons. want to say his was a full life, one of the aisle would also. But for us to First, there are a number of Demo- block this at this time, given President great success; the life of a person who cratic Senators who want the oppor- loved his community, loved his coun- Reagan’s condition—which we all are tunity—to have a right to offer perhaps try, loved his family—truly loved very well aware of—I think is unfortu- more than one amendment. There may America and everything for which she nate and, even worse, if this blocks this or may not be opposition to this legis- stands. well-intentioned proposal to honor one The PRESIDING OFFICER. The ma- lation, but there certainly is cause for of the most decent and nonpartisan and jority leader. some consideration of aspects to this kindly people that I have ever had the issue that may not be as evident as we privilege of knowing in politics, I think f consider the prospect of a bill of this it would be a terrible mistake. UNANIMOUS CONSENT REQUEST— nature today: The costs associated I yield back to the majority leader. I S. 1295 with it; the process that we use in will have further remarks later on. I Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I have a naming national or important public thank the majority leader. unanimous consent request with regard facilities; people have raised the ques- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The ma- to S. 1295, which is the naming of the tion of whether it is appropriate for us jority leader. National Airport the to take the name Washington off of the Mr. LOTT. I thank the chairman of Airport. But before I propound that re- name of this particular airport—iron- the committee, Senator MCCAIN, for quest, let me say I want to make some ically, the same month that we cele- his comments. I know we will be inter- comments after we have this request, brate President Washington’s birthday. ested in hearing the balance of his about why we are doing this, and put in So we celebrate not only one but two comments. I thank him for allowing the RECORD some of the history about birthdays in February. The name me to explain a little bit about what is what is involved. I have been talking to Washington is very prominent in Feb- going on here, if I could. the principal sponsor, Senator COVER- ruary, as is President Reagan’s of First of all I want to emphasize that DELL. I know he has been talking to course. Some have even asked whether the proposal is to name National Air- Members on both sides of the aisle. the Reagan family wants this to be port, which is commonly referred to as Senator DASCHLE and I have talked done. Washington National Airport, the Ron- about it. I don’t think we have, it So, Mr. President, there are a lot of ald Reagan Washington National Air- would appear, an agreement worked very legitimate questions. As I say, port. Washington National Airport was out as to how this is to be considered, there are a number of Democratic Sen- not named after George Washington. It but I hope we can continue to talk ators who may or may not be in sup- was named after the District of Colum- about why this is important, why we port of this legislation, following the bia, to denote a location, a physical lo- want to do it, and see if an agreement exploration of many of these issues. So cation. I think everybody would under- can be worked out. I think it is the I do not think it would be in our best stand that that would be appropriate, right thing to do. interests to proceed today. I have had the Ronald Reagan Washington Na- One week from Friday is the birthday some discussions with the distin- tional Airport. of former President Ronald Reagan. I guished majority leader about the mat- This idea, as I understand it, origi- think it would be a very good and a ter, and will continue to do so in an ef- nally came from the immediately-past magnanimous gesture by the Congress fort to resolve these questions and try Governor of Virginia, the State where and by the President of the United to find a way with which to assure that this airport is located. That was the States if he could be able to sign this this issue is fully explored and debated first time I ever heard it was from bill on President Ronald Reagan’s without unnecessary delay. former Governor George Allen. birthday. That is why the timing is So, on the basis of all of those rel- The principal sponsor, Senator critical and why we want to go ahead evant issues, Mr. President, I object. COVERDELL, has worked in previous Re- and begin to talk about it. Because The PRESIDING OFFICER. Objec- publican administrations, has been Senators on both sides of the aisle had tion is heard. The majority leader. committed to this and has been doing conflicts today, we are not going to be Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I yield to very good work in the preparation for able to vote on it today—or would not the chairman of the committee that this to happen. As for my personal sit- have been able to vote on it, probably, has jurisdiction in this area. uation, I had the clear impression that today, anyway. But it is my hope, my f this was something that was supported intent, that we could get it done next by the family and friends of the Presi- Tuesday and then complete the process RENAMING WASHINGTON NA- dent. so we could do this in recognition of TIONAL AIRPORT ‘‘RONALD But I also want to emphasize again this great President. REAGAN NATIONAL AIRPORT’’ something I noted earlier. The reason I ask unanimous consent the Com- Mr. MCCAIN. Mr. President, I thank why we want to do it early is not just merce Committee be discharged from the majority leader for bringing this because we are looking for work, not

VerDate Mar 15 2010 03:42 Oct 31, 2013 Jkt 081600 PO 00000 Frm 00021 Fmt 4637 Sfmt 0634 E:\1998SENATE\S29JA8.REC S29JA8 mmaher on DSKCGSP4G1 with SOCIALSECURITY S210 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE January 29, 1998 just because we want to ram it I don’t think we ought to make it a not, it isn’t really surprising. After all, so through—I really thought it would go practice to do it immediately or while many people have been proved wrong by through, you know, on a shouted unan- they are still in office. But for special Ronald Reagan that they simply daren’t ac- imous vote. It’s because it is a special people and special occasions, I think it knowledge his achievement. Forests have already been pulped to print time in the life of a man who has makes us a greater people. the revisionist analyses of the ’80s. Those meant so much to this country and to I would like to include some exam- who were once so confident of the superi- so many of us. ples of memorials and monuments that ority of the Soviet system that they advo- In my 29 years in political life, this in the past have been named for U.S. cated appeasement of it now pretend to be- man, former President Ronald Reagan, Presidents: John F. Kennedy Center for lieve that it was doomed to inevitable col- has meant more than any other single the Performing Arts, 1963; James Madi- lapse. Tell that to the Russians! The former person. I think history will show clear- son Building, 1965; Lyndon B. Johnson Soviet ministers didn’t, and don’t, doubt the ly he is one of the two greatest Presi- National Historic Site, 1969; Harry S. seriousness of the struggle, even if Western liberal commentators do. dents of this century, and in my opin- Truman Dam and Reservoir, 1970; Lyn- No one in the West appreciates all this bet- ion, the greatest by far. So I was very don B. Johnson Memorial Grove, 1973; ter—and no one served the President and comfortable with moving it quickly, Lyndon B. Johnson Manned Spacecraft this country more loyally—than Cap Wein- because of the birthday consideration. Center, 1973; Lyndon B. Johnson Civil- berger, here to receive the award on Ronald Keep in mind, now, this is a President, ian Conservation Corps Center, 1974; Reagan’s behalf. He was also a great friend as you would expect from Ronald Gerald Ford Building, 1977; Herbert to Britain, above all during the Falklands Reagan, who is sort of riding off into Hoover Building, 1981; Dwight D. Eisen- War. It’s nice to be among conservatives. It’s the sunset. He has been a credit to our still nicer to be among friends. hower Interstate System, 1990; Theo- When the Heritage Foundation asked me country in so many ways, and since he dore Roosevelt Building, 1992; Ronald to make the virtue of courage the center- has been President he has gone back to Reagan United States Courthouse, 1992; piece of this lecture, I was not displeased. Of his beloved California and he has been Woodrow Wilson Plaza, 1994; Ronald the four cardinal virtues (courage, temper- battling a terrible disease that mil- Reagan Federal Building and Inter- ance, justice and prudence) it is the last lions of Americans have to deal with, national Trade Center, 1995. (prudence) that the ancient philosophers tra- Alzheimer’s disease. It is one of the I do believe that we want to do this ditionally placed at the moral apex. They did programs, one of the diseases where we in a bipartisan way. I know there are so because they understood, quite rightly, really don’t fund adequate research. We some in both parties in this country that without that practical, seemingly rath- er dull virtue, none of the others could be hear all of these other things that are who are not all that excited about correctly applied. You have to know when really looked into at NIH, all these this—with good reason, I understand and how to be brave, or self-controlled or other research programs, all these that. But I also know there are people fair-minded, in particular situations. Pru- other problems, yet this one probably on both sides of the aisle and all over dence—or what I would prefer to call a good, gets the short end of the stick. the country who don’t care about par- hearty helping of common sense—shows the So I have been proud, and saddened, tisan politics who feel like this should way. by the fact that he is afflicted, now in be done. COURAGE AND CHARM OF RONALD REAGAN an advancing way, with this terrible Maybe I am influenced in bringing But in my political lifetime I believe that disease. So I want, in any way we can, this up by a speech I read just a couple it is fortitude or courage that we’ve most to say to him how much we appreciate weeks ago by Margaret Thatcher, an- needed and often, I fear, most lacked. him, what he has done for our country, other great leader in this century, a Today we are particularly conscious of the and to his family and the sacrifices courage of Ronald Reagan. It was easy for speech she made on December 10, 1997, his contemporaries to ignore it: He always they made. Every President makes sac- at the Sheraton Washington Hotel. seemed so calm and relaxed, with natural rifices to be President, and their fami- I ask unanimous consent that her en- charm, unstudied self-assurance, and un- lies probably even more. So that is tire speech be printed in the RECORD. quenchable good humor. He was always what is the driving force here. Who he There being no objection, the speech ready with just the right quip—often self- is, what he is going through, what he was ordered to be printed in the deprecatory, though with a serious purpose— has meant to this country, what he has RECORD, as follows: so as to lighten the darkest moments and give all around him heart. The excellent re- meant to so many of us, and the fact [From Human Events, Jan. 16, 1998] cent study by Dinesh D’Souza refreshed my that it is a special time in his life. HOW REAGAN’S COURAGE CHANGED THE WORLD The point is made, this is not an ap- memory about some of these occasions and The following is the text of the speech de- told me of others which I didn’t previously propriate edifice. It is really not that livered by former British Prime Minister know. pretty. It is new. Margaret Thatcher at the Heritage Founda- Right from the beginning, Ronald Reagan Or that, ‘‘Gee, it may not even be tion’s gala 25th anniversary dinner at the set out to challenge everything that the lib- here in 25 or 50 years. We need some- Sheraton Washington Hotel, Dec. 10, 1997: eral political elite of America accepted and thing, a monument, that will be there It is a great honor to be asked to be the in- sought to propagate. for 100 years, 200 years or 1,000 years.’’ augural speaker of this series of lectures on They believed that America was doomed to I think there is some merit to that. ‘‘The Principles of Conservatism’’ organized decline. He believed it was destined for fur- Some people say, ‘‘We have this to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Her- ther greatness. building down on Pennsylvania Avenue itage Foundation. Heritage has flown the They imagined that sooner or later there flag for conservatism over this last quarter- would be convergence between the free West- that is going to be named after him,’’ century with pride and distinction. ern system and the socialist Eastern system, and that is fine. It is not as if we can I’ve always considered America fortunate and that some kind of social democratic out- only name one facility. I don’t know in having an apparently inexhaustible supply come was inevitable. He, by contrast, consid- how many Roosevelt monuments and of conservative thinkers prepared to chal- ered that socialism was a patent failure memorials we have. That’s OK, and I lenge the fashionable liberal consensus. That which should be cast onto the trash heap of voted for memorials and monuments to is a tribute to the intellectual energy and history. a lot of Democrats. I don’t think we the taste for debate which are so char- They thought that the problem with Amer- acteristic of this great country and which ica was the American people, though they vote on these things because they are sometimes seem distressingly absent in con- didn’t quite put it like that. He thought that Democrat or Republican. Once they be- temporary Europe. But it is also a tribute to the problem with America was the American come a former Secretary of State, like Heritage (and in particular to Ed Feulner) government, and he did put it just like that. John Foster Dulles, or former Presi- that these conservative thinkers have been The political elite were prepared to kow- dent Kennedy, they are a former Presi- motivated and sustained in their mission. tow to the counterculture that grew up on dent or a former Secretary, and, in It is no less an honor—and, dare I say, still American campuses, fed by a mixture of many instances, we owe them an awful more of a pleasure—to be invited here on the high-brow dogma and low-brow self-indul- lot. occasion of the presentation of the Clare gence. Gov. Reagan would have none of it I even think somebody said, ‘‘Usually Booth Luce award to my old friend Ronald and expressed his disdain in his own inimi- Reagan. table fashion. we wait until they have passed on.’’ I President Reagan is one of the greatest On one occasion students, chanting outside think it is a ridiculous idea. What good men of our time, and one of the greatest the governor’s limousine, held up a placard is it to them then? Do they have any American Presidents of all time. If that is bearing the modest inscription. ‘‘We Are the idea how much they meant to us then? not fully appreciated today, and sadly it is Future.’’ The governor scribbled down his

VerDate Mar 15 2010 03:42 Oct 31, 2013 Jkt 081600 PO 00000 Frm 00022 Fmt 4637 Sfmt 0634 E:\1998SENATE\S29JA8.REC S29JA8 mmaher on DSKCGSP4G1 with SOCIALSECURITY January 29, 1998 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S211 reply and held it up to the car window. It Of course, there were always some honest The world has, of course, seen many inter- read: ‘‘I’ll sell my bonds.’’ men struggling to arrest the decline, or at national doctrines—Monroe, Truman, and In those days, of course, there were not least to ameliorate its consequences. The Brezhnev have all made their contributions, many people buying bonds in Ronald Reagan. doctrine of ‘‘containment’’ was envisaged as some more positive than others. But for my But from the very first time I met him I felt a way of conducting a strategic resistance to money it is the , spelt out that I had to invest. I was leader of the Oppo- Communist incursion. Similarly, the doc- very clearly in the speech he gave to British sition—one of the most tricky posts in Brit- trine of ‘‘de´tente’’ also had its honorable parliamentarians in the Palace of West- ish politics—when Gov. Reagan paid me a Western advocates—none more so than minster in 1982, that has had the best and visit. The impression is still vivid in my Henry Kissinger. But the fact remains that it greatest impact. mind—not so vivid that I can remember ex- meant different things to different sides. This was a rejection of both containment actly what he said, only the clarity with For the West, de´tente signified—as the and de´tente. It proclaimed that the truce which he set forth his beliefs and the way he word itself literally means—an easing in ten- with communism was over. The West would put large truths and complex ideas into sim- sion between the two superpowers and two henceforth regard no area of the world as ple language. blocs. This made a certain sense at the time, destined to forgo its liberty simply because As soon as I met Gov. Reagan, I knew that because it reduced the risk of a nuclear con- the Soviets claimed it to be within their we were of like mind, and manifestly so did frontation which Western unpreparedness sphere of influence. We would fight a battle he. We shared a rather unusual philosophy, had brought closer because we had allowed of ideas against communism, and we would and we shared something else rather unusual our conventional defenses to run down. give material support to those who fought to as well: We were in politics because we want- But it also threatened to lead us into a recover their nations from tyranny. ed to put our philosophy into practice. fatal trap. For to the Soviets, de´tente sig- President Reagan could have no illusion RONALD REAGAN’S ACHIEVEMENT nified merely the promotion of their goal of about the opposition he would face at home world domination while minimizing the risk in embarking on this course: He had, after Ronald Reagan has changed America and of direct military confrontation. all, seen these forces weaken the West the world, but the changes he made were to So under the cloak of wordy communique´s throughout the ’70s. restore historic conservative values, not to about peace and understanding, the Soviet But he used his inimitable ability to speak impose artificially constructed ones. Union expanded its nuclear arsenal and its to the hearts of the American people and to Take his economic policy, for example. It navy, engaged in continual doctrinal war- appeal over the heads of the cynical, can’t-do was certainly a very radical thing to do fare, and subverted states around the globe elite. He and Cap Weinberger made no secret when he removed regulations and cut taxes by means of its own advisers and the armed of the objective: military superiority. The and left the Fed to squeeze out inflation by forces of its surrogates. There was only one Soviets understood more quickly than his monetary means. Supply-side economics, destination to which this path could lead— domestic critics the seriousness of what was , Voodoo economics—all these that of Western defeat. And that’s where we at stake. The Russian rhetoric grew more descriptions and mis-descriptions testified to were heading. violent; but an understanding that the game the perception of what was proposed as This was a message which few newspapers was up gradually dawned in the recesses of something outlandish. But it really wasn’t and commentators wanted to hear. It was at the Politburo. and Ronald Reagan knew it wasn’t. this time—the mid-1970s—that after one such It is well-known that I encouraged Presi- After all, if you believe that it’s business speech I was generously awarded by the So- dent Reagan to ‘‘do business’’ with President success that creates prosperity and jobs, you viet military newspaper Red Star the sobri- Gorbachev. I also still give credit to Mr. leave business as free as you possibly can to quet of the ‘‘Iron Lady.’’ Gorbachev for introducing freedom of speech succeed. If you thing that it’s governments— You might imagine that it would be easier and of religion into the Soviet Union. taxing, spending, regulating, and printing to call for a return to military strength and But let’s be clear: The Soviet power bro- money—that distort the business environ- national greatness in the United States, a kers knew that they had to choose a re- ment and penalize success, you stop govern- superpower, than in the United Kingdom, a former because they understood that the old ment doing these things. middle-ranking power. But, oddly enough, I strategy of intimidating and subverting If, at the deepest level, you have con- doubt it. would not work with Ronald Reagan in the fidence in the talent and enterprise of your America, as I found from my visits in the White House and—who knows?—even Mar- own people you express that confidence, you ’70s and early ’80s, had suffered a terrible de- garet Thatcher in 10 Downing Street. give them faith and hope. Ronald Reagan did cline of confidence in its role in the world. The final straw for the Evil Empire was all these things—and it worked. This was essentially a psychological crisis, the Strategic Defense Initiative [SDI]. Presi- Today’s American prosperity in the late not a reflection of realities. We now know dent Reagan was, I believe, deliberately and 1990s is the result, above all, of the funda- that the arms build-up by the Soviets at that cunningly tempted by the Soviets at Rey- mental shift of direction President Reagan time was an act of desperation. The Soviet kjavik. They made ever more alluring offers promoted in the 1980s. Union was dangerous—deadly dangerous— to cut their nuclear arsenals, and the Presi- Perhaps it’s something of an irony that it’s but the danger was that from a wounded dent, who was a genuine believer in a nu- an administration of instinctive spenders predator, not some proud beast of the jungle. clear-weapons-free world (it was one of the and regulators that now is reaping much of The more intelligent Soviet apparatchiks few things we disagreed about), thought he the political reward. But we conservatives had grasped that the economic and social was making progress. shouldn’t really be that surprised, for it was system of the USSR was crumbling. The only There was no mention of SDI, and it ap- the departure from some of those conserv- chance for the state that had so recently peared that the Soviets had tacitly accepted ative principles, after Ronald Reagan and I pledged to bury the West, but which was now that its future was not for negotiation. Then, left office, that left conservative politicians being buried by its own cumulative incom- at the very last moment, they insisted that in both our countries out in the cold. One of petence, was to win an arms race. It would SDI be effectively abandoned. The President Thatcher’s iron laws is that conservative have to rely for its survival on the ability to immediately refused, the talks ended in acri- governments that put up taxes lose elec- terrify its opponents with the same success mony, and in the media he was heavily criti- tions. as it had terrified its own citizens. cized. It is, however, for fighting and winning the A totally planned society and economy has But it was on that day, when a lesser man that Ronald Reagan deserves the the ability to concentrate productive capac- would have compromised, that he showed his most credit—and credit not just from Ameri- ity on some fixed objective with a reasonable mettle. cans, but from the rest of what we called in degree of success, and do it better than lib- As a result of his courage, work on the SDI those days the Free World, and from those in eral democracies. But totalitarianism can program continued and the Soviets under- the former Communist states who can now work like this only for a relatively short stood that their last gambit had failed. breathe the air of liberty. time, after which the waste, distortions and Three years later, when Mr. Gorbachev President Reagan’s ‘‘expert critics’’ used corruption increase intolerably. peacefully allowed Eastern Europe to slide to complain that he didn’t really understand So the Soviet Union had to aim at global out of Soviet control, Ronald Reagan’s ear- communism. But he understood it a great dominance, and achieve it quickly, because lier decision to stand firm was vindicated. deal better than they did. He had seen at given a free competition between systems, The Soviets at last understood that the best first hand its malevolent influence, under no one would wish to choose that of the So- they could hope for was to be allowed to re- various guises and through various fronts, viets. Their problem was that even though form their system, not to impose it on the working by stealth for the West’s destruc- they diverted the best of their talent and a rest of the world. tion. huge share of their GDP to the military com- And, of course, as soon as they embarked He had understood that it thrived on the plex, they lacked the moral and material re- upon serious reform, the artificial construct fear, weakness and spinelessness of the sources to achieve superiority. That would of the USSR, sustained by lies and violence West’s political class. Because that class be apparent as soon as the West found lead- for more than half a century, imploded with itself had so little belief in Western values, ers determined to face them down. a whimper. it could hardly conceal a sneaking admira- This was what Ronald Reagan, with my en- The idea that such achievements were a tion for those of the Soviet Union. For these thusiastic support and that of a number of matter of luck is frankly laughable. Yes, the people, the retreat of Western power—from other leaders, set out as President to do. And President had luck. But he deserved the luck Asia, from Africa, from South America—was he did it on the basis of a well-considered he enjoyed. Fortune favors the brave, the the natural way of the world. and elaborated doctrine. saying runs.

VerDate Mar 15 2010 03:42 Oct 31, 2013 Jkt 081600 PO 00000 Frm 00023 Fmt 4637 Sfmt 0634 E:\1998SENATE\S29JA8.REC S29JA8 mmaher on DSKCGSP4G1 with SOCIALSECURITY S212 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE January 29, 1998 As this hero of our times faces his final place in a dictator’s hands and the enormous goal is to subordinate American and other and most merciless enemy, he shows the difficulty of removing it. Chemical and bio- national sovereignties to multilateral au- same quiet courage which allowed him to logical weapons and the components for nu- thorities; their long-term goal, one suspects, break the world free of a monstrous creed clear weapons can be all too easily con- is to establish the UN as a kind of embryo without a shot being fired. President cealed. world government. Reagan: Your friends salute you! The proliferation of ballistic missile tech- Surely the crisis in the former Yugoslavia should have shown the folly of these illu- NEW CHALLENGES FACE THE WEST nology also greatly adds to the menace. Ac- cording to the Defense Studies Center at sions. There the tragic farce of European Democracies, like human beings, have a Lancaster University in Britain, 35 non- Union meddling only prolonged the aggres- tendency to relax when the worst is over. NATO countries now have ballistic missiles. sion and the United Nations proved incapa- Our Western democracies accordingly re- Of these, the five ‘‘rogue states’’—Iraq, Iran, ble of agreeing on effective action. We are laxed—both at home and abroad—in the pe- Libya, Syria and North Korea—are a par- still trying to make the flawed Dayton Set- riod after the fall of the Berlin Wall. ticular worry. tlement—which neither the EU nor the UN It was, of course, right that in this period North Korea has been supplying ballistic could have brought about—the basis of a there should be a new look at priorities. The missiles to those who can afford them, and it lasting peace in that troubled region. threat from the Soviet Union was much di- The future there is unpredictable, but one continues to develop more advanced long- minished—both directly in Europe and indi- thing I do venture to predict: The less Amer- range missiles, with a range of 2,500 to 4,000 rectly in regional conflicts that they had ica leads, and the more authority slips back miles. According to U.S. sources, all of once exploited. to unwieldy international committees and Northeast Asia, Southeast Asia, much of the At least the worst errors of the past were their officials, the more difficulties will Pacific, and most of Russia could soon be avoided—America stayed militarily com- arise. threatened by these latest North Korean mitted to Europe, NATO remained the International relations today are in a kind missiles. linchpin of Western security and, in spite of of limbo. Few politicians and diplomats real- Once they are available in the Middle East the protectionist instincts of the European ly believe that any power other than the and North Africa, all the capitals of Europe Union, progress continued with reducing bar- United States can guarantee the peace or will be within target range. And on present riers to trade. punish aggression. But neither is there suffi- trends a direct threat to American shores is These elements of continuity were crucial cient cohesion in the West to give America likely to mature early in the next century. to the relative security and (in spite of the the moral and material support she must Diplomatic pressure to restrict prolifera- turbulence in the Far East) the considerable have to fulfill that role. tion, though it may be useful, can never be prosperity we enjoy today. These were the This has to change. America’s duty is to a sufficient instrument in itself. It is impor- positive aspects. lead. The other Western countries’ duty is to tant that the West remain able and willing— But there are also worrying negative ones. support its leadership. and is known to be able and willing—to take Different countries will contribute in dif- Each will require new acts of political cour- preemptive action if that should ultimately ferent ways. Britain is closer to the United age to overcome. States by culture, language and history than First, lower defense spending in America, become necessary. But it is also vital that progress be made is any other European country. British pub- Britain and elsewhere was used not to cut towards the construction of an effective lic opinion is therefore readier to back taxes and so boost prosperity, but rather the global defense against missile attack. This American initiatives. Moreover, Britain’s so-called Peace Dividend went principally to would be a large and costly venture to which highly professional armed forces allow us to pay for welfare. This in turn has harmed our America’s allies must be prepared to con- make a unique practical contribution when countries both socially and economically, tribute. It would require a rare degree of the necessity arises. worsening trends which had already become courageous statesmanship to carry it But the fundamental equation holds good manifest. through. for all of us: Provided Western countries Welfare dependency is bad for families and But it is also difficult to overstate the ter- unite under American leadership, the West bad for the taxpayer. It makes it less nec- rible consequences if we were to fail to take will remain the dominant global influence. If essary and less worthwhile to work. The pro- measures to protect our populations while we do not, the opportunity for rogue states motion of idleness leads, as it always does, and new tyrannical powers to exploit our di- there is still time to do so. to the growth of vice, irresponsibility and visions will increase, and so will the danger Thirdly, political courage will be required crime. to all. constantly to restate the case for Western The bonds which hold society together are So the task for conservatives today is to unity under American leadership. America weakened. The bill—for single mothers, for revive a sense of Western identity, unity and was left by the end of the Cold War as the ef- delinquency, for vandalism—mounts. In resolve. The West is after all not just some fective global power of last resort, the only some areas a generation grows up without ephemeral Cold War construct. It is the core superpower. But there was also a widespread solid roots or sound role models, without of a civilization which has carried all before reluctance to face up to this reality. self-esteem or hope. it, transforming the outlook and pattern of The same mentality which Ronald Reagan It is extraordinary what damage is some- life of every continent. had had to overcome was at work. Large times done in the name of compassion. The It is time to proclaim our beliefs in the numbers of intellectuals and commentators, risk of reversing the growth of welfare de- wonderful creativity of the human spirit, in uneasy at the consequences of a victory pendency and repairing the structure of the the rights of property and the rule of law, in whose causes they had never properly under- traditional family is one of the most dif- the extraordinary fecundity of enterprise stood, sought to submerge America and the ficult we in the West face. and trade, and in the Western cultural herit- West in a new, muddled multilateralism. Secondly, the post-Cold War slackening of age, without which our liberty would long I suppose it’s not surprising. As Irving resolve has led to a lack of military pre- ago have degenerated into license or col- Kristol once noted, ‘‘No modern nation has paredness. Understandably, with the end of lapsed into tyranny. ever constructed a foreign policy that was the Cold War the sense of omnipresent dan- These are as much the tasks of today as acceptable to its intellectuals.’’ they were of yesterday, as much the duty of ger receded. Less excusably, the fact that the In fact, it is as if some people take a per- conservative believers now as they were Soviet Union and its successor states no verse delight in learning the wrong lessons when Ronald Reagan and I refused to accept longer challenged the West’s very survival from events. It was Western unity, under in- the decline of the West as our ineluctable led Western countries to behave as if other, spiring American leadership, which changed destiny. new threats could be ignored. the world. But now that unity is at risk as As the poet said: Yet the truth is so obvious that surely the European Union, with apparent encour- ‘‘That which thy fathers bequeathed thee only an expert could miss it: There is never agement from the United States, seems bent Earn it anew if thou would’st possess it.’’ a lack of potential aggressors. on becoming a single state with a single de- We now have to reassess our defense spend- Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I just want fense—a fledgling superpower. Such a devel- ing, which has been cut back too far. Still to read some brief, selective passages opment would not relieve America of obliga- more significant has been the failure to from what Margaret Thatcher, the tions; it would merely increase the obstacles grasp the vital importance of investment in former Prime Minister of Great Brit- to American policy. the very latest defense technology. The cru- ain, had to say: POLICYMAKERS SUCCUMBED TO LIBERAL cial importance of keeping up research and President Reagan is one of the greatest CONTAGION development in defense is the great lesson of men of our time, and one of the greatest SDI. It is also the lesson—in two respects— Today’s international policymakers have American Presidents of all time. If that is of today’s confrontation with Iraq. succumbed to a liberal contagion whose most not fully appreciated today, and sadly it is The original defeat of Saddam’s forces was alarming symptom is to view any new and not, it isn’t really surprising. After all, so so swift—though sadly not complete—be- artificial structure as preferable to a tradi- many people have been proved wrong by cause of our overwhelming technical superi- tional and tested one. So they forget that it Ronald Reagan that they simply daren’t ac- ority. The fact that we are still having to was powerful nation states, drawing on na- knowledge his achievement. . . apply constant pressure and the closest scru- tional loyalties and national armies, which But in my political lifetime I believe that tiny to Iraq also bears witness to the lethal enforced UN Security Council Resolutions it is fortitude or courage that we’ve most capability which science and technology can and defeated Iraq in 1991. Their short-term needed and often, I fear, most lacked.

VerDate Mar 15 2010 03:42 Oct 31, 2013 Jkt 081600 PO 00000 Frm 00024 Fmt 4637 Sfmt 0634 E:\1998SENATE\S29JA8.REC S29JA8 mmaher on DSKCGSP4G1 with SOCIALSECURITY January 29, 1998 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S213 Today we are particularly conscious of the heights that it achieved during her ten- wide open, knowing the ramifications, courage of Ronald Reagan. It was easy for ure as Prime Minister. knowing exactly what it is we are his contemporaries to ignore it: He always I am quite sure that with unanimity, doing and then pursuing the best seemed so calm and relaxed, with natural this Senate wishes to honor our former course after that. I think we can do charm, unstudied self-assurance, and un- quenchable good humor. He was always President. So the majority leader’s that. I pledge my assistance in working ready with just the right quip—often self- wish will come true; we will honor with the majority leader and our Re- deprecatory, though with a serious purpose— President Reagan. In fact, as he noted, publican colleagues to do it. But we are so as to lighten the darkest moments and we will honor him quite certainly, re- not ready yet. I am sure at some point give all around him heart. . . gardless of what happens to the air- soon we will be, but let’s proceed in a Right from the beginning, Ronald Reagan port. We will honor him by naming positive way, not criticizing one an- set out to challenge everything that the lib- after him the largest nondefense build- other as we start out this effort, but eral political elite of America accepted and ing in the country, a Government finding the best way with which to re- sought [as gospel]. They believed that America was doomed to building, a beautiful building, a build- solve these questions. I am sure that decline. He believed it was destined for fur- ing that will last for centuries, a build- can be done, and with that optimism, I ther greatness. ing dedicated to permanence and a yield the floor. They imagined that sooner or later there building with great meaning, I think, Several Senators addressed the would be convergence between the free West- to all of us as we pass down Pennsyl- Chair. ern system and the socialist Eastern system, vania Avenue today. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- and that some kind of social democratic out- It is an extraordinary new accom- ator from Arizona. come was inevitable. He, by contrast, consid- Mr. MCCAIN. Mr. President, I ask ered that socialism was a patent failure plishment, architecturally and in many other ways. We have already made the unanimous consent to yield in a couple which should be cast onto the trash heap of minutes to the Senator from Georgia, history. decision to name that superior piece of They thought that the problem with Amer- architecture after our former Presi- but I first feel compelled to answer a ica was the American people, though they dent, Ronald Reagan. couple of comments the distinguished didn’t quite put it [that way.] He thought So let no one be misguided by the re- Democratic leader and good friend of that the problem with America was the marks today. We honor President mine made. American government, and he did put it just First of all, I don’t think any Amer- Reagan. No one should also be misled [that way.] ican identifies Washington National with regard to our intentions. There Airport with George Washington. They In conclusion, and what I think is so was comment made that we are block- identify it with Washington, DC. So beautiful a statement about our coun- ing this legislation. If we were blocking let’s really be clear about that. To take try and our world and about Ronald it, Mr. President, we would not have the word ‘‘Washington’’ out of it is not Reagan, she summed it up perfectly. agreed for it to pass out of committee in any way demeaning or lessening the She said: unanimously. If we were blocking it, It is time to proclaim our beliefs in the reputation of George Washington; it is we would have demanded hearings and because it was identified with Wash- wonderful creativity of the human spirit, in we would have used whatever proce- the rights of property and the rule of law, in ington, DC. the extraordinary fecundity of enterprise dural devices at our disposal in the We named Idlewild Airport ‘‘Kennedy and trade, and in the Western cultural herit- committee. We have not chosen to do Airport.’’ I am sure whoever Idlewild age, without which our liberty would long that. We are not blocking it today. We was, or whatever location it was, didn’t ago have degenerated into license or col- have no reservations about bringing it feel aggrieved when it wasn’t called lapsed into tyranny. up. We are simply not willing to sup- These are as much the tasks of today as Kennedy-Idlewild Airport. port a unanimous consent request that Second of all, let’s talk about the they were of yesterday, as much the duty of limits us to one amendment. our conservative believers now as they were cost here one second. The bulk of the when Ronald Reagan and I refused to accept Finally, let me say the majority costs associated with the name change the decline of the West as our ineluctable leader noted that we are not taking at National Airport are related to destiny. Washington’s name off the airport. The changing the signs and logos for the As the poet said: ‘‘That which thy fathers only amendment our Republican col- airport. bequeathed thee Earn it anew if thou leagues wish to offer has as its stated I would like to enter into the RECORD would’st possess it.’’ purpose, and I will quote, ‘‘to rename a copy of a letter from a group, Ameri- A great speech. I have just taken the Washington National Airport lo- cans for Tax Reform, which created some portions from it. It meant a great cated in the District of Columbia and and promoted the Reagan legacy deal to me. Virginia as ‘Ronald Reagan National project. The letter states: I hope we will honor former Presi- Airport.’ ’’ In order to ensure no expenses will be in- dent Ronald Reagan in this way. I can So if that doesn’t take Washington’s curred by the Federal Government as a re- think of a lot of Democrats I would be name off the airport, I don’t know sult of this bill, we are willing to coordinate perfectly willing to name some build- what does. That is exactly what it does fundraising efforts to fund the creation of ing or some facility for. I think Presi- on line 5, page 1. It says: appropriate signs and logos for the Ronald dent has really been an From here on after approved June 29, 1940, Reagan National Airport. example since he has been President. I the airport known as Washington National The letter goes on to estimate these don’t know that we have named any- Airport shall hereafter be known and des- costs at $60,000. Let’s put that in con- thing after him. I don’t know that he ignated as ‘‘Ronald Reagan National Air- text. We just spent well over $1 billion sought it, or his family. I am not say- port.’’ in modernizing Washington National ing we should do it now. This is not So, quite clearly, let no one, regard- Airport. The cost of this would be partisan with me, but it is very emo- less of what one may think about hon- $60,000. If there is a deep and abiding tional, and I hope that we will find a oring our former President Ronald concern on the other side of the aisle way, working together, to get this bill Reagan, quite clearly we are doing it about the costs associated with chang- through in time for his birthday. I by removing the name of the first ing the name, I can assure you that yield the floor. President of the United States, George Senator COVERDELL, Senator LOTT and Mr. DASCHLE addressed the Chair. Washington. Now, we may want to do I and everybody else will lead a fund- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The that, but that clearly is the design, raising effort and pay for this. I am Democratic leader. that is the intent of this legislation, deeply moved about their concern Mr. DASCHLE. Mr. President, I com- and that is why we think it is in our in- about the taxpayers’ dollars. mend the majority leader for his re- terest to explore it, to talk about it. I don’t like to start out the year this marks just now. No one, or few, I sup- It isn’t mutually exclusive. We can way, Mr. President. I really don’t. We pose, can match the eloquence of Mar- find ways to honor our former Presi- have enough problems. We have enough garet Thatcher, especially as she talks dent, and we can find ways to ensure difficulties around here without our about one of those partners in leader- that we do it correctly and do it with getting hung up on doing what is the ship that she shared so much with in all of the facts on the table. That is all right thing for one of the greatest men the time that she led Britain to the we are asking. Let’s do it with eyes in the history of this Nation.

VerDate Mar 15 2010 03:42 Oct 31, 2013 Jkt 081600 PO 00000 Frm 00025 Fmt 4637 Sfmt 0634 E:\1998SENATE\S29JA8.REC S29JA8 mmaher on DSKCGSP4G1 with SOCIALSECURITY S214 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE January 29, 1998 The interesting thing is, he doesn’t A memorandum went out to my col- international, cultural and trade cen- want to be honored in any way because leagues on the other side of the aisle ter on that site—a billion dollars worth he doesn’t think he deserves it, which that wanted an IRS reformation of real estate. The site was cleared in is the mark of the greatness and humil- amendment tacked to this legislation. 1928 and remained a parking lot until ity of the man. But for us to somehow The idea that ‘‘You can have this me- now. I remember writing a proposal for get hung up on cost, on logos, on morial, but only if we extract some- President Kennedy on the redevelop- whether the name ‘‘Washington’’ is out thing from it, too.’’ Maybe this is an ment of Pennsylvania Avenue—a park- of it, this is not an appropriate way to indication of just how cynical this city ing lot of surpassing ugliness. start out this year. has become from top to bottom. But then in 1995, with the building up I want to tell my friends on the other I have great respect for the minority and about to be running, Congress- side of the aisle, we feel very strongly leader. I consider him a very good woman Andrea Seastrand, who rep- about this issue—very strongly—and if friend. But who would counsel him to resented the District in which the we get hung up on this thing and we suggest ‘‘We haven’t heard from the President lives, introduced a bill to are not able to go ahead and honor Reagan family’’? What are they sup- name it for him. Senator Dole cospon- Ronald Reagan on his birthday, it is posed to do, buy tickets and fly over sored it here. It was passed unani- going to start things off on a very bad here and lobby outside the Chamber? Is mously, I should think, in both bodies. note. that what you would ask of them to And on December 22, 1995, in a very fine I also want to point out, yes, thanks do? ceremony in the Oval Office, President to Senator HOLLINGS and the bipartisan The other gentlemen on the list that Clinton signed that bill. Speaker GING- spirit in which we run the Commerce I have heard that you perhaps would RICH, Mr. Dole, Mr. DASCHLE, the Vice Committee, it was discharged from the choose to honor, so be it. Honor them. President, and the Senator from New Commerce Committee, but we also had Come forward with these ideas, but not York were there. Alas, Representative a markup scheduled today, and we as a quid pro quo to a memorial to this Seastrand had a vote and could not would have marked up that bill and re- former President. come. ported it out of committee today as Do you remember the memorial to The building is a 2-century building. well. So I appreciate the cooperation of the late President Franklin Roosevelt? It will be there for a very long while. my friends on the Commerce Com- Was there some skirmish over there? We own the land. It will save money mittee, but we would have reported it Did there have to be some ratification because we will move people from out of the Commerce Committee today, or some affidavit from their family as rented space to Government space in I have no doubt about that. to whether or not it ought to be built the same manner that the Judiciary Again, I don’t want to be repetitive, and how? I, like Senator MCCAIN, Building now flanks Union Station but but I am astounded—I am astounded— would not have been able to envision it is a congressional building. It is on that when Americans from all over this that we would be discussing Ronald Federal land. It is a lease-to-own country would like to have this oppor- Reagan in this manner. project. In about 25 years we will have tunity to honor Ronald Reagan on his Are we removing the name of the air- it. We are already paying less rent than birthday as he goes through this very port? Has their family appropriately we were paying in rented space because difficult period, that we should some- petitioned this Congress that only we own the land. It is a handsome how raise a straw man about costs and awards things to those that are on building. It is a triumphal building. logos and Washington, DC. their knees asking? The architectural critic of the Wash- Mr. President, I would like to con- Can there not be an acceptance of ington Post, Benjamin Forgey, has clude by saying I first came to know fact that we are dealing with a great given it his very warm endorsement. It Ronald Reagan during my years in American figure who is wounded—who has a great atrium. As you walk in it, Vietnam when President Reagan was is wounded—who is near the end? And you see the names, Ronald Reagan and . The North Vi- here we are piddling around with, was International Trade Organization etnamese had orchestrated an effort to it named after the President or after Building—the Ronald Reagan Building, demoralize their American prisoners by the city or have we heard from them, and in it the National Trade Center. convincing us that our country opposed the family, and how much will it cost, You know you are at a special place de- the war and that we had been forgotten when everybody knows it is minimal? signed for, authorized, and built by a and left behind. The only word that characterizes it very special man, and now to be named As new American prisoners were is ‘‘demeaning.’’ for that man in a ceremony that I hope brought to Hanoi, however, they took Mr. President, I will ask for time will be joyous, celebratory, and on the advantage of our primitive commu- later on, but I yield the floor in def- edge sad as we consider the condition nications abilities. They made sure erence to my colleague from New York. of our former President, but proud that that we knew about this Governor in Mr. MOYNIHAN. I thank my friend he was just that. California who was helping lead efforts from Georgia. I thank the Chair. to secure our release and take care of The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- I thank the Senator from Georgia. our families in the meantime. This ator from New York. Mr. JOHNSON addressed the Chair. Governor, Ronald Reagan, served as a Mr. MOYNIHAN. Mr. President, I rise The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- very welcome reminder that our coun- for the simple purpose of simply in- ator from South Dakota. try had not forgotten us. I and many forming the Senate of a very happy oc- Mr. JOHNSON. I want to thank the others will forever be indebted to him casion in the very near future. It will Senator from New York for calling our for that and for the friendship we de- be the dedication of the Ronald Reagan attention to this extraordinary event. veloped after the war. International Trade Building at 16th Could you share with us again, one, I yield the floor. Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, the what the timing is of the ceremony? Mr. COVERDELL addressed the largest Federal building, as it happens, Mr. MOYNIHAN. April 28 or May 5. Chair. in the city and the completion, after 60 Mr. JOHNSON. What will be involved The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. or 70 years—70 years of the Federal Tri- in this ceremony? BOND). The Senator from Georgia. angle proposal which was begun by An- Mr. MOYNIHAN. Well, there will be Mr. COVERDELL. Mr. President, I drew Mellon under the Presidency of the formal dedication. There will be, I see there are some other speakers. I Herbert Hoover for whom the Com- believe, the National Symphony. There have some extended remarks, but I will merce Building across from 16th Street will be a musical. It will be a day-long be brief now in deference to other peo- is named. event. And I hope people will find time ple if they have a comment to make. The Ronald Reagan Building was—it for it. There is nothing like it that will But Mr. President, this is the defini- should be noted that he signed the bill have happened in our city—well, for tion of ‘‘pettiness.’’ This is demeaning. on August 21, 1987, the Federal Triangle those who do not know the history, the The concept that we would honor a Development Act. I had offered the Federal Triangle was moving along former President, but we have to ex- measure here. It passed, very happily, very well. The crash came, and they tract a price. and authorized the construction of an stopped—boom—they just stopped. Now

VerDate Mar 15 2010 03:42 Oct 31, 2013 Jkt 081600 PO 00000 Frm 00026 Fmt 4637 Sfmt 0634 E:\1998SENATE\S29JA8.REC S29JA8 mmaher on DSKCGSP4G1 with SOCIALSECURITY January 29, 1998 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S215 we have finished it. President Kennedy Mr. COVERDELL. I assume you are nothing to do with partisan politics, envisioned it. President Reagan made yielding? that have nothing to do with respect or it possible. And we are naming it for Mr. JOHNSON. I certainly yield. lack of respect for past Presidents, par- President Reagan. Mr. COVERDELL. Is the Senator ticularly this past President. I simply Mr. JOHNSON. I wonder if it isn’t aware of the fact that your side has of- want to raise that issue, that there are fair to say—there has been some harsh fered a proposal that, yes, go ahead; we concerns among those who I think in rhetoric here and knocking down of can proceed with this, comma, but we good faith are expressing some concern straw men as we have gone about dis- have to have something for it. We have not about memorialization but about a cussions this afternoon in the United somebody else we want to have another specific renaming. The issue, I think, States Senate relative to memori- building named after. I mean, I am get- in that sense is narrow. alizing former President Reagan. And I ting confused signals here. Are we real- I personally feel that there is room wonder if it isn’t fair to say that the ly getting into a discussion about for improvement in the process that we issues that have been raised are not changing the name of the Washington, use for the naming of institutions. questioning whether to suitably and DC, airport? We are going to invoke all That isn’t to say, however, that the appropriately memorialize President this intellectual analysis of how that naming of any particular institution Reagan’s administration. The ques- building was built. I mean, that is not wouldn’t be approved by what I think tions are not partisan in nature. We what was being sent to us all morning ought to be a nonpartisan commission have memorialized Presidents of both long. of some sort, which I think would political parties, as we always will and We were not arguing over, you know, greatly strengthen our current rather always should. There is no opposition, the dynamics of the process, whether hodgepodge way of naming institutions certainly, to the largest building I be- or not we are going to name another and buildings and facilities that will be lieve on all of Pennsylvania Avenue, building. I do not object to you all that way for hundreds of years—unless, America’s main street, the avenue that naming another building for somebody of course, there are changes in power in is used for our inaugural parades, the that you want to honor, but it ought to Congress and we develop this precedent largest building, a very prominently lo- be done on its own. This should not be that whoever is in the majority comes cated building—and it has yet even to held up in this manner as a negotiating in and changes the names of buildings. have the ceremony for its opening, but tool. And that is what has been going That would be a terrible mistake. it passed by unanimous vote, the Sen- on all day. I hope the Reagan building downtown ator tells us, in both the House and Is the Senator aware of that? stays that way virtually forever and Senate; bipartisan on both sides of the Mr. JOHNSON. If the Senator will that there is never a thought of renam- aisle—but there was no resistance to yield back. ing that. I simply raise this point to memorializing in a very prominent and Mr. COVERDELL. I certainly will. hopefully lend a bit of thoughtfulness very focal, high focal point of our Na- Mr. JOHNSON. Obviously, I do not and recognition that at stake here is tion’s most important street an enor- speak for my colleagues on either side not the honor of the Reagan family or mous building named for President of the aisle. I speak only as this Sen- President Reagan nor is it necessarily Reagan. ator, expressing, one, my conviction partisan politics. So it would seem that the issues that that there ought to be a very signifi- I do not necessarily join in with oth- have been raised here are not petty, are cant memorial to Ronald Reagan. ers who may see other political agen- not meant to demean or in any way un- There is one that has been built. The das here. This is an institution of 100 dermine the recognition of the con- doors, the ribbons have not yet been individuals, and there are probably 100 tributions that President Reagan cut. They soon will be. And this is an agendas on this floor on a given day, made—and he made very significant extraordinary memorial in one of the but I do want to share those observa- contributions to this Nation—but that most prominent locations of all of tions with my friend and my colleague there are legitimate points being Washington. I applaud that. about the concerns that came to my raised, one, about the process, rather The only other question I raise is mind on this issue. than the politics, of naming and espe- whether there ought to be yet another Mr. COVERDELL. Mr. President, I cially renaming where the name memorial before the ribbon has even accept the convictions of my good col- George Washington has always been been cut on the first large one, which league and his wish that this would not tied to National Airport—in fact Na- would have an effect on the airport have the taint that it does. Unfortu- tional Airport, I believe, was designed that memorialized George Washington nately, that is what has happened here. with the terminal intended to be evoc- and which has not gone through what Nor is there anything unique here. ative of Mount Vernon and located in a seems to me, from this Senator’s point Just last year I voted for legislation to community very near Mount Vernon of view, an orderly, thoughtful process. honor a colleague on your side of the and where he is very closely associated The Board of Trade in the Wash- aisle, one in my own State, a legisla- with the Arlington and Alexandria ington area, other groups think this is tive process just like this, a fellow Con- communities—and whether there ought a poor idea, that perhaps there ought gressman who is retired, John Row- to be a more systematic process for es- to be other memorials to Ronald land. We named a courthouse in our pecially renaming institutions that Reagan. I would say probably that is State for him and we were very glad to have been previously named for other true. The suggestion is there ought to have been part of it. He deserves it. great Americans. be one in every State. Perhaps there Mr. JOHNSON. And I add that I Mr. COVERDELL. Will the Senator ought to be. Perhaps there ought to be joined in the unanimous consent on the yield? more in Washington, DC. naming of the Reagan building down- Mr. JOHNSON. So the question is not However, I simply raise as this Sen- town as a Member of the other body one of whether President Reagan ator’s point of view that I think we are during that time, and I am proud of should be memorialized. Certainly he getting carried away in a nonsystem- that. should be. atic and not terribly thoughtful proc- Mr. COVERDELL. I accept the state- Mr. COVERDELL. Will the Senator ess about how we name and pull names ment of the Senator. yield? off of memorials to great Americans. Unfortunately, during the course of Mr. JOHNSON. I will yield to the So I have nothing but great respect to the last several hours, this has turned Senator. express for President Reagan and his into a quid pro quo. From my own Mr. COVERDELL. I believe the time family, and I regret that any of this de- view, I would rather that it not be ac- is on your side. bate that has been caught up in exactly cepted than we get into, ‘‘Well, we will Mr. JOHNSON. The Senator from how best to memorialize great Ameri- do this if you do that,’’ and we will New York controls the time. cans would by anyone be perceived as name this that and this something Mr. MOYNIHAN. I yield the floor and somehow negative or otherwise under- else. I can only speak for myself. That say I spent 35 years getting this build- mining respect for this past President. is my view of it. ing built. I leave it to others to de- However, I think there are legitimate I mentioned a little earlier, Mr. scribe how it should be named. concerns expressed by some that have President, that there are some unique

VerDate Mar 15 2010 03:42 Oct 31, 2013 Jkt 081600 PO 00000 Frm 00027 Fmt 4637 Sfmt 0634 E:\1998SENATE\S29JA8.REC S29JA8 mmaher on DSKCGSP4G1 with SOCIALSECURITY S216 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE January 29, 1998 circumstances that we are confronting be prouder that this legislation suf- the decision to write his letter to the Amer- in this particular case with former fered a defeat over the nuances from ican people. President Reagan. I have been going the other side than for there to be an This is the letter I read a moment through some of his legacy of late, and asterisk on the legislation that sug- ago from the President himself. I will share one of the most profound gested the only way that this body and She says: letters an American leader has ever this Congress could reach out at this And the people responded, as they always written to his country. It came to us moment was if we made some tradeoff; do. I can’t tell you what your cards and let- on November 5, 1994. there have been others that got a little ters have meant to both of us. The love and affection from thousands of Americans has My fellow Americans, I have recently been something here or there, like you do been, and continues to be, a strengthening told that I am one of the millions of Ameri- every day in this town. My own view is force for Ronnie and me each and every day. cans who will be afflicted with Alzheimer’s it would be diminishing and demeaning I want to reread that sentence be- disease. of what is being attempted and endeav- cause the other side has evoked that Upon learning this news, Nancy and I had ored to be done here today in the name to decide whether as private citizens we there is some family responsibility of a great American President, among would keep this a private matter or whether here that they should have fulfilled as others. But this one was a great Amer- we would make this news known in a public a precedent before moving for congres- ican President who, as I said earlier, is way. In the past, Nancy suffered from breast sional action on this, which as I have cancer and I had my cancer surgeries. We wounded. said repeatedly is just beyond my un- found through our open disclosures we were There are moments in our lives and able to raise public awareness. We were in the history of our country that re- derstanding. But I will read for them happy that as a result, many more people quire a spontaneous response and not what she said to America: underwent testing. There were treated in some methodical appointing of a com- I cannot tell you what your cards and let- early stages and able to return to normal, mission to measure and weigh every ters have meant to both of us. The love and healthy lives. affection from thousands of Americans has So now we feel it is important to share it balance. Thank heavens nature doesn’t been, and continues to be, a strengthening with you. In opening our hearts, we hope this function that way. force for Ronnie and me each and every day. might promote greater awareness of this I suggest the absence of a quorum. In other words, it was a source of en- condition. Perhaps it will encourage a clear- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The couragement and strength for them at er understanding of the individuals and fami- clerk will call the roll. that time to hear from our fellow coun- lies who are affected by it. The legislative clerk proceeded to At the moment I feel just fine. I intend to trymen about his work. That’s what call the roll. that means. live the remainder of the years God gives me Mr. COVERDELL. Mr. President, I on this Earth doing the things I have always We have learned, as too many other fami- done. I will continue to share life’s journey ask unanimous consent that the order lies have learned, of the terrible pain and the with my beloved Nancy and my family. I for the quorum call be rescinded. loneliness that must be endured as each day plan to enjoy the great outdoors and stay in The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. GOR- brings another reminder of this very long touch with my friends and supporters. TON). Without objection, it is so or- goodbye. But Ronnie’s spirit, his optimism, Unfortunately, as Alzheimer’s disease pro- dered. his never-failing belief in the strength and gresses, the family often bears a heavy bur- Mr. COVERDELL. Mr. President, to goodness of America is still very strong. If den. I only wish there was some way I could the subject that we have been debating, he were able to be here tonight, he would spare Nancy from this painful experience. which is legislation to rename Wash- once again remind us of the power of each in- When the time comes, I am confident that dividual— ington National Airport ‘‘Ronald with your help she will face it with faith and How many times had we heard that courage. Reagan National Airport,’’ we have had In closing, let me thank you, the American quite a discussion here this afternoon. from President Reagan, about the people, for giving me the great honor of al- As I said a little earlier, I have been power of each American? lowing me to serve as your president. When going through, during the course of Urging us once again to fly as high as our the Lord calls me home, whenever that day this exercise, the various things, of wings will take us and to never give up on may be, I will leave with the greatest love course, that have been said about our America. for this country of ours and eternal opti- The majority leader was here earlier mism for its future. former President. I got to thinking, well, who knows him best? And, of and was talking about Margaret I now begin the journey that will lead me Thatcher and what she had said about into the sunset of my life. I know that for course, that is the former First Lady, America there will always be a bright dawn . I was reminded that I the former President. I might revisit ahead. had the opportunity to hear her in one that in just a little bit. But that’s the Thank you, my friends. May God always of the most heartfelt speeches I believe point that Margaret Thatcher always bless you. I have ever heard in San Diego at the focused on—the never give up on Amer- Sincerely, national convention in that beautiful ica or never give up on Western civili- RONALD REAGAN. city. It was quite a task that she had zation, and what she so admired in the Now, Ronald Reagan’s birthday is to perform, to come forward before the former President. Here it is docu- next February 6, and we ought to do Nation, given the situation that the mented by Nancy Reagan when she this. This ought to be a part of the sun- Reagans had been facing, and try to said. set journey. bring a message to those gathered and . . . remind us of the power of each indi- I again say, it is absolutely beyond to the American people. vidual, urging us once again to fly as high as comprehension that a suggestion was I think this is an appropriate time to our wings will take us and to never give up made here this afternoon that some- on America. I can tell you with certainty revisit what she said about her hus- that he still sees the ‘‘shining city on a hill,’’ how his family ought to have been band, President Reagan, at that time. I more pronounced and more explicit a place full of hope and a promise for us all. will skip the introduction, the ac- As you all know, I am not the speechmaker about their desires with regard to this knowledgement of the crowd, and move in the family. So let me close with Ronnie’s legislation. To have done so would have to the heart of the speech, which was words, not mine. In that last speech 4 years been entirely—I repeat, entirely— undoubtedly difficult for her to deal ago, he said, ‘‘Whatever else history may say uncharacteristic for the man that with because she was moving to the about me when I am gone, I hope it will re- port that I appealed to your best hopes, not wrote this letter to do. Nor would he in moment in which she felt she had the any way have condoned any member of your worst fears, to your confidence rather responsibility to convey to the Nation than your doubts, and may all of you as his family making such a suggestion. a feeling about her husband’s Presi- The only way that something like this Americans never forget your heroic origins, dency and her husband’s views of never fail to seek divine guidance, and never, could happen on the eve of these final America. never lose your natural God-given opti- moments would be for it to be a spon- She said this: mism.’’ taneous gesture from the American Ronnie’s optimism, like America’s, still Just 4 years ago, Ronnie stood before you shines very brightly. May God bless him and, people. and spoke for what he said might be his last from both of us, God bless America. So, Mr. President, just for clarity, speech at a Republican Convention. Sadly, you never know what will happen in an his words were too prophetic. When we You know, several weeks ago, I was institution like this, but again I would learned of his illness, Alzheimer’s, he made in a discussion about American liberty.

VerDate Mar 15 2010 03:42 Oct 31, 2013 Jkt 081600 PO 00000 Frm 00028 Fmt 4637 Sfmt 0634 E:\1998SENATE\S29JA8.REC S29JA8 mmaher on DSKCGSP4G1 with SOCIALSECURITY January 29, 1998 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S217 I was talking about the fact that free mayor, and how he was now respected had not been for so long they couldn’t people behave completely differently in the city in public affairs. For this remember. If you will bear with me one than people who are not free or op- priest and his congregation, it was now second, I am going to yield. One after- pressed. One of the key components of a great time. noon I was in Soviet Bulgaria. It was a free people is their optimism—opti- At the conclusion of that discussion on the eve of this epic realignment of mism, the belief that they can accom- my host proposed a toast to Ronald all Soviet Union and Eastern Europe. I plish, the belief that they can build, Reagan ‘‘who made us believe in God decided to break away, and I did and the belief that they cannot be van- again.’’ walked about 5 miles back through the quished. And there is no American in Mr. President, I don’t know if they neighborhoods. Do you know what contemporary history who so fueled missed the translation. But the heart struck me? This is before the freedom and energized that key component of of that was very, very real. had hit. I never saw a single adult ever American liberty as did President Ron- President Ronald Reagan helped smile. Never, not one, not one person ald Reagan. He was the epitome of op- shape this world. He helped free mil- smiled because of the weight of the op- timism. lions of people from a totalitarian pression. Fortunately, the children I see we have just be joined by my state. He called the Soviet empire an were smiling. So you could say, ‘‘There good friend and colleague and neighbor, ‘‘evil empire,’’ and evil it was. is hope here.’’ But it had been beaten the Senator from Alabama, and in def- Before we went to Russia, we spent out of them—the natural nature of erence to his time I am going to with- time with a college professor who had human mind. hold these other remarks for a mo- spent 6 months there. He said, ‘‘I used The man that brought the wall ment. to teach that the United States and down—the Senator from Alabama said I yield the floor. Russia were just like scorpions in a it and we will never be able to say it Mr. SESSIONS addressed the Chair. bottle. There is no difference between enough—how many people he freed The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- us.’’ Now, however, he says that after through that show of force. He didn’t ator from Alabama. having been there and after having met do it alone. He would be the first one to Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. President, I have with young Russian people he has say so. In fact, he would deny it. He the honor to speak on this legislation changed his mind. In the words of that would put somebody else far ahead of sponsored by the distinguished Senator professor, ‘‘when I would talk in that him in terms of having created that from Georgia. I so greatly admire him. fashion, the Russians looked at me like freedom. But when you walk through I admire his principle, integrity, abil- I was crazy. They said, ‘What are you those streets today and you talk to ity, and passion for this issue. I think talking about? You had all kinds of those people and in all of those coun- it is an important issue, and I am freedom. We had none. There was a tries, they know the force of President proud to be a cosponsor of this resolu- great distinction between Russia, the Ronald Reagan and they know when he tion. We ought to recognize people who Soviet Union, and the United States of said, ‘‘Gorbachev, you tear this wall have made great differences in this Na- America and the democracy that you down’’ that that was not just rhetoric. tion’s history. I think President have.’’’ Today that professor has come That wall came down. Reagan is one of those people. to believe that those young people had I yield to the Senator from Alabama. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- I thought I would take a very few it right. minutes to tell a story that illustrates Ronald Reagan personified that. He ator from Alabama. Mr. SESSIONS. I think the Senator how deeply and how important Presi- personified the collapse of the totali- from Georgia is so correct. I think dent Reagan’s life is to the American tarian empire. He gave his life to it. He people and to the people of the world. back on that example and I think that articulated it better than any man it really sort of symbolizes the dif- In 1993, I went on a church trip to that ever lived. His was a Presidency Russia and spent a week there. Our ference between a totalitarian govern- both in terms of domestic policy and ment where freedom is denied, where group went to a small city of 40,000 foreign policy that ranks among the people that is located 5 hours east of people are not allowed to worship, and highest order of American Presidents. are not allowed to be baptized, and the Moscow in an area where very few I think he deserves this recognition. Americans were allowed in over the wonder of the democracy that we are I think it is very fitting that it be done blessed with having. years because it was a security area in on his birthday. I think it is very fit- I think also that it is fitting for us to the Soviet Union. We went to the town ting that we recognize him while we recognize him in this manner. I have of Sovetsk. I was able to stay with an- are still blessed with his presence. on my desk a plaque which is im- other American in the home of a Rus- I want to congratulate the Senator printed with one of President Reagan’s sian businessman who was beginning to from Georgia for his articulate expla- quotes, a quote which I think is most develop a business in Sovetsk. The first nation and promotion of this legisla- appropriate especially as we discuss night we arrived they were going to tion. I am delighted and honored just naming National Airport after him at celebrate the baptism of their daugh- to have this moment to share this this late point in his life. It says, ter. A Russian Orthodox priest ap- story with the people in this body and ‘‘There is no limit what a man can do peared in his great robes. The mother, the people in the United States because or where he can go if he doesn’t mind father, and the grandparents had come I think it says in a very real way that who gets the credit.’’ in from the Ural Mountains, and it was this man symbolized the American I think it is time to give Ronald a goodly group of people there. It was democratic free enterprise victory over Reagan credit. This is a fitting tribute a marvelous ceremony as the priest the totalitarian atheistic Communist to him. I salute the Senator from Geor- performed that baptism. government. gia for his efforts, and I support his As we had dinner afterwards the I appreciate the leadership of Senator steadfastness in that. priest told us that since perestroika, COVERDELL and thank him for yielding Mr. COVERDELL addressed the since the fall of the wall, he had bap- me this time. Chair. tized 18,000 people in that town of Mr. COVERDELL addressed the The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- 40,000. He told us that before the wall Chair. ator from Georgia. fell he was not allowed to baptize peo- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- Mr. COVERDELL. Mr. President, of ple. He said he was not allowed to wear ator from Georgia is recognized. course, during the course of the after- his robes, and that the Soviet Com- Mr. COVERDELL. Mr. President, it noon we have been talking about very munist authorities moved him around 6 is interesting to hear the good Senator personal praise for his family and the months or so at a time so that he could from Alabama, and I appreciate the First Lady. But for Ronald Reagan not really get to know his congrega- personal experience he had confronting there is a lot of unlikely praise that tion and so he would be unable to build these people that were being made free needs to be acknowledged here today the kind of rapport that is necessary. for the first time. from Republicans and Democrats alike. He discussed how he could now wear I had the opportunity to do that as While my friends on the other side of his robes, how he could now walk about well. I will never forget the faces of the aisle may disagree with him on cer- town, how he could now meet with the those people who had never been free or tain policies, I hope they will agree

VerDate Mar 15 2010 03:42 Oct 31, 2013 Jkt 081600 PO 00000 Frm 00029 Fmt 4637 Sfmt 0634 E:\1998SENATE\S29JA8.REC S29JA8 mmaher on DSKCGSP4G1 with SOCIALSECURITY S218 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE January 29, 1998 that he stood fast on conviction and The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- made a great difference in America. I provided leadership for America at a ator from Arkansas. will not take time to read all of the very critical time. Ronald Reagan did Mr. HUTCHINSON. Mr. President, I speech, ‘‘A Time for Choosing.’’ I ask after all begin his career as a Demo- ask unanimous consent to speak for up unanimous consent to have it printed crat. He truly was a man of both sides to 5 minutes. in the RECORD. of the aisle. He cast his first vote for The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- There being no objection, the mate- Franklin Delano Roosevelt, whose ator already has that right. rial was ordered to be printed in the name has been evoked in this debate Mr. HUTCHINSON. Mr. President, as RECORD, as follows: because when we were talking about I listened to the speeches and the var- A TIME FOR CHOOSING the need to have an appropriate not ious tributes to Ronald Reagan and the (By Ronald Reagan) designation but memorial for President speeches that are in favor of this legis- [Given as a stump speech, at speaking en- Roosevelt, we did not enter into any of lation to name the Washington Na- gagements, and on a memorable night in 1964 this kind of bickering. It was done. It tional Airport after former President in support of ’s presidential should be done. Now citizens from all Ronald Reagan, I had not intended to campaign. This version is from that broad- speak today. But I was moved by some cast.] across the country can be reminded of I am going to talk of controversial things. that era of our Nation’s history. of the tributes that I have heard. I was I make no apology for this. Here are some words of tribute from dismayed by noticing the opposition to It’s time we asked ourselves if we still some unlikely sources. this legislation—surprised and dis- know the freedoms intended for us by the Former California Governor and mayed. And I thought there was little Founding Fathers. James Madison said, ‘‘We Presidential candidate, Jerry Brown, I could add to some of the glowing trib- base all our experiments on the capacity of said, ‘‘He was not just the guy across utes that we have heard except my own mankind for self government.’’ personal experience because I think in This idea that government was beholden to the table. He had a presence. He had the people, that it had no other source of the quality of being able to tell a many ways I like many of my genera- power is still the newest, most unique idea in story. . .’’ And, as Senator SESSIONS tion owe to Ronald Reagan the inspira- all the long history of man’s relation to just said, ‘‘ . . . and then smile and tion and the motivation to go into the man. This is the issue of this election: laugh. There was a sort of magic there, whole sphere of the political arena. Whether we believe in our capacity for self- and I could see it at work.’’ In 1964 I was in junior high school liv- government or whether we abandon the Or former majority whip of the ing in the northwest corner of Arkan- American Revolution and confess that a lit- tle intellectual elite in a far-distant capital House, Representative Coehlo, ‘‘Ronald sas. My parents were not particularly political. But I watched the news and can plan our lives for us better than we can Reagan believed a few things and he plan them ourselves. really stood for them. He was Presi- followed closely the political events You and I are told we must choose between dential. He did not get down in the gut- that year and the election campaign a left or right, but I suggest there is no such ter.’’ between Lyndon Johnson and Barry thing as a left or right. There is only an up I want to repeat that. ‘‘He did not get Goldwater. I remember—I think it was or down. Up to man’s age-old dream—the down in the gutter. Indeed, he would about 10 days before the election that maximum of individual freedom consistent let people accuse him of anything. We year—watching on our black-and-white with order or down to the ant heap of totali- television in Arkansas a speech by an tarianism. Regardless of their sincerity, did. But these things never got a re- their humanitarian motives, those who sponse.’’ actor by the name of Ronald Reagan. I would sacrifice freedom for security have Even Sam Donaldson has good things remember sitting on the floor in front embarked on this downward path. Plutarch to say about President Reagan. He of the black-and-white television mes- warned, ‘‘The real destroyer of the liberties said, ‘‘I don’t think we have ever had a merized as I listened to what later be- of the people is he who spreads among them President who used the bully pulpit came known to a whole generation of bounties, donations and benefits.’’ better than he did. He was its master. young people as ‘‘The Speech’’—‘‘A The Founding Fathers knew a government can’t control the economy without control- Reagan’s most outstanding leadership time for choosing,’’ it was called—in which Ronald Reagan so eloquently ling people. And they knew when a govern- quality was that you knew where he ment sets out to do that, it must use force stood on a matter. You didn’t have to laid out for the Nation the choice that and coercion to achieve its purpose. So we agree with him. He got into some of faced America in that campaign and a have come to a time for choosing. the most contentious issues for our philosophic choice that faced Ameri- Public servants say, always with the best country. I never had to figure out what cans down through the ages. of intentions, ‘‘What greater service we kind of a speech he would give tomor- And there is a junior high schooler could render if only we had a little more row or worry that he would change his listening to Ronald Reagan make that money and a little more power.’’ But the speech, a speech that historians say truth is that outside of its legitimate func- mind from the views he expressed tion, government does nothing as well or as today.’’ was the launching pad, if you will, for economically as the private sector. That is Sam Donaldson talking about his political career, a speech that pro- Yet any time you and I question the Ronald Reagan. pelled him to a meteoric rise in poli- schemes of the do-gooders, we’re denounced Donaldson, further quoting, ‘‘Reagan tics, from the Governorship of Cali- as being opposed to their humanitarian is the most dynamic President I have fornia to the Presidency of the United goals. It seems impossible to legitimately seen.’’ States. I think it also propelled a debate their solutions with the assumption So, as I said, whether you agreed whole generation of young people to that all of us share the desire to help the less look at politics as something noble, as fortunate. They tell us we’re always with him or not, Ronald Reagan de- ‘‘against,’’ never ‘‘for’’ anything. fined leadership in our time. something of a great adventure, as an We are for a provision that destitution Mr. President, I am going to suggest arena in which truly a difference could should not follow unemployment by reason the absence of a quorum. I think Sen- be made in the lives of our fellow citi- of old age, and to that end we have accepted ator HUTCHINSON is here from Arkan- zens and the future of our Nation. Social Security as a step toward meeting the sas. I will determine whether that is And so when young people write me problem. However, we are against those en- so. today, and I so frequently get asked by trusted with this program when they prac- elementary students and high school tice deception regarding its fiscal short- I suggest the absence of a quorum. comings, when they charge that any criti- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The students: Senator, how did you get cism of the program means that we want to clerk will call the roll. started in politics and who is your fa- end payments. . . . The assistant legislative clerk pro- vorite President? I answer it in reverse We are for aiding our allies by sharing our ceeded to call the roll. order. I say, ‘‘My favorite President is material blessings with nations which share Mr. COVERDELL. Mr. President, I Ronald Reagan, and let me tell you our fundamental beliefs, but we are against ask unanimous consent that the order how I got started in politics.’’ And then doling out money government to govern- for the quorum call be rescinded. we enclose in that letter a copy of the ment, creating bureaucracy, if not socialism, all over the world. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without speech, the 1964 address by Ronald We need true tax reform that will at least objection, it is so ordered. Reagan that started his political career make a start toward restoring for our chil- Mr. HUTCHINSON addressed the and that started the political careers of dren the American Dream that wealth is de- Chair. a host of other individuals as well and nied to no one, that each individual has the

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The Senator from Have we the courage and the will to face that America can be and is a great Na- Arkansas was here yesterday and gave up to the immorality and discrimination of tion. a very inspiring commentary on his the progressive tax, and demand a return to With the Reagan tax cuts, the eco- legislation to improve American edu- traditional proportionate taxation? . . . nomic recovery that it spawned, with cation, but he has matched yesterday. Today in our country the tax collector’s his repair of our neglected defenses, Those were remarkable words, and the share is 37 cents of every dollar earned. Free- with his courageous and bold stand to personal feeling in connection with the dom has never been so fragile, so close to slipping from our grasp. say the words that everybody criticized former President is obvious. I watched Are you willing to spend time studying the him for when he called communism, the same speech and remember just issues, making yourself aware, and then con- ‘‘The Evil Empire,’’ as a result of that being stunned by it. I didn’t really veying that information to family and and his willingness to stand at the Ber- know that much about him, but I re- friends? Will you resist the temptation to lin wall and say to Mr. Gorbachev, member turning to my mother and say- get a government handout for your commu- ‘‘Tear this wall down,’’ it sewed the ing, ‘‘You ought to have heard that nity? Realize that the doctor’s fight against seeds for what became the collapse of speech.’’ Anybody who heard it I think socialized medicine is your fight. We can’t socialize the doctors without socializing the the old Soviet Union and most of com- was moved by it. But I really do believe patients. Recognize that government inva- munism in the world. the Senator has captured his optimism, sion of public power is eventually an assault And then perhaps no incident I think and I commend the Senator for it. upon your own business. If some among you reflects the greatness of this man and Mr. President, we have been joined fear taking a stand because you are afraid of his impact upon us and how he buoyed by my good colleague from Nevada, reprisals from customers, clients, or even us as a people: Republicans, Demo- who has other matters to talk about. I government, recognize that you are just crats, and Independents, all Americans am going to yield the floor so that he feeding the crocodile hoping he’ll eat you how he raised our spirits, inspired us might proceed with his piece of busi- last. If all of this seems like a great deal of and inspired a Nation than when on ness. trouble, think what’s at stake. We are faced January 28, 1986, the space shuttle Mr. BRYAN addressed the Chair. with the most evil enemy mankind has Challenger exploded just after takeoff, The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- known in his long climb from the swamp to disintegrating into a ball of flame be- ator from Nevada. the stars. There can be no security anywhere fore a world television audience. The Mr. BRYAN. I ask unanimous con- in the free world if there is no fiscal and eco- disaster understandably stunned Amer- sent to speak as if in morning business nomic stability within the United States. ica. Never before had the dangers of for a period of time not to exceed 8 Those who ask us to trade our freedom for space exploration been brought home minutes. the soup kitchen of the welfare state are ar- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without chitects of a policy of accommodation. as graphically and as visibly as they They say the world has become too com- were that day. The intensive prelaunch objection, it is so ordered. plex for simple answers. They are wrong. media attention had caused the world Mr. BRYAN. Let me preface my com- There are no easy answers, but there are to know these seven crew members as ments by thanking the senior Senator simple answers. We must have the courage to we knew few other astronauts. We from Georgia. I am delighted to have a do what we know is morally right. Winston knew them with an unusual intimacy, chance to be down here today to talk Churchill said that ‘‘the destiny of man is and now they were gone. The Nation on an issue. And his willingness to ac- not measured by material computation. commodate me is something I appre- When great forces are on the move in the was staggered. world, we learn we are spirits-not animals.’’ Then Ronald Reagan took to the air- ciate very much. And he said, ‘‘There is something going on in waves. The President of the United f States delivered a 5-minute speech, and time and space, and beyond time and space, NUCLEAR WASTE POLICY ACT which, whether we like it or not, spells he concluded his 5-minute speech by duty.’’ quoting the words written by a Royal Mr. BRYAN. Mr. President, in the You and I have a rendezvous with destiny. Air Force pilot shortly before his death Chamber this week and I am sure in We will preserve for our children this, the in the battle of Britain, those words the next week a number of my col- last best hope of man on earth, or we will that we will remember: leagues will be talking about a Janu- sentence them to take the first step into a ary 31, 1998, deadline under the Nuclear thousand years of darkness. If we fail, at For I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth least let our children and our children’s chil- and touched the face of God. Waste Policy Act. And as I am sure my dren say of us we justified our brief moment President Reagan’s short speech of 5 colleagues will know, there has been a here. We did all that could be done. minutes, concluding with those words, recent flurry of newspaper ads and Mr. HUTCHINSON. I would like to unified and uplifted and encouraged a radio commercials indicating that was read just the closing two paragraphs of heartbroken America. the deadline under the Nuclear Waste Ronald Reagan’s speech in 1964 on be- Tip O’Neill, who was Reagan’s polit- Policy Act for high-level nuclear waste half of Barry Goldwater, a speech that ical adversary, tough political adver- to be accepted by the Department of obviously did not turn the tide in that sary, with whom he had many fierce Energy. I want to put those comments election but a speech that started his arguments and disagreements, later and those ads in some perspective so political career, a speech that inspired that very day described the moment in that no one should be misled by the as- me to become involved in the political which Reagan made that inspiring sertions of the nuclear utility industry. process. He concluded that speech, the speech to America. He said, and I quote The genesis of our current policy speech in 1964 with these words: Tip O’Neill, ‘‘Reagan at his best.’’ It with respect to disposal of high-level They say the world has become too com- was a trying day for all Americans and waste traces its origins to the Nuclear plex for simple answers. They are wrong. Ronald Reagan spoke to our highest Waste Policy Act of 1982. It is true that There are no easy answers, but there are ideals. in that piece of legislation it was con- simple answers. We must have the courage to May I say, Tip O’Neill said it right templated the Department of Energy do what we know is morally right. because Ronald Reagan always spoke would be in a position to accept high- You and I have a rendezvous with destiny. to our highest ideals. This is a very level nuclear waste, that a period of We will preserve for our children this, the last best hope on Earth, or we will sentence small tribute but a very fitting and ap- characterization and study would ulti- them to take the first step into a thousand propriate tribute that we name this mately send three sites to the Presi- years of darkness. If we fail, at least let our airport after one of our greatest Presi- dent of the United States and the children and our children’s children say of us dents and one of our greatest living President would select one of those we justified our brief moment here. We did Americans, Ronald Reagan. sites. all that could be done. I thank Senator COVERDELL for his I think it is important to mention at I cannot say it as Ronald Reagan said leadership and his willingness to take the outset that even in 1982 a number it, but his words still have the power of on this project, and I yield the floor. of Department of Energy experts were

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