January 7, 2003 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H27 watch in several States the tragedy of S. 23. An act to provide for a 5-month ex- tigated one Republican President and I, lost children by the children’s protec- tension of the Temporary Extended Unem- early in my career, investigated an- tive services. ployment Compensation Act of 2002 and for a other Democratic President. Later, he I have already filed a bill dealing transition period for individuals receiving served on the Committee on Foreign compensation when the program under such with infant abandonment in hospitals, Act ends. Affairs, and it was his service there and also the question of hospitals at- that led to his lifelong concern for the S. RES. 1 tending to the information or trying to people of the Middle East and to his ef- find family members of abandoned chil- Resolved, That a committee consisting of forts to mediate their conflicts. He cre- two Senators be appointed to join such com- ated the Center for Middle East Peace dren that may be left, or newborn ba- mittee as may be appointed by the House of bies that may be left in hospitals. We Representatives to wait upon the President and Economic Cooperation to assist in will be looking to file a bill dealing of the United States and inform him that a that effort. with and addressing the question of quorum of each House is assembled and that At the funeral service held for Wayne children’s protective services across the Congress is ready to receive any commu- Owens, Gordon B. Hinckley, president the Nation. nications he may be pleased to make. of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Let me first of all say that there are S. RES. 2 Day Saints, said of him: ‘‘Any man who many who do good work as part of the Resolved, That the Secretary inform the is engaged in the cause of peace is en- system of protecting our children in House of Representatives that a quorum of gaged in the cause of Christ. By that States across the Nation. Let me ap- the Senate is assembled and that the Senate measure, Wayne was a true Christian.’’ plaud those individuals. Particularly, I is ready to proceed to business. The world is poorer for his passing. I would like to cite the Harris County S. RES. 5 join my colleagues in extending to his Children’s Protective Services that had Resolved, That the House of Representa- wife, Marlene, and his children and worked with me so valiantly on the tives be notified of the election of Ted Ste- grandchildren our deepest sympathy issue of baby abandonment and other vens, a Senator from the State of Alaska, as for his loss, and our profound respect child protection issues. President pro tempore. for their husband, father, and grand- But when there is fault and error, S. RES. 9 father. We will miss him. when there is a circumstance such as Resolved, That the House of Representa- GENERAL LEAVE that that generated the loss of life of a tives be notified of the election of the Honor- Mr. CANNON. Mr. Speaker, I ask 7-year-old boy in New Jersey, and the able Emily J. Reynolds of Tennessee as Sec- unanimous consent that Members have starvation of two very young children, retary of the Senate. 5 days to submit tributes to their we need to address the question of ac- f former colleague. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there countability by our children’s protec- TRIBUTE TO THE HONORABLE tive services across the Nation. objection to the request of the gen- WAYNE OWENS, FORMER MEM- tleman from ? So I will be filing legislation to re- BER OF CONGRESS FROM UTAH quire an accounting of the children There was no objection. Mr. CANNON. Mr. Speaker, I yield to that are under their jurisdiction, an The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. the gentleman from (Mr. annual reporting, and a knowledge of LAHOOD). Under the Speaker’s an- nounced policy of January 7, 2003, the HINCHEY). whose possession those children are in. Mr. HINCHEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank Our children are our most precious re- gentleman from Utah (Mr. CANNON) is recognized for 60 minutes as the des- the gentleman for yielding to me, and source, and therefore we need to in- thank him for providing me an oppor- clude legislation to protect them at ignee of the majority leader. Mr. CANNON. Mr. Speaker, as dean tunity to express my deep affection and every opportunity that we have. respect for Wayne Owens and his mem- Mr. Speaker, I will also be filing two of the Utah delegation, it is my sad duty to announce to the House the ory. private bills, and have filed them, one I can say that we were very good passing of the Honorable Wayne Owens, dealing with Gao Zhan, an outstanding friends, even though our tenure here in a former Member of this body and a academic from China, who still at this the House of Representatives did not good friend to many of us. point has not received her citizenship. coincide. He was leaving for the second She was held against her will in China Wayne died unexpectedly just before time, actually, as I was coming in in just a few months ago. We are de- Christmas of a massive heart attack 1993; but we were associated by virtue lighted that she is released, and her while walking on the beach in Tel of the fact that we were interested in husband and son are citizens; and I Aviv, Israel, at the conclusion of a similar issues. Two of those issues hope we will consider her plight. peace-seeking trip to several countries most principally were the protection Let me also say, Mr. Speaker, that I in the Middle East. He was only 65 and preservation of open space in the am filing a private bill on behalf of the years old. State of Utah and peace in the Middle Kesbeh family, who have been in this That Wayne Owens would be involved East. country for almost 12 years and have in that kind of activity as his life It was because of the initiative of made every effort to become citizens, ended is no surprise to those of us who Wayne Owens that I became the spon- and in fact have a 9-year-old daughter. knew him. He spent a significant part sor of a very significant piece of legis- We hope that under the laws of this of his life trying to bring about accom- lation here in the House of Representa- land their case can be considered and modation of the interests and passions tives which would set aside a vast that we will treat them fairly under plaguing that part of the world. amount of publicly owned land in the our laws. Wayne Owens served in this House State of Utah to be incorporated with- Mr. Speaker, I believe we are here to from 1973 to 1975 and again from 1987 to in that property owned by the Federal work, and I hope that my colleagues 1993, representing the people of the Government which is declared wilder- will join me in supporting the legisla- Second District of Utah. His political ness; in other words, affording it the tive initiative that I have put forward career inspired a generation of young highest level of protection for today and, as well, that we will find com- people with his political idealism. He and for future generations. promise and opportunity to work with was a Democrat and he and I differed Future generations is what Wayne those who are unemployed and to pro- on many policy issues, but we never Owens often had in mind, whether he vide an outstanding economic stimulus disagreed on the need for the involve- was working on environmental issues package. ment of the electorate, and especially or working with young people in his f young people, in the art and science of own State of Utah or elsewhere. He was making law. In fact, I might say that also, as we all know, dedicated to the MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE while we disagreed on almost every idea of bringing about peace in the A message from the Senate by Mr. issue, he was never, and I hope I also Middle East between Israelis and Pal- Monahan, one of its clerks, announced was never, disagreeable. estinians and others in that part of the that the Senate has passed bills of the In the House, Wayne served on the world. following titles in which the concur- Committee on the Judiciary, and we He first developed this intense inter- rence of the House is requested: had parallel careers in that he inves- est as a result of his missionary work

VerDate Dec 13 2002 03:59 Jan 08, 2003 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00027 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K07JA7.054 H07PT1 H28 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE January 7, 2003 for the Mormon Church. He was, of Mr. CANNON. Mr. Speaker, I first thinks of you like a brother, an older course, a devout Mormon, and had, as would like to thank the gentleman brother, a very dear person and we will all Mormons do, performed significant from New York (Mr. HINCHEY) for his all miss you very, very much. missionary work on behalf of the Mor- comments. He and I worked closely to- Mr. CANNON. Madam Speaker, I mon Church. It was in that cause that gether on issues that he has picked up want to thank the gentleman from he first became intimately acquainted on, public lands in Utah, from Mr. Florida (Mr. WEXLER) for his kind with the details and difficulties of the Owens; and I want to thank him for his words. circumstances that prevail, and that kind words to our colleague. I will submit for the record a state- have prevailed, for some time in the Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman ment by the gentleman from California Middle East, and which led him to es- from Florida (Mr. WEXLER). (Mr. BERMAN). If I may take a moment tablish the Center for Middle East Mr. WEXLER. Mr. Speaker, I thank to summarize what the gentleman from Peace, which later became the Center the gentleman for yielding to me. It is California (Mr. BERMAN) said. His ideas for Middle East Peace and Economic with a heavy heart that I rise today to are important. Development. honor an outstanding visionary leader, The gentleman from California (Mr. As the director of that center, he led former Member of Congress, and dear BERMAN) served with Mr. Owens in the many of us in this Congress on numer- friend, Wayne Owens. Today is a sad House and pointed out in his comments ous trips to that part of the world, at day in the Middle East and here in our that Mr. Owens was remarkable for the least for two reasons: to better ac- own country, not only because violence broad range of issues with which he quaint Members of Congress with the and terror continue unabated, but also dealt. circumstances that prevail in Israel because one of the greatest believers He goes on to say that Mr. Owens was and the surrounding area, and also to and promoters of peace in the Middle a very effective legislator, and after he enlist us in his work to bring about a East has passed. That man was Wayne left Congress that he was deeply in- peaceful settlement to the political dif- Owens. volved in the Middle East peace proc- ficulties that prevail there. It is with profound respect, admira- ess. One of the reasons why he was so With Wayne Owens I have had the op- tion, and sadness that I wish to pay effective, according to the gentleman portunity to be in Israel on numerous tribute to him today. from California (Mr. BERMAN), is that occasions; also in Beirut, and in Da- all sides accepted him as an honest 1700 mascus; throughout the southern Medi- b broker. And finally, he never stopped terranean: in Tunisia and Morocco, In my tenure as a Member of Con- believing that peace was possible even Egypt, Algeria; and throughout the gress I have traveled with Wayne to in the most difficult times recently in Saudi Arabian Peninsula and the Gulf the Middle East on numerous occa- the Middle East. States, as well. sions, witnessing firsthand his remark- Madam Speaker, I yield to the gen- Always, Wayne was well received by able ability to bridge the gap between tleman from New Mexico (Mr. UDALL). the political leaders of all of those international leaders and promote dia- Mr. UDALL of New Mexico. Madam countries. They were well acquainted logue, understanding and accord. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from with him, they liked him personally, Wayne was the quintessential peace- Utah (Mr. CANNON) for all he has done they understood the devotion and in- maker because he never wavered in his in organizing these words today on the tensity that he brought to his work, steadfast dedication and commitment floor for Wayne Owens. and they respected him deeply for all of to the future of the Middle East. His I just wanted to rise today to say a that. expertise on this issue was the focus of few words about Wayne Owens and his So whenever any of us traveled with his professional life, from his years in service to the United States of Amer- Wayne, we were always treated well by the House of Representatives, to his ica. He was a fine public servant. Many everyone with whom we came into con- time as the President and driving force will talk and some have already about tact, not only because we were Mem- behind the Center for Middle East his tireless efforts for Middle East bers of the Congress, but also because peace. Wayne’s unique efforts pro- peace, but Wayne had an extensive leg- we were traveling with Wayne Owens, moted understanding and communica- islative record here in the House of who they knew and respected in the tion in a time of great uncertainty and Representatives. He fought tirelessly way that I have just described. despair in the Middle East. At a time I and everyone who knew him were to restore endangered species across when hostility, hatred and terror per- deeply shocked at his loss, by the sud- the West. And the issue that I specifi- meated current events, Wayne would denness of his death. He was a man of cally would like to talk about today is such energy and vitality we all could travel to the epicenter of the conflict his bringing justice to the Colorado not help but think that he would go on to encourage diplomacy and peace. plateau uranium miners. for a long, long time doing the very At a time when no one could envision Wayne saw this as a situation with good work that he has done. It is still a resolution to the most contentious the Colorado uranium miners that had hard to believe that he has been taken issues in the Middle East, Wayne con- to have justice be brought to the situa- from us in the midst of his work; but so sistently offered creative answers and tion. And what happened is these ura- it is, and so we miss him and respect an optimistic spin. At a time when nium miners went into mines on the him. doors began to close in the region, Colorado plateau, worked in very dan- I believe that all of us will continue Wayne dedicated the end of his life to gerous, dirty air mines. There were to show that respect by continuing our opening the channels of peace, bringing high radon levels, as the gentleman devotion to the cause to which he in American ideals to the region, and of- from Utah (Mr. CANNON) knows. He has fact devoted his life, and that is, the fering a glimmer of hope to leaders and worked on this very issue. The govern- cause of bringing peace to the Middle people in the Middle East. ment knew these levels were very high. East. Wayne Owens was a truly remarkable Government doctors did reports and I thank Wayne Owens, and I want to man who leaves behind a legacy of doctors issued studies, but nobody told also at this moment express my deep compassion, leadership and hope. the uranium miners that there was appreciation to his wife and his family, Wayne was a beautiful soul, an ex- really a problem. And so many years who suffered, I guess is the best way to tremely kind man who loved his family they continued to work in these ura- put it, his work. They allowed him to and cherished life dearly. I wish to con- nium mines, 10 or 15 years in these carry it on. They knew he was doing, in vey my deepest condolences to his wife dirty air mines. effect, the Lord’s work. He was doing Marlene and the rest of Wayne’s family As many of us know, when you con- work that they appreciated and under- and offer my wholehearted sympathy tract radon in a uranium mine and it is stood. I want to express my apprecia- at this most difficult time. Wayne’s at high levels what ends up happening tion to his wife and family for allowing contributions to history will be forever is 10 or 15 years down the line you get him to do all the good things that he remembered as will his unyielding lung cancer, and that is in fact what did. dream of harmony and peace. Wayne, happened on the Colorado plateau, an We miss him very, very deeply, we you will be missed by those who care epidemic of lung cancer. Lawsuits were admire him, and we feel deeply his loss. for you, and I consider myself one that brought on behalf of these uranium

VerDate Dec 13 2002 06:04 Jan 08, 2003 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00028 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K07JA7.056 H07PT1 January 7, 2003 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H29 miners but many of them were unsuc- physically. He had tremendous cour- Wayne was one of the most selfless cessful. My father was one of the ones, age. That courage came from the per- people I had met who served in this Stewart Udall, that brought many of sonal belief in what he was doing. He body. He had a wonderful sense of the lawsuits and represented the min- put his own safety far below the impor- humor, a very strong sense of convic- ers. He just told me the other day when tance of what he knew needed to be tion, and something that I really came we learned of Wayne’s death, he said, if done in bringing about peace and rec- to appreciate more in the most recent it had not been for Wayne at that par- onciliation in one of the world’s most trip to the Middle East, just a certain ticular point when the miners lost conflicted parts. He found ways to genius about him, a remarkable level their lawsuits, when the families were build bridges. He loved people on both of insight into people, people of all discouraged, when they thought there sides and found that commonality and kinds, people who never could have was going to be no justice, it was worked on that commonality. been in the same room with one an- Wayne Owens that picked up the fight. And I want to quote from somebody other, on different sides of the Israeli- And he went out and held hearings and that not only founded the Center for Palestinian conflict, on different sides he involved and BARNEY Middle East Peace and Economic Co- of other issues that separated us from operation but was a very close friend of FRANK and the Committee on the Judi- countries like Syria and Saudi Arabia. ciary and brought justice to this situa- Wayne’s, an intimate friend of But Wayne truly believed in people tion by helping pass a piece of legisla- Wayne’s. They shared objectives. They and I think did his best to see the best tion known as the Radiation Exposure loved each other. And that is Danny in everyone he met and to draw that Compensation Act. And many families Abraham. Danny sent out a letter from out, and I think that Wayne played a the Center for Middle East Peace and today in Utah and across the Colorado very important role in the diplomacy Economic Cooperation. I want to quote plateau are now in much better shape of this country in having some pain- from it. He says with regard to Wayne, because of Wayne Owens’ efforts on fully direct and difficult conversations ‘‘He was respected, loved and cherished that piece of legislation. with the heads of states in some of All of us here in the House of Rep- by all who knew him. Wayne’s single- these Arab nations and having some minded devotion to continued dialogue resentatives, I believe, miss Wayne very frank and constructive conversa- and peace between Israelis and Arabs very much and miss his contributions. tions with the officials in the Israeli in the Middle East, even in the most We want to give our heartfelt condo- government. challenging of circumstances, gave us lences to his wife Marlene and his fam- Wayne Owens knew an awful lot the hope and courage we could have ily, and we want to thank Wayne for about the Middle East and really would never found on our own. Wayne never his service, his great service to the have been entitled to have been incred- faltered from his dream that one day country. ibly very cynical about what is hap- Israelis and Arabs would live in peace Mr. CANNON. As the gentleman from pening over there right now, even hope- and he had the magic, the gift of nur- less, as many well-intentioned wise New Mexico (Mr. UDALL) knows, my turing that dream in everyone he met. first job as a lawyer, Madam Speaker, people are. But Wayne, like a lot of My beloved friend Wayne was a true was with his father working on these leaders who have made this country servant of peace and he lived and died very cases that we are talking about. It great and the world great, was an in- serving humanity. May Wayne Owens’ was one of the great experiences of my curable optimist, and he til his dying life, his dedication and belief in us not life, and it is one of many of the areas day never stopped radiating the hope be wasted. Together we must recommit where Congressman Owens and I had a that he had that the better angels, as ourselves to the pursuit of peace.’’ Abraham Lincoln would have put it, of great deal in common. That will be Wayne’s legacy, to help I came to represent many of the peo- all the people he had come in contact us recommit ourselves in the pursuit of ple who were effected by the radon with would ultimately prevail, and the noblest objectives that he com- from the uranium mines. In fact, there that the United States would in the mitted his life to. Again I want to end play an important role in bringing is a whole town of widows, Minersville, thank my friend and colleague from Utah, which was part of my district about peace and tranquility in the Utah (Mr. CANNON). Let us memorialize Arab-Israeli dispute. until recently. So this has been a very Wayne in the actions that we take to I always thought to myself that if important part of my life and one of further the vision that he had for there ever had been or could be an elec- reasons I appreciate the life and serv- peace, not only in the Middle East but tion to choose the mayor of the Middle ice of Mr. OWENS. throughout the world. East, my candidate would have been Madam Speaker, I yield to the gen- Mr. CANNON. Madam Speaker, I Wayne Owens. In the last trip that the tleman from Virginia (Mr. MORAN). would like to thank my friend and col- gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Mr. MORAN of Virginia. Madam league, the gentleman from Virginia PRICE) and I took, at every major air- Speaker, I thank my friend and col- (Mr. MORAN), for his kind words with port we passed through in the Middle league from Utah for yielding to me. I regard to my dear friend, Mr. Owens. East, Wayne ran into people that knew knew Wayne, particularly having had Madam Speaker, I would like to yield him, respected him, who loved him, the opportunity to travel to the Middle to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. who had not seen him in 10 years be- East with him, and one thing that DAVIS). cause Wayne was one of those people struck anyone who got to know him Mr. DAVIS of Florida. Madam Speak- that you never forgot. was how profoundly proud he was of er, I thank the gentleman for yielding I have to say that as a United States having served in this institution. He to me. I had just before Christmas re- citizen, I was proud and will always be served as an aide to Bobby Kennedy turned to Florida from a 10-day trip to proud not just to call Wayne Owens my and to others. He worked in a number the Middle East with Wayne Owens and friend and someone who has helped de- of political campaigns. Politics was his the gentleman from North Carolina velop me, but someone who I think rep- life. But he saw politics as an instru- (Mr. PRICE), who will speak shortly, as resented the best things about our ment to do good, to make lasting and well as Danny Abraham with the Cen- country in a part of the world where positive change. ter. And I wanted to start by thanking people are judging us very carefully, to His colleagues from Utah have talked Wayne’s family and the people of Utah see what we are made of and whether about the environmental progress that for sharing him with us, citizens of the we really live up to the things that we he was able to achieve. He did any United States, Members of Congress, say our country stands for because number of things in bringing diverse the many people who were touched by Wayne represented the very best of this groups together. But I have to believe Wayne. country. as his lifelong career pursuit, at least Wayne was a wonderful husband, a the latter part of his life, was dedicated wonderful father, a wonderful citizen b 1715 to bringing about peace in the Middle and he gave so much because the peo- He has set a standard for diplomacy East. He founded the Center for Middle ple of Utah saw fit to send him to Con- that we will all have to work very hard East Peace and Economic Cooperation. gress to equip him with the knowledge to live up to. He took a great many risks, not just that he used through the last minute of Wayne Owens’ untimely death on the personally and politically, but even his life. shores of Tel Aviv is tragic but perhaps

VerDate Dec 13 2002 03:59 Jan 08, 2003 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00029 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K07JA7.058 H07PT1 H30 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE January 7, 2003 the place where Wayne would have cho- This was hardly a predictable path in As a middle-ranking member of this sen, in between the United States, his terms of his personal and professional House, I have found such repeated vis- beloved home of Utah, and on the shore background, but it was one to which he its, and my work with Wayne and the of a country he loved dearly. was drawn by his experience on the center generally, invaluable as a Wayne’s tragic, premature death House Foreign Affairs Committee, his source of information and insight and gives us another reason to do what friendship with Daniel Abraham, with as an avenue for engagement. Wayne Owens would have asked us to whom he organized the Center for Mid- Wayne was passionately committed do if he were standing here today, and dle East Peace in 1989, and by his vi- to the security and integrity of Israel that is, to recommit ourselves to peace sion of what a small, independent and and to justice and self-determination in the Middle East, to serve as an hon- creative organization might achieve in for the Palestinians. He understood est broker, to stand for the values that this political and policy thicket. well the relation between those two have helped this country get to where Wayne, Danny Abraham, and the var- and the unlikelihood of forward move- it is today, to bring about a Pales- ious Middle East hands and political ment without persistent American en- tinian state that respects the security leaders working with the Center were gagement. of Israel, to help the Palestinians find actively involved in the discussions The achievement of a comprehensive a way to govern themselves, bring the leading to the Madrid and Oslo agree- peace among Israel and its neighbors is terror to an end and give the Israelis ments, and they found numerous ways a compelling cause in its own right, the chance to live the dream they have of encouraging the Israeli-Syrian and but it is one given additional urgency always had in that part of the world. Israeli-Palestinian negotiations of the by the need for regional cooperation Let us renew ourselves to the cause 1990s. Wayne was haunted by the and support in combating terrorism of peace in the Middle East. It is an- knowledge of how close to resolution and in disarming Iraq. other way that we can honor Wayne those efforts had come only to collapse With Wayne Owens’ passing, we have Owens, and I want to thank the gen- into distrust and violence. He had few lost one of our country’s most deter- tleman from Utah (Mr. CANNON) and illusions about the obstacles to getting mined and resourceful contributors to the gentleman from Utah (Mr. MATHE- peace negotiations back on track. Still this cause. It is critically important SON) for all the things they have done he persevered, always looking for the for those of us who understand the in Utah today and will be doing in the openings, the confluences of interest, value of his work to find ways to carry future to honor Wayne Owens, and we the glimmers of hope that could be it forward. are all blessed in that. acted and built upon. He was one of the Mr. CANNON. Madam Speaker, I Mr. CANNON. Madam Speaker, I most determined and dedicated persons thank the gentleman from North Caro- thank the gentleman from Florida, and I have ever known. lina for his kind comments and now I would now yield to the gentleman Wayne’s approach was mirrored in yield to the gentlewoman from Cali- from North Carolina (Mr. PRICE). the trip we took in December. We met fornia (Mrs. CAPPS). Mr. PRICE of North Carolina. Madam with the heads of state in Syria, Leb- Mrs. CAPPS. Madam Speaker, let me Speaker, I thank the gentleman for anon, and Israel, demonstrating again first thank the gentleman from Utah calling this Special Order today and for the remarkable access and the rela- and all of his colleagues from Utah for his and the gentleman from Utah’s (Mr. tionships of respect that Wayne and bringing this resolution to the floor, MATHESON) efforts to make certain col- the Center had developed across the po- for their wonderful and warm words leagues have an opportunity to pay litical spectrum in Israel, in the Pales- about Wayne Owens; and I wish to ex- tribute to our dear friend Wayne tinian community, and in most Arab tend my condolences to his family, his Owens. states. But many of our visits were wife, Marlene, his five children and 14 Madam Speaker, Wayne Owens bade more narrowly targeted to learn about grandchildren. the gentleman from Florida (Mr. and to encourage promising initiatives Unlike many in this Chamber, I was DAVIS) and me farewell on December that are under way. only privileged to know Wayne Owens 17th after we had traveled through the For example, we met in Cairo with a very short time; but in the weeks Middle East together for 7 intense Chief of Intelligence General Omar since he has died, I have learned a days. He planned to take that same Seuliman regarding the next round of great deal about this man and his ca- flight the next evening. But the next cease-fire talks to be brokered by reer, how he campaigned in 1972 by day Wayne suffered a massive heart at- Egypt among Hamas, Fatah, and pos- walking his entire district, about his tack, collapsed and died while walking sibly other groups. We then visited courageous vote in the Judiciary Com- on the beach in Tel Aviv. chief Palestinian Authority negotiator mittee to impeach President Nixon, Our shock and consternation upon Abu Mazen on the day it was deter- about his commitment to environ- hearing the news a mere 24 hours after mined that he would personally attend mental protection which was way he had put us on that flight were acute, this second round. ahead of its time, and such a tribute to but these emotions were widely shared We met with Palestinian Authority the land he represented in Congress. among Wayne’s many friends, the Utah Finance Minister Salam Fayyad re- I came to know Wayne Owens be- constituents he served during two dis- garding financial and budget reform, cause of his work on another important tinguished stints in the United States where there has been enough progress issue, the cause of Middle East peace. House of Representatives, and the ad- to allow the U.S. to broker the release As a Member of Congress and as a mirers of his path-breaking work since of a first installment of Palestinian founder of the Center for Middle East 1989 with the Center for Middle East Authority revenues impounded by Peace, Wayne Owens never lost sight of Peace and Economic Cooperation. Israel. his dream, that one day Israelis and Wayne’s background included 6 years We talked with Sari Nusseibeh, head Arabs would put down their weapons of service for the Church of Jesus of Jerusalem Affairs for the PLO, and take up the mantle of peace. Christ of Latter Day Saints, including about the back-channel, unofficial Because of Wayne’s decency and fair- work as a missionary in France. In peace initiatives undertaken by him mindedness, he was a rare Middle East Washington, he served on the staffs of and others. expert with credibility in the American Senators , Robert Kennedy, Wayne specialized in discussions of Jewish and the American Arab commu- and EDWARD KENNEDY. He gave up his these sorts, which bore witness to his nities. He was respected by Israelis and House seat for an unsuccessful Senate remarkable understanding of the poli- Palestinians alike. race in 1974 and then returned to the tics of the region and of the many fac- Wayne Owens was the right mes- House in the class of 1986, where I and ets of peacemaking, his conviction that senger with the right message, that it others in that class came to know him fact-finding for himself or others re- is in the United States’ interests to as an accomplished and supportive col- quired diverse sources, and his realiza- vigorously pursue peace with Israelis league. tion that the encouragement offered, and Palestinians; that the cycle of un- He left for another Senate run in 1992 the feedback given, the information ex- speakable violence, illustrated so hor- but in the meantime had found his true changed, in such off-the-record sessions ribly just 2 days ago in Tel Aviv, will calling in his work in the Middle East. could be significant. only be broken through a negotiated

VerDate Dec 13 2002 03:59 Jan 08, 2003 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00030 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K07JA7.060 H07PT1 January 7, 2003 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H31 settlement; that Israelis deserve to live In 1989, he cofounded the Center for He is survived by his wife, Marlene, five in security, and Palestinians in dig- Middle East Peace and Economic Co- children, two sisters, a brother and 14 grand- nity, side by side in two sovereign operation here in our Nation’s capital children. states. and established working relationships Mr. CANNON. Madam Speaker, I How touching it was that Wayne with leaders from Jordan, Egypt, thank the gentlewoman from Ohio. If I Owens passed away while accom- Israel, Palestine, Saudi Arabia and was might make a couple of comments on panying these two of our colleagues making a difference for all of us as the things she said. who have just spoken on one of his world and our own country is perched I was thinking during this discussion countless missions to the region, that on the verge of war in that region. He that Mr. Owens spent a tenth of his life he passed away on the soil of the land was trying to show us a different path. as a Mormon missionary. That is a re- he loved so much. He was not afraid of hard work in his markable commitment. Three years as In my last conversation with Wayne, own life. I mean, from the time he a missionary and another 3 years as a we agreed that I would travel with him washed dishes to work his way through mission president for the Church of to the Middle East early this year, and school, to walking across his own State Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. although we will not take that trip to- in the entire second congressional dis- In addition, the gentlewoman men- gether, I hope to honor, in my own trict and winning election here, this tioned he could have easily spent his way, the memory of this great man and was a man who endured and who rose time on a ski slope. And in fact, in his legacy by continuing on this path. above common effort to heroic level to Utah, with all due respect to some of That path will bring us to the day try to help the world, to remove from the other States who pretend, we actu- when we can take up and we will wake the television every evening those ter- ally have the best skiing in the world. up to the dawn of Middle East peace. rible images of death in the Middle So he could easily have taken advan- I thank my colleagues again for re- East that infect every child in every tage of that. membering their cherished colleagues nation on Earth, certainly our own. In fact, I was talking to the gen- in this fitting tribute. He did the State To his family, may I please extend tleman from Wisconsin (Mr. OBEY) a of Utah proud. His legacy gives pride to the deepest sympathy of the people of few moments ago, who will speak in a our Nation, and his message of nego- our community. I had the great honor couple of minutes, in fact I think he is tiated settlement for peace gives hope of being able to work with Wayne in next, and he mentioned how healthy to our world. our efforts here to find a peaceful road Wayne was. The fact is he was a Mr. CANNON. Madam Speaker, I in the Middle East. I am forever in- healthy, robust, happy, thoughtful per- thank the gentlewoman for her kind debted to him, to the organization that son who could have spent his life skiing words. It dawned on me during her dis- he founded and to the friendships that or doing other things that he would cussion that Congressman Owens has he made on both sides of the aisle that have enjoyed and I know he did enjoy. been away from this body for 8 years; helped us find a better way forward. But rather than do that, he chose to do and yet many, many people have taken As mission president for the Church things that were difficult, that were time at an awkward hour, on an impor- of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in very difficult, and, frankly, very im- tant day, to express their appreciation Montreal, Canada, for 3 years, Wayne portant. for him and his work, and I hope that Owens took his own peace quest to a Madam Speaker, I yield to the gen- this is the kind of thing that his family much higher level and took it to tleman from Wisconsin (Mr. OBEY). will appreciate and understand and un- ground zero in the battle for peace in Mr. OBEY. Madam Speaker, I thank derstand the depth of the value he the Middle East. the gentleman for yielding to me. I was brought to this institution. horrified to learn of Wayne Owens’ Madam Speaker, I would yield to the b 1730 death last week when I was at C–SPAN, gentlewoman from Ohio (Ms. KAPTUR). Madam Speaker, I will place in the Ms. KAPTUR. Madam speaker, I RECORD an article that was in Roll Call just about to go on their morning pro- want to thank the gentleman from this week in his honor and also thank gram, and saw the news come across the bottom of the screen that Wayne Utah (Mr. CANNON) very much for his the gentleman from Utah very much leadership in assembling this tribute for yielding to me this evening. had died the day before. Wayne and I were neighbors when I this evening on behalf of our beloved FORMER REPRESENTATIVE OWENS DIES colleague Wayne Owens who passed, as (By Bree Hocking) was first elected to Congress. He and others have said, in Tel Aviv, as a wit- Wayne Owens, a relentless advocate for his wife lived right next door to my ness for peace, and I would like to en- Arab-Israeli peace and former Democratic wife and I in Arlington in rented courage my friend, the gentleman from Representative from Utah, died Dec. 18 while homes. He was then chief staff assist- Utah (Mr. CANNON), to consider perhaps walking on a beach in Tel Aviv. ant to Senator KENNEDY. I got to know Owens, who was 65, succumbed to a mas- in Congressman Owens’ memory that Wayne first as a friend and then I got sive heart attack while traveling with a Con- to know him as an even stronger friend we, on a bipartisan basis, might create, gressional delegation to the region. as the gentlewoman from California The four-term Congressman served in the when he became a colleague of so many (Mrs. CAPPS) has very wisely suggested, House from 1973 to 1975 and from 1987 to 1993, of us in the House. And after he left a Middle Eastern study group oriented representing the area. this House, as has been mentioned, he toward peace in that region and to do During his Congressional career, he made devoted a good deal of his time to the two unsuccessful bids for the Senate. In 1974, cause of peace, especially in the Middle so on a bipartisan basis, naming it he lost to Republican and in 1992 after Congressman Owens who showed East. he was defeated by Sen. (R– He was a strongly religious man. He us the way in that troubled and war- Utah). He also ran unsuccessfully for gov- torn region of the world. ernor of the Beehive State in 1984. prided himself on being a Christian and He was walking the path to peace and A devout Mormon, Owens served as presi- he took the responsibilities that come peace requires heroes and it requires dent of the Montreal mission for the Church with that very seriously. One of those heroics; and Wayne Owens, for our Na- of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the responsibilities, in his view, was the tion, is such a hero. My heart goes out mid- to late 1970s. obligation that all of us have as the Despite his liberal credentials—he was the more comfortable members of the to his wife, Marlene, his five children, Western states coordinator for the presi- two sisters, a brother, 14 grandchildren dential bids of both Robert Kennedy and human race on this planet to reach out who truly have a hero to admire. now-Sen. Edward Kennedy (D–Mass.), and to try to help those who are not in such At age 65 he did not have to go on also was a staffer to the later Kennedy— comfortable circumstances. He would that painstaking journey, 7 days of in- Owens was admired by Members from both have been appalled to see the lack of a tensive work, trying to find those key- sides of the aisle for his tireless work for sense of shared sacrifice that so often holes to peace, and yet he did that. He peace in the Middle East. In 1989, he co- permeates what political leaders do could have been living a comfortable founded the Center for Middle East Peace these days. life in some condo on some ski slope and Economic cooperation and served as its But he never forgot his obligations to president. enjoying himself, but his whole life Owens attended the , himself, to his maker, and to his fellow showed that Wayne Owens was not latter earning a law degree from that insti- man to take into account always the afraid of hard work. tution. needs of others. He was one of the least

VerDate Dec 13 2002 03:59 Jan 08, 2003 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00031 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K07JA7.062 H07PT1 H32 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE January 7, 2003 selfish human beings I have ever life. It was a time when he had invested big and would relentlessly and tire- known, and he believed passionately so much time and effort in terms of ex- lessly pursue issues. But what I will that in the Middle East, the center of amining that issue because he under- also remember is what I pointed out at so many of the world’s religions, that stood the gravity of the situation. This the start of these comments. This was there ought to be a way to bring the was not a partisan effort. And I remem- someone who was incredibly genuine parties closer to each other to avoid ber talking to Wayne about the stories and would listen to people and took the the violence and bloodshed that has of when he actually voted out those ar- public trust very seriously. It is the plagued that region of the world for so ticles of impeachment, about he and type of approach to the job that I think long. his colleagues walking out of the room we can all learn from, and I think we He is a tremendous loss not just to with tears coming down their faces be- can do no better activity to honor his family, but to all of us who took cause they recognized what a difficult Wayne than to follow in that way in daily inspiration from his lack of cyni- circumstance that was for this coun- terms of how we approach this job. cism and his profound human decency. try. Mr. CANNON. Madam Speaker, I I thank the gentleman very much for I think that was one instance where thank the gentleman from Utah (Mr. holding this special order, and I appre- Congress behaved in a professional MATHESON) for his kind words and for ciate also the comments of my col- way, and it showed the strength of this his help in organizing this event for leagues in tribute to this wonderful country that we were able to move on Congressman Owens, who preceded him man. from that circumstance, and Wayne sometime ago in his Second District of Mr. CANNON. Madam Speaker, I Owens was an important player in that Utah. thank the gentleman from Wisconsin. I process. The last time I spent some time with did not think about it until he spoke, It was mentioned earlier about how Wayne Owens was the evening of one of but it occurs to me that he did not he advocated for victims of radiation the sniper attacks in northern Virginia spend a tenth of his life doing mis- exposure. When Wayne was not in Con- here and the freeways were shut down. sionary work, but when we consider gress, when he was an attorney, he rep- Wayne and I flew in together and the religious zeal he brought to the resented victims of radiation exposure, shared a taxicab into town and I had Middle East, it was probably more like the widows of the miners that worked the pleasure of spending 2 hours with two-tenths or a third of his life in these in the uranium mines, the people who him. difficult and selfless aspirations. were told this was safe when it was not. The nice thing is the government Madam Speaker, I now yield to the And that work in private life is an- only paid the normal fee because we gentleman from Utah (Mr. MATHESON). other example of a guy who acted in split the taxicab fee, but it was one of Mr. MATHESON. Madam Speaker, I the context of service, and when he got the more pleasant periods of time I want to thank my colleague, the gen- to Congress he continued with that and have spent. We talked about many tleman from Utah (Mr. CANNON). pushed ahead with the Radiation Expo- issues and talked about many things. I first met Wayne Owens when I was sure Compensation Act. We talked about the issues we had 12 years old. He was running for Con- This was a critical issue that forced worked together on and the issues we gress in 1972 in the State of Utah and the Federal Government to acknowl- disagreed on. It was a fine experience he took the State by storm. He walked edge it had lied to people and exposed from my perspective. over 700 miles during that campaign. people to dangerous radiation through The gentleman from Utah (Mr. And the walking was not just a gim- open air testing of nuclear weapons in MATHESON) mentioned that Wayne mick. The walking was an indication of southern and also through the Owens was a person who caused you to the fact that Wayne Owens genuinely, uranium mining activities; an impor- work. I worked for Wayne Owens when genuinely wanted to get to know the tant issue for people throughout the he was a professor of law and I took a people of whom he was asking for a Colorado plateau. class from him. I worked against him vote and the people who he was going As I have gone through these com- in some of his campaigns. I was won- to represent. ments, what strikes me is the fact that dering about the 12-year-old and I think throughout his life, with all Wayne Owens was a guy who always whether I was actually engaged or not. of the great goals that Wayne tried to had big goals and big objectives, I think, in fact, I am a little older than achieve and the big picture and the big whether it was trying to address a the gentleman from the Second Dis- items he pursued, he never lost that wrong that the Federal Government trict, and will have to do the math notion of relating to the individual per- had committed and force them to later to see who had known Mr. OWENS son, to the common man. That is some- admit culpability, whether it was other longer. He was a dear friend for as long thing we here in this House should re- issues we have heard about today, like as I can remember. member as we look back on Wayne’s pursuing peace in the Middle East, We did work against each other on life. whether it was pursuing a tremendous campaigns. We both suffered through a I had the opportunity to be a cam- change in public lands policy in Utah, remarkable experience of investigating paign manager for Wayne Owens during with Wayne’s vision of a wilderness a President, and he and I developed a one of his elections. It was an excep- designation in that State. And there deep bond of shared experience there. tional opportunity, a challenging op- were other big goals and lofty dreams We both worked together on the portunity, because Wayne, again, al- that Wayne Owens pursued, some of downwinders issue. That was my first ways liked to dream big and he would which are successful today, and some job in law school, was working on that ask a lot of the people who worked for of which the work is going to go on issue with the father of the gentleman him. He pushed people beyond what past Wayne’s activity in regard to from New Mexico (Mr. UDALL), Stewart they thought they could do. And as those issues. Significant issues. Udall. And it was wonderful that someone who was rather young at the I could go on and on. The Central Wayne picked that up and made that time, I got to be a campaign manager, Utah Water Project, a project that had work. and that was something that was a sig- been involved with Federal funding for We both shared a deep, deep love for nificant development in my own life. many, many years but it was going in the beautiful public lands of Utah. He So I considered Wayne a friend, a men- the wrong direction. Wayne was part of traveled those lands, I traveled those tor, I considered him my Congressman, a group that pulled people together lands, yet we had very distinct dif- and I am pleased to occupy the Second from the sportsmen community, from ferences on how those should be man- Congressional District office that the conservation community, from the aged. We shared a kinship, however, Wayne once represented so well. agriculture community, and they com- based upon one of the things that be- When Wayne came to Congress the pleted the Central Utah Water Project came a hallmark of his life, and that first time he happened to be on the as a Member of Congress in 1991, a sig- was, from my perspective, wonderful. Committee on the Judiciary, and he nificant issue that moved the State of He was a friend. was involved in the impeachment proc- Utah forward. I am richer from my experience in ess with then President Nixon. That That is the Wayne Owens I am going knowing Wayne Owens, and we as an was an exceptional period in Wayne’s to remember, a guy who would dream institution and as a country are poorer

VerDate Dec 13 2002 03:59 Jan 08, 2003 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00032 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K07JA7.064 H07PT1 January 7, 2003 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H33 for his passing. I would like Marlene sionate man who believed that all people de- b 1745 and the children and grandchildren to serve to be treated with respect and dignity. If we look at other indicators, busi- know how much we cared for him. I Wayne was also a true patriot. He loved his ness investment since the first quarter hope that this hour that we have spent country and he believed that our values of of 2001, that is down 10 percent. If I talking about him will help them un- freedom, prosperity, and tolerance should be look at the budget outlook, that has derstand the deep, deep effect he had shared with the entire world, particularly the deteriorated by $5 trillion since Janu- on our lives and on the course of Amer- Middle East. ary 2001. ican history, on the course of how we But what makes this moment most painful I do not need to show the statistics. deal with our public lands and how we for me is that Wayne Owens was my friend. Members are aware that the stock mar- deal with individuals. He was a true champion of peace, and he ket has declined considerably, unem- Mr. BERMAN. Madam Speaker, I rise to pay lived and died serving humanity. He will be ployment is up, the budget surplus that tribute to the life and work of Wayne Owens missed dearly. existed during the Clinton administra- and to send my regards and sympathy to his f tion which was the first time in almost wife, Marlene and his children and grand- THE ECONOMY 20 years that we had actually turned children. around a budget deficit and we had a I had the privilege of serving with Wayne in The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mrs. budget surplus, and that meant that we the House, and I quickly developed a great BIGGERT). Under the Speaker’s an- were paying down the debt and more admiration for his hard work, integrity and nounced policy of January 7, 2003, the jobs were being created and Americans dedication to good public policy. We served gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. had more money and long-term inter- together on the House Foreign Affairs Com- PALLONE) is recognized for 60 minutes est rates were down because of the sur- mittee, where he focused his attention on the as the designee of the minority leader. plus. In the last 2 years during the Middle East. Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I term of this Republican President, we Wayne was active on a broad range of take to the floor this evening for the have seen that situation go the other issues, and while he spent much of his career first day of the new Congress basically way. We now have a budget deficit that focused on weighty matters of international af- to talk about the economy and my con- is something like $150 billion, and we fairs, he never lost sight of the issues that cern about the fact that the Repub- anticipate that it will only get worse. mattered most to people in his home state of lican majority, President Bush and the It is only going to get worse unless Utah. Republican majority now in both the Wayne was a very effective legislator, and House and the other body, really are something is done in this Congress to he earned the great respect of Members on not doing anything, in my opinion, to turn it around. The sad thing is when I both sides of the aisle for his willingness to address the downturn in the economy, listen to some of the suggestions that put politics aside and tackle the important the loss of jobs, the loss of production. have been coming out of the White issues of the day. It is of a great deal of concern to me House in the last few weeks, including After Wayne left Congress I continued to and I know to my constituents. This is today, I am concerned that their pro- have the pleasure of working with him on the their number one concern, what is this posal continues this country down the Middle East peace process. Congress and what is this President path of larger tax cuts for the wealthy, As President of the non-profit Center for going to do to turn the economy for corporate interests, and larger defi- Middle East Peace, Wayne worked tirelessly around. Today is a very important day cits that are only going to make the to promote continued dialogue between Arabs in that regard, because the President economic situation worse instead of and Israelis in the Middle East. His goal was today, in Chicago, we understand, is better. to help build economic interaction between unveiling his economic stimulus pack- One of the things by way of back- Israel and her Arab and Palestinian neighbors age, what he claims will be the answer ground that really bothers me in terms and through that work, to support and promote to try to revive the economy. Every in- of what comes out of this Republican the peace process. He spent much of the last dication that we have had so far, as White House is the notion that some- decade meeting with leaders in the region try- Democrats, is that his proposal will how the recession began under the pre- ing to foster peace through economic develop- not do anything significant to turn the vious administration and that the re- ment. economic situation around, will not cession is not a product of the Bush ad- He was very effective in this role because create more jobs. It is primarily a plan ministration. Again, let me give some all sides accepted him as an honest broker. that benefits the wealthy, the cor- information on that. The National Bu- Even over the last couple of years, when porate interests, and does very little, reau of Economic Research, Business many others gave up hope that Israelis and certainly very little in the next year or Cycle Dating Committee, and this is a Palestinians would ever be able to resolve two, that would make any difference in direct quote, ‘‘In November 2001, the their differences, Wayne continued his work to terms of the economic situation in the committee determined that the peak in find common ground. United States and the world. business activity occurred in the He was often frustrated—as we all are from Sometimes I think that the White United States economy in March 2001.’’ time to time—and he understood the realities House and the Republican leadership in A peak marks the end of an expansion on the ground, but he never stopped believing both Houses here would like us to and the beginning of a recession. The that peace was possible. think that the situation is not that bad determination of a peak date in March We will sorely miss Wayne, and his dedica- and so maybe we do not have to do is, thus, a determination that the ex- tion and creativity. As we work toward a just, much in Congress because the eco- pansion that began in March 1991 ended lasting, and comprehensive peace in the Mid- nomic outlook really is not that bad. in March 2001, and a recession began in dle East, may we remember Wayne’s life and Let me assure them that that is cer- March of that 2001. works and let every action we perform be a tainly not the case. It certainly is not So essentially we had 10 years of in- tribute to his memory. the case with my constituents in New creased economic activity, of growth, Mr. ISSA. Madam Speaker, I rise tonight to Jersey and it certainly is not the case and that ended in March of the first remember the life and work of former Con- with any of my fellow Democrats that year that President Bush took office gressman Wayne Owens. I did not know I talked to today or in the last couple after a 10-year expansion that included Wayne when he was a member of this body: of days since we have returned and the entire time that President Clinton I met him two years ago when he came to my since the swearing in. was the President of the United States. office asking me to support the Middle East Just to give some idea, and I will not I do not come here because I want to peace process. talk too long about this, Madam talk about who did this or who did Wayne’s tireless commitment to Middle East Speaker, but since January 2001, when that, but the bottom line is for Mem- peace, his willingness to reach across party President Bush first took office, pri- bers to suggest that we are not in a bad lines, to go anywhere, and to talk to anyone, vate sector employment has been re- situation economically today, by any has been a source of inspiration to all who be- duced by 2.1 million jobs. The number indicator we clearly are, and clearly lieve that Arabs and Israelis will one day live of jobs that have been lost in that pe- this recession began under President together in peace and security. He was a riod now, which is essentially 2 years, Bush and has only gotten worse in the study in moderation and tolerance, a compas- is over 2 million in the United States. 2 years he has been in office.

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