April 22, 1996 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S3789 fidelity. These characteristics make phrasing a Chinese saying to illustrate the actual comments made by Presi- our country strong. his position. The President said, ‘‘When dent Jiang, the confusion still persists. For these important reasons, I rise the wind blows through the pavilion, it So, Mr. President, I come to the floor today to honor Mr. Robert A. and Mrs. means the rains will come,’’ or, in Chi- today to publicly set the record Clara Belle McWorkman of West nese, ‘‘Shan yu yu lai feng man lou di straight once and for all in the hopes of Plains, MO, who on May 30 will cele- xing shi si hu yi jing guo qu le.’’ After removing the last vestiges of confu- brate their 60th wedding anniversary. a brief pause, he then added, ‘‘But in sion. I did not travel to Taipei to de- They understand the meaning of the this case, I think the rain is over.’’ I liver a specific message from the PRC word ‘‘covenant.’’ My wife, Janet, and I took this to be an encouraging sign to Taiwan; I simply reported to the look forward to the day we can cele- that, perhaps with the conclusion of Taiwan Government the details of my brate a similar milestone. The Taiwan’s presidential election and the conversation with President Jiang. In McWorkmans’ commitment to the PRC’s somewhat worrisome military that conversation, President Jiang principles and values of their marriage exercises in the Strait, the situation said, ‘‘When the wind blows through deserves to be saluted and recognized. I might be calming down and the two the pavilion, it means the rains will wish them and their family all the best sides might be ready to resume cross- come. But in this case, I think the as they celebrate this substantial strait contacts through the Associa- rains are over’’—no more, no less. I marker on their journey together. tion for Relations Across the Taiwan hope this will lay the issue to rest. f Strait and the Straits Exchange Foun- f dation, the two semi official bodies set HONORING THE SHANNONS FOR up to handle that relationship. THE PASSING OF COMMERCE CELEBRATING THEIR 50TH WED- After visiting other cities in China SECRETARY RON BROWN DING ANNIVERSARY and then Hong Kong, I spent a day in Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, I rise Mr. ASHCROFT. Mr. President, fami- Taipei, Taiwan, on the way back to the to note the passing of our Commerce lies are the cornerstone of America. United States. There I met with For- Secretary, Ron Brown, in a plane crash The data is undeniable: individuals eign Minister Chen and President Lee outside Dubrovnik, Bosnia. This tragic from strong families contribute to the Teng-hui, both of whom I told of my accident took with it a vast amount of society. In an era when nearly half of conversation with President Jiang, and talent and expertise in the persons of all couples married today will see their Jiang’s statement about the ‘‘rain numerous American business people, union dissolve into divorce, I believe it being over.’’ They found the statement and specifically in the person of Sec- is both instructive and important to to be encouraging, just as I had. In retary Brown. A dedicated member of honor those who have taken the com- meetings with the Taiwan press during his party and this administration, Sec- mitment of ‘‘till death us do part’’ seri- my stay, I made it clear that I was not retary Brown fought hard for the ideals ously, demonstrating successfully the delivering a message from the govern- and programs in which he believed. His timeless principles of love, honor, and ment of the PRC to the Government of commitment to the Commerce Depart- fidelity. These characteristics make Taiwan; I had simply relayed the par- ment he led was shown by his willing- our country strong. ticulars of my conversation with Presi- ness to brave the dangers of Bosnia, For these important reasons, I rise dent Jiang to Chen and Lee. This is business leaders in tow, in pursuit of today to honor Paul and Thelma Shan- where the confusion arose. opportunities to help rebuild that war- non of St. Peters, MO, who on June 8, One of the Taipei newspapers, on torn country. 1996 will celebrate their 50th wedding hearing that President Jiang had said Secretary Brown also was a com- anniversary. My wife, Janet, and I look ‘‘the rain is over’’ incorrectly assumed mitted family man, and I know that forward to the day we can celebrate a that he had cited another Chinese say- his death is a great loss to his wife, his similar milestone. Paul and Thelma’s ing: ‘‘the rain is over and the sun is family, his friends, and his neighbors. I commitment to the principles and val- shinning’’—in Chinese ‘‘yu guo tian extend my condolences to his family in ues of their marriage deserves to be sa- qing.’’ The Taiwan press sometimes particular and hope that they can find luted and recognized. I wish them and tends to shoot first and ask questions solace in the knowledge of God’s grace their family all the best as they cele- later, and other papers were soon pick- and in memories of the life they had brate this substantial marker on their ing up the inaccurate statement. As a with Ron Brown. journey together. result, by the next day papers island- f f wide were reporting that Jiang had made statements that were much more COMMEMORATING SECRETARY OF TRIP TO PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF rosy than what was actually said. Not COMMERCE RON BROWN CHINA, HONG KONG, AND TAIWAN only were the newspaper reports inac- Ms. MOSELEY-BRAUN. Mr. Presi- Mr. THOMAS. Mr. President, I re- curate, but they missed the entire gist dent, it is always painful when death cently returned from a trip to the Peo- of Jiang’s statement. By referring to comes too soon. It is even more so ple’s Republic of China, Hong Kong, the saying ‘‘the rain is over * * *’’ but when the circumstances are so over- and Taiwan over the April recess in my leaving off the part of the saying ‘‘*** whelmingly dramatic and tragic as the capacity as chairman of the Senate the sky is blue,’’ President Jiang was airplane crash in Bosnia that took the Subcommittee on East Asian and Pa- making the specific point that while life of our Nation’s Secretary of Com- cific Affairs. While I would like at the storm had passed things were still merce, Ron Brown, and 34 others. some time to share my observations of far from ‘‘sunny.’’ Ron Brown was a dear and personal that trip with my colleagues, some Anyway, Mr. President, soon other friend. His loss was compounded by my confusion has arisen in the Asian press newspapers in Asia were repeating the personal friendship with four other over a remark I made on that trip inaccurate Taiwanese reports. As a re- people who died that day. The shock of which I feel I need to correct sooner sult, the Chinese Government, through it still resonates. rather than later. two newspapers in Hong Kong known His family, and the families of the On April 3, I was privileged to have to be directed by Beijing—Ming Pao others who died with him in the service an hour-long meeting with Chinese and Wen Wei Po—began to publish arti- of their country feel the pain most di- President Jiang Zemin at Zhongnanhai cles denying—correctly of course—that rectly. There is no substitute for the in Beijing. A central focus of our dis- Jiang had made the statement attrib- love and the loss of a husband, a father, cussion was the tense situation in the uted to him by me as reported by Tai- and relative. I want to offer them my Taiwan Straits and strained relations wan’s press. sincere condolences and prayers at this between the PRC and Taiwan. When I became aware of the confusion sad time. the conversation turned toward what when I returned to Washington last His colleagues in the Government President Jiang perceived to be the week, and issued a press release to sev- and in the private sector will miss him then-current situation and prospects eral Asian papers in an effort to cor- and his leadership. Ron Brown not only for a return to a more stable cross- rect the inaccuracies. Although many energized the Democratic Party, but strait relationship, he replied para- papers ran articles correctly reflecting the Department of Commerce as well.

VerDate Aug 31 2005 06:06 Jun 20, 2008 Jkt 041999 PO 00000 Frm 00041 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 J:\ODA16\1996_F~1\S22AP6.REC S22AP6 mmaher on MIKETEMP with SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS S3790 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE April 22, 1996 The result of his efforts ranged from Gen. Daniel ‘‘Chappie’’ James, the Na- mingham-Southern College Sports Hall the creation of jobs for hundreds of tion’s first four-star black general; and of Fame on Saturday, April 27. As a thousands of American workers, to a William Coleman, Transportation Sec- member of the Sports Hall of Fame’s special job for a singular American, retary under former President Ford. Class of 1996, Congressman Battle will Bill Clinton, now President of the The inspirational story of the 332d be honored and recognized for his many United States. Fighter Group was told in a 1995 movie, athletic achievements while at Bir- Ron Brown’s legacy of achievement ‘‘The Tuskegee Airmen.’’ mingham-Southern and since. is a beacon of hope to all Americans, In 1939, a decade after obtaining his Laurie Battle was born in precisely because he exemplified the own flying license, Charles Anderson Wilsonville, AL in 1912, attended ele- possibilities when the higher angels of began a civilian pilot training program mentary school in Jefferson County, the American character prevail. He at Alabama’s Tuskegee Institute, now and moved to my hometown, overcame potential limitations, and Tuskegee University. In 1940, First Tuscumbia, in 1926. He graduated from turned liabilities into assets by dint of Lady Eleanor Roosevelt visited the Deshler High School in 1930 and went commitment, effort, and talent. His campus and decided to take a plane on to obtain his bachelor’s degree in was the essential American success ride. At that time, an erroneously-held psychology at Birmingham-Southern, story. But his was also a success story view was that blacks could not fly my alma mater. He later earned his for all humanity. Ron Brown was not a planes. Mrs. Roosevelt brushed aside master’s degree in sociology at Ohio selfish person. His life was dedicated to the nervous warnings of her Secret State University. During World War II, reaching out to others in pursuit of the Service detail and went on a long ride he served in the U.S. Army Air Corps, common good. That legacy is no more with Anderson, landing safely nearly rising to the rank of major, with serv- poignantly demonstrated than in the an hour later. ice in the Asiatic-Pacific theater. He young people to whom he gave oppor- Soon after, Tuskegee Institute was was awarded a Bronze Star for his tunity and guidance and a chance. Ron chosen for an experimental Army Air bravery and remained in the Reserves Brown did not pull the ladder of suc- Corps Program designed to determine until 1972. cess up behind him. whether black men could be successful He was first elected to the U.S. Con- I count myself among the fortunate pilots. The participants, many of whom gress in 1946, serving four consecutive proteges of Ron Brown. He helped came from small towns all across terms from 1947 until 1955. After retir- make my history-making election to America, passed rigorous tests to join ing from the House of Representatives, the U.S. Senate possible. I was only what became the 332d Fighter Group. he began a career in the insurance one of many of his students. Several Anderson was the chief flight instruc- business in Birmingham. The former others died with him that day. tor, thus earning him the nickname Congressman later served as a govern- Ron Brown’s passing has been pub- ‘‘Chief,’’ by which he was widely known ment relations executive in Wash- licly mourned by millions, and created throughout the rest of his life. ington, DC, and as staff director and an opportunity for a public expression The Tuskegee Airmen overcame ex- counsel for the House of Representa- of gratitude for his public service. I treme prejudice to win combat status, tives Rules Committee from 1966–76. He hope the families of those who perished allegedly only after Mrs. Roosevelt was later a special adviser to the U.S. with him will take some measure of pressed their case with her husband. League of Savings Associations. that expression as gratitude in mourn- The unit escorted American bombers Laurie Battle is well-renowned for ing for the lost ones: Ron Brown, Kath- over Europe and North Africa, pro- his athletic ability. Although he is now ryn Hoffman; Duane Christian; Carol viding a virtually impenetrable shield retired, he still plays paddleball with Hamilton; Bill Morton; Chuck Meiss- while downing hundreds of German one of his constituents, former Ala- ner; Gail Dobert; Lawrence Payne; fighters. After the war, Anderson man- bama Congressman Ben Erdreich, now Adam Darling; Steve Kaminski; Naomi aged an aircraft-sales business and con- chairman of the U.S. Merit Systems Warbasse; Kathy Kellogg; Jim Lewek; tinued to give flight instruction at Protection Board. They play twice a Lee Jackson; Dragica Lendic Bebek; Tuskegee. By this time, he had earned week in the House gymnasium, even as Niksa Antonini; Nathaniel Nash; Barry the title of ‘‘Father of Black Avia- Congressman Battle approaches his Conrad; Paul Cushman; Robert Dono- tion.’’ 84th birthday on May 10. He was Ben’s van; Claudio Elia; Leonard Pieroni; Chief Anderson borrowed $2,500 from Congressman when he was in high John Scoville; Donald Terner; Stuart friends and relatives and bought a used school in Jefferson County. Tholan; David Ford; Frank Maier; Wal- airplane when he was only 22. He I am pleased to commend and con- ter Murphy; Robert Whittaker; Ashley learned to fly by reading books and gratulate former Congressman Laurie Davis; Tim Schafer; Gerald Aldrich; getting tips from the white pilots who Battle for accomplishing so much dur- Robert Farrington, Jr.; Cheryl were willing to be cooperative. He ing his outstanding and colorful career, Turnage; Shelly Kelly. eventually became the first black pilot and especially for this latest honor of We will, as a community, have to to hold an air transport license. He being inducted into Birmingham- close ranks to go forward without flew a round trip transcontinental Southern’s Sports Hall of Fame. them, but with God’s grace the mark flight in 1933 and is believed to have f they made in service to us all will flown the first land plane to the Baha- KATHRYN HOFFMAN AND GAIL carry on. mas in 1934. He flew up until a few DOBERT—LIVES OF PROMISE f years ago, still willing to teach anyone CUT SHORT TRIBUTE TO ‘‘CHIEF’’ CHARLES who wanted to learn. ALFRED ANDERSON, FATHER OF Chief Charles Anderson was a great Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. President, the BLACK AVIATION American and an outstanding, com- tragic plane crash in Croatia on April 3 Mr. HEFLIN. Mr. President, one of mitted teacher who will forever be re- that took the life of Secretary of Com- the great pioneers of aviation passed membered as someone who overcame merce Ron Brown also took the lives of away on Saturday, April 13, at the age unfair barriers and prejudice to change 34 other men and women of great tal- of 89 at his home in Tuskegee, AL. the course of history. I extend my sin- ent, promise, and dedication, including Charles Alfred Anderson, who as a cerest condolences to his family in the 11 other employees of the Department young boy dreamed of soaring through wake of this tremendous loss and share of Commerce. the skies as a pilot, leaves a legacy of their enormous pride in all that he ac- Since that tragedy, many eloquent breaking down racial barriers in the complished. words have been spoken and written field of aviation. He did this by train- f about all of the victims. In two of the ing a famed unit of black fighter pilots most eloquent articles I have seen. Mi- during World War II, known since as TRIBUTE TO FORMER CONGRESS- chael Wilbon wrote extremely mov- the Tuskegee Airmen. MAN LAURIE CALVIN BATTLE ingly in the Washington Post on April Among the members of Chief Ander- Mr. HEFLIN. Mr. President, former 5 about his friend Kathryn Hoffman, son’s unit were Coleman Young, who Alabama Congressman Laurie Calvin and Cindy Loose wrote equally mov- later became the mayor of Detroit; Battle will be inducted into the Bir- ingly in the Post yesterday about the

VerDate Aug 31 2005 06:06 Jun 20, 2008 Jkt 041999 PO 00000 Frm 00042 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 J:\ODA16\1996_F~1\S22AP6.REC S22AP6 mmaher on MIKETEMP with SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS