S9630 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE August 2, 1996 camping and scenic views, the young mine is encountered. Mine clearance HIGH RUSSIAN HONOR TO IOWAN girl scouts found themselves inspired will continue through 1997 in the thou- JOHN CHRYSTAL by this natural habitat while learning sands of hectares of the surrounding ∑ Mr. HARKIN. Mr. President, John lessons on the environment and work farm and forest land. This will allow Chrystal, an outstanding Iowan, is one ethics that would accompany them on citizens to productively and effectively of only two Americans to be awarded their future endeavors. utilize the land again, and will help re- the Order of Friendship, the highest For the alumnae from 12 States as forest the area. honor that the Government of Russia far away as California, Camp Natarswi As a member of the PeaceTrees Viet- can bestow on a noncitizen. This will forever be a place where friend- nam International Advisory Board, I award, which was given at the behest ships flourished and lessons were am pleased to have the opportunity to of Russian President Boris Yeltsin, was learned about life and the importance assist efforts to make this landmine- presented at a ceremony in Des Moines, of our natural resources. Most of all, ridden area safe again, and to raise IA, by the Russian Ambassador to the these women were instilled with the awareness of the global problem of United States, Yuli M. Vorontsov. It Girl Scout tradition, something they landmines. I applaud the work of all has been my privilege to have John as have passed down to their children and those who have helped organize and im- a close personal friend for many years, grandchildren. I am pleased to recog- plement PeaceTrees Vietnam. Efforts and I am extremely proud of his nize the 60th anniversary of this very such as theirs truly make a difference achievement in receiving this high and special place for so many of my fellow in the lives of countless individuals well-deserved honor. Mainers.∑ around the world.∑ Under Russian law, the Order of f Friendship, which was established in PEACETREES VIETNAM f 1994 by President Yeltsin, ‘‘is awarded ∑ Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, I rise to persons for significant contribution today to describe a project being un- CELEBRATE HOSIERY WEEK— to strengthening friendship and co- dertaken by a remarkable organization AUGUST 5–11, 1996 operation between nations and nation- alities, for helping the development of in my home State of Washington. ∑ Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, next the Russian economy, for especially PeaceTrees Vietnam, the 20th inter- week, August 5–11, marks the 23d an- fruitful activities in scientific develop- national PeaceTrees Program spon- nual observance of Celebrate Hosiery ment, for bringing together and mutu- sored by the Earthstewards Network, Week. It always gives me great pride to ally enriching the cultures of nations represents the dedicated work of indi- join in recognizing an industry which and nationalities, and for strength- viduals working to promote peace on a has contributed so much to the free en- ening peace and friendship between na- local and global scale. terprise system of our country and so tions.’’ John was honored for all of For over a decade, Earthstewards has much to the economy of North Caro- these reasons and in recognition of his worked around the world to foster dia- lina. 70th birthday, which was December 11 log between peoples of various coun- Mr. President, National Hosiery tries, and to contribute to commu- of last year. Week is of special importance to me John has had a long and distin- nities around the world. Earthstewards because North Carolina is the leading has organized PeaceTrees Programs in guished career as a farmer and banker, hosiery State in the Nation. North and is recognized as a leading expert on many communities, including Cape- Carolina is proud of the leadership of town, South Africa; Auroville, South agricultural, trade and economic mat- the hosiery industry and the fine qual- ters involving the former Soviet Union. India; Bluefields, Nicaragua; and Ta- ity of life that it has provided for so coma, WA. Now, this organization is He has long worked to improve trade many people. relations between our nation and the embarking on a project in Vietnam. In fact, the hosiery industry plays a Every week in Vietnam, a child is countries of the former Soviet Union substantial role in the economy of killed or maimed by the explosion of and to help those countries modernize more than half of the States of the an antipersonnel landmine. At this and restructure their agriculture and Union. There are 343 companies in the time, there are over 58,000 leftover food systems. As a farmer himself, hosiery business, operating 456 plants landmines and unexploded ordnance in John has real credibility when he talks employing 62,300 people in 28 States. the Quang Tri Province of Vietnam, with farmers in Russia, Ukraine or one The statistics are staggering: these the DMZ during the Vietnam war. of the other countries of the NIS. 62,300 people produce and distribute 22 PeaceTrees Vietnam seeks to eliminate John has traveled to Russia, million dozens pairs of hosiery a year. the threat of these devices by removing Ukraine, Georgia, and other nations of They contributed a record $7.2 billion landmines, planting trees, raising com- the former Soviet Union some 50 to 60 to the U.S. economy in 1995. munity awareness, and reducing the times since 1959, representing our State dangers of landmines in Vietnam and The hosiery industry has made great of Iowa and our Nation as a private-cit- across the globe. strides in improving productivity and izen ambassador of good will and un- This important program has several the quality of its product. These efforts derstanding. In addition, he has been phases. First, beginning this summer, to make the hosiery industry more remarkably generous in hosting many landmines will be removed near the old competitive have resulted in signifi- exchanges and delegations from those Khe May military base in the town of cant technological and design improve- countries to our Nation and our State Dong Ha in Quang Tri Province. Amer- ments in the manufacture of hosiery. of Iowa. John has known personally all ican and Canadian retired military ex- As a result, the hosiery industry has of the recent leaders of the Soviet perts as well as Vietnamese local mili- likewise made enormous gains in the Union and Russia and is well known tia will extract these destructive weap- area of foreign trade. Exports in 1995 among farmers and policy makers in ons of war. Then, in November, a grew by 9 percent over 1994 levels to 22 the countries of the former Soviet Friendship Forest will be planted in million dozen pairs—and that, Mr. Union. this area. Not only will this serve as a President, is a lot of hosiery exports. We Iowans are tremendously proud of cooperative effort of the Westerners Mr. President, my hat’s off to the ho- all the good work that John Chrystal and Vietnamese who plant these trees, siery industry because it is making a has done over the years to help im- it will help set up a buffer to stop the real difference in many small commu- prove food and agriculture systems in dry, hot winds from Laos and restore nities where the hosiery plant is often the former Soviet Union and to foster life to deforested terrain. the main employer, providing good, stronger ties and a deeper level of un- Next, construction of a Landmine stable jobs for its employees. derstanding among our peoples. Awareness Education Center will I extend my sincere thanks and con- Mr. President, I ask that a number of begin. Educational displays will be cre- gratulations to the hosiery industry articles pertaining to the awarding of ated, so children and adults may under- and to its many thousands of employ- the Order of Friendship to John stand how to identify potentially un- ees for their outstanding contribution Chrystal be printed in the RECORD. safe areas, and what to do if a land- to our State and Nation.∑ The article follows:

VerDate Aug 31 2005 05:50 Jun 21, 2008 Jkt 041999 PO 00000 Frm 00176 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 J:\ODA16\1996_F~1\S02AU6.REC S02AU6 mmaher on MIKETEMP with SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS August 2, 1996 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S9631 [From the Carroll, IA, Daily Times Herald, place. It’s a really difficult but exciting time Russia, received on Monday the Order of June 24, 1996] for them.’’ Friendship, the highest honor Russia can be- CHRYSTAL EARNS HIGH RUSSIAN HONOR ‘‘I suppose it will be another decade or gen- stow on a foreigner. eration before they achieve the goals that I Chrystal, 70, of Coon Rapids is one of two (By Butch Heman) hold dear, but I have no doubt they’ll Americans to receive the award, which also John Chrystal jokes that dozens of times achieve them.’’ has been given to heads of state such as he’s gone to Russia, ‘‘one of the few major Chrystal said that despite the fall of com- South African president Nelson Mandela. nations in the world that we’ve never had a munism, less stability exists in the region. Yuli Vorontsov, Russian ambassador to the war with,’’ and apparently hasn’t angered Communism, although a government by United States, praised Chrystal for his many anybody there yet. edict, maintained control, he said. years of advising first the Soviet Union and Russia honored the rural Coon Rapids man ‘‘That’s not to say this isn’t a much better now Russia. today with its highest honor bestowed on a situation,’’ he said, noting that while the So- ‘‘This is the highest Russian civilian foreigner: the Order of Friendship. viet Union might be dead but economic rela- award,’’ Vorontsov said, ‘‘It is for leaders of Russia’s ambassador to the United States, tionships among its former members exist. nations and leading citizens. It is highly re- America has an opportunity to form Yuli Vorontsov, presented the award during garded in Russia. We appreciate him very friendly relations with the newly inde- a ceremony at The Des Moines Club in Des much in Russia.’’ Moines. pendent countries, and Iowa, because of its agriculture, has a special chance, Chrystal Chrystal has made frequent visits to the President Boris Yelstin established the former Soviet Union and Russia for 36 years. Order of Friendship in 1994. It is warded to said. His goals are to have the federal govern- In an interview at The Des Moines Reg- persons for significant contributions toward ment encourage American business to form ister, Vorontsov predicted that Russian ‘‘strengthening friendship and cooperation joint ventures with Russian firms. Chrystal President Boris Yeltsin will win re-election between nations and nationalities, for help- already services on the Overseas Private In- easily on July 3 when Russians vote in a run- ing the development of the Russian econ- vestment Corp., a government agency that off election. omy, for especially fruitful activities in sci- helps developing nations. On June 16, Yeltsin narrowly defeated entific development, for bringing together ‘‘I think our foreign aid ought to be prac- Communist Gennady Zyuganov, 35 percent to and mutually enriching the cultures of na- tical rather than theoretical,’’ he said. 32 percent, in the first round of voting but tions and nationalities, and for strength- ‘‘Countries that are hard-up think less about didn’t garner enough votes to prevent a run- ening the peace and friendship between na- democracy than they do about tomorrow.’’ off. tions.’’ Chrystal recently spoke about agribusiness Yeltsin has been endorsed by the third- The Russian Embassy in Washington, D.C., at a seminar in Moscow. place finisher, Alexander Lebed, who has said Chrystal was being honored for activi- ‘‘I detect already a substantial change in joined Yeltsin’s government, and the fourth- ties in all those areas, according to a press attitude,’’ he said. ‘‘. . . The tone of the par- place finisher, Grigory Yavlinsky, an eco- release. ticipants was something new. They were nomic reformer. The other American to receive it was as- talking about competition, efficiencies, crop- Those two endorsements should deliver tronaut Norman Thagard, the first U.S. cit- ping and ventures that were either new or in enough votes to give Yeltsin a comfortable izen to live aboard the Russian space station cooperation with various aspects of the econ- 55 percent to 45 percent victory over Mir. omy.’’ Zyuganov, Vorontsov said. Chrystal, who has been visiting Russia, the Even through he’s visited exotic locales After the July 3 runoff, Yeltsin will re- Ukraine, Georgia and other parts of the and rubbed elbows with international dig- shuffle his government, go to work on the so- former Soviet Union for 36 years, was chosen nitaries, Chrystal says he gets the most hap- cial problems confronting Russia and work for the award at the urging of Yeltsin. piness out of what he sees right here in Car- to make it possible for Russian citizens to Since 1959 he has been helping those coun- roll County. own land, Vorontsov said. ‘‘I think the most successful thing I’ve tries modernize farming and agriculture in- A decree issued by Yeltsin to make it pos- done is seeing farmers in Carroll County en- frastructure. sible for Russians to own land has been tertain Soviets, Russians and Ukrainians. Chrystal has known all Russian leaders— stopped in the Russian parliament, he said. The hosts have fallen in love with these peo- from Nikita Khrushchev through Yeltsin— Yeltsin hopes to be able to push the meas- ple and even traveled to their homes. That’s and most of their agricultural ministers. ure through the parliament after his re-elec- really thrilling to see Americans develop ‘‘I’ve traveled from the Baltic States to tion. Vladivostok, from the permafrost to palm great relationships with them,’’ He said. The 70-year-old Chrystal is a native of If he wins, Yeltsin will serve his second trees. I’m more widely traveled in Russia Coon Rapids. Chairman of Iowa Savings four-year term. Russian law prevents a presi- than I am in the U.S.,’’ he said with a chuck- Bank of Coon Rapids and Carroll and a direc- dent from serving more than two terms. le. tor at several rural Iowa banks as well as ‘‘Economic reform in Russia will continue, He observed the evolution from collective Bankers Trust Co. of Des Moines. Chrystal but we will not be in a rush,’’ Vorontsov state-owned farms to ‘‘a modern attempt at was president of Bankers Trust from 1984–86. said. ‘‘We will analyze before making democracy that has not yet been achieved.’’ For many years he was a grain and cattle changes and bad things should be thrown Chrystal teasingly says he’s done more farmer and is still a partner in his family’s away.’’ criticizing of Russian agriculture than as- farm operation. It is unrealistic to expect change to come sisting. Chrystal is a former state banking super- swiftly, he said. ‘‘I’ve always been anxious to better our re- intendent, former member of the Iowa Board Five to seven years will be needed to turn lations with Russia because I think it can of Regents and former president of the Iowa around the industrial economy and 10 years become an economic partner with the U.S.,’’ Bankers Association and the Iowa Civil Lib- will be needed before agriculture is put on he said. erties Union. He is also a trustee of Grinnel track. Russia is not a third world nation by any College and a director of F.M. Hubbell and Chrystal said Russian agriculture reforms means. Chrystal said, describing it as a place Sons Co. have been hurt by a lack of infrastructure, with vast natural resources and a very well- ‘‘I really don’t know how I was chosen for including credit, roads and machinery. educated populace that survived 1,000 years this award, but I’m very honored and I cer- Vorontsov agreed. of autocracy under the czars and com- tainly haven’t expected it,’’ her remarked. ‘‘We’ve made very meager progress’’ in ag- munism. ‘‘I was always afraid I’d make the Russians riculture, he said. ‘‘It’s not as we should The country has some grave faults, mainly mad, but obviously I haven’t,’’ he added with have done and that’s where we should con- no management of culture by competitive a laugh. ‘‘And who would’ve though a fella centrate now.’’ ideas and no cash, he said. from Coon Rapids would get to know all Developing a market-oriented economy ‘‘And they are having a social, political these Russian leaders?’’ has been slower than the Russian govern- and economic revolution simultaneously and Among the other recipients of the Russian ment has wanted, Vorontsov said, but without blood, which is certainly one of the Order of Friendship is South Africa Presi- changes have been made. first times in the history of the world,’’ dent Nelson Mandela. ‘‘Some seeds of a new market economy Chrystal said. Chrystal said some of the Russian officials have been sown,’’ he said. A big problem for Russia is that change attending today’s ceremony would be stay- Vorontsov said corruption is not being has to happen quickly, he said. ing in Iowa for several days and he hopes to punished in Russia and it will be very hard ‘‘When I was growing up on the farm we bring some to a Carroll Chamber of Com- to stamp out because of the well-entrenched had a two-row planter, and when the neigh- merce reception Friday night at Iowa Sav- Russian bureaucracy. bor had a four-row planter, boy that was a ings Bank in Carroll. ‘‘Corruption is unpunishable now,’’ he said. big deal and we had to have one too,’’ ‘‘Corrupt people should be sent to jail, but it [From the Des Moines Register, June 25, Chrystal said. will be very difficult. The bureaucracy is 1996] ‘‘Imagine these 44-row planters we have still there.’’ today and a satellite that tells you when to RUSSIAN FRIENDSHIP HONOR TO CHRYSTAL However, Vorontsov said foreign invest- increase fertilizer. It’s the beginning of a (By Jerry Perkins) ment is needed in the Russian economy. new era, and the Russians are going to have John Chrystal, Iowa banker and longtime ‘‘Participate with us’’ in the Russian econ- to run faster if they want to be in the same agricultural adviser to the Soviet Union and omy, he said.

VerDate Aug 31 2005 05:50 Jun 21, 2008 Jkt 041999 PO 00000 Frm 00177 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 J:\ODA16\1996_F~1\S02AU6.REC S02AU6 mmaher on MIKETEMP with SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS S9632 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE August 2, 1996 [From the Des Moines Register, June 26, other independent states—Chrystal worked Chrystal said he sees his role as agricul- 1996] as partner on the family farm, a successful tural adviser coming to an end. A MARK OF FRIENDSHIP banker and a Democratic party leader. ‘‘I don’t think I have as much to offer any- ‘‘I’ve been very fortunate,’’ Chrystal said. more,’’ he said. There are corn and hogs, but a lesser ‘‘People that I’ve been associated with let Russia will get along fine without him, he known state hallmark is Iowa’s long-term me do other things. Maybe they wanted to said. The country is becoming more and relationship with the former Soviet Union get rid of me. That never occurred to me more stable. Those who predict a return to that has continued with present-day Russia. until this second.’’ communism, he said, should consider all the The essential ingredient: people—Russians Slim chance. His colleagues described nation has accomplished since the Soviet and Iowans who have moved to a productive Chrystal as a rare patriot, a man who is at Union dissolved. common ground where international bridges once intelligent and humble, able and ener- The still-struggling government needs are built from a shared interest in agri- getic. At 70, he is chairman of the Iowa Sav- independence, he said. culture and progress. ings Bank in Coon Rapids and serves on ‘‘I think they’ll succeed, and I think Among the Iowans is John Chrystal, a 70- many boards. they’ll succeed on their own. The faster the year-old Coon Rapids resident, Iowa banker Bill Hess, the bank’s president, said better for us.’’ and agricultural adviser to the Soviet Union Chrystal is ‘‘Tops. Mr. Integrity, spelled He already sees that independence grow- and now Russia. with capital T’s.’’ ing, he said, giving as an example an agri- Chrystal is a charming and insightful foun- ‘‘He’s a wonderful human being,’’ business seminar he attended in Moscow in tain of memories about meetings with Mi- Valentina Slater Fominykh said. ‘‘Your May. khail Gorbachev, observations of Soviet country must be very proud.’’ ‘‘For the first time, I met young people communism and of Russians coming up to Ms. Fominykh, who now lives in Des who were talking a new kind of economic him just to touch the fabric of his—at the Moines, first met Chrystal in 1989. She was a language,’’ who were ambitious and deter- time—all-polyester wardrobe. Soviet foreign-language professor, part of a mined. On Monday, Chrystal was given the highest delegation to Iowa. After an hour of talking and tracing the award that Russians bestow on foreigners: She described Chrystal as a fair man who history of his ties to Russia, Chrystal looked the Order of Friendship. isn’t afraid to express his opinions. around his living room, at the many gifts Praised by the Russian ambassador to the People respect that, Dale Dooley said. and souvenirs from his travels—at the paint- United States, Yuli Vorontsov, Chrystal Dooley of Johnston, Iowa, worked with ings, the carved clock and the colorful rug. joins a noted group of Order of Friendship Chrystal to help form Iowa Transfers Sys- He has many Russian friendships that will honorees that includes South African Presi- tem, now Shazam Inc. outlife his official relationship with the gov- dent Nelson Mandela. The company almost failed, Dooley said, ernment. It’s proud recognition for Chrystal, but but Chrystal’s confidence, contacts and ‘‘My impression is that there will be a new also for Iowa and its contribution to the fu- know-how saved it. critic,’’ he said, smiling, ‘‘which is fine.’’∑ tures of two great nations. ‘‘It amazed me,’’ he said, ‘‘the depth of that man’s knowledge and complexity.’’ f [From the Nebraska World-Herald, July 7, Chrystal has vision, Ms. Fominykh said, 1996] and that vision helped him foresee major SALUTE TO NATIONAL changes in the Soviet Union. REHABILITATION WEEK RUSSIA FOUND A GOOD FRIEND IN OUTSPOKEN ‘‘He was a loyal friend when friendships IOWAN with the Soviet Union were not in vogue ∑ Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I rise (By Rainbow Rowell) yet,’’ she said. today to salute the founding and suc- COON RAPIDS, IOWA.—A statue of Lenin Chrystal downplays any risks he may have cess of National Rehabilitation Week that once sat in Russian President Mikhail taken by befriending the communist nation. which celebrates the accomplishments Gorbachev’s office now sits in John When he talks about the Cold War, it hardly of people with disabilities and focuses Chrystal’s Coon Rapids farmhouse. seems like enough to send Americans scram- on continuing efforts to improve the It’s as much of a surprise to see it there as bling for their bomb shelters. ‘‘I don’t think we were ever going to at- lives of people with disabilities. This it is to meet an agricultural adviser and year marks the 20th anniversary of Na- friend of the Russian people in this small tack Russia,’’ Chrystal said. ‘‘I don’t think Iowa town. we’re an attacking country, and Russia is tional Rehabilitation Week, and as we Chrystal has spent 36 years cultivating a isolationist.’’ celebrate this week, it is important relationship with the former Soviet Union. He said he never hated communists, never that we take time to applaud the indi- Last month, Russia awarded him the Order thought they were an evil people. He saw viduals who live, work, and succeed of Friendship, the highest honor it bestows their empire as one on the cusp of great with these disabilities everyday. Na- on foreigners. change. ‘‘I never questioned what I was doing,’’ tional Rehabilitation Week serves as a Chrystal has become an expert on the af- Chrystal said. ‘‘I never questioned that they reminder that it is our responsibility, fairs of the Soviet Union. He said he’s an ac- would have to change and would be an enor- as legislators, to insure that those in- cidental expert. He never had any particular mous market for us.’’ interest in the nation, never was especially dividuals with disabilities are able to His willingness and frankness made him a interested in foreign affairs. enjoy the same freedoms and privileges valued adviser to the rapidly changing So- And he certainly didn’t expect the Rus- as all Americans. viet government. Chrystal is widely known sians to ask for his help. Yet that’s almost and well-respected there, Ms. Fominykh While National Rehabilitation Week exactly what happened. said. is normally held in September, it was Chrystal folded his 6-foot-2-inch frame into ‘‘People listen to what Chrystal has to moved up this year to August 15–25 to a living room chair last week and started say,’’ she said. coincide with the Paralympic Games talking about the history of his unique The Soviets respected his opinion because being held in Atlanta. Both events friendship. they knew he was independent from the U.S. A Soviet delegation came to Iowa in 1956, bring together Americans who strive to government, that he was speaking only for overcome barriers and herald the vic- looking for trade. They found Chrystal’s himself, Chrystal said. uncle, Roswell ‘‘Bob’’ Garst, and a whole lot That respect brought him close to leaders tories of Americans with disabilities. of seed corn. Garst visited the Soviet Union such as former Soviet Premier Nikita Khru- The Paralympic Games-which have a few times but didn’t feel like going when shchev and Gorbachev. He speaks easily coincided with the Olympic Games he was invited in 1960. about the two and their roles in history. He since their inception in 1960-were start- So Garst sent Chrystal, who never had speaks with confidence and with the insight ed by Dr. Ludwig Guttmann, a doctor been east of South Bend, Ind., in his place. of an eyewitness. in Post World War II London who Chrystal thought that first visit would be Chrystal never counted his many visits. dreamed that sports could be used to his last, he said. Communist officials took Some years, he didn’t visit at all. Other him on a tour of the country’s key agricul- years, he made three or four trips. He figures improve the quality of life for people tural areas and he was critical of their farm- he has spent about a year and a half there with spinal cord injuries. It took him ing methods. total. 12 years to achieve his goal of creating Surely, Chrystal recalled, the Soviets Yet he never learned to speak Russian. He a worldwide sports competition like wouldn’t ask him to return. But they did, has picked up some. If the conversation is the Olympics for disabled men and again and again. about agriculture, he probably can follow women. And after every trip, he wondered if there along. Like the Paralympics in which more would be another invitation, never really ‘‘I never thought that I would be going counting on it. back so much,’’ Chrystal said, explaining than 4,000 athletes from over 100 coun- Chrystal didn’t quit his many day jobs to why he never learned. ‘‘I was a farmer and a tries will compete this year, National become a diplomat. When he wasn’t visiting banker and I would have had to drive to Rehabilitation Week will celebrate the the Soviet Union—or later, Russia and the Ames to take lessons. Maybe I was lazy.’’ strength of human perseverance over

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