March 13, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE, Vol. 154, Pt. 3 4161 tried 5 minutes; it doesn’t work. But 10 who served together for almost two That is what he will be remembered minutes we are going to do. This is decades, made an unparalleled team for for. going to apply to my side of the aisle Ohio. I particularly admire his family. and the other side of the aisle, the 10 Senator REID mentioned that Howard Howard was a great family man—a minutes. We are going to cut things was a child of poverty. He was a child man who cared very much about Shir- off, if people miss votes. of prejudice growing up as a Jew on the ley, his wife, and his four daughters: Mr. MCCONNELL. Will the leader east side of Cleveland and suffered both Shelley, Amy, Susan, and Barbara. He yield? That would include, of course, from his family’s poverty and anti- will be greatly missed. the 1-minute explanation of the amend- Semitism in all too many cases. He After his service in the Senate, as ment on each side. worked his way in jobs, starting as a Senator REID said, he became the head Mr. REID. Of course. I appreciate 10-year-old, through Ohio State. of the Consumer Federation of Amer- that very much. As my friend indi- Senator REID told us that in the Sen- ica. He never gave up his passion for cated, prior to each vote there will be ate, Senator Metzenbaum was a master fighting for ordinary people and for 1 minute on each side, pro and con. I of the rules, a constant presence in an being a warrior for social and economic also have asked the Parliamentarian to often empty Chamber, who would, justice. enforce this. I say to the Chair, and I when leaving the Chamber, post an Mr. President, I yield to Senator hope you will notify your successor, we aide to scout for an unexpected amend- KENNEDY, who was a comrade in arms are going to gavel people after 1 ment or hastily scheduled floor action in so many ways with Senator Metzen- minute. These 1-minute speeches drag on various bills. Once, when a 2-week baum. on for 3 or 4 minutes. That takes away filibuster was cut off and Metzenbaum The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- from what we are supposed to do. The was still determined to block action on pore. The majority leader is recog- 1 minute is something we have kind of lifting natural gas price controls, he nized. traditionally started doing. There is and a partner sent the Senate into f nothing in the rules to say you have round-the-clock sessions by demanding ORDER OF BUSINESS any time. rollcall votes on 500 amendments. He I ask unanimous consent that the did not care if he angered his col- Mr. REID. Mr. President, one thing I first vote be 15 minutes plus 5, subse- leagues. He did not care if he was liked did not mention—the Republican lead- quent votes will be 10 minutes, with no every day by his colleagues. What he er is on the floor—we are going to fin- wiggle room after that, and that there cared about was to fight for economic ish this bill tonight. Or if it goes past be 1 minute on each side on each and social justice for the 10 million midnight, we are going to finish it on amendment and that the Chair will en- citizens whom he represented in Ohio Friday. We are going to finish this bill. force the 1 minute. and for the 250 million or so Americans We have a lot of amendments. It is not The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- when he served in the Senate. as if we have not done this before. I pore. Without objection, it is so or- The Washington Post, in 1982, said hope people will be understanding of dered. that Senator Metzenbaum singlehand- the rest of the Senators as to how Mr. REID. Mr. President, my final re- edly saved at least $10 billion by block- many amendments are offered. quest would be that the Senator from ing special interest tax breaks and We understand the rules. You can Ohio, Mr. BROWN, be given 5 minutes to pork-barrel programs. offer all you want. We are going to fin- speak as in morning business. I remember watching Senator ish this legislation tonight. It is impor- The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- Metzenbaum when I served in the tant we do that. We have a very impor- pore. Without objection, it is so or- House, at the beginning of my House tant work period coming, with many dered. career and at the end of his Senate ca- things scheduled. I have had a number Mr. REID. I ask unanimous consent reer. I watched him as a younger elect- of Democrats and Republicans come to for 3 minutes for Senator KENNEDY. ed official in State politics. Even as he me and say it would be to everyone’s The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- was getting older and he began to show advantage if we finished this bill ear- pore. Without objection, it is so or- his age, when he stood in front of an lier tonight rather than later. But dered. audience, the energy just burst from whenever it is, whether it is late on The Senator from Ohio. him. Fiery passion for economic justice Thursday, early on Thursday, or early f and social justice poured forth from Friday morning, we are going to finish Howard Metzenbaum. He would start at this legislation tonight or in the morn- SENATOR HOWARD METZENBAUM the podium—he is the first politician I ing. Mr. BROWN. Mr. President, Senator saw do this—and as he would work his The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- KENNEDY and Senator Metzenbaum way up into his speech and begin to in- pore. The Senator from Massachusetts. were so often fighting for same causes spire people, he would come away from f and the same issues and showed the the podium and walk out into the audi- same courage. They both were and are ence, and he had a strong, powerful SENATOR HOWARD METZENBAUM heroes to many. I thank the majority voice even when he was no longer Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. President, all of leader for the time. speaking into the microphone. People us are deeply saddened with the loss of A great son of Ohio, Senator Howard would always respond with the same an extraordinary Senator and a great Metzenbaum, passed away last night in kind of passion and be inspired by him. human being: Howard Metzenbaum. We Florida. He was personally inspira- That is my clearest, favorite memory extend our condolences to Shirley and tional to so many. He changed the lives of him. His legislative record, of to the members of the Metzenbaum of Ohioans, as he changed the lives of course, was so important too. One of family. so many Americans through his life- the most important things he did was He truly was the conscience of the time commitment to public service. I the plant closing legislation, giving 60 Senate for so many years. This is an am honored to hold his seat in the Sen- days’ notice to workers who too often institution made up of 100 individuals, ate and to follow in his footsteps. have seen their jobs disappear with and all of us wonder whether any of us According to Senate tradition, many nothing to show for it—pensions, can make much of a difference in a Members of the Senate carve their health care, all that. group of 100. But history will show that names in the drawers of the desks that Howard Metzenbaum always fought Howard Metzenbaum made an extraor- line the rows. Whoever has Senator for people who had less. He always dinary difference in this institution Metzenbaum’s desk can, with all of us, fought for people who had less privilege and for the working men and women of share in the legacy of his greatness. than he had. He always fought for op- this country whom he championed. As different as they were, Senator portunity for people of all races and He was an unabashed champion for Metzenbaum and Senator John Glenn, both genders and all social classes. those who were left out and left behind.

VerDate Mar 15 2010 09:09 Oct 21, 2010 Jkt 069102 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 0686 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR08\S13MR8.000 S13MR8 rmajette on DSK29S0YB1PROD with BOUND RECORD 4162 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE, Vol. 154, Pt. 3 March 13, 2008 So often their interests and their well- law degree from that same institution the only thing that exceeded his zeal in being are forgotten, but they never in 1941. The early days of his legal guarding against legislation that he were when Howard Metzenbaum served practice were devoted to representing viewed as helping large corporations. I in this institution. labor unions in Ohio. recall with some amusement an inci- Reference has been made to one of In 1943, he began an 8-year period of dent surrounding an amendment I was the great battles, among the many he service in the Ohio State Legislature, trying to add to a tax bill on the Sen- fought, and that was on this issue of serving 4 years in the Ohio House of ate floor that would have lowered ex- the deregulation of natural gas. How- Representatives and 4 more in the Ohio cise taxes for certain companies that ard and Jim Abourezk and a few of us Senate. He soon became a prominent supplied materials to mining compa- were interested in that issue. We were figure in Ohio politics. nies. This amendment had been cleared following the leadership of Howard After his time in the Ohio Legisla- by the managers of the bill, who were Metzenbaum. He absolutely infuriated ture, he continued his legal practice the leaders of the Finance Committee. every Member of this body as he kept and also embarked on a very successful It appeared that acceptance of the us here day and night, day and night, career in real estate development, be- amendment was a done deal. rollcall after rollcall, but he would not coming a self-made millionaire That is, until Senator Metzenbaum give up, and he would not give in. through a series of very successful in- found out that a potentially pro-cor- All of the Members were in an up- vestments. However, he did not stay poration amendment was about to be roar, until finally a solution was out of public service for long. accepted. reached and the Senate went in ad- In 1974, Senator Metzenbaum was ap- Howard began objecting to the unani- journment. As Senator Metzenbaum pointed by Ohio Governor Jack mous consent request to include this walked out on the Senate steps, Sen- Gilligan to fill the vacancy in the U.S. amendment in the bill. During a call of ator after Senator came up and con- Senate left by Senator William B. the quorum, I went over to chat with gratulated him. They all were express- Saxbe who had departed to serve as him. I informed him that of the rough- ing a viewpoint that was unsaid, but U.S. Attorney General. After losing a ly two or three dozen mining supply they were basically saying beneath tough primary election to future Sen- companies that would be helped by this their breath that they hoped they ator John Glenn later that year, How- amendment, three were located in could be the champion for their inter- ard was elected to Ohio’s other Senate Ohio. I could see in his eyes the dif- seat in 1976, the same year I came to ests as Howard Metzenbaum was a ficult nature of his dilemma—on the the Senate. He served three Senate champion for the interests of working one hand he did not want to spend terms before retiring in 1995. money on helping corporations and on men and women in this country. I had the privilege of serving with Howard could scold, he could hassle, the other hand, he always wanted to Howard for his entire career in the he could provoke, he could cajole, but help his beloved Ohioans. Senate. It always amazed me how dedi- In the end, Howard made what he he also could smile and he could joke. cated Howard was and how he dutifully thought was the best decision for his He had a warm heart and a brilliant watched out for his constituents’ inter- constituents and agreed to let the mind. He was a Senator’s Senator. He ests. It seemed like he was always on amendment go, but not before he had a will be greatly missed, but he will be the floor at the right time and ready to chance to weigh in his mind the impor- greatly remembered as well for his stop any amendment that he thought tance of his decision. I remember service to this institution, which he might go against the principled views thinking at the time that I had prob- loved, and for the people of Ohio, whom he held. ably witnessed one of the only times he served so nobly. For many years, Howard’s Senate of- Howard ever changed his mind regard- Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, I was fice was across the hall from my office ing a piece of legislation. deeply saddened by the news of the on the first floor of the Russell Senate Mr. President, I want to extend my death of our former colleague and Office Building. Frequently, when deepest sympathies to the Metzenbaum friend, Howard Metzenbaum. there was a vote, Howard and I would family. As I said, Howard and I didn’t The Senator from Ohio was one of enter the hallway at the same time and often find ourselves on the same side of the most conscientious, hardest work- he would immediately make a state- matters before the Senate, but I can ing, and influential Senators I have ment about the loud tie I was wearing. say, without reservation, that he was a had the privilege to observe since I He never failed to notice the unique dedicated public servant, a man I have came to the Senate in 1979. collection of ties I wore. However, over always admired and a dear friend. We were friends even though we the years, I noticed his selection of tie Mr. BYRD. Mr. President, I was sad- would disagree on some subjects and be choices began to grow louder and loud- dened to learn that my good friend and on the opposite sides of amendments he er as well until eventually, we used to former colleague, Senator Howard would offer on appropriations bills I see who could wear the most out- Metzenbaum, has passed away. was supporting. He was a fierce debater landish ties to work each day. We sure He was a man of courage, conviction, and would often become agitated and did wear some ugly ties trying to outdo commitment, and toughness. He was a raise his voice level for effect. But, he each other. We really developed quite a labor lawyer and union lobbyist, who always impressed me as sincere, hon- fondness for each other during those grew up in poverty, and went on to be- est, and relentless. years. come a champion of the rights of The Senate and the United States As you might expect, Howard and I American workers. He was a self-made were well served by Howard Metzen- often found ourselves butting heads on millionaire who became a dedicated ad- baum. many issues. He certainly had a tend- versary of big business. Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, I rise to ency, at times, to frustrate some of our I was honored to work with him in speak today regarding the passing of colleagues. However, we all admired the Senate for 18 years. He was an un- former Senator Howard Metzenbaum, him for his courage and conviction. abashed liberal who brought such an who passed away last night at his home Howard was a tough politician. As we intensity to any issue he was pro- in Fort Lauderdale, FL. I think I speak came to the close of each of our Senate moting, that it was a pleasure simply for many of my colleagues when I say work periods right before a recess to watch him as he worked. It was the that our Nation has lost a principled began, you could always find Howard high level of energy and emotion that leader and that Senator Metzenbaum sitting at his desk on the Senate floor he brought to the issues about which will be missed. objecting to every piece of legislation he felt most deeply that prompted me Senator Metzenbaum was born in that he did not agree with. He spent to remark at one point, ‘‘Some men Cleveland, OH in 1917 and spent much hour upon hour standing up for the have succeeded in politics through di- of his life serving the people of that people of Ohio. plomacy and compromise, [but] Howard great State. He graduated from Ohio Howard’s enthusiasm in protecting Metzenbaum’s forte has been his pas- State University in 1939 and received a the interests of Ohioans was probably sion.’’

VerDate Mar 15 2010 09:09 Oct 21, 2010 Jkt 069102 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 0686 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR08\S13MR8.000 S13MR8 rmajette on DSK29S0YB1PROD with BOUND RECORD March 13, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE, Vol. 154, Pt. 3 4163 And he was passionate about liberal Howard was a self-made man who Mr. President, there was one other causes. During his career in the Sen- said that he was ‘‘born knowing how to great passion in Howard Metzenbaum’s ate, he wrote legislation on nutrition- make money.’’ And he did, indeed, life, and that was his love for Shirley, labeling, funding for ‘‘orphan drugs’’ make a fortune in the business world. his wife and partner for more than five for rare diseases, airline safety, and But, for Howard, money was not an end decades. My thoughts and prayers, penalties for violations of child-labor in itself. It gave him the freedom to de- today, are with Shirley. laws. vote himself to public service and to She is saying goodbye to her beloved It was a delight to work with him in the causes that he believed in so pas- husband. We are saying goodbye to one the incredibly productive 100th Con- sionately. of the true giants of the Senate in the gress—and he was one of the reasons Howard and I shared a common inter- late 20th century. that that particular Congress was so est in combating child labor and child f productive. Some of the legislation slavery around the world. I especially that Senator Metzenbaum sponsored admired his work as a founding mem- UNANIMOUS-CONSENT REQUEST— during that Congress included plant- ber of the RUGMARK Foundation, a S. 1027 closing notification and a massive non-profit organization dedicated to Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. President, I ask worker-retaining program. fighting child labor in the hand-made unanimous consent that the Senate Mr. President, Senator Metzenbaum’s carpet industry, especially in countries proceed to the immediate consider- support for liberal causes earned him a like India and Pakistan. ation of Calendar No. 351, S. 1027; the variety of labels and descriptions. He poured all his energy and prestige bill be read a third time and passed, While the Wall Street Journal branded as a U.S. Senator into getting and the motion to reconsider be laid him ‘‘Senator No’’ for his determina- RUGMARK started, and building it upon the table, with no intervening ac- tion and ability to block legislation into the successful humanitarian orga- tion or debate. that favored special interests, the Day- nization that it is today. And on many The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- ton Daily News called him ‘‘Senator occasions, he joined with other anti- pore. Is there objection? Can Do’’ for his legislative accomplish- child-labor activists in picketing out- Mr. BUNNING. I object. ments. side of rug stores that persisted in sell- The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- The Cleveland Plain Dealer described ing products made with abusive child pore. Objection is heard. him as the ‘‘watch dog for American labor. consumers.’’ The Gannet News service Of course, Howard’s fight for social f called him the ‘‘millionaire friend of and economic justice extended into CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET FOR the little guy.’’ The Congressional many other arenas. THE UNITED STATES GOVERN- Quarterly depicted him as the ‘‘Demo- For many years, he worked as a law- MENT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2009 cratic Gatekeeper.’’ In his weekly yer for labor unions, and he always be- The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- newspaper column, Senator Paul lieved passionately in unions as instru- pore. Under the previous order, the Simon called him ‘‘the tiger of the ments for lifting people up and fighting Senate will resume consideration of S. Senate.’’ The head of Handgun Control, for justice. It was Senator Metzenbaum Con. Res. 70, which the clerk will re- Sara Brady, labeled him a ‘‘hero’’ for who passed the law requiring 60-day no- port by title. his leadership in fighting for the Brady tice before a plant could be closed. The assistant legislative clerk read bill and other gun-control measures. I And I dare say that the Senate has as follows: was privileged to be able to call Sen- never had a more outspoken advocate for the American consumer. In fact, A concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 70) ator Metzenbaum ‘‘friend’’ and ‘‘col- setting forth the congressional budget for league.’’ after he retired from the Senate, How- the United States Government for fiscal year American workers and American con- ard served as chairman of the Con- 2009 and including the appropriate budgetary sumers, as well as members of the Sen- sumer Federation of America. He levels for fiscal years 2008 and 2010 through ate, the State of Ohio, and the citizens fought for access to affordable pre- 2013. of our beloved country are all so much scription drugs. And, with good reason, Pending: better off because he served in this he was especially proud of the law he Baucus amendment No. 4160, to provide tax chamber for nearly two decades. passed requiring nutrition labels on all relief to middle-class families and small Mr. President, during one of his processed food products. businesses, property tax relief to home- fights against special interests, the Food labels—listing calories, fat, owners, relief to those whose homes were Washington Post editorialized, ‘‘Thank salt, and cholesterol content—have damaged or destroyed by Hurricanes Katrina God for Metzenbaum.’’ I loved that re- changed the way Americans shop, and and Rita, and tax relief to America’s troops mark because I, too, wish to ‘‘thank they have given us an important tool and veterans. God for [Senator] Metzenbaum.’’ for taking charge of our own health. Graham amendment No. 4170, to protect families, family farms, and small businesses Mr. HARKIN, Mr. President, I was Howard’s work on food product labels by extending the income tax rate structure, saddened to learn of the death, last was the inspiration for my own bill, raising the death tax exemption to $5,000,000 night, of former Senator Howard which would require chain restaurants and reducing the maximum death tax rate to Metzenbaum of Ohio. But my grief is to provide similar information on the no more than 35 percent; to keep education leavened by wonderful memories of nutritional content of regular menu affordable by extending the college tuition this extraordinary person and all that items. deduction; and to protect senior citizens he accomplished during his nearly two Mr. President, those of us who were from higher taxes on their retirement in- decades in this body. privileged to serve in the Senate with come, maintain U.S. financial market com- There are several essential, bedrock Howard Metzenbaum will never forget petitiveness, and promote economic growth by extending the lower tax rates on divi- things you quickly learned about How- his sharp wit and equally sharp tongue. dends and capital gains. ard Metzenbaum. He was proud, He didn’t come to the Senate to be Mr. Bingaman amendment No. 4173, to provide unreconstructed, irrepressible liberal. Popularity; he came here to get things additional funding resources in fiscal year He was a fighter who never gave in or done and to change the world for the 2009 for investments in innovation and edu- gave up. And he was utterly intolerant better. cation in order to improve the competitive- of injustice or discrimination toward And that’s exactly what Senator ness of the United States. any human being. Metzenbaum did during his 19 years in Gregg (for Specter/Craig) amendment No. In many ways, he was a classic child this body. He was a tireless, outspoken 4189, to repeal section 13203 of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993 by restor- of the Great Depression, raised amidst voice for working families and union ing the Alternative Minimum Tax rates that poverty and anti-Semitic prejudice, members, for the poor, and for anyone had been in effect prior thereto. and reared on the speeches of his hero, who is oppressed, exploited, or dis- Conrad amendment No. 4190, to add a def- Franklin D. Roosevelt. criminated against. icit-neutral reserve fund for repealing the

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