Congressional Record—Senate S9944
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S9944 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE September 3, 1998 Although my amendment failed on a International Development’s efforts to Wright is one of the most distinguished vote of 74 to 19, I am heartened by two ensure that the countries of the former constitutional authorities in the coun- things. First, we won more votes for ef- Soviet Union develop effective legal try, a champion for racial justice, and fective IMF reform yesterday than we systems capable of addressing the the model of what a great lawyer did when the question was first put to many challenges facing these states as should be. For more than forty years the Senate back in March. And second, they continue to build stable demo- he has shaped and influenced genera- the issue is far from settled in the cratic societies. One area of particular tions of Texas lawyers while teaching House, which has been more skeptical concern is the troubling amount of do- at the UT Law School, including my- of providing the IMF with any addi- mestic violence in Russia. This bill self. Professor Wright also does not shy tional resources. In other words, this makes clear that the active support of from a challenge. He has argued twelve issue is far from settled, and my hope women’s crisis centers in Russia should times before the Supreme Court, win- is that the final version of the foreign be a priority. ning most of his cases, some of them operations bill will either include the Additionally, the bill makes clear landmark decisions. As an author, Pro- more effective reforms I have proposed, that no funds should be provided to fessor Wright has written one of the or will scale back IMF funding alto- Russia if the government of Russia im- most definitive texts in the arena of gether. plements any statute, executive order, law, Federal Practice and Procedure, FY99 FOREIGN AID SPENDING or regulation that would discriminate cited by many as the bible for federal Mr. President, pending a final resolu- against religious groups or commu- judges. His pursuit of professional ex- tion of the IMF issue, I think it is im- nities in Russia. cellence is mirrored by his righteous portant to consider what else is accom- Sixth, I am pleased that this bill con- courage, having fought for desegrega- plished by this bill, because there are ditions assistance to Russia on Mos- tion and to put an end to racial intoler- some very good things about it. First, cow’s termination of financial and ance. I would note that the cost of the bill, technical support for Iran’s nuclear I would like to quote from the Austin aside from the IMF, is nearly $600 mil- program. Iran’s ongoing efforts to ac- American-Statesman: ‘‘For Wright’s lion, or 4.5 percent, less than last quire nuclear weapons are a threat to accomplishments in the legal field, his year’s measure. That is significant. our security; it would be the height of country thanks him. For his sterling Second, this bill contains $2.94 billion irresponsibility to send American tax- record as a professor, the university in aid to Israel: $1.08 billion in eco- payers’ dollars to a country that is as- and its graduates thank him. For his nomic assistance and $1.86 billion in sisting a rogue state such as Iran in de- personal courage in opening minds, all military assistance. I would note that veloping these dangerous weapons. Austin should thank him.’’ Happy this amount is $60 million less than Along similar lines, the bill wisely Birthday Charles and thank you. I ask was appropriated for Israel last year, restricts aid to North Korea unless the that the Sunday, June 21, 1998, Austin and it is consistent with the United President can certify that it has ceased American-Statesman editorial paying States’ agreement with Israeli Prime its efforts to develop nuclear weapons tribute to Charles Alan Wright be Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to phase and that it has also stopped assisting printed in the RECORD. out U.S. economic assistance to Israel the ballistic missile programs of states The editorial follows: over ten years. These funds are crucial that support terrorism. [From the Austin American-Statesman June to ensuring that Israel’s economic and Seventh, the bill takes steps to en- 21, 1998] security concerns continue to be ade- sure that American interests in Cen- A SCHOLAR AND A LEADER quately addressed. tral Asia are protected. In the next few Charles Alan Wright is lucky enough to The level of support for Israel that is years, a massive pipeline will be built live in interesting times and smart enough contained in this bill sends a clear mes- to make the most of it. to transport the vast oil and natural sage to the people of Israel and the A profile of this towering scholar and pro- gas resources of the Caspian Sea region world that the world’s greatest democ- fessor at the University of Texas law school to the Mediterranean sea for export to racy remains committed to supporting in today’s editions by American-Statesman the West. The bill states that an East- reporter Mary Ann Roser is a testament to the only democracy in the Middle East, West pipeline that travels through Tur- his presence on campus and in the world at a critical ally that supports American key—as opposed to a Northern pipeline large. values and interests in a critical re- Wright has made an indelible imprint on gion. through unstable regions of Russia— the law school, an institution he helped raise Third, the bill contains other provi- will provide a secure energy transport in stature in his tenure of more than 40 sions that I believe will serve to pro- system that will support stability and years. And his impact in the legal profession tect our values and interests in the democracy in the region. will be just as lasting, as his multi-volume Middle East. For example, the bill CONCLUSION bible of federal court procedures, Federal Mr. President, given that the IMF Practice and Procedure, attests. makes clear that the Palestine Broad- Wright joined the law school faculty in casting Corporation is an organization issue has yet to be resolved—House ap- 1955 and made an immediate impression. that restricts fundamental press free- proval is tenuous at best—I ultimately From intramural football to the controver- doms and broadcasts material that is based my vote on the initial version of sial defense of President Richard M. Nixon in inimical to U.S. interests, and is there- the FY99 Foreign Operations bill on the Watergate scandal, Wright has been in- fore unworthy of U.S. assistance. the balance of factors I have just dis- volved both in the school and in the life Fourth, the legislation includes an cussed. Should it turn out that the IMF around him. As he is today as a member of amendment offered by the Majority funding is ultimately included, par- the legal team appealing the Hopwood deci- sion by the federal court of appeals. Leader—an amendment I cosponsored— ticularly without a mechanism for en- Wright brought status and stature to the that will provide $10 million to support suring the implementation of effective UT School of Law. His high profile and pres- the Iraqi opposition. Saddam Hussein’s reforms of the way the international tige certainly helped attract the faculty that recent decision to halt all cooperation agency does business, I may well reas- has kept the law school in the top rank in with U.N. arms inspections and recent sess my vote on the final conference re- the country. revelations that Iraq had developed the port. For now, I am supporting the bill. Wright will always be known for his work with the Nixon defense team during the Wa- capability to load deadly VX nerve gas f tergate years and for his involvement with in missile warheads is a reminder of the prestigious American Law Institute, for the continuing threat posed by this TRIBUTE TO PROFESSOR CHARLES ALAN WRIGHT which he served as president and vice presi- rogue regime to U.S. forces and friends dent. in the region. The additional funding in ∑ Mrs. HUTCHISON. Mr. President, I Those intimate with the legal profession this bill is intended to reinvigorate the rise today to pay tribute to a man for are impressed, too, that three U.S. Supreme Iraqi opposition as part of an over- whom I have great respect; a man who Court justices have appointed him to the arching strategy that is aimed at re- inspired and taught me while I at- Standing Committee on Rules of Practice tended the University of Texas Law and Procedure of the Judicial Conference. He placing the current government in served the conference from 1964 to 1993. Iraq. School. I am speaking of Law Professor But Wright’s personal courage in chal- Fifth, the bill provides clear and Charles Alan Wright. Today is Charles lenging this community’s racial intolerance strong support for the Agency for Alan Wright’s birthday. Charles Alan in VerDate Mar 15 2010 00:32 Oct 31, 2013 Jkt 081600 PO 00000 Frm 00044 Fmt 4637 Sfmt 0634 E:\1998SENATE\S03SE8.REC S03SE8 mmaher on DSKCGSP4G1 with SOCIALSECURITY September 3, 1998 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S9945 the early years of desegregation illuminates The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without FOUNDATION, FOR A TERM EXPIRING MAY 10, 2004, VICESHIRLEY MAHALEY MALCOM, TERM EXPIRED. Wright the man as much as his many profes- objection, it is so ordered.