September 11, 1998 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S10247 Mr. O’Donnell was born in Boston and the US House, he said, ‘‘If you can under- TRIBUTE TO RITCH K. EICH UPON graduated from the Boston Latin School, stand Fields Corner, you can understand HIS RETIREMENT AS U.S. NAVY Brown University and Suffolk Law School. Congress.’’ REPRESENTATIVE TO THE ADJU- He taught history at a Somerset (Mass.) In 1975, he set up one of the first computer- TANT GENERAL, INDIANA NA- High School and then took a job with Mayor ized voting lists for the White campaign. On Kevin H. White of Boston and ran Mr. TIONAL GUARD the day of the election, in a Boylston Street White’s successful re-election campaign. office building, he checked every polling ∑ Mr. COATS. Mr. President, on behalf After leaving the Speaker’s office, Mr. place in the 22 wards to see how light or of Senator RICHARD G. LUGAR and my- O’Donnell was president of the Center for heavy the turnout was in pro-White pre- self, I am pleased to offer this tribute National Policy, a Democratic advisory cincts. The White political organization had to Captain Ritch K. Eich, United group, and he was a leader in the unsuccess- Chicago-sized ambitions, and Mr. O’Donnell ful Democratic Presidential campaign of Mi- States Naval Reserve. Captain Eich re- chael S. Dukakis in 1988. He was a senior harnessed its resources to provide telephone tires in September after 30 years as a partner in the Washington law firm of Akin, reminders and transportation to the mayor’s reservist, the last three of which he Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld. supporters. spent on active duty, representing the Mr. O’Donnell is survived by his wife of 26 Mr. O’Donnell’s encyclopedic knowledge of Navy in the Office of the Adjutant Gen- years, Kathryn; his daughter, Holly, and his Boston politics brought him to the attention eral of the Indiana National Guard. son, Brendan, all of Washington. of Speaker O’Neill after White was re-elected Ritch Eich has been a valued member to a third term. [From the Boston Globe, Sept. 7, 1998] of the Indiana team since 1989, when he Since the mayor had been considered vul- started work for me as a member of my KIRK O’DONNELL, 52; TOP ADVISER TO nerable, his relatively easy victory prompted NATIONAL, MASS. DEMOCRATS Service Academy Selection Committee, a call from O’Neill, who was seeking a new screening and recommending promis- (By Beth Daley) counsel to succeed Charles D. Ferris, the ing Hoosier high school students as Kirk O’Donnell, 52, a prominent Washing- Dorchester native who had just been named ton lawyer who once worked with Boston’s by President Carter to head the Federal candidates for our nation’s Service most colorful politicians, died Saturday Communications Commission. The man who Academies. Three years ago, he took after collapsing while jogging near his popularized the phrase ‘‘All politics is local’’ on the additional responsibility of serv- Scituate summer home. wanted someone at his side who knew the ing as the U.S. Navy’s Liaison Officer Known for his morality as much as his similarity between Fields Corner and Con- for the State of Indiana, working in the dedication to the Democratic cause, Mr. gress. office of Indiana’s Adjutant General. O’Donnell entered the political world after a At first, Mr. O’Donnell was reluctant. He During that time, Ritch made substan- brief stint as a history teacher to work on had left City Hall to start a law practice tial contributions to readiness plan- former mayor Kevin H. White’s failed 1970 with his friend, Robert Holland. But the fa- gubernatorial bid. ning in Indiana. He completed Disaster bled O’Neill charm suggested to him brighter He went on to serve as general counsel to Preparedness Operations Plans for In- vistas in Washington than in Boston. US House Speaker Thomas P. ‘‘Tip’’ O’Neill diana Naval, Marine Corps and Coast Jr., for eight years and quickly gained the After the election of President Reagan in Guard facilities, and ensured a close reputation in Washington as a skilled strate- 1980, Tip O’Neill became the best-known working relationship between the Indi- gist and a straight-talker. Democrat in the nation. Mr. O’Donnell’s aim ana National Guard and the State Although he held key Democratic positions was to prepare the House speaker strategi- Emergency Management Office. that included White House adviser and cally and tactically for dealing with the former president of the Center for National White House. The president’s popularity Ritch Eich’s civilian job during this Policy, Mr. O’Donnell relished quiet time made difficult the chore of holding House period was as the chief marketing, pub- with his family at their summer home in Democrats together. lic affairs and physician relations offi- cer for Indiana University Medical Cen- Scituate at least as much as being near the Mr. O’Donnell, a gregarious man with a center of power in the nation’s capital. booming voice, spoke in a straightforward ter, where—over the course of a dec- ‘‘He was politics at its best,’’ said US Rep- manner to House members, with the same ade—he has helped to build a vibrant resentative Barney Frank, who first worked determination as he did while dealing with and effective health care environment with Mr. O’Donnell during White’s guber- the foot soldiers of the Kevin White organi- for Hoosiers. According to one health natorial bid. ‘‘Talented and principled, he zation. really worked to make the world better and care executive, Ritch had helped ‘‘de- fairer.’’ After O’Neill retied, Mr. O’Donnell worked fine our vision, map our strategies, de- Most well-known for his advice, Mr. as head of a Washington think tank, the Cen- liver on our promises and guide our af- O’Donnell was a highly sought-after adviser ter for National Policy, aimed at reviving filiations.’’ And for Rich, ‘‘helping Hoo- to the Democratic party and served in that the Democratic party. In conferences and siers access the best healthcare in the role for former Massachusetts governor Mi- seminars, he sought to focus the intellectual mid-west’’ was what it was all about. chael S. Dukakis’s failed presidential cam- energy of a party that had consistently lost In all his endeavors, Ritch Eich has paign in 1988. presidential elections while continuing its demonstrated a skill and dedication President Clinton said yesterday Mr. domination of Congress. O’Donnell ‘‘was a gentleman and patriot who that reflect great credit upon himself, After he left the center, he was succeeded brought wit, common sense, and a genuine the State of Indiana and the United as director by Madeleine Albright, now sec- humanity to his public work and private life. States Navy. I feel privileged to offer retary of state. An old Washington hand and He was a very good man and left us much too this tribute to Ritch on the occasion of a former chairman of the Democratic Na- soon.’’ tional Committee, Robert S. Strauss, re- his retirement from the Naval Re- The son of a Dorchester investment adviser cruited Mr. O’Donnell to his Washington law serves. We wish him well.∑ and a homemaker, Mr. O’Donnell attended firm, Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld. As Boston Latin School and graduated in 1964 f a senior partner, Mr. O’Donnell represented a with a passion for history and football. At Boston Latin, he remains in the Sports Hall variety of clients, from Liberty Mutual to TRIBUTE TO THE 50TH ANNIVER- of Fame for his football exploits. the government of Puerto Rico. SARY OF THE EMMY AWARDS After graduating from Brown University, One lasting friendship that came from his ∑ Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, I where he also played football, he was a his- legal work was with a partner of Salomon rise today to recognize the golden anni- tory teacher at Somerset High School. Brothers, now Salomon Smith Barney. After versary of the Emmy Awards telecast With the 1970 governor’s race sparking a Robert Rubin, now secretary of the treasury, from Los Angeles. For fifty years, hun- lifelong interest in politics and law, Mr. asked Mr. O’Donnell for political advice in O’Donnell taught while he attended Suffolk Washington, a close friendship developed. He dreds of the nation’s brightest and Law School, graduating in 1975. When then- also advised another Cabinet member, Sec- most popular personalities have at- mayor White pledged to bring City Hall to retary of Housing and Urban Development tended this prestigious event to honor the neighborhoods—literally—Mr. O’Donnell Andrew Cuomo. television excellence. was hired to run the Fields Corner Little Mr. O’Donnell leaves his wife of 26 years, Beyond the captivating glow of the City Hall and worked from a trailer parked Kathryn Holland O’Donnell, and two chil- Hollywood spotlight, the yearly awards beside Town Field. There he helped residents dren, Holly of Washington, D.C., and presentation is a celebration of Califor- navigate the downtown City Hall bureauc- racy while studying politics and human na- Brendan of Scituate. nia’s thriving entertainment industry. ture at close quarters. A funeral Mass will be said at 11 a.m. Television arts and production contrib- Years later, while serving as one of the top Thursday in Holy Name Church in West ute billions of dollars to the California strategists for the Democratic leadership of Roxbury.∑ economy, generating rapid job growth, S10248 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE September 11, 1998 higher income, and greater tax reve- sands of troops while they were away inquire of the majority leader, who I nues. Entertainment’s significant fi- from home. Zach, unable to serve be- know was supportive in July as we nancial impact can be attributed to the cause of a leg injury sustained in a con- moved a $500 million indemnity piece rising television and commercial pro- struction accident, assisted the U.S. out of the Senate dealing with the farm duction within the state. Recent stud- Coast Guard in the construction of crisis, I would like to ask the majority ies confirm that payrolls and payments coastal defenses. leader if he has some interest and some for goods and services within the enter- Although still active in his family’s intention of allowing us to work on a tainment industry currently contrib- construction company, Fisher Broth- farm crisis package during the month ute over $27 billion to California’s ers, he has devoted his time and energy of September. economy. The Emmy Awards confer to his country and bettering the lives The reason I ask the question, I know annual awards of merit to creative arts of Americans. In 1978 he founded the that the Senator from Mississippi, the people in the television industry, as in- Intrepid Museum Foundation, in an ef- majority leader, is trying to fit a lot of centive to continue supporting the eco- fort to save the historic and battle- things into a very short window here, nomic growth in California. scarred aircraft carrier Intrepid from but I think he knows that Members on Now celebrating its fiftieth anniver- scrapping. Through his efforts the ves- this side and the other side coming sary, the Emmy Awards was not al- sel became the foundation of the In- from farm country are having to deal ways so celebrated and grand. The first trepid Sea Air Space Museum, which with an enormously difficult farm cri- awards banquet in 1949 was held at the opened in in 1982. sis. We hope very much that that will old Hollywood Athletic Club, with tick- Through the Zachary and Elizabeth become part of the agenda in the ets costing a mere five dollars. With Fisher Armed Services Foundation, month of September. I would just in- few stars in attendance, the program Zach has pledged to do all he can in quire of the Senator as to his inten- was not even televised nationally. The support of our nation’s military and tions. ceremony was broadcast on local sta- their families, and to offer new oppor- Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I will re- tion KTSL beginning at 9:30 p.m. De- tunities to our children, such as spond to the Senator that I am aware spite the American public’s unfamil- through the educational programs at of the difficulties in the farm commu- iarity with the obscure, new medium, Intrepid, and as part of the Fisher nity in a number of States because of Los Angeles Mayor Fletcher Brown de- House Program, to build homes for weather problems but also because of a clared the day of the first telecast TV families of hospitalized military per- number of problems involving falling Day on January 25, 1949. sonnel. prices and trade problems. It would be Sponsor of the annual awards pro- His newest effort is the Fisher Center my intent that we act in that area be- gram, the National Academy of Tele- for Alzheimer’s Research Foundation, fore we go out at the end of this ses- vision Arts and Sciences has a long and founded in 1995 to fund research in, and sion. venerated history. Since its early days, work towards a cure for Alzheimer’s I think it is important that we start membership to the National Academy disease. In partnership with David on it quickly, in a bipartisan way. I am of Television Arts and Sciences has Rockefeller, Chairman of the Board of going to be working on that early next flourished to more than 9,000, making The Rockefeller University in New week. it the single largest television profes- York, a new research center has been Mr. DORGAN. Mr. President, that is sional association in the world. The founded to help develop a cure for this welcome news. I appreciate the co- Academy not only presents the Emmy debilitating disease. operation of the majority leader. We Awards, but also hosts a program for Zach is also involved in many other obviously are facing collapsed farm college educators and has underwritten charitable causes, including the Marine prices and as tough a time in farm the Archive of American Television in Corps Scholarship Foundation, the country as we have ever seen. I appre- an effort to preserve television’s rich Coast Guard Foundation, the Navy ciate the response of the leader. and detailed past. League, the Jewish Institute of Na- f As the Emmy’s golden anniversary tional Security Affairs, the George C. approaches, let us pay tribute to the Marshall Foundation, the Margaret NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE SYS- award show’s support of the entertain- Thatcher Foundation, the Reagan TEM VOLUNTEER AND PARTNER- ment industry and recognition of qual- Presidential Library, the United Jew- SHIP ENHANCEMENT ACT OF 1998 ity television programming. With 50 ish Appeal, and many other organiza- Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I now ask years of telecasts to its credit, the tions. unanimous consent the Senate proceed Emmy’s have become a genuine part of In addition to this year’s Presi- to the consideration of Calendar No. American history.∑ dential Citizens’ Medal, Zach has re- 504, H.R. 1856. f ceived the 1995 Presidential Citizens The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without Medal, presented by President Clinton, objection, it is so ordered. The clerk TRIBUTE TO ZACHARY FISHER, and the Volunteer Action Award, pre- will report. THE 1998 PRESIDENTIAL MEDAL sented by President . The legislative clerk read as follows: OF FREEDOM RECIPIENT Zachary Fisher truly exemplifies A bill (H.R. 1856) to amend the Fish and ∑ Mr. CLELAND. Mr. President, I what it means to be a patriotic Amer- Wildlife Act of 1956 to direct the Secretary of rise today to honor Zachary Fisher, ican, and continues to strengthen our the Interior to conduct a volunteer pilot who on Monday, September 14, 1998 will Nation and improve the lives of many project at one national wildlife refuge in be presented the Presidential Medal of Americans. Mr. President, I ask that each Fish and Wildlife Service Freedom by President at you join me and our colleagues in rec- region, and for other purposes. the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York ognizing and honoring Zachary Fisher The Senate proceeded to consider the City. on many years of worth-while work bill, which had been reported from the The medal, which is the highest and achievements which have cul- Committee on Environment and Public honor given to civilians by the Presi- minated with the honor of receiving Works, with an amendment to strike dent, is awarded annually to individ- the 1998 Presidential Medal of Free- all after the enacting clause and insert- uals who have made outstanding con- dom. Zach Fisher is truly a remarkable ing in lieu thereof the following: tributions to the security or national man and a first-rate American deserv- SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. interest of the United States or to ing of such an honor.∑ This Act may be cited as the ‘‘National Wild- world peace, or those who have made a FARM CRISIS PACKAGE life Refuge System Volunteer and Partnership significant public or private accom- Mr. DORGAN. Mr. President, I won- Enhancement Act of 1998’’. plishment. der if the majority leader will enter- SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES. Zach and his wife, Elizabeth, have al- (a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds that— tain an inquiry. (1) the National Wildlife Refuge System (re- ways felt strongly about the young At the conclusion of Senator BYRD’s ferred to in this Act as the ‘‘System’’), consist- men and women who serve in the U.S. presentation, it is my intention to ing of more than 500 refuges and 93,000,000 Armed Forces. During WW II Elizabeth speak for a few moments on the agri- acres, plays an integral role in the protection of served in the USO, entertaining thou- culture crisis, and I would just like to the natural resources of the United States;