April 26, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE 7367 We are trying to move to some kind government grows. We have to do President, that name ‘‘Buffett’’ may of financially sound lockbox. In 2014, something to secure Social Security. ring a bell. Howard Buffett was the fa- Social Security begins to run in a def- Then, hopefully, when there is excess ther of Warren Buffett. Howard Buffett icit. Social Security started about 60 money, we can look for some kind of decided not to run for reelection. years ago, I think—in the 1930s. People tax relief. Again, Roman Hruska’s friends and paid 1 percent of $3,000—$30—into So- It has been a long time since we colleagues said, ‘‘Will you run for Con- cial Security. There were 31 people started on this. Quite frankly, I think gress?’’ Roman Hruska said, ‘‘Well, I working for every beneficiary. Of the sooner we make a change, the less will do that for a short period of time.’’ course, now that has changed. Now we abrupt that change will have to be. I Roman Hruska was overwhelmingly all pay 12.5 percent of our earnings up am hopeful we do get back. We started elected to the Congress in 1952. Two to $70,000 or more, moving up. There out this year wanting to do this. Now years later, the Senate seat opened are, I think, fewer than three people the President is reluctant to take any and, again, the same people asked working for each one drawing benefits. leadership. Some of the leaders in the Roman Hruska to serve. He ran for the In the near future, it will be fewer than Congress were saying we ought to set it Senate in 1954 and never looked back. two. That is the sort of dilemma with aside. I don’t agree. He retired from the Senate in 1976. which we are faced. Certainly, we need to focus on I recall my first exposure to Senator I suppose there are many consider- Kosovo, but it doesn’t mean we don’t Hruska as a young chief of staff to Con- ations to look at, but there are three do the other things that are before the gressman John Y. McCollister in the that are obvious. Senate. It is time to design a first-class early 1970s. I would come to the Senate One, you could reduce benefits. Not system that fulfills the needs of every- once or twice a week to get a delega- many are prepared to do that; even one—our older citizens, our younger tion letter signed by Senator Hruska though Social Security, of course, is citizens. We need a permanent fix, not and then Senator Curtis. Senator not a retirement program, it is a sup- just tinkering around the edges. People Hruska would see me occasionally plementary program. For a high per- have thought for years that Social Se- standing outside a hearing room and centage of people, that is, indeed, their curity was the holy grail of politics— would never fail to accord me not only largest income requirement. touch it and you are dead. I think it some recognition, which as we know Two, you could increase taxes. I has changed, because people under- around here does not always happen don’t think there is a great deal of ex- stand if it is not changed, Social Secu- with junior staffers, but he was beyond citement about that. I do not think it rity will be dead. gracious. He always had time for young is a great idea. Social Security taxes I hope we move forward. people, always had time to talk a little are the largest tax that most Ameri- f bit about what we thought and what cans pay. was on our minds. Three, increase the rate of return on SENATOR ROMAN L. HRUSKA I really came to cherish those times the money that is in the trust fund. Mr. HAGEL. Mr. President, I rise this when I had an opportunity to come That is one of the things we are talk- afternoon to recall a towering public over and see Senator Hruska. Senator ing about doing, trying to put together servant, Senator Roman L. Hruska, Hruska was often in meetings, I say to a personal account—not to take all of who spent 22 years of his life in this Senator HOLLINGS, with some of Sen- the 12 percent but to take, say, 3 or 4 body and who died yesterday at ator HOLLINGS’ favorite colleagues, percent out of the 12, about a third of Omaha, NE, at the age of 94. Senator such as Senator Goldwater, Senator the money. Let it be your account, Hruska served with my friend, the dis- Eastland, Senator Long. your personal account. If, unfortu- tinguished Senator from South Caro- As a young staffer, I would be invited nately, you were not able to live long lina. in to the outer ring of those distin- enough to get all of your money out of In a day when some might question guished United States Senators and it, it would go to your estate. the morality of public service, the ci- would stand and watch and listen. Sen- How is it invested? By private inves- vility of public service, the genuine- ator Hruska would never fail to intro- tors, similar to the Federal savings ness of public service, and the goodness duce me to his colleagues and make me program. Once a year, members get a of public service, they did not know feel not only welcome but a part of sheet of paper asking how they would Senator Roman Hruska. Senator Government, a part of what he was like this invested. The choice would be Hruska was one of 11 children, born in doing. in equities, bonds, or in a combination David City, NE, 94 years ago. His father The dignity that Senator Hruska of the two. So members would choose had emigrated from Czechoslovakia, brought to his service is something one of those options. It is invested for and moved his family to Omaha where well remembered by not just those of you—not invested, as the President has he felt they would have a better oppor- us who were privileged to have some suggested, where he takes trillions of tunity to get an education and a better relationship but all who served with dollars and has the Government invest opportunity for a better life. Senator Hruska. He made this body a it. Then the Government would basi- Senator Hruska’s father was a teach- better body. He made America strong- cally control the marketplace. None of er. Senator Hruska went on through er. He believed in things. us want that. public schools in Nebraska, attended a Senator Hruska did not believe in Personal ownership, it seems to me, number of graduate schools, the Uni- governance by way of calibration of the ensures that the Federal Government versity of Chicago, and obtained his polls. You knew where Senator Hruska can’t come back later and reduce your law degree in Nebraska. He started a was and why. He was always a gen- benefits. That is a way to secure those law practice in south Omaha. tleman—always a gentleman. He would dollars. They are not then in the Gov- When there became a vacancy on the debate the issues straight up. He won ernment ready to be spent for some Douglas County board of commis- most of the time; he lost his share. But other reason. sioners in Omaha, NE, his fellow citi- the relationships that Senator Hruska Depending on your view about the zens came to him and said, ‘‘Will you developed and the respect that under- size of government—and there is a le- serve for one term?’’ That one term pinned his service is rather uncommon. gitimate difference between those who began in 1944. We are all better for it. America is are more conservative and those who A year later, he became chairman of stronger for it. Nebraska loses a very are more liberal. There are always the Douglas County board of commis- wise counselor. America loses a great ways to spend more money. To control sioners, and until 1952 he served the public servant. the size of government, as has been our Greater Omaha area and the State of When I ran for the Senate in 1996, one goal over the last number of years, you Nebraska with great distinction. of the first people I went to see was can’t have a lot of surplus money lying In 1952, a House seat opened up. It Senator Hruska. The advice he gave me around or else it is simply spent and was the seat of Howard Buffett. Mr. was consistent with his service and his

VerDate jul 14 2003 10:57 Sep 29, 2004 Jkt 069102 PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 0686 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR99\S26AP9.000 S26AP9 7368 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE April 26, 1999 life. He said, ‘‘Chuck, I would not feel We ought to be working together. It traits of a good public servant. He was competent to judge or give you counsel would be a happier day. But, unfortu- selfless, a man of integrity and char- on the issues of our day, but I will tell nately, here we go again. The down- acter, and someone who was committed you this: Play it straight, say it town crowd thinks they can embellish to helping others. straight, respect your colleagues and a computer glitch problem into a re- I had the pleasure of serving with respect yourself, but most important, form of the State tort laws with re- Roman during his entire service in the respect the institution of the U.S. Con- spect to joint and several liability, pu- U.S. Senate. He and I were both Mem- gress and always understand the high nitive damages, and everything else. As bers of the class of 1954. privilege it is to be part of that great a result, it is a nonstarter. It is my hope that others will be in- body.’’ Like last week, the folks thought it spired by Roman’s commitment to pub- He was much too modest to go be- would be good, since the President lic service and helping others. He was a yond what he gave me as good, solid said, ‘‘I’m going to save 62 percent for good man who will be missed by a large advice on issues, but I can tell you that Social Security,’’ they one- circle of friends in and out of the Sen- on the big issues over the last 3 years, upmanshipped and said, ‘‘We’ll save 100 ate. not only I, but many of my colleagues, percent,’’ knowing all along the 100 f have constantly gone back to Roman percent going to pay down the debt was ARCTIC NATIONAL WILDLIFE Hruska and asked for his judgment and coming from Social Security, increas- REFUGE his thoughts. ing the debt on Social Security, there- He will be greatly missed. I say to by savaging, not saving, the fund. But Mr. JEFFORDS. Mr. President, I rise Senator HOLLINGS, I will leave these re- so it goes. today in support of legislation intro- marks on behalf of your former col- We do miss Senator Hruska. Mostly duced by Senator ROTH that would per- league and friend and my friend, Sen- we miss his habits and his leadership manently protect the Arctic National ator Roman Hruska, by referring to and his balance in service. I think more Wildlife Refuge. The fate of the Arctic Senator Hruska the way your former than the balanced budget, what we Refuge has been one of the highest pro- colleague, Everett Dirksen, once re- need is balanced Senators. file natural resources issues of the past ferred to Roman Hruska, and that is: A With that, I yield the floor for a bal- 20 years and will continue to be a key salute to the noblest Roman of them anced Senator, the distinguished Sen- issue in the environmental debate. The all—Roman Hruska. ator from Arizona. Refuge is one of the last unspoiled wil- Mr. HOLLINGS. Mr. President, the Mr. MCCAIN addressed the Chair. derness areas in the United States, and distinguished Senator from Nebraska, The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- is most often referred to as the ‘‘bio- Mr. HAGEL, reminds me of a happier ator from Arizona. logical heart’’ of Alaska and ‘‘Amer- day. I say a happier day most sincerely Mr. MCCAIN. Mr. President, I lis- ica’s Serengeti.’’ in the sense that we had not become tened with interest to the comments of The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge subject to all the consultants, all the the Senator from Nebraska about the is the only place in the United States pollsters to the point whereby today, late Senator Roman Hruska. There is where a full range of sub-arctic and in large measure, we more or less are something unique about Nebraska. arctic ecosystems are protected in one marionettes to the consultants’ hot- There has been a long line of out- unbroken stretch of land. This 1.5 mil- button items and issues and not the standing Senators to represent that lion acre coastal plain is home to a needs of the people. State on both sides of the aisle. I know vast number of species including arctic There was a tremendous respect on my colleagues and I appreciate very foxes, musk oxen, wolves, polar and both sides of the aisle. I was elected in much both of our Senators from Ne- grizzly bears, wolverines, and more 1966. At that time, Senator Hruska was braska, and they have carried on the than 135 varieties of birds. The area is the ranking member of the Senate Ju- tradition of Senator Curtis and Sen- also the main calving ground for the diciary Committee and Senator Jim ator Hruska for honesty and integrity 120,000 head porcupine caribou herd, Eastland of Mississippi served as chair- and a forthright addressing of the which migrates each spring to feed on man. I remember the various measures issues. the vegetation found there. that went before the Judiciary Com- I know Senator Hruska is proud of In the summer of 1997, I traveled to mittee for debate and action were Senator HAGEL, as Senator HAGEL and the refuge and was able to see first those bills that were agreed upon by the rest of us who had the privilege of hand how beautiful and important this Senator Hruska and Senator Eastland. knowing Senator Hruska appreciate land is to both Alaska and the Nation. Senator Hruska was a profound law- him and his service for 22 years in the As part of a Senate delegation, I vis- yer, and I say that advisedly in the Senate—a very long time. ited the port of Valdez, where oil is sense of a little quibble. Everybody I agree with the comments of my old, loaded onto tankers, and I traveled will remember or the media friends dear friend from South Carolina that along the pipeline that brings oil from will remember when we were trying to we do need more balance in the Senate. the north. I also flew over the refuge nominate a Supreme Court Justice, He and I occasionally find ourselves on itself, including the Mollie Beattie Wil- that maybe he was not a graduate of different sides of an issue, as we do on derness. I was astounded by the natural Harvard and, therefore, sort of what this one. But our disagreements have beauty of this area that is home to they would call ‘‘mediocre talent.’’ been characterized with mutual respect such variety of plants and animals that That nettled the Senator from Ne- and appreciation. And frankly, I enjoy rely on the delicate balance that exists braska and he said, ‘‘Well, there are a the debates I have had over the years in this pristine wilderness. I also vis- lot of people in the land and a lot of with the Senator from South Carolina ited a number of native communities lawyers of mediocre talent and maybe because he marshals his audience, and along the North Slope and spoke to the they need representation on the not only that, he from time to time in- inhabitants about their life in this Court.’’ jects a degree of humor that illumi- unique environment that they depend I remember him as a very erudite nates as well as elevates the debate. on for both their cultural identity and counsel who worked on these measures Mr. THURMOND. Mr. President, I their survival. As a nation we must seriously and with purpose and was rise today to pay tribute to former U.S. continue to protect this vital eco- most respected. He has been a loss, I Senator Roman Hruska, who served system and work to bring good jobs, say to Senator HAGEL. He has been Nebraska and our Nation with honor, education, and health care to these na- missed over the many years because he dignity and ability for 22 years in the tive communities. held the line. We deliberated in a bipar- U.S. Senate, from 1954 to 1976. I continue to believe that the United tisan fashion, and he contributed to I join my colleagues in mourning the States dependence on oil and its by- that bipartisan leadership which is so passing of Roman Hruska. Roman was products cannot overshadow the impor- lacking today. a man who embodied all the positive tance of keeping ANWR free from the

VerDate jul 14 2003 10:57 Sep 29, 2004 Jkt 069102 PO 00000 Frm 00012 Fmt 0686 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR99\S26AP9.000 S26AP9