Extensions of Remarks E2265 EXTENSIONS of REMARKS
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October 21, 1998 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD Ð Extensions of Remarks E2265 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS TRIBUTE TO THE LATE CONGRESS- Republican Chairman JOHN BOEHNER either 1990's McCarthyism is a way of life for the MAN, GARRY BROWN, 1923-1998 themselves called or instructed others to call Republican party. Light must be shed on it member companies of the Electronics Alliance and it must be stopped. HON. FRED UPTON Industry (EIA) and demand that EIA break its Let me provide another example about how this Congress is punishing people for being OF MICHIGAN contract with former Democratic Congressman Dave McCurdy and hire a Republican as its Democrats or having the audacity to hire IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES new president. In case that was not sufficient Democrats to work for them. Last week Chair- Tuesday, October 20, 1998 warning, the Republican leadership then re- man JOE BARTON of the Oversight and Inves- Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, many of you may moved legislation to implement the World In- tigations Subcommittee of the Commerce not have heard of the passing a few weeks tellectual Property Organization Act from the Committee, came to the floor to announce that ago of our former colleague, Congressman floor schedule and told EIA it was to ``send a he intended to refer to the Justice Department Garry Brown, who represented southwest message'' that McCurdy and other Democrats for further ``investigation'' his allegations that Michigan. Through more than a decade of were not welcome in Republican leadership certain highly connected Democrats and service in the House of Representatives, offices. EIA stood up to the pressure, but Democratic supporters had lied under oath at Garry Brown will be remembered as an am- some member companies now are talking subcommittee hearings, paid illegal contin- bassador from a more genteel era of politics. about leaving the association to set up a more gency fees for government leases and con- Brown served six terms in the U.S. House Republican-acceptable one. spired to commit all manner of mayhem in vio- of Representatives, from 1966 to 1978, where This is not new. Since 1995, Representative lation of the federal conspiracy statute. he was known for his hard work and solid DELAY has been threatening trade associa- Chairman BARTON also demanded that the command of the issues. Brown's personal tions, law firms and lobbying groups to remove General Services Administration ``take imme- foundation was rooted in his high ethical Democrats from top jobs and replace them diate steps''Ðapparently without going through proper legal channels and by breaching a standards. His belief that Members could re- with Republicans. To see him, Representative valid contractÐto get back all the rent it has main close friends while disagreeing over the DELAY told one company, ``you have to hire a paid for the Portalls II building, the new head- issues helped carry him through some of the Republican.'' As Representative BILL PAXON quarters into which the Federal Communica- most difficult times in our Nation's history. said, Democrats are ``the enemy'' and should tions Commission will begin moving next His service to his Nation was not limited to not be supported. [``Speaker and His Directors week. Chairman BARTON also wants the GSA the House. Preceding his congressional ca- Make the Cash Flow Right,'' Washington Post, to recover all fees paid to Washington lawyers reer, Brown was a brave member of our Nov. 27, 1995.] Apparently, the Republican by one of the partners in that development. armed services during the Second World War leadership no longer believe in a robust two- Exactly how this is to be done legally is quite in Japan. After the war, he worked for the FBI party system. unclear, particularly since on October 7, 1998, before he came home to Schoolcraft, MI, to In many countries in the world, the actions GSA issued a ``lease status'' letter indicating enter State politics. A delegate to the Michigan of the Republican majority would be routine behavior. Persons affiliated with the ruling dic- that the government was not aware of any Constitutional Convention, he played a major ``defense to its obligations under the Lease.'' role in crafting the present State constitution. tator or party and its henchmen get good pri- vate and public jobs for themselves and their The chairman did not further enlighten us. Later in life, Garry Brown returned to his The special order appeared to be a last- families; special deals when public businesses farm in Schoolcraft, MI, where he spoke of the minute, cheap shot bid for press attentionÐ are ``privatized''; and many other luxuries. pride and joy he gained in his role as an elder and speech-and-debate protectionÐfor old, statesman. He will be remembered as the Several billionaires were made in Mexico over unproven allegations and an investigation that gentleman from Michigan in every sense of the past decade because of such affiliations has drilled a dry hole. There is no report nor the word. He led his life with dignity, served with the ruling partyÐthe PRI. Dissidents in is a referral letter yet written. One must ques- his community with respect, and lived with a the former Soviet Union and its satellite states tion why a subcommittee chairman needs to profound love for his country. were denied the right to work at their chosen go to the floor to give instructions to his staff. Mr. Speaker, please join me in sending my professions because of their political views. In More importantly, this referral is not based condolences to his daughter, Ms. Frances the Congo, the right to work at all under on credible evidence but is an attempt to pun- Brown, and to all of Gerry's family and friends. former dictator Mobutu often depended on po- ish private persons who happen to be Demo- Congressman Garry Eldridge Brown will be litical party affiliation. The right to work and crats by forcing them to go through months of sorely missed by us all. speak in China today can depend upon a per- additional investigations when the Subcommit- f son's political views. Indonesia, Malaysia . tee's own work failed to uncover any criminal I could go on and on. wrongdoing. Attorneys' fees to defend against ATTEMPTS TO BLACKLIST PEOPLE From our vaunted and privileged perch in a continuing string of unsuccessful investiga- BECAUSE OF DEMOCRATIC what is still the world's greatest democracy, tions can be used quite easily to cripple indi- PARTY AFFILIATION we call these countries and their leaders ``cor- viduals with different political views. As much rupt,'' ``backward,` and ``undemocratic.'' We was threatened at the Subcommittee's Octo- HON. RON KLINK decry the ``inefficiencies'' that result from such ber 6, 1998, hearing. In his opening state- OF PENNSYLVANIA interferences with individual and corporate ment, Committee Chairman BLILEY told the IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES freedoms. We spend millions of dollars every witnesses that he believed that their behavior year to bring the message of our ``democracy'' Tuesday, October 20, 1998 was ``wrong,'' and that ``if they continue down to the benighted of the world. But unfortu- the path of evasion and avoidance, they Mr. KLINK. Mr. Speaker, there was a time nately, in the Congress of the United States, should know the consequences will be far when people were blacklisted from jobs be- the majority party too is now imposing the lit- greater.'' (emphasis added) cause of alleged affiliation with the Communist mus test of party affiliation to reward or punish Chairman BLILEY stated that the witnesses' Party. Today, attempts are being made to our citizens. The Republicans are using party previous testimony, in which they denied any blacklist people because of their affiliation with affiliation to determine who has the right to pe- wrongdoing, raised ``serious questions about the Democratic Party. tition the government. The sacred constitu- whether these men intended to mislead the How do they do that in our democratic sys- tional rights of free speech and association Committee.'' He claimed the Subcommittee tem? Through direct threats to employers' and the right to freely contract for goods and had ``other testimony and evidence'' that pocketbooks. According to Roll Call, the services no longer exist if you are registered should cast ``significant doubt'' on their expla- Washington Post, and the New York Times, as a Democrat. In fact, you may be sum- nations. But, as staff and members already Speaker GINGRICH, Majority Leader RICHARD moned before a Congressional Committee to knew, there was no new testimony or evi- ARMEY, Majority Whip TOM DELAY and House explain all of your business dealings. This new dence to be presented at that hearing or the · This ``bullet'' symbol identifies statements or insertions which are not spoken by a Member of the Senate on the floor. Matter set in this typeface indicates words inserted or appended, rather than spoken, by a Member of the House on the floor. E2266 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD Ð Extensions of Remarks October 21, 1998 following hearing on October 9. In fact, on Oc- company, lost their jobs. Personal reputations with chief executives of Democratic leaningÐ tober 9, witnesses from two government agen- were damaged. Private individuals amassed who agree to do business with the govern- cies denied that any misconduct had occurred, huge legal fees; and the taxpayer will probably ment take no steps to understand the busi- confirming statements that they had made to never benefit from the $33 million invested in ness or the risks involved before they invest staff months before. Nonetheless, Chairman the technology. No report was ever written: no their funds. ``Due diligence'' by Democratic BLILEY complained again about what he apologies were ever made by the Republican business peopleÐespecially if it involves hun- viewed as ``implausible stories and expla- accusers or those who leaked negative stories dreds of millions of dollarsÐis forbidden.