October 9, 1998 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S12217 already indicated he will veto the mod- But by failing to account for them THE PROCLAMATION OF SEPTEM- est tax-relief bill approved by the when he submitted his original budget BER 18, 1998 AS POW/MIA REC- House, and we do not have the votes to in February, President Clinton was OGNITION DAY FOR THE STATE reach the two-thirds majority that it able to inflate spending on other pro- OF NEVADA would take to override a veto. So dis- grams and claim that his budget still ∑ Mr. REID. Mr. President, recently, cussion of tax relief is really academic fell within the constraints of last Governor Miller of Nevada, in support this year. year’s budget agreement. Now, the of the National League of Families of Aside from tax relief, the surplus President wants all of this declared American Prisoners and Missing in gives us a chance to pay down the na- emergency spending so that it does not Southeast Asia, proclaimed September tional debt. Less federal borrowing have to be offset elsewhere in the budg- 18, 1998 as POW/MIA Recognition Day frees up funds for businesses and con- et. The reality is that he wants to raid in the state of Nevada. I am pleased to sumers, and as I indicated earlier in the Social Security surplus to pay for declare before the Senate my strong my remarks, that has already led to these other things. support for this proclamation. lower interest rates. Further reduc- Many Americans will ask what hap- The proclamation reads as follows: tions in the debt would continue that pened to the pledge President Clinton Whereas today there are 2,118 Americans virtuous cycle. Moreover, it seems to made in his State of the Union Address still missing and unaccounted for from me that we have a moral obligation to earlier this year. That was when he Southeast Asia, including 3 from the State of relieve our children and grandchildren looked the American people squarely Nevada, and their families, friends, and fel- of some of the burden of paying off the in the eye and said: low veterans still endure uncertainty con- cerning their fate; and debt that our generation has accrued. I propose that we reserve 100 percent of the Another option is to use the budget Whereas we as Americans believe that free- surplus—that is every penny of any surplus— dom is precious because it has been won and surplus for Social Security. We all rec- until we have taken all the necessary meas- preserved for all at a very great cost; and ognize the huge costs that will be asso- ures to strengthen the Social Security sys- Whereas few Americans can more fully ap- ciated with getting back to what most tem for the 21st century. preciate the value of liberty and self-govern- people thought Social Security was Eight months have passed, and the ment than those Americans who were in- supposed to be—a safe and secure ac- President has yet to send us any plan terned in enemy prison camps as POWs and those who remain missing in action; and count where their contributions could to protect Social Security. Worse yet, be deposited and where they could grow Whereas the courage, commitment, and de- while publicly claiming to try to pro- votion to duty demonstrated by those serv- to produce a nest egg for retirement. tect the surplus for Social Security, he icemen and women who risked their lives for Applying the budget surplus toward has already been out drawing it down our sake has moved the hearts of all Nevad- those transition costs will make it for other programs. The House-ap- ans; and much easier to make the required proved tax-relief bill that the Presi- Whereas, their dignity, faith, and valor re- minds us of the allegiance we owe to our na- changes and ensure that Social Secu- dent has criticized would use only $6.6 rity is there for our children and tion and its defenders as well as the compas- billion of the budget surplus for tax re- sion we owe to those families of the MIAs grandchildren. lief next year. That compares to the $20 And of course, the surplus we have in who daily demonstrate heroic courage and billion or more of the surplus that the fortitude in the face of uncertainty; the unified federal budget really exists President wants to spend on other pro- Now, therefore, I, Bob Miller, Governor of only as a result of the surplus that So- grams. the State of Nevada, do hereby proclaim Sep- cial Security generates anyway. Take If it is wrong to use part of the sur- tember 18, 1998, as POW/MIA Recognition Social Security out of the calculation Day. plus for tax relief, is it not wrong to and the federal budget would show not Mr. President, it is of paramount impor- spend at least three times as much on a surplus of $70 billion, but a deficit tance that we continue to demand a full ac- government programs? It seems to me counting of our servicemen and women in somewhere in the range of $30 billion. that this is just another example of the foreign countries, in full respect and ac- Mr. President, there is some merit in knowledgment of their unremitting courage each of these ideas: tax relief, debt re- President trying to have it both ways. Mr. President, it is too bad we did and dedication in placing their lives on the payment, and Social Security reform. line as members of the United States Armed The problem is, before we can even not achieve any consensus about what Forces. begin the debate about which of these to do with the budget surplus this year, The importance of this issue cannot be options is best, the budget surplus is because, by default, as of October 1, overstated. The sacrifices of these brave men being steadily frittered away. any surplus automatically went to re- and women must never be forgotten, and we Earlier this year, Congress, at the duce the national debt. If we are really must continue to strive to account for every one of our missing service members. A full Clinton administration’s behest, dipped serious about protecting Social Secu- rity, as to future surpluses, we should accounting of our missing Americans is abso- into the surplus, spending about $6 bil- lutely essential, not only for our armed serv- lion on a variety of programs. Within wall off the Social Security surplus so ices personnel but for their families and our the next day or two, action is expected that it cannot be spent on other pro- nation. Similarly, we must see that they, on another Clinton request to draw grams—not by the President, not by like all our other veterans, are forever recog- down the surplus by at least another Congress. nized for the duty they performed so val- $14 billion—with not a dime going to The Senator from Texas, Senator iantly when our country needed them. Social Security. We are talking about GRAMM, has one idea about how to do It is with these convictions that I support that. As I understand it, funds would be this proclamation, establishing a Recogni- the President’s request to spend bil- tion Day for those who so fully deserve our invested in genuine assets, not just lions of dollars of the surplus on Bos- reciprocal dedication.∑ nia, embassy security, farm aid, and government IOUs, under the super- f the Year 2000 computer problem. vision of the Federal Reserve. The Of course, funding requirements for money would be off-limits to Congress HONORING ALEXANDER C. Bosnia and these other needs were cer- and the President, and when Congress SCHLEHR tainly foreseeable and could have been and the President agree on a plan to ∑ Mr. D’AMATO. Mr. President, I rise accounted for when the President sent save Social Security, it could be put to to pay tribute to the young men and his budget to Congress eight months use for the purpose for which it was women that served bravely in the ago. After all, troops have been de- collected. United States military during WWI, ployed in Bosnia since 1995, and last In addition to protecting the Social and to one veteran in particular, Alex- year, the President extended their de- Security surplus, in my opinion, we ander C. Schlehr. Mr. Schlehr, of Buf- ployment there indefinitely. The need should provide broad-based tax relief to falo, NY, is one of only 1,800 living vet- to beef up embassy security was the American people with any other erans of this war. He courageously brought up months ago, and we have surplus. It is, after all, their hard work lived through the perils of European known about the Year 2000 computer and their tax payments that have cre- trench warfare and served his country problem for some time. None of these ated the surplus we enjoy today. We honorably. things should have come as a surprise ought to return any excess revenue to Due to his strong desire to assist his to the White House or anyone else. the people who earned it and paid it.∑ country in the war effort, Alexander S12218 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE October 9, 1998 enlisted in the army at the young age Larry Doby, and the essential fairness Dodgers pitching coach Red Adams, who of 19. Immediately, he was incor- of our American spirit, that at age 94, fashioned him into the durable and skillful porated into 59th Pioneer Infantry, Sam Lacy was recognized for his pitcher who would win 15 or more games 12 later to be known as the Corps of Engi- unique contribution to journalism and times and finish his career ranked fifth all- time with 3,574 strikeouts. neers. Even before Alex’s infantry land- baseball. Mr. President, I am most ‘‘No person ever meant more to my career ed in France, the boat on which he was pleased to take this opportunity to than Red Adams,’’ Sutton said. ‘‘Without traveling was attacked by enemy tor- congratulate Sam Lacy personally for him, I would not be standing in Cooperstown pedoes. Thus, he has experienced all as- his induction into the Hall of Fame and today.’’ pects of warfare, both on the sea and in for his distinguished and exceptional There weren’t a lot of dry eyes when Sut- the trenches of France and in the Ar- contribution to sports journalism. In ton finally pointed out his 20-month-old gonne forest. For his patriotic and he- honoring him, we also pay tribute to daughter Jacqueline, who was born 16 weeks premature and given little chance to survive, roic service, Schlehr has been awarded those great players of the past and and credited her with bringing his life and a WWI medal with three Battle Stars present who have given so much to the career into perspective. and is currently being reviewed for the sport of baseball. ‘‘Thanks, little girl, for sticking around to French ‘‘Legion of Honor’’ medal. He is I ask that several articles from the be part of this. You make it perfect,’’ said also considered a local hero. His serv- Baltimore Afro-American, which pro- Sutton, 53. ‘‘I’m a very blessed man. I have ice has been exalted in his local news- vided the forum for Sam’s journalistic my health. I’m part of a family that I love to paper, the Amherst Bee, and has been offerings, and the Baltimore Sun be be a part of. I’ve had a dream come true that is a validation of what my father taught me recognized by local and top govern- printed in the RECORD. The articles follow: a long time ago. You can have a dream and ment officials, all of whom contacted if you’re willing to work for it, it can come him on his 100th birthday. [From the Baltimore Sun, July 27, 1998] true. With apologies to Lou Gehrig, I’m the Yet, Alexander Schlehr’s desire to DIVERSE PATHS CROSS AT HALL luckiest man on the face of the earth. I have serve his country did not end at the PIONEERS DOBY, LACY SHARE DAIS WITH SUTTON everything in life I ever wanted.’’ close of the war. When the war ended, ON INDUCTION DAY The makeup of the group of honorees clear- Schlehr graciously helped in handling (By Peter Schmuck) ly reflected the great progress that base- ball—and society—has made during the half- the personal belongings of discharged COOPERSTOWN, N.Y.—They came from dif- officers. He has raised four children, century since Robinson broke through base- ferent places. Different backgrounds. Dif- ball’s color barrier in 1947. one of which has served the United ferent eras. Doby would soon join Robinson in the States in wartime as well, and pros- Don Sutton, the son of a tenant farmer, major leagues, helping fulfill the dream that pered as a successful business man. won 324 games and was one of the most Lacy had articulated in countless newspaper Furthermore, he has received numer- steady and consistent pitchers of his genera- columns in the 1930s and early 1940s—a ous awards and recognitions denoting tion. dream that sill seemed very distant when Larry Doby, the brilliant young Negro Rogan ended his playing career in 1938. his sixty years of service in the Amer- leagues outfielder who followed closely in ican Legion and the Commandeers. Jarrin would forge a link to the Latino com- the footsteps of Jackie Robinson, hit 253 munity in Los Angeles a decade later and I feel it is my duty to recognize the major-league home runs, but is better known outstanding service Alexander Schlehr emerge as the voice of baseball to millions of as the first black player in the American Hispanic baseball fans in the United States has given to this country during his 101 League. and Latin America. years of life. He is an example for all Sam Lacy, the sports editor and columnist Lacy, 94, gave the crowd a start when he Americans through his selfless and for the Baltimore Afro-American these past stumbled and fell on his way to the podium, courageous actions. I thank him for his 54 years, crusaded for the inclusion of black but he collected himself and delivered a players in the major leagues and, yesterday, dedication to our country and wish him poignant, humorous speech that included a was included in the large class that was in- call to more fully acknowledge the history a Happy 102nd Birthday this coming ducted into Baseball’s Hall of Fame. spring. and contributions of the black press. ∑ The Class of ’98 also included longtime ‘‘I hope that my presence here . . . will f baseball executive Lee MacPhail, turn-of- impress on the American public that the the-century star George Davis, Negro TRIBUTE TO SAM LACY Negro press has a role that is recognized and leagues pitcher Joe Rogan and Spanish-lan- honored,’’ Lacy said. ∑ Mr. SARBANES. Mr. President, it is guage broadcaster Jaime Jarrin, all of them Doby also gave a stirring acceptance a singular privilege for me to rise and honored during an emotional 11⁄2-hour induc- speech, recounting a career that began with acknowledge that this past summer tion ceremony on the lawn of the Clark the four years he spent with the Newark Ea- Sam Lacy, one of the giants of Amer- Sports Center on the outskirts of Coopers- gles of the Negro leagues and took a historic town. turn when Cleveland Indians owner Bill ican sports journalism, was inducted It was Sutton who tugged hardest on the into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Coop- Veeck purchased his contract and brought heartstrings of the estimated crowd of 6,000 him right to the majors on July 5, 1947. erstown, New York on July 26. Sam with an elegant 20-minute acceptance speech ‘‘Everything I have and my family has got Lacy, like Baltimore’s great civil that traced his career from the uncut base- has come from baseball,’’ he said. ‘‘If some- rights leaders Thurgood Marshall and ball fields of the rural South to the stage one had told me 50 years ago that I would be Clarence Mitchell, Jr., was a pioneer in where he stood in front of 33 past Hall of here today, I would not have believed it.’’ the great struggle to expand the par- Fame inductees to see his plaque unveiled. Pressed later for details of indignities he ‘‘I’ve wanted this for over 40 years,’’ he ticipation of all Americans in our na- suffered as one of the pioneer black players, said, ‘‘so why am I standing here shaking he responded without rancor or bitterness. tional life. The path he chose, however, like a leaf? Probably because I’m standing in was not the corridors of legal or politi- ‘‘It’s a tough thing to look back and think front of these wonderful artists of our game. about things that were probably negative,’’ cal power, nor the streets and side- If you can’t feel the aura when you walk said Doby. ‘‘You put those things on the walks of protest, but rather the silent through the Hall of Fame, check tomorrow’s back burner. You’re proud to have played a and eloquent power of his pen. obituary column . . . because you’re in it.’’ part in the integration of baseball. I feel this His career in journalism, which Sutton thanked his father for the work is the proof that we all can work together, spanned over 50 years, began in the ethic that carried him through 23 major- live together and be successful together.’’ throes of a segregated society which league seasons. He lovingly acknowledged his late mother, Lillian, his wife, Mary, and deprived talented athletes of color the [From the Baltimore Afro-American, Aug. 1, his children. 1998] right to give their best in the field of He thanked Hall of Fame teammates LACY: A MAN WHO STANDS FOR SOMETHING competition. Sam Lacy, using his gift Sandy Koufax and the late Don Drysdale, AND FALLS FOR NOTHING of writing combined with a pleasant who inadvertently ushered him into the but persistent demeanor, helped to major leagues with their dual contract hold- (By Tony White) break down these barriers thereby en- out in 1966, then guided him through his first There’s an old saying that goes: ‘‘If you riching immeasurably the quality and season. He thanked the late Dodgers man- don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for equality of our revered ‘‘National Pas- ager Walter Alston, who took a chance on anything.’’ Sam Lacy has literally made a him in his youth, and former Angels man- career out of taking stands. time.’’ ager Gene Mauch, who stuck with him in the Over the course of his writing career that It is a tribute to the talent and deter- latter stages of his career. spans seven decades, Mr. Lacy has taken one mination of Sam Lacy and that of But he saved the most credit for his even- stand after another. Some were popular, oth- baseball pioneers Jackie Robinson and tual Hall of Fame induction for longtime ers met staunch opposition. As a tribute to