Congressional Record—Senate

S14 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE January 7, 1997 demand that we move forward. I do not Minnesota for his cooperation this Resolved, that the U.S. Senate congratu- think there is any doubt about it. afternoon. He feels very, very strongly lates the Honorable Robert C. Byrd, the sen- I urge my friend from Minnesota to about this issue and has confirmed that ior Senator from West Virginia, for his 50 let the Senate move forward on this years of public service to the people of West again in a colloquy over the last half Virginia and to the United States of Amer- day, this very important day, before we hour. I appreciate very much his re- ica. have to start calling people back here solve and intend to work with him very SEC. 2. The Secretary of the Senate shall and going into quorum calls and that carefully and closely to see that we ex- transmit a copy of this resolution to Senator kind of thing. This is, if I may say in peditiously consider this very impor- Robert C. Byrd. all due respect to my friend from Min- tant legislation. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without nesota, not appropriate on this day. I Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, did the objection, the resolution is agreed to. urge my friend from Minnesota allow Chair rule that the unanimous-consent The resolution (S. Res. 7) was agreed the Senate to move forward, again, re- request was approved? to. emphasizing my commitment to him The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I want to that we will move forward in a bipar- unanimous-consent request has been heartily endorse this resolution. I tisan fashion on this compelling issue. approved. thank the people of West Virginia for Mr. DASCHLE. I suggest the absence The concurrent resolution (S. Con. electing Senator ROBERT C. BYRD to of a quorum. Res. 3) was agreed to, as follows: these many offices, both in West Vir- Mr. WELLSTONE. Could I ask my ginia and here in the U.S. Senate. He is S. CON. RES. 3 colleague from Arizona—I do not think truly a monumental Senator in terms Resolved by the Senate (the House of Rep- it puts him on the spot—I have no resentatives concurring), That when the Sen- of importance and perspective in the question about his commitment or the ate recesses or adjourns on Thursday, Janu- history of the Senate. I sat here in my commitment of any number of other ary 9, 1997, pursuant to a motion made by the chair a month ago and listened to Sen- Senators. I find it puzzling that the Majority Leader or his designee, in accord- ator BYRD speak to the new Senators only thing I asked for today—because I ance with the provisions of this resolution, it about this institution, about its his- do have a real fear this is just going to stand recessed or adjourned until 12:00 noon tory and the importance of it and the get put off and we are not going to on Tuesday, January 21, 1997, or until such significance that it has played in the take action—the only thing I asked for, time on that day as may be specified by the role of this country. It was extremely Majority Leader or his designee in the mo- interesting and, also, in some respects, and maybe my colleague did not hear tion to recess or adjourn, or until 12:00 noon this, was a commitment from the lead- on the second day after Members are notified intimidating because he made us aware ership to do everything possible, I used to reassemble pursuant to section 2 of this of what an awesome responsibility we that word, and I started with 100 days, concurrent resolution; and that when the have here in the U.S. Senate. I enjoyed within 4 months, and get a bill on the House adjourns on Thursday, January 9, 1997, it thoroughly. floor. That is all I ask for. it stand adjourned until 10:00 a.m. on Mon- I appreciate his friendship. I have I think it would be very important to day, January 20, 1997; that when the House found that he is one that you can go to get that kind of a leadership commit- adjourns on Monday, January 20, 1997, it for counsel and for advice. Even some- ment. stand adjourned until 12:00 noon on Tuesday, times when he does not agree with Mr. DASCHLE. Mr. President, I had January 21, 1997; and that when the House what you are trying to do, he will give adjourns on Tuesday, January 21, 1997, it you a straight answer as to what you suggested the absence of quorum. I stand adjourned until 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, think we need to have the oppor- February 4, 1997, or until 12:00 noon on the could do under the rules. He has a tunity—— second day after Members are notified to re- lighter side you don’t always see here, The PRESIDING OFFICER. Does the assemble pursuant to section 2 of this con- but we know he has been seen playing majority leader yield? current resolution. a little fiddle and talking about Billy Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I join the SEC. 2. The Majority Leader of the Senate Byrd, his dog. He is quite a Senator. distinguished Democratic leader in and the Speaker of the House, acting jointly We appreciate so much his contribu- suggesting the absence of a quorum. after consultation with the Minority Leader tion to this institution. I am delighted The PRESIDING OFFICER. The of the Senate and the Minority Leader of the that we are doing this resolution recog- clerk will call the roll. House, shall notify the Members of the Sen- ate and the House, respectively, to reassem- nizing his 50 years of outstanding serv- The assistant legislative clerk called ble whenever, in their opinion, the public in- ice to West Virginia and the United the roll. terest shall warrant it. States. Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I ask unan- Mr. DASCHLE addressed the Chair. imous consent that the order for the f The PRESIDING OFFICER. The quorum call be rescinded. COMMENDING SENATOR ROBERT C. Democratic leader is recognized. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without BYRD FOR HIS YEARS OF PUB- Mr. DASCHLE. Mr. President, tomor- objection, it is so ordered. LIC SERVICE row marks the momentous day in the Mr. WELLSTONE. Mr. President, I Mr. DASCHLE. Mr. President, I send life and career of one of this Chamber’s have listened to my three colleagues, a resolution to the desk commending most esteemed and respected Members. and having been sworn in today I un- Senator ROBERT C. BYRD for his years Fifty years ago, on January 8, 1947, derstand their point about the occa- of public service, that the clerk read ROBERT C. BYRD took his seat in the sion. So what I want to do, in the spirit the resolution, that upon its reading, it West Virginia State Legislature, thus of the special day today, I withdraw be agreed to and the motion to recon- beginning a remarkable half century of my objection, but I want to go on sider be laid upon the table. public service. I have quite an exten- record, I am going on record today that The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. sive statement that I wish to make fol- I am going to have the same amend- KYL). The clerk will report. lowing the completion of our resolu- ment dealing with our recess in Feb- The legislative clerk read as follows: tion and consideration. I must again ruary if we do not get to work on this. congratulate our distinguished Senator S. RES. 7 We should not be taking a recess in for a remarkable career. We saw an- Whereas, the Honorable Robert C. Byrd has other demonstration of his intellect February if we are not going to take up dutifully and faithfully served the people of this piece of legislation of reform as West Virginia since January 8, 1947; and his institutional memory and the soon as possible, that we are dragging Whereas, for 50 years, he had dedicated remarkable contribution he makes to it out, and I can see what is going to himself to improving the lives and welfare of that just this afternoon as he talked happen. the people of West Virginia and the United about the early days of this Senate and So today I will not object, but I will States, how the President pro tempore was se- come out with a similar initiative, I Whereas, his 50-year commitment to public lected and the length of time it took say to my colleague from Arizona, and service has been one of total dedication to and the degree to which we followed serving the people of his beloved state and to procedure in ensuring that we notify maybe we should be working today and the highest ideals of public service, saying we should not be in recess in Whereas, he has held more legislative of- both the President and the House of February. fices than anyone else in the history of his Representatives in proper order. It was Mr. DASCHLE. Mr. President, let me state, and is the longest serving Senator in a small yet very significant contribu- thank the distinguished Senator from the history of his state: Now, therefore, be it tion to our dialog this morning and,

VerDate Mar 15 2010 21:58 Oct 24, 2013 Jkt 081600 PO 00000 Frm 00014 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\1997SENATE\S07JA7.REC S07JA7 mmaher on DSK5TPTVN1PROD with SOCIALSECURITY January 7, 1997 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S15 again, a reminder of what an invalu- stand back because they know he is the point where he has such accolades able and remarkable Senator ROBERT right. They know he is right. They pushed in his direction every day. C. BYRD is. know he speaks for the U.S. Senate, I know that his first election was an I will have much more to say after which he reveres so much. interesting election, one where, seated we complete our work. I commend him. Let me close by saying that on this often, as I understand, in the West Vir- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without coming Saturday there is going to be a ginia State legislature were many, objection, the resolution is agreed to. statue inside the West Virginia Cap- many people who were running for that The resolution (S. Res. 7) was agreed itol, which is not really much smaller office. Senator BYRD, being the person to. than the one we stand in at the present that he is, decided he needed to be a (Mr. KYL assumed the chair.) moment. It is a statue of Senator little bit different, to kind of stand out Mr. ROCKEFELLER. Mr. President, I BYRD. There is no other statue of any in the crowd, to be elected. So he de- am very, very proud to be a part of this other political person in the West Vir- cided that he would be different from resolution and to thank Senator ROB- ginia State Capitol. There will be a lot the rest. The people would give long ERT C. BYRD on behalf of the people of of people there, and for good reason— speeches telling why they should be West Virginia certainly, but also, because the relationship and the chem- elected to the State legislature. Sen- frankly, the people of the United istry between Senator BYRD and the ator BYRD would get their attention by States and the whole process of order, people of West Virginia is something playing a tune on his fiddle and singing which is the way we govern ourselves. that is profoundly moving and impor- a song. Senator BYRD was elected. I think extraordinary in history, he is tant and refreshing, frankly. Early in his career he decided to run the third Senator to be elected to seven We honor him for serving for 50 for the West Virginia State Senate. 6-year terms—a remarkable accom- years, which means he has been out But, as happens in a lot of States, plishment. amongst the people all this time. He there are kingmakers saying, ‘‘You run The Almanac of American Politics has never changed. The people of West for this, you don’t run for this, this says that ROBERT C. BYRD is the kind Virginia have really never changed. He isn’t the appropriate time to run.’’ of Senator that the Founding Fathers is a man of values speaking to a people Someone who was a national figure had in mind when they, in fact, wrote of values. It is interesting. As he begins thought that there would be other peo- the Constitution about the way the to talk, you see people fall silent. They ple who would be better qualified to Senate ought to be. That should not realize they don’t want to miss what serve in the West Virginia State Legis- come as a surprise to any of us who Senator BYRD might be saying because lature. The great John L. Lewis, presi- know him well. they know it is not going to be trivial We have heard so many times the or political, and it is going to be impor- dent of the Mine Workers, got word to fact of his being a truly self-made per- tant. It is going to have to do with fun- Senator BYRD that he should not run. son, something which his junior col- damental values and the fundamental Of course, we all know now Senator league could not claim in quite the nature of the way this country ought BYRD, and that was the wrong thing to same fashion. But we know that he is to be and the way the State of West say to this man from the hills of West the son of a coal miner, and we know Virginia ought to be. Virginia. He took on the leader of the about the law degree while he was in So I look forward to being with him Mine Workers, someone that literally the House of Representatives. What we this coming Saturday. I join with the brought the country to a standstill. have to keep emphasizing, though, is distinguished majority leader, the But this man could not bring ROBERT what he means not just to the State, Democratic leader, and the distin- BYRD to a standstill. He ran and was not just to the country, but to this in- guished Senator from Nevada in prais- elected. stitution, because more than any other ing and being grateful to my senior col- Everyone knew that this man was person that I have read about in his- league. close to the miners—may not have tory, or know about, he is the con- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- been close to labor, but he was close to science of the Senate. When we have a ator from Nevada. the miners. And he was elected. Mr. REID. Mr. President, I appreciate lack of civility, when we lose our sense Well, his career is outstanding. I can very much the two leaders allowing me of bipartisanship, when there is anger truly say that one of the most pleasant to speak. I can say that it has been on the floor of the Senate, when the moments of my life was when I came to somewhat of an inconvenience for me process breaks down, he grieves. He the Senate some 10 years ago and was to wait until the business of the body notified that I could be on the Appro- grieves not on behalf of himself, but on has been completed before we got to behalf of this thing called ‘‘govern- priations Committee. That, to me, was this matter. But the inconvenience to so memorable that I will never forget ance,’’ which is pretty fundamental for this Senator is so minor compared to the future of our country. I think he it. I have done my best to serve on the the service that has been rendered in Appropriations Committee in a manner worries about that. I know that he this body to the people of West Vir- places the U.S. Senate as a particularly that I think is good for the State of Ne- ginia, and to this country, by the Sen- vada, and hopefully good for the coun- responsible body for what is going to ator from West Virginia, that it is happen to our future and how it will try. One person I look to as an example hardly worth talking about. in that committee has been the person happen. Will it be done in a way that is I am happy to be here to talk about who was chairman, and is now ranking bipartisan and civil—the business of ci- somebody for whom I have great feel- member of that committee, Senator vility in this greatest deliberative body ings. I have served in public office ROBERT C. BYRD. in the world? since 1964. My first public office was 33 I will more or less conclude on this. years ago. During that period of time I I learned early on that the man car- I really think of him in moral terms. have had the good fortune to serve ried in his pocket, as I now do, a copy From time to time, when I give speech- with great men and women, but I can of the United States Constitution. He es, I like to refer to when you are real- honestly say I have never served with carries that Constitution with him, not ly doing your best work, you are fol- the likes of Senator ROBERT C. BYRD. because he probably couldn’t recite to lowing an inner moral compass. I think As far as this Senator is concerned, the Presiding Officer, and to this Sen- that I started talking about that after he is a unique individual. I hope some ator, every word in the Constitution watching Senator BYRD, not only when day that Senator BYRD will complete from memory, if he chose to do so. But I was Governor of West Virginia and what I understand he is working on, I think the reason he carries it there, before, but also here in the U.S. Sen- and that is the story about his life. I next to his heart, is because he believes ate. He really operates out of a moral know a little bit about the life of Sen- the Constitution is as important as any compass. He does what he thinks is ator BYRD. I am an avid history fan, document in this country. right. He has a very strict sense of the and every bit and piece I can find, and We all know the rules that guide this discipline of what ought to happen in have found, about Senator BYRD I have body, and the person that knows them this body. Sometimes he lectures us on tried to comprehend and understand. better than anyone else in this body— that, and sometimes people are briefly With someone of this magnitude, we and probably knows them better than impatient with that, but they always sometimes wonder how he arrived at anyone else in the history of this

VerDate Mar 15 2010 21:58 Oct 24, 2013 Jkt 081600 PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\1997SENATE\S07JA7.REC S07JA7 mmaher on DSK5TPTVN1PROD with SOCIALSECURITY S16 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE January 7, 1997 body—is the Senator from West Vir- Greek. He thanked them for having that over the years, whatever dis- ginia, who we are honoring today with permitted him to live in the age of appointments I bring upon them, I can this resolution. Sophocles. have the opportunity to make amends Mr. President, I had the good fortune Mr. President, I am very thankful for and to support them in the good work to be a member of a delegation that many things. I am thankful for the re- that they do. met in West Virginia with British Par- spect of my colleagues. My colleagues And so I thank all today for the liamentarians. We had the ministers upon more than one occasion—un- privilege and the honor that have been from Great Britain. We had other lead- doubtedly many of them—have been bestowed upon me by the Senators on ers. We met in West Virginia. After angered by things that I have said. I both sides of the aisle. I have also been having been there, I understand some am sure they have been frustrated with very fortunate in having had two good of the songs that come out of West Vir- me from time to time over the many colleagues in these 38 years. I had Sen- ginia, such as, ‘‘The West Virginia hills years. But they have always been for- ator Randolph to begin with and now I where I was born, and all is beautiful giving, understanding, and most con- have Senator ROCKEFELLER, who is a there.’’ siderate. And I thank them. I thank, of very fine colleague. I could not ask for What I am about to tell the Senate, course, the Supreme Governor of the a better colleague than either of them. and even though I was there, I find World for having let me live to serve Senator ROCKEFELLER has been espe- hard to believe. We had some enter- for 50 years the people of West Vir- cially supportive and deferential and tainment, some music—blue-grass ginia. kind to me. And so I have many things, music. It was exciting. They asked The psalmist tells us, ‘‘the days of Mr. President, for which to be grateful. Senator BYRD, ‘‘Tell us a song you our years are threescore years and ten; HARRY REID has impressed me in the would like to hear.’’ And he said, and if by reason of strength they be years he has been in the Senate. As a ‘‘There are more pretty girls than fourscore years, yet is their strength member of the Appropriations Com- one.’’ They played that song. It was a labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut mittee, many times I have asked him great song. I have heard it many times off, and we fly away.’’ I thank God for to chair subcommittee hearings when I since. his mercy and his kindness and his could not be there to do so, and he has Then he handed out notebooks to the love, for having let me live to serve the always done an excellent job. Members of the Senate and to the Par- people of West Virginia 50 years. He, too, is a Senate man. He is dedi- liamentarians. From memory, without I thank the people of West Virginia cated to the institution. I have had a note, he proceeded to recite the reign for having demonstrated the faith and many conversations with him. I feel of the British monarchs, the date they confidence in me to reelect me these highly privileged to have him as my served office, their names, and what many times over a period of a half cen- friend. they did. That took about 40 minutes tury. Tennyson said, ‘‘I am a part of all or so for him to do, or maybe an hour. Queen Mary I of England lost the that I have met.’’ How rich I am in The British Parliamentarians were port of Calais to the French. Mary that I am a part of HARRY REID and flabbergasted. They had never heard served from 1553 to 1558. She said, JAY ROCKEFELLER and TOM DASCHLE anything like this in their lives. But, ‘‘When I am dead and opened, you will and TRENT LOTT. as happens in this body, there are find ‘Calais’ written on my heart.’’ I I thank both leaders again for their many times that we hear things that say to the people of West Virginia, consideration in giving me this time. I we have not heard any time in our ‘‘West Virginia’’ will always be indeli- yield the floor. lives, except from the Senator from bly engraved with blood upon my heart f West Virginia. until it returns to the dust. I could tell you about the remarks he I must thank a very understanding GRANTING FLOOR PRIVILEGES made on the Senate floor about the and forgiving and considerate woman— Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, did the Roman Empire, about which a course my wife Erma—who has served with me Senator from South Dakota have a res- at the University of Nevada at Las these 50 years. I think that our spouses olution he wanted to send to the desk Vegas is now being taught, using the sacrifice beyond what people generally concerning Senator CLELAND? text of his lectures here on the Senate know when we serve in this body. Come Mr. DASCHLE. Mr. President, I do floor. next May 29, we will have been married have a resolution, and I send it to desk Mr. President, the people of West 60 years. I had to have a forgiving and and ask for its immediate consider- Virginia should know that whether he understanding and cooperative wife ation. was leading the debate on the Panama who was as dedicated to the people of The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Canal treaty, or other international or West Virginia as I, to have done it. clerk will report. domestic matters, that his No. 1 pri- Finally, Mr. President, let me thank The bill clerk read as follows: ority has always been the people of my staff. I have always been blessed A resolution (S. Res. 8) granting floor West Virginia. It has been a great ex- with a good staff. I was once told by privileges. ample for all of us: to be involved in the chief chaplain of General Patch’s The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without international and national affairs, but army in World War II that a true mark objection, the resolution is agreed to. to never lose sight of the fact that you of genius is to be able to surround one- The resolution (S. Res. 8) reads as are elected by the people from your self with able, committed people. I follows: State and that the people in your State have had that kind of staff over these S. RES. 8 should have first priority. That is the many years, a staff that likewise has Resolved, That an employee in the office of most important lesson I have learned overlooked my foibles, idiosyncrasies, and has been cooperative and kind and Senator Max Cleland, to be designated from from the Senator from West Virginia. time to time by Senator Cleland, shall have I express to the Senator, through the has helped me when I had to walk the privilege of the Senate floor during any Presiding Officer, my affection, my ad- through the valley of despair—at my period when Senator Cleland is in the Senate miration, and my respect, and I hope grandson’s death. They, too, have chamber during the 105th Congress. that, in some manner, my public serv- served the people of West Virginia and f ice to the people of the State of Nevada the people of the Nation. ORDER OF PROCEDURE will be as well-served as the Senator I apologize to the leaders for impos- from West Virginia has served the peo- ing on their valuable time. I know how Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I believe ple of West Virginia. it works. They have other things to do, we have completed now the customary Mr. BYRD addressed the Chair. other demands are made upon them list of resolutions and unanimous-con- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The dis- and other business is there to take care sent requests. I do have a statement tinguished Senator from West Virginia. of, other errands to run, and other that I would like to make on this open- Mr. BYRD. Mr. President, Plato services to perform, but always there is ing day, and then I believe the Senator thanked the gods for having been born some straggling Senator who comes to from South Dakota might have some a man, and he thanked them for the the floor who wants to take some time additional remarks he would want to good fortune of having been born a and talk. But I thank them, and I hope include in the RECORD with regard to

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