January 23, 2001 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE 577 had moved to northeastern Montana NOMINATIONS major infrastructure improvement ini- many years ago. NOMINATION OF SPENCER ABRAHAM tiative across the weapons complex, Mary Nielsen was one of those unique Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, I’m and address serious congressional con- persons, living in a very remote end of very pleased to have strongly sup- cerns associated with faulty program this country, the northeastern corner ported the nomination of Senator management that has led in the recent of Montana, isolated and 150 miles from Spencer Abraham as Secretary of the past to large construction overruns the nearest major airport—which is not Department of Energy. such as the experience on the National really major. And for those of us who As all my colleagues are well aware, Ignition Facility. In the non-prolifera- enjoy pasta—affordable pasta, that is, Senator Abraham has a distinguished tion area, transparency and account- nowadays—the main crop in that part record of leadership here in the Senate. ability will remain serious issues as of the world is durum wheat. He has demonstrated his initiative and Congress evaluates the advisability of She served in a group called WIFE, willingness to pursue complex issues on future funding for these vital pro- Women Involved In Farm Economics. countless occasions during his years of grams. She took those responsibilities very se- service in this body. A comprehensive energy policy is ur- riously and, of course, with great pur- Senator Abraham and I served to- gently needed, although recovery from pose. She became a valuable resource gether on the Senate Budget Com- our current energy crisis will be any- to me and my staff on transportation mittee, and I came to appreciate his in- thing but overnight. First we need the issues. sightful approach to the challenging policy, then we need years of careful When I first met her, I was a farm tasks we faced in crafting the nation’s support to implement that policy— broadcaster. My programs were aired budget. Through his work on the Budg- only then can we approach a greater on the radio station in Plentywood, et Committee, Senator Abraham de- degree of energy security than we face MT. This was at a time when the big serves a share of the credit for the won- today. As I’ve outlined now on several railroads were in the business of aban- derful progress towards balancing the occasions, I urge the President to cre- donments, wanting to close the spur federal budgets. ate a multi-Agency approach to na- lines that were not very profitable to From his public service in the State tional energy policy, so that several the big railroads. And that was the of Michigan, Senator Abraham has an key agencies evaluate their decisions case on the Opheim spur up in that in-depth understanding of the issues in light of assuring our nation of en- part of the country that was originally facing manufacturers and consumers, ergy security. a part of the Great Northern Railway. including their dependence on reliable, And finally, the Secretary is respon- We fought hard on that issue because clean energy sources. He appreciates sible for a large fraction of the federal we did not want to see that line aban- the immense role of the transportation support for science and technology. doned, because up there rail transpor- sector in influencing significant parts The nation’s scientific and engineering tation is very important in moving our of our energy policy. He has been one talents, and the high technology ad- crops to market. of the Senate’s most knowledgeable vances they’ve generated, are respon- So she took it on. It was one of those members on subjects related to high- sible for a large fraction of our eco- unselfish things people do, leaders do. technology policies and the contribu- nomic strength. In recent years, Con- And you find out that in these small tions that this important sector makes gress has started to increase funding in places, in some of these remote places, to America’s economy and global suc- key areas of science and technology. we have great minds and great leader- cess. The Secretary of the Department of ship. While Senator Abraham has ex- Energy must organize his scientific She and others formed an organiza- pressed concerns about the role of the programs to maximize their outputs tion called ABLE, the Association for Department of Energy in the past, I’m and their contributions to our sci- Branch Line Equity, which became a pleased to note that he carefully ad- entific understanding and economic se- model in this country for opposing dressed his current views in his state- curity. abandonments of railway lines in agri- ment to the Energy and Natural Re- His past experiences have prepared cultural country. sources Committee. In that statement, him very well for these fresh chal- She was also a shining star in the po- he emphasized his support for the lenges. I look forward to working with litical arena. She was passionate and many important missions that com- Senator Spencer Abraham in this new articulate. In fact, she received inter- prise the portfolio of the Department role as Secretary of the Department of national recognition when she was of Energy. Energy and encourage all of my col- elected to the office of Sheridan Coun- Service as the nation’s Secretary of leagues to do likewise. ty Assessor. She ran on a campaign slo- the Department of Energy is a chal- Mr. CONRAD. Mr. President, I am gan of ‘‘If elected, I will resign’’ in an lenge for any individual. The Depart- pleased to have supported the nomina- effort to save taxpayers the cost of ment has a diverse set of missions, that tion of Spencer Abraham to be Sec- paying for a county officer after the of- sometimes seem to lack a coordinating retary of Energy. fice was left on the ballot even though thread. Management of this Depart- As Secretary, Senator Abraham will all duties had been absorbed by the ment is truly a daunting assignment. face a number of important and dif- State of Montana. She was elected and National security and energy policy ficult challenges. Clearly, we must ad- she resigned, and the office went with will present some of his largest chal- dress our dependence on foreign her. lenges. In the national security area, sources of energy and the current spike Mary was a great vocal advocate for he and Undersecretary John Gordon, in fuel prices that is driving transpor- agriculture. That is what she will be Administrator of the National Nuclear tation and heating costs to unaccept- remembered as. She was politically in- Security Administration are respon- ably high levels. In my state of North formed and active. She was a mentor to sible for all aspects of our nuclear Dakota, home heating costs are pain- all who knew her. She was one of those stockpile and a wide range of non-pro- fully high for many families. And this rare people who, as an activist, fought liferation programs. These two dimen- spring farmers will face high input with grace and dignity for what she sions represent the two different major costs as they head into their fields. I do really believed in. approaches to improved national secu- not think developing a comprehensive It is with great sadness that we see rity, minimizing threats that could and effective long-term answer will be her slip into history. Our prayers go jeopardize our peace and prosperity and easy, but the strength of our economy out to her and her husband Ove and, of insuring our ability to protect our- will depend, in part, on our success in course, their family. She was a great selves if necessary. controlling energy price hikes. lady, with grace, who represented a Among many important areas, the In addition, our most populous state, great, great industry. NNSA must strive to rebuild morale at California, is in the middle of an elec- Mr. President, I yield the floor. the weapons laboratories, develop a tricity crisis. Again, this has potential

VerDate Aug 31 2005 11:02 Feb 28, 2007 Jkt 029102 PO 00000 Frm 00023 Fmt 0686 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR01\S23JA1.000 S23JA1 erjones on PRODPC74 with SENATE 578 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE January 23, 2001 implications for our economy. Finally, Lest we forget the importance of NOMINATION OF DONALD RUMSFELD the security problems at our national higher education, Dr. Paige has also Mr. CONRAD. Mr. President, as was labs will present a difficult challenge spent time as an administrator and apparent to all who attended Mr. for our next Secretary of Energy. teacher at Utica Junior College, Jack- Rumsfeld’s confirmation hearing be- Senator Abraham has been a capable son State, and Texas Southern Univer- fore the Senate Armed Services Com- and dedicated colleague for the past six sity. In fact, Dr. Paige served as the mittee, our new President has made a years. As he noted in his confirmation dean of the College of Education at good choice for Secretary of Defense, hearing, his views have evolved since Texas Southern prior to serving on the one of the nations most important of- he was first elected to this body. Then, Houston School Board. fices. Mr. Rumsfeld held this senior po- he called for the abolition of the De- I would also like to touch upon one sition during the Ford administration, partment of Energy. Now he looks for- final aspect of Dr. Paige’s career and a time when some Members of Congress ward to service as our next Secretary that is his time as a football coach. were just getting their start in public of Energy. As one who believes the En- While the head football coach at Utica service. Decades of experience, respect ergy Department plays a critical role Junior College and Jackson State he from both sides of the aisle, thought- in setting policies that profoundly im- was still a teacher of students, but in- fulness, and a strong commitment to pact our economy and our national se- stead of desks and a chalkboard he this nation make Donald Rumsfeld well curity, I welcome this change of heart used the gridiron as his classroom. qualified to again serve as Secretary of and wish him well as he enters into In closing, I think we all begin the Defense. this next chapter in his service to our 107th Congress with unlimited opportu- As ranking member of the Budget Nation. nities to improve our nation’s edu- Committee in this equally divided Sen- cational system and among those op- ate, I look forward to working closely NOMINATION OF DR. ROD PAIGE portunities is the reauthorization of with Mr. Rumsfeld to craft a defense Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, I rise the Elementary and Secondary Edu- budget that strengthens our nation’s today in strong support of Dr. Rod cation Act (ESEA). defense and makes sense in the context Paige, Secretary of Education. I think there is a lot of agreement on of our national fiscal priorities. In President George W. Bush has repeat- the need for education reform condi- light of the fact that both the status edly emphasized the importance of edu- tioned upon accountability and I look quo within our armed forces and mas- cation being a linchpin of America’s fu- forward to working with Secretary sive increases in defense spending are ture. Moreover, he has linked increased Paige to achieve those goals. untenable, I am interested in talking spending on education with real ac- Mr. CONRAD. Mr. President, I am with the new Secretary about a sus- countability that actually produces re- pleased to have supported the nomina- tainable defense budget and making sults. tion of Dr. Roderick Paige to be Sec- policy and procedural changes at the I think Ben Franklin may have put it retary of Education. I believe that his Pentagon that might enable us to re- best when he said, ‘‘An investment in commitment to the improvement of tool for the information age and get knowledge always pays the best inter- public schools and his diverse edu- more for our defense dollar. est.’’ I believe this because even on its cation experience will bring him suc- As the new administration begins to best day the Federal government can cess in this challenging and rewarding review our nation’s approach to arms never be a replacement for local ad- position. I am looking forward to work- control, missile defense, and prolifera- ministrators, educators, and parents. ing with him to address the critical tion of weapons of mass destruction, I It is with this in mind that I am so issues associated with our nation’s edu- would urge Mr. Rumsfeld to avoid pre- pleased the nomination of Dr. Rod cational system. occupation with specific numbers and Paige is before us to be the next Sec- I am encouraged by Dr. Paige’s ac- keep efforts focused on a central objec- retary of Education. Dr. Paige is not a complishments in Houston. The Hous- tive: increasing strategic stability and Washington bureaucrat, rather he is an ton Independent School District has nuclear safety. Toward that end, I hope accomplished educator and adminis- seen dramatic changes under the lead- the new Defense Secretary will support trator who has actually served in the ership of Dr. Paige, including a de- and expand the Nunn-Lugar Coopera- education trenches. crease in the dropout rate and an in- tive Threat Reduction program, broad- Dr. Paige’s recent tenure as the Su- crease in test scores. He has worked en shared early warning initiatives, en- perintendent of the Houston Inde- hard to foster partnerships between courage more military-to-military con- pendent School District provides him public schools and businesses and to tacts with Russia, address the par- with the unique perspective of what is encourage community involvement. ticular threats associated with Rus- actually involved in running a local Dr. Paige’s seven year tenure as super- sia’s enormous tactical nuclear stock- school district. Unfortunately, that is intendent has shown him to be capable, pile, resist de-alerting initiatives all too often not the case because creative, and committed to his stu- which could increase strategic uncer- Washington bureaucrats make the de- dents. tainty in a crisis, and ensure that the cisions affecting our students instead As we enter a new Administration, it U.S. retains a robust and balanced of local administrators. is important that we make the greatest triad of strategic nuclear forces. However, I would submit the practice effort to secure our public schools by I want the record to reflect that I of implementing a Washington based providing them with the support they have been concerned by some of this one size fits all approach is about to need. Whether it be through school nominee’s statements regarding arms come to an end. modernization and class size reduction control. As my colleagues are aware, As a former Superintendent, Dr. programs, or through increased finan- Mr. Rumsfeld suggested during his con- Paige, actually understands that every cial aid for higher education, it is crit- firmation hearing that the ABM Trea- school district does not face the same ical that we recognize the role of af- ty is an outdated relic of the cold war, set of problems and Washington does fordable, high quality public education and has discussed abandoning the proc- not know what is best. Rather it is the for our children. ess of arms control and sizing our stra- local parents, teachers, and adminis- Dr. Paige said, ‘‘I think the public is tegic forces unilaterally. I urge Mr. trators who know what the problems where we need to begin our work. This Rumsfeld to reconsider these views. No are as well as the solutions. is a public system, it is for the public’s arms accord is perfect, but over the I think it also interesting to note the benefit, it is a public good, and the past several decades the arms control breadth of Dr. Paige’s experience in the public must bring itself together and process has produced momentum to- field of education. Not only was he a work hard to achieve it.’’ I agree with ward more inspections, transparency, school superintendent, but prior to as- him and believe that through hard reciprocity, and confidence-building suming that role he served as a mem- work together, we will be able to between former cold war rivals. ber and then later the president of the achieve many good things for our This momentum toward greater sta- Houston School Board. schools, our children, and our Nation. bility and trust was hard-won and

VerDate Aug 31 2005 11:02 Feb 28, 2007 Jkt 029102 PO 00000 Frm 00024 Fmt 0686 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR01\S23JA1.000 S23JA1 erjones on PRODPC74 with SENATE January 23, 2001 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE 579 should not be abandoned. One need going to make certain that every one Finally, I would note that the De- look no farther than Russia’s failure to of them achieves success in life. To partment of Commerce is responsible fully implement the 1991 Bush-Gorba- achieve this goal, Colin Powell urged for collecting a range of statistics on chev handshake agreement on tactical Americans to step forward as mentors our population and economy that are nuclear reductions to see the folly of for our youth, and to make certain critical to informing the choices that unilateralism in arms control. In the that young people have access to com- we, as elected officials must make. The view of this Senator, any further stra- puters and the Internet. In my opinion, accuracy and accessibility of this data tegic force reductions would best be no challenge, and no effort is more im- are essential to making the right undertaken in the context of a new portant than the education of our choices for America’s future. START accord, one built upon recogni- youth. In short, Don Evans faces a host of tion that the ABM Treaty is the cor- Few individuals that have served in challenges. I am confident that he will nerstone of strategic stability and can this capacity have faced the extraor- approach them with the same vigor and allow the limited, effective, affordable dinary challenges and threats around success with which he ran the Bush national missile defense we need to the world. Relations with China, Rus- campaign, and I look forward to work- counter emerging rogue-state threats. sia, the Balkans and the Middle East, ing with him in the months and years as well as the continued nuclear threat Finally, I look forward to talking ahead. and terrorism will demand his imme- with the new Defense Secretary about NOMINATION OF ANN VENEMAN the importance of Defense Department diate attention and skills. I am con- Mr. CONRAD. Mr. President, I look compliance with statutes directing fident of his abilities to handle these forward to working with Ann Veneman that the entire B–52H bomber force be challenges, and I am honored to work as Secretary of Agriculture. For North funded. Billions of dollars of upgrades with Secretary of State Powell on Dakota, there is no Cabinet position and the world’s most advanced preci- these most difficult issues. Not long ago, Colin Powell was asked more important than this one. sion weapons have transformed these during an interview on Scholastic.com airframes into airborne arsenal ships American agriculture faces a serious ‘‘what do you believe history will say crisis that threatens the economic live- which today represent the fast, sharp about you?’’ His response: ‘‘my only re- end of the spear in our conventional de- lihood of North Dakota farmers and quest of history is that history books rural communities. Our next Secretary terrent force. say that I was a good soldier and Mr. President, Donald Rumsfeld has of Agriculture faces the challenge and served the nation well.’’ Mr. President, an impressive record. He is qualified to responsibility of coming up with a new Colin Powell has already achieved that be Secretary of Defense. I congratulate farm policy that addresses this crisis goal. I am confident of his continued as well as the competitive challenges him on his confirmation and wish him outstanding service to our Nation dur- the very best. we face from overseas. Ms. Veneman ing the next four years, and perhaps has a long record on agricultural issues NOMINATION OF COLIN L. POWELL most importantly, as a wonderful ex- and will bring a depth of experience Mr. CONRAD. Mr. President, I am ample to the youth of America. honored to have supported the nomina- and commitment to the leadership of NOMINATION OF DONALD EVANS the Department of Agriculture. tion of Colin Powell to be our next Sec- Mr. CONRAD. Mr. President, I sup- retary of State. Few individuals sub- However, I must say her track record ported the nomination of Donald Evans causes me some concern. Ms. Veneman mitted to the Senate for confirmation to be Secretary of Commerce. Don have the credentials, experience, val- was a cheerleader for the failed Free- Evans has a distinguished background dom to Farm policy that has been such ues, and respect of the Nation that in private business as head of a large, Colin Powell has. a disaster for North Dakota farmers. In independent energy firm. In addition, fact, we’ve had to write economic dis- Colin Powell has served our Nation his experience as chairman of the Bush with distinction in both civilian and aster bills in each of the last three campaign and as Chairman of the years to deal with the consequences of military capacities. Powell served the Board of Regents of the University of Carter Administration as an executive that disastrous legislation. Beyond Texas system have helped prepare him that, Ms. Veneman was heavily in- assistant in both the Energy and De- for overseeing the wide-ranging pro- fense Departments. During the Reagan volved in negotiating the Canadian grams of the Department of Commerce. Free Trade Agreement, which was an- Administration, Powell was chosen as As Secretary, Don Evans’ first mis- other disaster for North Dakota. Nev- a senior adviser to Defense Secretary sion will be to promote U.S. exports. ertheless, I wish her well, and I’ll do Caspar Weinberger, and later held his With a record trade deficit of more everything I can to work with her to first Cabinet post as National Security than $300 billion last year, I can think change these policies. Advisor to President Reagan. During of few tasks more urgent than this one. the Bush Administration, Colin Powell As he takes on this responsibility, I I think the first priority must be to was nominated to serve as Chairman of urge him to remember the critical role rewrite the current federal farm policy. the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Most Ameri- that small businesses and agriculture This is not working and it’s very clear cans, however, remember Colin Pow- play in our export successes and not to everyone that it’s not working. ell’s role as the architect of Operation concentrate solely on the role of the Prices are at record lows. Farmers are Desert Storm, and his unique skills in largest corporations. We also cannot leaving the land. And rural main street developing critical global alliances to forget the other side of the ledger. Mr. businesses are suffering. defeat the Iraqis forces in 1991. Evans will also be charged with enforc- Next, we must re-invigorate our agri- Colin Powell, however, represents ing our trade laws, another vital task cultural trade policy. We’ve got to be more than a distinguished military to ensure that U.S. farmers and busi- engaged in world trade but it’s got to leader. His life and those values that he nesses are not competing against un- be on a fair, competitive basis. I think has encouraged our young citizens to fair imports. we’ve got to level the playing field follow, are an inspiration to us all. I am also very concerned about the with our major competitors—the Euro- During the decade since Operation so-called digital divide in the develop- peans—who are outspending us 10 to Desert Storm, I have admired Colin ment of the communications infra- one in terms of providing support for Powell’s efforts to reach out to Amer- structure and the new e-economy. As their producers. Leveling the playing ica’s youth, encouraging our younger Senator for one of the most rural field is one of my highest priorities, so citizens to continue their education, states in the nation, it is critically im- we get farm income up and so our and to aspire to higher goals in life. portant to me that our next Secretary farmers have a fair chance to succeed. For Powell, the challenge was to make aggressively work to close this digital As a senior member of the Agri- sure that every child in America under- divide to make sure rural North Dako- culture Committee, I look forward to stands that he or she is important, and tans get full access to the benefits of working with Ms. Veneman as we take that we, as leaders and parents, are information technology. on these challenges.

VerDate Aug 31 2005 11:02 Feb 28, 2007 Jkt 029102 PO 00000 Frm 00025 Fmt 0686 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR01\S23JA1.000 S23JA1 erjones on PRODPC74 with SENATE 580 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE January 23, 2001 ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS tion led to new state-wide testing and traits has opened up numerous possibilities accountability standards, as well as in- for me and helped me to further mature and creased funding for education. become even more responsible. As a captain of my cross country team, I THE PASSING OF JOHN C. ‘‘JACK’’ Prominent small businessman, and RENNIE am responsible for my teammates to a cer- executive, Navy veteran, education re- tain extent although they are still respon- ∑ Mr. KERRY. Mr. President, I speak former and community leader, Jack sible for themselves and we are all held ac- today to pay tribute to the life of one Rennie’s passing leaves a void few peo- countable by our coach. For example, I am of Massachusetts most prominent citi- ple are qualified to fill, and even fewer responsible for locking up the locker room zens and small business advocates, would attempt to try. On behalf of the and making sure that everyone knows about John C. ‘‘Jack’’ Rennie, who passed citizens of Massachusetts, I would like all practice times. I must be dependable and away last Monday, January 15th, at the to express our sincere condolences to reliable to fulfill these duties and trust- ∑ worthy so as not to abuse my authority. age of 63. Jack was truly an extraor- Jack’s family and friends. These actions, in turn, allow me to set a dinary figure who changed the way f good example and be looked up to by my American business looked at edu- teammates as a positive role model. I have cation, and the way education worked RECOGNIZING FRANK HEMINGWAY become confident in myself as a result of in Massachusetts. ∑ Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, re- being responsible and have become able to Born in Boston in May of 1937, Jack cently Frank Hemingway came to handle additional responsibilities. I have increased my responsibility in my attended and graduated from the U.S. Washington, D.C. to be a part of the Naval Academy and Harvard School of community resulting from my experiences in 2001 Inaugural activities. A student a team setting. I am often asked by my Business. He later went on to earn a from Onate High School in Las Cruces, neighbors to take care of their houses and master’s degree from Northeastern New Mexico, he was the winner of the pets while they are on vacation. I have done University. Character Counts Task Force Contest this for time periods of up to five weeks! Using the skills he learned while for area high school students. To win Doing this task takes discipline and self con- serving in the Navy as a test pilot, and this contest, Mr. Hemingway was re- trol in making sure that the necessary du- putting his business education and ex- quired to write an essay dealing with ties are completed without fail and whether or not I am in the mood for the job. perience to good use, he founded Pacer his experience with one of the Pillars Systems in 1968. Pacer Systems pro- Successful instances of responsibility with- of Character Counts. in my community have led me to seek re- vided systems integration and product Character Counts is a grassroots ef- sponsibility to my country. Having recently services for the Department of Defense fort in New Mexico and on the national turned eighteen years old, I upheld my na- (DoD). Pacer was later to become front. The Character Counts initiative tional responsibility to register with the Se- AverStar and expand its systems inte- strives to promote, in all aspects of lective Service System and was eager in be- gration work beyond DoD to other Fed- American life, six basic pillars of good coming a registered voter. I have learned that the significance of responsibility is that eral agencies. Jack served as Vice character: Trustworthiness, Respect, Chairman of AverStar from 1998 until it grows proportionally in that small respon- Responsibility, Fairness, Caring, and sibilities soon lead to larger responsibilities, his retirement in June of last year. Citizenship. I have actively worked to His entrepreneurial spirit was not which is an essential part of growing up. The support New Mexico schools and com- circumstances in life are always changing, limited to his own company. In the munities that have embraced this ini- responsibility is always a good choice and re- mid-1970s, Jack was the driving force tiative. sponsibility has continually changed my life behind the creation of National Small Mr. Hemingway chose to write his on for the better.∑ Business United (NSBU), the nation’s the Responsibility Pillar, and how f oldest bipartisan trade association for being responsible has changed his life. I small businesses. In the early 1980s, MEASURES PLACED ON THE commend Frank for his smart choices CALENDAR Jack served as the President of the and hard work. The following bills were read the sec- Small Business Association of New Mr. President, I ask that his essay be England (SBANE), and in 1983, he led ond time and placed on the calendar: printed in the RECORD following my re- the first all small business trade mis- marks. S. 73. A bill to prohibit the provision of Federal funds to any State or local edu- sion to the People’s Republic of China. The material was ordered to be print- In 1983, he was also named the Small cational agency that denies or prevents par- ed in the RECORD. Business Person of the Year for Massa- ticipation in constitutional prayer in schools; read the first time. chusetts and New England by then HOW RESPONSIBILITY CHANGED MY LIFE (By Frank Hemingway) S. 74. A bill to prohibit the provision of President Ronald Reagan. Federal funds to any State or local edu- But despite all of these noteworthy ‘‘Hey bud! want to go to the movies to- cational agency that distributes or provides accomplishments, Jack’s most lasting night? I’ve got some girls from across town morning-after pills to schoolchildren; read achievements came in the area of edu- going—I know I can get you a date.’’ the first time. ‘‘No, maybe later,’’ I answered to a typical S. 75. A bill to protect the lives of unborn cation reform. offer from one of my closest friends, ‘‘It’s a As a business leader and entre- human beings; read the first time. school night and I’ve got a report that I need S. 76. A bill to make it a violation of a preneur, Jack was alarmed at the prob- to do before the big meet this weekend,’’ I right secured by the Constitution and laws of lems facing the public education sys- replied. the United States to perform an abortion tem in Massachusetts and the nation. Being responsible isn’t always easy, but with the knowledge that the abortion is He knew that the businesses of tomor- anything that’s worth while rarely is. How- being performed solely because of the gender row would demand a higher caliber of ever, I know from experience that responsi- of the fetus; read the first time. education from its employees, and that bility pays off. S. 78. A bill to amend the Civil Rights Act Responsibility is an active character of 1964 to make preferential treatment an education was an integral part of trait—it is something that must be dem- America’s future prosperity. unlawful employment practice, and for other onstrated rather than just an attribute that purposes; read the first time. Not one to sit on the sidelines, Jack a person possesses. Being responsible means S. 79. A bill to encourage drug-free and safe combined his business expertise with putting impulsive actions on hold and mak- schools; read the first time. his natural leadership abilities to ing good decisions based on sound judgment f found the Massachusetts Business Alli- while keeping one’s long term goals in mind ance for Education in 1988, which suc- and acting accordingly. Following this ap- EXECUTIVE AND OTHER cessfully led a five-year effort to re- proach to responsibility has helped me main- COMMUNICATIONS form Massachusetts’ K–12 education tain outstanding grades and become an The following communications were emerging leader to my team and classmates. system. His organization’s 1991 report, Everyone can and should be responsible to a laid before the Senate, together with ‘‘Every Child a Winner,’’ was the impe- certain degree and accountable for their ac- accompanying papers, reports, and doc- tus for the Massachusetts Education tions. A responsible person is dependable, re- uments, which were referred as indi- and Reform Act in 1993. This legisla- liable, and trustworthy. Living with these cated:

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