CONGRESSIONAL RECORD— Extensions Of
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E120 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks February 6, 2001 greater resources for investments in our na- respectable and truly remarkable man, Sen. A TRIBUTE TO ALAN CRANSTON tion’s highways, bridges, mass transit, and Alan Cranston. I end with a quote that Senator aviation system. He was actively involved with Cranston carried in his wallet for years: HON. BOB FILNER Chairman Robert Roe in crafting the Inter- A leader is best when people barely know OF CALIFORNIA modal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act he exists, less good when they obey and ac- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES claim him, worse when they fear and despise (ISTEA) of 1991, which increased federal Tuesday, February 6, 2001 funding for surface transportation infrastruc- him. Fail to honor people and they fail to ture. As chairman of the Transportation and honor you. But of a good leader, when his Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, today I pay trib- work is done, his aim fulfilled, they will all ute to Alan Cranston, a man who walked Infrastructure Committee, Congressman SHU- say, ‘‘We did this ourselves.’’ among us as world leader, candidate for STER was the driving force behind the Trans- portation Efficiency Act for the 21st Century f President, Senator, public servant, business- man, writer, reporter, public speaker, athlete, (TEA 21) and the Aviation Investment and Re- CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF form Act for the 21st Century (AIR 21). Amer- and artist—a true Renaissance man. He had SENATOR ALAN CRANSTON a passion for civil rights, freedom of the press, ica will benefit from Congressman SHUSTER’s nuclear disarmament and environmental legislative initiatives for decades to come. causes. He worked selflessly to try to make I want to wish Congressman SHUSTER well HON. MIKE HONDA the planet a better place for us all. on the occasion of his retirement. OF CALIFORNIA I was honored to know Senator Cranston IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES f personally and fortunate to benefit from his TRIBUTE TO LATE SENATOR ALAN Tuesday, February 6, 2001 advice when I was first elected to Congress. CRANSTON Mr. HONDA. Mr. Speaker, today I honor the We celebrate today his noteworthy efforts life of a great American, Senator Alan Cran- on the international level for world peace, es- ston. While Senator Cranston left the Con- pecially helping to end the Vietnam War and HON. SAM FARR to improve our relations with the Soviet Union. OF CALIFORNIA gress 8 years ago, after four terms in the Sen- ate, his legacy remains as strong as ever be- He was a leader in Senate consideration of IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES cause of the depth of his convictions and the the SALT I and SALT II treaties, Middle East Tuesday, February 6, 2001 significance of his accomplishments. peace, and reduced military spending. In Mr. FARR of California. Mr. Speaker, today Senator Cranston was one of only two Cali- 1996, he entered private-sector work on nu- I am proud to pay tribute to one of California’s fornia senators to be elected to the Senate clear disarmament, as Chairman of the Gorba- finest and most respected Senators, the late four times and he served 14 years as the chev/USA Foundation and later founding the Alan Cranston. Democratic Whip. His accomplishments bear Global Security Institute, both San Francisco- Alan Cranston was born in Palo Alto, Cali- great weight. During his service in the United based think tanks. Senator Cranston authored bills to create fornia, on June 19, 1914. He studied at the States Senate, Alan Cranston had a hand in three major national parks and to expand two University of Mexico and then continued at many major pieces of legislation. He was others, seven park wilderness areas and 51 Stanford University. While he began his pro- deeply involved with arms reduction and nu- forest areas. He was the original author of the fessional career as a news correspondent, the clear arms control and led the debate on California Desert Protection Act, finally en- international events of that time led him to join SALT II and START treaties, worked on ratifi- acted in 1993. cation of the Panama Canal treaty, helped to the United States Army. At the conclusion of He was the second-longest serving U.S. expand trade for California technological and the Second World War, he left the Army to be- Senator from California—and was Democratic agricultural products, and reduced military come President of the United World Federal- whip seven times and Chairman of the Vet- spending. ists. This, along with his founding of the Cali- erans’ Affairs Committee. fornia Democratic Council, propelled him into Senator Cranston also fought tirelessly to His work in the Senate included not only the the political spotlight. Other positions he held build affordable, adequate housing for our international peace and environmental efforts during his tenure at the Senate include Chair- families and to protect our national environ- already mentioned, but he was in the forefront man of the Committee on Veteran Affairs, ment for present and future generations. The in the fight for affordable housing, mass transit Chairman of the Gorbachev Foundation, Presi- Cranston-Gonzales National Affordable Hous- to combat air pollution and traffic congestion, dent of the United States: Kyrgyz Business ing Act of 1990, was a major housing bill he reducing our dependence on foreign oil, Council, and Senior International Advisor for helped pass. He also authored legislation that choice and women’s rights, veterans’ rights Schooner Capitol Corporation. created three major national parks and ex- and medical care, education, civil rights and Those who know him and worked with him panded two others, seven park wilderness civil liberties, immigration reform, and the pre- remember his modesty and true commitment areas and 51 forest areas and he was the vention of drug abuse and crime. towards making the world a safer one. Sen- original author of the California Desert Protec- He was a Stanford University graduate, an ator Cranston was honored with numerous tion Act. early San Francisco home builder, a foreign awards for outstanding achievements in the Senator Cranston’s record of accomplish- correspondent for International News Service field of world security, and for his efforts to- ment in public service spanned 10 Presidents (now part of the United Press International), wards global peace. During his 24-year Sen- and 6 decades, and his thoughtful approach to and an author of ‘‘The Killing of the Peace’’ ate career, Senator Cranston had a hand in making policy impacted the everyday lives of which the New York Times rated one of the 10 developing and promoting some of the most many Americans. He helped formulate legisla- best books of 1945. This book was written influential legislative measures considered by tion to get more highway money available for about the Senate’s decision in 1919 to keep Congress. His efforts to end the Vietnam War mass transit, which reduced our dependence the United States out of the League of Na- and to improve relations with the Soviet Union on oil and helped to reduce air pollution and tions, in an effort to help the United Nations go unmatched. In addition, he helped shape traffic congestion. A champion of civil liberty avoid a similar fate. the Senate opinion of the SALT II and START and individual rights, Senator Cranston au- He was also athletically gifted. He was a treaties. thored the freedom of choice bill that enacted world-class quarter-miler in the mid-1930s and After leaving public office, Alan Cranston Roe vs. Wade into law and created and fought resumed his sprinting at the age of 55. In continued his fight to abolish nuclear weap- for a ‘‘Bill of Rights’’ for the disabled. 1984, as one of eight Democrats running for ons. He founded and acted as President of Senator Cranston’s dedication to public President, he could be found sprinting bare- the Global Security Institute, enabling citizens service has inspired generations of Califor- foot through the hotel hallways. to express their concerns about security nians and Americans to get involved in public He credited his participation in track with issues. His expertise was frequently sought in service. His integrity and dedication influenced teaching him the need to focus. He said he treaty negotiation and nuclear arms control, my commitment to fight for social justice and could have been in the Olympic Games in and he published many works on these my decision to run for public office. Senator 1936 and was good enough but didn’t quite issues. Cranston’s life ended on the night of Decem- make it because he did not concentrate Mr. Speaker, Alan Cranston did not seek at- ber 31st 2000—at the conclusion of the 20th enough. That taught him a lesson that stayed tention for himself nor demanded honor, but century. While tragic, this is truly fitting, as it with him throughout his life: success requires he deserved it. He honored all living beings by is due in no small part to the work of Alan discipline and focus. serving to promote peace and prevent de- Cranston that 20th century will always be His artistic bent was evident by the three of struction. Please join me in remembering the known as the American Century. his oils that hung in his Senate office. VerDate 11<MAY>2000 04:21 Feb 07, 2001 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00016 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A06FE8.047 pfrm04 PsN: E06PT1 February 6, 2001 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E121 When praising someone of such wide and friend and leading voice. On behalf of the John Lindsay was a highly visible and ar- varied interests and talents, the tributes often thousands of citizen groups that will continue ticulate idealist and advocate for greater inclu- end up listing accomplishment after accom- to campaign for the elimination of nuclear sion of minorities in the American dream.