October 10, 2000 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S10133 territory, and this has fully exposed the ar- clear idea of this issue. Making a big country presence among us, and will be less for rogance of the U.S. hegemonists.’’—Editorial like China as its opponent, the United States his absence. The model he offered, of a in the People’s Daily, as reported by will surely lose more than it gains. The life of public service for the common ChinaOnline, February 3, 2000. United States suffered losses in every war it good, beckons us forward, toward the ‘‘The move [Taiwan’s effort to join the fought in Asia in the past, and I believe it United Nations] constitutes a flagrant viola- will surely learn from all its bitter lessons. light, and for that we are grateful. tion of the purposes and principles of the Even if the Untied States or U.S.-led U.N. From working to protect our nation’s U.N. Charter, a distortion of the nature of troops are involved in the matter, in no way vulnerable homeless, to fighting to pro- the U.N. and a gross interference in China’s will the United States afford a loss in the tect and preserve earth’s natural treas- internal affairs.’’—Remark by Zhu Bangzao, war; putting all other things aside, a slight ures from the Boundary Waters Canoe Spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Min- increase in its casualties will lead to domes- Area Wilderness to South American istry, ‘‘China Objects to Taiwan Leader’s tic pressure that will prove too much for it Rain Forests, BRUCE’s legacy will last U.S. Visa,’’ New York Times, August 5, 2000. to bear. What is more, we also have other ‘‘If we were to take military action, it strategies to use in such a war, for example, many generations. His leadership re- should be sooner rather than later.’’—Jiang a China-Russia alliance is also a move that sulted in enactment of hundreds of con- Zemin, ‘‘Act soon if force is needed, says can touch the United States on its sore spot. servation-related measures through the Jiang,’’ South China Morning Post, March Therefore, we are not afraid of the involve- years, and protected millions of acres 28, 2000. ment of the United States or any other for- of our nation’s parks, forests and wil- ‘‘At the special Politburo meeting called eign forces, for we are assured that we can derness areas. Close to home, when we on the evening of the election, what the sen- win the war in the end.’’—Unnamed PLA look at a map of Minnesota we literally ior cadres were debating was not whether general, ‘‘Discussing Taiwan Strait Crisis are looking at an image created in part some degree of force would be used against with a General,’’ Ta Kung Pao, May 15, 2000. Taiwan, but when.’’—‘‘Military pressure by BRUCE VENTO. Our state’s parks and ANTI-U.S. STATEMENTS builds over Taiwan,’’ South China Morning green spaces are as healthy as they are In reference to the relationship between Post, March 29, 2000. in large part because of BRUCE’s work ‘‘The [recently-acquired] Sovremenny de- Russia and China: ‘‘The partnership is an ef- fort to oppose hegemony and supremacy, and over these many years. stroyer is equipped with eight SS–N–22 mis- Sheila and I will miss him terribly, siles, which can carry nuclear missiles.’’— one single country dominating the world.’’— Beijing Jiefangjun Bao, March 22, 2000 (Em- Remark by Zhao Huasheng, Director of the and our thoughts and prayers are with phasis added). Russian Studies Department at the Shanghai his family. ‘‘The new Chinese-made super Kilo-class Institute for International Studies, ‘‘Putin I ask unanimous consent to have diesel attack submarine was quietly put into Visits China in Hope of Strengthening a printed in the RECORD an AP story by service recently with the South China Sea Strategic Axis,’’ New York Times, July 17, Frederic Frommer from today, a piece Fleet for the mission of combat readiness 2000. ‘‘U.S. a Threat to World Peace.’’—‘‘China in the Minnesota Star Tribune by Greg against Taiwan.’’—‘‘Chinese-made Kilo-class Gordon, and a piece from Tom Webb attack submarine goes into service, starts Demonizes,’’ title of editorial from PRC undertaking combat readiness task,’’ Hong state-owned China Daily, as reported by from the Pioneer Press. Kong Sing Tao Jih Pao, April 4, 2000. Washington Post, July 17, 2000. There being no objection, the mate- ‘‘A-Category Group Armies in Nanjing and ‘‘On June 22, 1999, the People’s Daily fed a rial was ordered to be printed in the Guangzhou War Theaters Have Been general anti-American campaign related to RECORD, as follows: the accidental bombing of the Chinese Em- Equipped With Naval Vessels To Enhance [From the Associated Press] Sea-Crossing and Landing Operations Capa- bassy in Belgrade with a long, hysterical bility’’—Hong Kong Ming Pao, April 10, 2000. piece accusing the United States of ‘acting MINNESOTA REP. BRUCE VENTO DEAD AT 60 ‘‘In order to deal with the military crisis like Nazi Germany’ by leading the NATO (By Frederic J. Frommer) that might occur in the Taiwan Strait, the campaign to stop the ethnic cleansing of WASHINGTON (AP).—Minnesota Rep. Bruce Central Military Commission has decided to Kosovo.’’—‘‘China Demonizes,’’ Washington Post, July 17, 2000 (article excerpt). Vento, a 12-term liberal Democrat who set up a Fujian Joint Operational Head- championed environmental and homeless quarters. On 11 February the headquarters In reference to the relationship between Russia and China: ‘‘The partnership is an ef- causes, died Tuesday after a bout with lung for the first time directed the ‘‘routine mili- cancer. tary exercise’’ of using submarines to block fort to oppose hegemony and supremacy, and Vento, who was diagnosed in February, the Taiwan Strait.’’—Hong Kong Sing Tao one single country dominating the world.’’— died at 12:20 p.m. at his home in St. Paul, Jih Pao, February 17, 2000. Remark by Zhao Huasheng, Director of the Minn., surrounded by his family, spokesman ‘‘The Taiwan authorities actually have Russian Studies Department at the Shanghai Rick Jauert said. He had malignant meso- only two roads to take: The first is to iden- Institute for International Studies, ‘‘Putin thelioma, a rare type of cancer caused by in- tify with the one China principle, peaceful Visits China in Hope of Strengthening a haling asbestos fibers. reunification, and one country, two systems; Strategic Axis,’’ New York Times, July 17, the second is to force Beijing to resolve the 2000. Vento, who was 60, announced in February Taiwan issue by military means. There is no The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. that he had cancer and would not seek re- third road, nor is it possible for the con- ENZI). The Chair recognizes the Sen- election. His treatment included the removal frontation to go on for a long time.’’—Zhang ator from Wyoming. of one lung, chemotherapy and radiation, but doctors discovered more cancer last month. Wannian, Vice Chairman of the Central Mili- Mr. THOMAS. I yield 5 minutes to tary Commission, July 6, 2000. As a young man, Vento worked as a state- the Senator from Minnesota. paid laborer in several St. Paul-area facili- ‘‘In the process of settling the Taiwan The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- issue, we will do whatever we can to bring ties that he claimed exposed him to asbestos about peaceful reunification. But, in the ator from Minnesota. fibers. Two weeks ago he filed a lawsuit event that any serious incidents to split Tai- Mr. WELLSTONE. Mr. President, I against 11 companies that allegedly supplied wan from China under any pretext occur, thank my colleague from Wyoming. or installed asbestos products at those job that a foreign country invades Taiwan, or f sites. that the Taiwan authorities refuse for an in- Vento made his most significant legisla- definite time to settle the issue of cross- TRIBUTE TO CONGRESSMAN tive contributions on environmental issues, strait peaceful reunification through talks, BRUCE VENTO which he called his ‘‘true passion.’’ then we will be forced to take all possible Mr. WELLSTONE. Mr. President, I ‘‘I have been a member of Congress for the drastic measures to accomplish the great come to the floor of the Senate to past 24 years, dedicated to making the fed- cause of the motherland’s reunification.’’— eral government work for the people, to do speak about Congressman BRUCE General Zhang Wannian, the PLA’s highest- for our community and state—and, yes, even ranking officer, a vice chairman of the Cen- VENTO from Minnesota, the Fourth internationally—that which we cannot do for tral Military Commission, and a Politburo Congressional District, who passed ourselves,’’ Vento said in February. ‘‘The member, ‘‘The One China Principle and the away today. federal government can and should make a Taiwan Issue,’’ February 21, 2000 (English BRUCE VENTO was a fierce advocate difference.’’ version published by Xinhua). for justice and a true representative, in When Democrats controlled the House, ‘‘A possible interference by the United the best sense of that word, of the peo- Vento was chairman of the Natural Re- States has already been taken into account ple of the 4th District. He was generous sources subcommittee on national parks, for- ests and lands for 10 years, pushing for more in our military preparations; in fact, we have and good-humored, with a seriousness taken into account all possibilities in our money for national parks and other environ- preparations. If the United States really of purpose that energized his work and mental priorities. interferes in the matter, the question is how inspired others. A gentle teacher and ‘‘I think Bruce Vento has been one of the far the United States can go in its inter- great friend, we were all ennobled, most impressive and effective congressmen ference. The Taiwan side should also get a challenged and made greater by his in modern Minnesota history,’’ said former

VerDate 02-OCT-2000 02:04 Oct 11, 2000 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G10OC6.025 pfrm02 PsN: S10PT1 S10134 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE October 10, 2000 Vice President Walter Mondale. ‘‘It’s hard to from 1948–58, said this afternoon. ‘‘It’s too erally adored by environmentalists, though think of an environmental issue where his bad to lose him. He was such an established his occasional willingness to compromise—as leadership has not been found.’’ person in the Congress, but cancer is pretty on the motorized portages in the BWCA— Vento worked on efforts to ban oil drilling impartial.’’ cost him support from a few die-hards. on the coastal plain of the Arctic National The former school teacher and state legis- At the June testimonial dinner, Interior Wildlife Refuge and on preserving tropical lator leaves behind one of the most tangible Secretary Bruce Babbitt called him ‘‘a hero rain forests. The Wilderness Society recog- legacies of any Congress member: He shep- of the nation’s parks’’ and said Vento nized Vento’s work in 1994 with the Ansel herded more than 300 laws that preserved coached him on how to handle the Repub- Adams Conservation Award. natural lands from the Florida Everglades to lican takeover of Congress, which threatened ‘‘He’s been a hero,’’ said Debbie Sease, leg- the Alaska wilderness. continued investment in some national islative director for the Sierra Club. ‘‘He’s Since February 2000, Vento had been treat- parks. done more for parks than anyone I know.’’ ed for malignant mesothelioma, a virulent ‘‘Bruce said to me, ‘Don’t panic. Don’t Vento also helped establish the emergency form of cancer usually caused by asbestos ex- make a deal with these guys,’’ Babbitt re- shelter grants program and preserve the Fed- posure. Yet his final year in office included called. The interior secretary said the GOP eral Housing Authority. some of his most important legislative ac- threat to cut parks funding evaporated after President Clinton paid tribute to Vento at complishments, including easing citizenship Vento advised him to draw a chart of na- a dinner in June for his environmental requirements for Hmong veterans living in tional parks units in the districts of congres- record and work on behalf of the homeless. the United States. sional opponents, including House Speaker Vento approached his ailment and last ‘‘He has steered into law more than 300 Newt Gingrich. months in office with a graceful determina- bills to protect our natural resources,’’ Clin- It wasn’t just the environmentalists who tion that won him the admiration of polit- considered Vento a hero. He also received 100 ton said. ‘‘The thing I like even more about ical friends and foes in Washington. Bruce Vento is he cares about people, espe- President Clinton hailed his fellow Demo- percent rankings most years from labor and cially people without a voice—the home- crat at a testimonial in June as a man who liberal interest groups, while getting ex- less.’’ ‘‘never stops being a teacher. As he fights a tremely low ratings from conservative and Vento was born Oct. 7, 1940, in St. Paul and disease that has not yet yielded all it secrets Christian fundamentalist organizations. attended the University of Minnesota and to science, he’s our teacher again. He’s In 1992, Vento, a Catholic, shifted his posi- Wisconsin State University. He worked as a shown us all a lot about courage.’’ tion on abortion legislation, saying his views science and social studies teacher before Clinton made the comments at a bipar- had ‘‘evolved’’ to the point that he would winning a seat to the state House in 1970. He tisan tribute dinner that Vento helped turn support abortion rights while remaining per- was first elected to Congress in 1976. into a fund-raiser for scholarships to train sonally opposed to abortion. For the last decade, Vento pushed a bill to future high school science teachers. That shift brought him fully in line with make it easier for the Hmong—an ethnic Vento was like that. As a legislator he was the dominant views of the DFL in Minnesota group in Laos—who fought with U.S. forces known for using every opportunity to pursue and the liberal wing of the Democratic party during the Vietnam War to become U.S. citi- causes he held dear: Directing more re- nationally. zens by waiving the English-language re- sources to poor city neighborhoods, helping From his seat on the House Banking and quirement for them. Hmong veterans, promoting public schools, Urban Affairs Committee, Vento in 1982 be- After he was diagnosed with cancer, Vento raising the minimum wage and, always, pro- came one of the first members of Congress to made passage of the bill a top priority. His tecting the environment. urge action to deal with homelessness. His effort ended successfully when Congress ap- Throughout the Reagan, Bush and Clinton proposal that year to provide $50 million to proved the measure in May. years in Washington, he never gave up his repair derelict buildings for temporary shel- ‘‘This bill would have never been conceived belief in activist government. ter was never brought to a vote by the full or passed if it had not been for Bruce Vento,’’ SAVING WILDERNESS House. Vento persevered, however, and eight years said Philip Smith, Washington director of In his first year in Congress he worked later he was the prime sponsor of the $1.3 bil- Lao Veterans of America, which lobbied on with others for the establishment of the lion McKinney homeless aid bill, which won behalf of the legislation. Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. In approval and was signed into law. ‘‘He reached across the aisle and worked every one of his 23 years in Congress, his and persevered to make this happen. He is Vento’s work on low-income housing was name was associated with wilderness preser- enhanced when he became chairman and our hero. He is a champion of the Hmong vation legislation. He was best known in later ranking member of the Housing and people.’’ Minnesota as a defender of the ban on the Vento is survived by his wife, Susan Lynch Community Opportunity Subcommittee. use of motorized vehicles in the BWCA. At On the Banking Committee he was an ad- Vento, whom he married in August, and the beginning of his last term in Congress he vocate for smaller banks and credit unions three sons. ended up having to embrace a painful com- and for community reinvestment require- promise that allowed two motorized portages ments for major financial institutions. [From the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Oct. 10, there. Before coming to Washington, Vento 2000] Vento was at the center of similar fights in served several terms in the Minnesota House, dozens of other states because, before the Re- REP. VENTO DIES IN ST. PAUL where he was assistant majority leader publican takeover of Congress in 1994, he was (By Greg Gordon) under Speaker Martin Sabo, who would later chairman of the House Subcommittee on Na- WASHINGTON, D.C.—Rep. Bruce Vento, D– be Vento’s close colleague in Congress. tional Parks, Forests and Public Lands. The two Twin Cities congressmen were Minn., died at his St. Paul home this morn- In relentlessly pushing that legislation, twins only in voting record. In demeanor ing after an eight-month battle with meso- Vento became better known in some parts of they couldn’t have been more different. thelioma, a rare form of lung cancer usually the West than he was in Minnesota. associated with asbestos exposure. ‘‘He spends all of his waking hours working While the Scandinavian Sabo was reticent Vento, a longtime environmental cham- against our interests,’’ complained Charles and disinclined to give speeches, Vento was pion who planned to retire when his 12th Cushman, president of an organization of pri- known as a ceaseless orator who didn’t seem term in office ends in January, celebrated vate property owners in Washington state in to know how to end a sentence. his 60th birthday on Saturday. 1993. ‘‘The name Bruce Vento is without a When St. Paul’s nine-term congressman Rick Jauert, Vento’s press secretary, said doubt a very dirty word in many commu- Joseph Karth decided to retire in 1976, he en- the congressman died at 11:20 a.m. Twin Cit- nities in the West,’’ Cushman said in an dorsed the voluble Vento for his seat. That ies time at his home in St. Paul with his interview. ‘‘Any place there’s a national and strong labor support got Vento the party family by his side. He said he had no further park, they fear Mr. Vento with a passion.’’ endorsement despite opposition in the pri- details, and that Vento’s chief of staff, Larry Indeed, the Sierra Club credits him in part mary from St. Paul attorney John Connolly Romans, was flying to Minnesota, appar- for preserving and protecting 5 million acres and State Auditor Robert Mattson. Vento ently to be with Vento’s family and help of wild lands during the decade he was chair- won that year with 52 percent of the vote, with funeral arrangements. man of the subcommittee. In addition, he and would win reelection 11 more times. Vento underwent surgery at Rochester’s tended the designation of 76 ‘‘wild and sce- FIGHTING FOR HMONG Mayo Clinic last February for removal of his nic’’ rivers. His passion for parks came to After St. Paul became one of the major left lung and diaphragm shortly after the him through personal experience. His father, centers of Hmong immigration in the 1980s, fast-moving disease was discovered. But de- a Machinists union officer, was not wealthy Vento embraced the needs of the former Lao- spite months of chemotherapy and radiation and couldn’t afford fancy holidays or a lake tian hill tribespeople who had fought for the treatments, a person familiar with Vento’s cabin. CIA’s Secret Army during the Vietnam War. condition said in late September that the ‘‘We depended on the parks along the St. He pushed for federal housing and edu- cancer had spread to his remaining lung. Croix River,’’ Vento recalled in an interview cational assistance and to waive the English- Doctors had drained fluid from Vento’s re- a few years ago. ‘‘That was our Sunday pic- language requirement for citizenship for maining lung on at least two occasions. nic, our vacation.’’ those who had fought with the United States ‘‘It’s too bad he died so fast,’’ former U.S. HIGH RANKINGS in Laos. Sen. Eugene McCarthy, who held the same If Vento received poor marks from conserv- In the 1990s, Vento’s office became an in- Fourth District congressional seat as Vento ative property rights groups, he was gen- formal Washington headquarters for this new

VerDate 02-OCT-2000 02:04 Oct 11, 2000 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00012 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A10OC6.004 pfrm02 PsN: S10PT1 October 10, 2000 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S10135 group of Americans. His office wall was deco- Vento was elected to Congress in 1976 from cancer, two men who were so com- rated with an enormous Hmong tapestry the Fourth Congressional District, covering mitted to public service, so committed given in appreciation. And, on occasion, his Ramsey County and a sliver of Dakota Coun- to people. inner and outer offices were lined with ty. He was the longest serving of a trio of no- From this day on, my belief is I have former Hmong soldiers in fatigues using his table DFLers who for a half-century have two friends who are looking down from phones and desks to plan their lobbying as- served the Fourth District in Congress, a sault on Washington. group including Eugene McCarthy and Jo- heaven. I will be talking to them every After years of persistent advocacy by seph Karth. day. I know BRUCE’s children and Vento and others, the bill easing citizenship He was suffering from mesothelioma, a grandchildren will be talking to him requirements of Hmong veterans was passed form of cancer usually linked with exposure every day. by both Houses and signed into law in 2000 by to asbestos. I yield the floor. President Clinton. He is survived by his wife, Susan Lynch; Mr. THOMAS. Mr. President, I cer- Lee Pao Xiong, a Hmong member of the his three sons, John, Peter and Michael; tainly commend the Senator on his Metropolitan Council, called Vento’s deci- their spouses, four grandchildren; his par- moving tribute to BRUCE VENTO. Cer- sion to leave Congress at the end of his 12th ents, Frank and Anne Vento; and seven tainly we can tell how emotionally at- brothers and sisters and their families. term ‘‘a great loss to our community. Bruce tached the Senator was to that gen- Vento was a strong advocate for the Hmong Funeral arrangements are pending. tleman. community, always willing to bear our con- Mr. WELLSTONE. Mr. President, I knew him also. I served with him on cerns.’’ BRUCE was elected to the State legisla- the Resource Committee in the House. The advocacy of the latest immigrant ture in 1970 and to the House of Rep- Certainly he was a fine gentleman. The group by a man who was himself the de- resentatives in 1977. Before that, he scendent of immigrants was in the tradition Senator has described him well. We are had been a science teacher on the lower of St. Paul, said Garrison Keillor, Min- all very sad at this loss. nesota’s homegrown humorist. He said at the east side of St. Paul. He is a true prod- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- testimonial dinner that Vento never seemed uct of the lower east side. ator from Wyoming His family is wonderful. Sheila and I like a slick Washington pol. ‘‘Bruce is like f St. Paul,’’ he said, later describing Vento as have had the chance to spend a lot of a man of ‘‘modesty and courage and pas- time with his family. It is a wonderful, THE ROLE OF THE FEDERAL sion.’’ caring, Italian Catholic family. I be- GOVERNMENT PERSONAL LIFE lieve Frank and Annie had eight chil- Mr. THOMAS. Mr. President, I want- Vento’s final year in Washington was not dren; BRUCE was the second oldest. ed to go back to the remarks of the filled with funereal sentiment. In August he I want to say two or three things if I Senator from North Dakota as he married a fellow educator, Susan Lynch of may. One, I want to say to BRUCE’s talked about some of the issues that all Chatfield, Minn. family and to his wife Sue: Sue, you of us are concerned about, issues such It was the first wedding for Lynch but not have been a gift from Heaven for BRUCE for Vento, who has three adult sons from his as pharmaceuticals—how we make that first marriage, Michael, Peter and John. and his family. work; issues such as Medicare—which A week before the nuptials, Vento, smiling I talked to BRUCE Saturday. He needs, after these years, some real, ex- but wan, attended the Democratic National turned 60. Today he passed away. When amination, some changes so over time Convention in Los Angeles, appearing with he passed away, all of his family were we can ensure provision of health serv- former Vice President Mondale and Min- with him. All of them said: You can let ices to all who are beneficiaries. No one neapolis Mayor Sharon Sayles Belton as the go. argues with that. Minnesota delegation cast its ballots for What a beautiful, caring, loving, He also mentioned the Patients’ Bill Vento’s friend from their first days together wonderful family. And what a beau- of Rights, which is interesting. I do not in the House, Vice President Al Gore. tiful, loving, caring man. BRUCE has know of anyone in the Senate or the Vento’s energy astonished his colleagues. done so much for so many people. He After his cancer was diagnosed in February, other body who is not for some form of he underwent surgery at the Mayo Clinic for was so committed to public service. the bill of rights. The unfortunate part removal of his left lung and diaphragm. He But most important of all, to me, he is that there are some defining issues lost 25 pounds and some of his hair as he was a friend whom I will miss. within that subject, defining issues completed a draining regimen of chemo- I remember once he was going to that mean a lot in terms of where it therapy and radiation treatment. come over to our home in St. Paul to goes in the future. The Senator failed ‘‘I’m looking forward to fishing,’’ Vento talk about a big dispute over the to mention that. This is sort of the told reporters and supporters who asked Boundary Water Wilderness Area. We technique of those who favor more gov- what he planned to do next. ‘‘That’s the ulte- were supposed to meet early in the rior motive in all the environmental protec- ernment. That is to simply talk about tions I’ve fought for.’’ morning, but there was a huge snow- the title without talking about what is His longtime colleague and partner in lib- storm and all the weather reports were involved. eral Democratic legislative ventures, Sabo, that all the schools were closed. People We have had in the Senate for a good seemed stunned by Vento’s news, saying over weren’t going to be able to go to work. long time—the Presiding Officer has and again, ‘‘I can’t imagine this place with- Everything was shut down. It was im- participated—in a conference report, out Bruce around.’’ possible to get around. We were sup- language designed to bring out a Pa- In the weeks after Vento announced his ill- posed to meet at 8 o’clock in the morn- tients’ Bill of Rights that we could ness and his plans to retire, Republicans— ing. At 5 minutes to 8 o’clock, there pass. Frankly, the Senator from North from former Rep. Vin Weber to Sen. Rod Grams—acknowledged his 24 years of service. was a knock on the door. There was Dakota and others have opposed that. ‘‘Put the partisan differences aside,’’ said BRUCE. He was in seventh heaven. This One of the questions that is very im- St. Paul Mayor Norm Coleman. ‘‘He deliv- was like the outdoors, this was snow, portant is whether or not it is going to ered a lot for this community, and his pas- this was Minnesota, and he was there. be a bill of rights for patients or sion will be missed.’’ He loved the environment and did so whether it is going to be a bill of rights much for our State and our country. for tort lawyers. If you have to go to [From the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Oct. 10, I say to BRUCE’s family, what a great court whenever there is a controversy, 2000] Congressman. It is easy to say that that is, of course, not what we seek to U.S. REP. VENTO DIES when someone has passed away, but he do. (By Tom Webb) truly was. People in Minnesota loved So I want to make the point that you U.S. Rep. Bruce Vento, St. Paul’s unwaver- this man. They always will. They will can talk in general terms about many ing voice in Congress for 24 years, died Tues- never forget him, will never forget all issues. Everyone embraces those issues. day morning at his home in St. Paul after a he has done for our Fourth Congres- But when you talk about the kinds of long bout with cancer. He was 60. sional District and for our State. Shei- things that are important, within A native of St. Paul’s East Side, Vento was la and I will never forget BRUCE. those issues, to implement them in a famed as a champion for wilderness, con- BRUCE is like my friend, Mike Ep- manner in keeping with the philosophy sumers, working people and the homeless, who never forgot the everyday struggles of stein, about whom I spoke. Mike was that you have over time, then that be- average folks fighting to build a better life. here for all these years, so committed comes quite a different matter. Of Vento died at 11:20 a.m., with his family at to public service. Two men, they died course, that is why we find ourselves at his bedside, his staff announced. too young, from the horrible disease of some loggerheads from time to time.

VerDate 02-OCT-2000 01:19 Oct 11, 2000 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00013 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A10OC6.006 pfrm02 PsN: S10PT1