HOUSE of REPRESENTATIVES-Tuesday, February 17, 1981 the House Met at 12 O'clock Noon

Home , Ella Grasso

February 17, 1981 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD- HOUSE 2211 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES-Tuesday, February 17, 1981 The House met at 12 o'clock noon. My tax proposals will save the Fed ative Catholic hierarchy of that day in The Chaplain, Rev. James David eral Treasury a total of $9.5 billion. In both Spain and the United States was Ford, D.D., offered the following view of the President's decision to de in support of Franco despite his Fas prayer: control oil and gas prices, these loop cist approach because of their fear of I say to the Lord, Thou art my God; holes are no longer needed and should Marxists who were also opposed to give ear to the voice of my supplica be eliminated. We must all bear the Franco. tions, 0 Lord.-Psalms 140: 6. burden of reducing Government ex As the book, "Woodlot and Ballot 0 God, we place before You the in penditures. This bill is designed to Box, Marathon County in the Twenti nermost thoughts and feelings of our assure that those who can afford it eth Century" said in describing Boi hearts, asking that You would forgive most contribute their share. I plan to leau's position: our weakness of spirit and our failure introduce this legislation tomorrow, He was fully aware of the Church's sym to live as we know we should, even as and urge my colleagues to join me as pathy for Franco, but he regarded the ques we ask that You affirm those who original cosponsors. tion as a matter of principle. speak the truth and act according to One by one many Members of the Your will. Encourage those, prophets HON. GERALD BOILEAU House who originally had signed that among us, who see with clarity the letter bowed to political pressure and needs of our time, to speak with con

0 This symbol represents the time of day during the House proceedings, e.g., 0 1407 is 2:07 p.m. e This .. bullet.. symbol identifies statements or insertions which are not spoken by the Member on the floor. 2212 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD- HOUSE February 17, 1981 He lived a full life. He provided his Boileau returned here and practiced law ization without just scattering tax cuts State and his Nation with distin with Frank Loeffler, who had been his sec and tax incentives indiscriminately. A guished and honorable public service. retary while he served as congressman. description of each bill will be in the Loeffler studied law and passed the bar ex Both are better off today because of amination while in Washington. In 1942 Extensions of Remarks. his service here. Boileau was elected to an unexpired term as During the recess, there were a I am inserting in the REcoRD a copy Circuit Court judge, a post he held until his number of excellent articles in the of his obituary which appeared in his retirement. Loeffler was later elected dis press on the economic theories that hometown newspaper, the Wausau trict attorney and subsequently as county are now in contention within the ad Daily Herald. It describes in more court judge. ministration and between it and detail the life and career of a great When Judge Boileau reached retirement others. Walter Heller had a very excel public servant: age in 1970, he did not retire. He served as a lent article in the Wall Street Journal reserve judge and spent several years in Mil JUDGE GERALD BOILEAU waukee and elsewhere presiding where for February 10, entitled, "Can We DIES IN MADISON AT 81 needed. Afford the Costs of Kemp-Roth?" Judge Gerald Boileau, 914 Grand Ave., Boileau, who was born in Woodruff, Jan. Heller argues that "super supply Wausau, who presided over the 16th Judi 15, 1900, left Minocqua High School to join siders" ignore commonsense and arith cial Circuit for more than 27 years and who the U.S. Army in World War I. He served metic showing that the jump in served for eight years as U.S. Congressman with the American Expeditionary Forces in demand would be much bigger and from the Seventh District, died at the Vet Battery D, 11th Field Artillery. After the faster than any conceivable jump in erans Hospital in Madison on Friday eve Armistice he attended the AEF University supply. He argues persuasively that ning. He was 81 Jan. 15. in France and upon returning to the states the right lessons from the Kennedy The jurist, who had also served as district he enrolled at Marquette, where he was one attorney of Marathon County, had been in of the founders of the legal fraternity. He tax cut experience would be: First, uti failing health for some time. graduated in 1923. lize the existing margin for tax cuts, During his long term on the bench, Judge He was married to Monica McKeon on first for carefully crafted and sharply Boileau played a major role in the revision Aug. 31, 1925, in Superior. focused incentives to capital formation of the state's criminal code, serving as chair Boileau did not forget his comrades. and cost cutting; and second, after man of the advisory committee to the Legis While in Congress he introduced the Veter these are firmly in place and sufficient lature, which updated the criminal statutes. ans of Foreign Wars national pension bill in budget cuts have been actually He headed the committee which drew up 1935 and saw it passed. He was active achieved, use the resulting margin for uniform jury instructions in criminal cases. through the years in the local, state and na The same committee also drew up instruc tional VFW. He served as commander of broad personal tax cuts. The tax cuts tions to be delivered to defendants before Burns Post here, as state department judge in the bills I have introduced today they entered pleas of guilty before the advocate and as a member of the national are of the kind described in his phase court. legislative committee, the national rehabili 1. Judge Boileau's public life began in tation committee and the national legal Mr. Heller also points out that an Wausau in 1923 when he went to work part committee. other such measure would be to time in the district attorney's office shortly He was a leader among the Circuit Court reduce the social security payroll tax after graduation from Marquette University judges in the state, serving as chairman of on employers and employees. This Law School. In 1926 he was elected district the State Board of Circuit Judges and as a attorney, the first full-time district attorney member and chairman of the State Judicial would, he notes, reduce business costs in Marathon County and the first in Wis Council. He belonged to many legal groups, and price increases and increase work consin outside Milwaukee County. among them the state committee of the Na ers take-home pay without wage in As a politician, Boileau always admitted to tional Association of State Trial Judges. creases. He recommends doing this by being a liberal. He ran for Congress on the Always interested in youth movements, shifting the cost of medicare back to Republican ticket in 1930 and won. He was Boileau served as president of the Wausau the general revenues. A bill-H.R. only 30 years old at the time and was then Little League during its first two years and 1605-that I introduced earlier this the youngest man in the House. later as Little League Commissioner. year would effectuate that kind of There was a liberal bloc in Congress at He was a 50-year member of the Wausau that time, made up of Progressives, Farmer Elks Lodge and he attended St. James proposal. Laborites and liberal Democrats. Judge Boi Catholic Church. John Kenneth Galbraith also had leau who was re-elected on the Progressive Funeral services will be held Tuesday at one in the Washington Post for Febru ticket in 1934 was recognized as the floor 9:30 a.m. at Brainard Funeral Home and at ary 11, and I would like to read a por leader of this progressive group, taking over 10 a.m. at St. James Catholic Church. The tion of it. from Fiorello La Guardia, who has left Con Rev. Anthony Fischer will officiate and He states: gress to gain fame as mayor of New York burial will be in Restlawn Memorial Park. The modem reliance on monetary policy City. Friends may call from 4 to 9 p.m. on Monday at the funeral home, where there is also rather precisely designed to punish When regular Democrats and Republicans these older industries. It acts against infla split along party lines, this Progressive bloc will be a combined parish and Knights of tion by high interest rates and astringent often held the balance of power. The names Columbus Bible vigil at 7:30 p.m. Burns Post 388, Veterans of Foreign Wars, credit and is effective only to the extent of Boileau and Tom Amilie, a Progressive that it induces idle plant and recession. The congressman from Madison, appear in histo will hold military rites at the cemetery on Tuesday. high interest rates discourage investment; ry books covering that era in the nation's and when old plant is idle because of reces history. Survivors besides his wife include two daughters, Mrs. Nancy Nirchl, Saratoga, sion, new plant is not added. New plant is In those earlier days the Democratic party almost always more efficient than old. in the district wasn't even considered. The Calif., and Mrs. Mary Bailey, Washington, D.C.; a brother, Ernest, 500 Thomas St., Were one designing a system for suppress voters just decided which Republican they ing productivity in the vulnerable parts of wanted. However, with the coming to power Wausau; a sister, Mrs. Irene Elsen, Califor nia; and eight grandchildren. the economy one could not do better than of Franklin D. Roosevelt, the Democrats to ask for the present emphasis on mone became active and in 1938 supported a can tary policy. didate for Congress. This split the vote three ways, Republican, Progressive and RECHANNELLING FEDERAL TAX The full text of the Walter Heller Democrat, and it was Boileau's undoing. INCENTIVES article follows these remarks: He lost to Reid Murray, a cattle buyer Ronald Reagan into the office of bine with our NATO allies. When it committed against our former hos President of the United States last No comes to mounting an effective, swift tages and the seizure and destruction vember, he has won the right to test striking unit, with a successful history of our Embassy in Tehran. his tax and budget notions-views he of amphibious and air assaults, the I am pleased to note that the com has espoused during the last decade. Marines, with their traditional esprit mittees of both Houses now are under President Reagan is committed to de corps, are our best bet. taking an investigation into this lower taxes, less Government, a bal Of course, I may be just a little matter. They will soon begin hearings anced budget, and a stronger military. biased toward the Marines and the Pa on bills dealing with this issue includ I believe that it would be a fatal mis cific because I saw firsthand what ing one I have introduced that would take for most Democrats to be per they did in the island-hopping cam result in the renunciation of the most ceived by the electorate as obstructing paign against heavily fortified and iniquitous portions of those so-called the goals of the President, because, fierce Japanese resistance, especially agreements, which, for example, pro after all, these are the goals embraced on my home island of Guam in July of hibits the former hostages themselves by the majority of our people. 1944. from suing the Government of Iran With broad-based support among Another factor which must be taken for the damages they suffered result the American people, the President under consideration is who controls ing from Iran's violations of interna has the best opportunity of any Presi the land from which we would launch tional law. My bill also calls for the dent since World War II to right the such a force. We are finding it increas punishment of criminals and repara fiscal wrongs that plague our Nation. ingly difficult to establish military tions to the United States. And, Democrats should cooperate be bases on foreign soil and we are having If President Reagan is the man I cause Government is out of control. It to pay dearly for those that we now think he is, he ought to take these would be politically disastrous for have. agreements and tear them up. If he most Democrats if a lack of coopera If, on the other hand, we made use does not, then there will be many tion on our part can be made the of the Navy and Air Force bases we people in this country and abroad who blame for the failure of Ronald Rea have on Guam, and develop the multi will question Mr. Reagan's toughness gan's programs to work as promised. If service base that is on the drawing in dealing with violators of interna these notions, soon to become an eco board for Tinian in the Northern Mar tional law and decency. nomic policy, fail, they must do so on ianas, and arrange to lease land for an Mr. Carter, under duress, effected their own merit and not because of an other base in Palau, which is entering the release of the hostages. That is obstructionist loyal opposition. upon a period of free association with good. But for Mr. Reagan to imple I look forward to participating in the the United States, we would be free to ment void agreements with shameful formulation of an economic policy do what we must do at far less expense terms is without honor. that accommodates the notions of the and under our own flag. There is no honor in carrying out President. The people of Guam and the North agreements with criminals made under ern Marianas have always been ex duress because of uncivilized violations tremely loyal to the United States and of international law by another gov GIVE IT TO THE MARINES AND PUT THEM IN THE PACIFIC have exhibited great patriotism as wit ernment. nessed by the fact that Guamanians CONNECTICUT There are many compelling reasons tion in the underdeveloped countries, the The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under why our Government should strive to monopoly rents of OPEC might be reduced and oil prices might fall as much as $4 per a previous order of the House, the gen develop a partnership with Mexico. barrel. At today's import, levels, this might tleman from Connecticut

79-059 0 1984- 51 -(Vol. 127 Pt. 2) 2220 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD - HOUSE February 17, 1981 expression of problems that affected tempted. My father was more than a hus seldom, but sometimes she did so by trying everyday lives. And that, ultimately, band to her, as she often said, "he is my to beat Sherlock Holmes to the solution of a was the root of Ella's greatness-she best friend." crime. It was a friendship nurtured as a young A most valuable political attribute came cared about people, she cared about couple, joyously running along a summer naturally to Ella Grasso. Herself a blend of them passionately, as individuals. beach, tempered as they trudged through a different cultures and influences, she relat That passionate concern was the numbing blizzard, transmuted, holding his ed spontaneously to all people at their own light that shined through every wife's hand on her death bed. level. It was not difficult for her to move moment of Ella's life. And it is that Because my mother knew the fraility of easily among seniors and small children, light that I will miss now that Ella is life, she tried to instill in all of us her vigor welfare mothers, national leaders, business gone. for life, her indomitable spirit. A poster, men and workers all in a single day. At least Few people have ever combined the brought in by one of her nurses, para partially responsible was her natural phrased this outlook on life. In the words of warmth that radiated, gathering people to extraordinary qualities of heart, mind, Tennyson, "arise, go forth and conquer." her. and energy as did Ella Grasso-a heart Now that she is gone, those of us who From all over the state they came to talk; filled with compassion, a mind fertile remain are morally committed to carry on they also called or caught up with her on with ideas and solutions, and the the ideals and principles for which see lived the campaign trail. Because she listened energy and ability to translate her be and died. they told her their problems and they asked liefs into a towering record of achieve In closing, I would like to share with you, her counsel. Instinctively they regarded her ment. a few phrases from a letter written by my as their friend. I join with my colleagues in the mother some time ago, in which she ex She said that being a woman was neither House and the citizens of Connecticut pressed a desire to have mentioned at her an advantage nor a disadvantage to her po funeral the following: litical career. Her strong inclination to in extending my deepest sympathy to In my house there is a motto which says: mother, to protect, however, certainly her beloved husband, Tom, and to "Bloom where you are planted, that is shaped her style. Just as she fretted about their children. windsor locks, which is my strength and those around her-whether we were too fat Mr. Speaker, I would like to include life." or too thin, and if single, whether or not in the RECORD the touching eulogy her It is fitting that my mother's last public friends were fit companions-so in the son, Jimmy, gave at her funeral. words be echoed once more now, upon her greater arena she gave government a final farewell and journey from us: decidedly personal stamp. Too often we forget that public fig "I love you, I love you all." ures have private lives and Jimmy's The people of Connecticut were her flock. Mr. Speaker, I will at this point She told groups of schoolchildren that to statement serves to highlight this fact. know what government needs to do to help TRIBUTE TO Gov. ELLA GRASSO insert several articles and editorials on people you must know about their lives On behalf of my family, I would like to Governor Grasso. The articles are by their problems, where they are and where express my sincere appreciation to all who Nancy Lewinsohn, the Governor's they want to go. She was always discover have come to bid my mother her last fare long-time aide, and editor Joe Owens ing. well. of the Bridgeport Post. These efforts Through a vast, sometimes changing net The lives of all of us gathered in this ca indicate the depth of the feeling on work of informants, some political and thedral have been greatly enriched by the the part of the people in Connecticut others not, she personally kept in touch experience of knowing her. She touched us for our former beloved Governor. with life throughout the state. It was per with a love that was special and enduring. It haps unnerving, but not unusual, for a trou was a love of devotion and dedication to her ELLA WAs A SPIRITED WoMAN bled stranger to receive an early morning people, a love which was reciprocated over Rosalynn Carter, Mother Teresa, Brit ing his consideration of Governor ish Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and stand up and be counted, even when Grasso to be the recipient of the Dis former first lady Betty Ford. she had to stand alone. tinguished Medal of Freedom. Certain We, the Connecticut voters, rationalized Her epitaph is one of love and dedi ly few people are so deserving of the all this as still new testimony to our own as cation to the citizens of Connecticut, highest honor that we can bestow on tuteness as perceptive electors. In reality, and she leaves a legacy of compassion this person who truly dedicated her that we came to feel that way was further and understanding for the needy, un tribute to Mrs. Grasso. blemished integrity in her public and life to the principles of our country. You don't go through the death of a rela I will invite in a letter to all Mem tive or close friend without sustaining a private life, and a commitment to the bers of this august body their support very real sense of personal loss. That is Con principles of human dignity and self of that request. necticut's current collective experience. It esteem for all citizens. Her life work is I know that everyone who has has suffered a deep personal loss. This an inspiration to all of us who serve served with her and those who have mood is unmatched in the state's history. the people and who are firmly com followed will want to join me in urging That says it all about Ella T. Grasso. mitted to good government. the President to consider her for the Mr. O'NEILL. Mr. Speaker, will the Although I knew Ella Grasso by her Medal of Freedom. gentleman yield? impeccable reputation, it was as a Rep Mr. Speaker, I am including an arti Mr. COTTER. I yield to the distin resentative from Connecticut's Sixth cle in these remarks that is a very guished Speaker of the House. District that I grew to admire her 2224 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD- HOUSE February 17, 1981 many attributes. I can remember undeclared and unpopular war earned difficult ordeal of her life, she thought only when the late John Bailey, her her the great respect of many people. of her family and the affairs of her State. mentor, told me before she came to Her insistence upon merit as a criteria My sister, Susane and I wanted her to feel the tenacity and love of a daughter and son Washington: "Tip," John said, "Wait for political appointments and her holding their mother until her last faint until you meet Ella-she's terrific!" own belief in traditional values made breath, which once gave us life-ceased. It Ella Grasso was more than terrific her known among a wide and diverse goes without saying, that my sister and I she was extraordinary. group of American women and men both realized, no man other than our I watched Ella work as a Congress who appreciated her talent as a public father, could have given of himself so woman who always had her roots in leader. unselfishly, to allow my mother to accom the people of Connecticut. She had The loss of Gov. Ella Grasso will be plish what no other woman had even at the backbone to make the tough deci deeply felt in American political life. tempted. My father was more than a hus However, her example of compassion band to her, as she often said, "He is my sions and quickly earned the respect best friend." of her colleagues in the Congress for ate competence will long inspire those It was a friendship nurtured as a young her industriousness, intelligence, and women and men who enter politics in couple, joyously running along a summer imagination, and for her widely recog the future with the sincerely held goal beach, tempered as they trudged through a nized ability to lead. She was a team of serving their constituents.• numbing blizzard, transmuted, holding his player, a conscientious and hard-work • Mr. MOFFETT. Mr. Speaker, on wife's hand on her death bed. ing player, who understood that poli Friday, February 6, 1981, when I an Because my mother knew the fraility of tics is the art of compromise. nounced the scheduling of today's spe life, she tried to instill in all of us her vigor Beneath that public exterior of a cial order, I entered into the RECORD for life, her indomitable spirit. A poster, brought in by one of her nurses, paraphased sharp and skillful political strategist the text of a delegational resolution this outlook on life. In the words of Tenny was a loving, tender, and caring which the Connecticut Members son, "Arise, go forth and conquer." human being. No one had a finer or intend to present to the Grasso Now that she is gone, those of us who more loyal friend than Ella Grasso. No family. With the resolution, we are remain are morally committed to carry on one was more kind, considerate, or asking those colleagues who were the ideals and principles for which she lived humane than Ella Grasso, and no one touched by her work, impressed by her and died. had a heart filled with more genuine courage and leadership or who simply In closing, I would like to share with you, concern for people who were suffering. may wish to offer comfort to her a few phrases from a letter written by my family, to sign a tribute to Ella Tam mother some time ago, in which she ex Ella Grasso really cared about people; pressed a desire to have mentioned at her and to the end, she never lost her hu bussi Grasso which can be found in funeral the following: manity, her vigor for life, her indomi the Speaker's lobby. "In my house there is a motto which says table spirit, or' her strength of charac Among the tributes which I have 'Bloom where you are planted.' That is ter which remained a very present heard and read since Ella Grasso's Windsor Locks, which is my strength and help to all in trouble. passing, few were as moving as those life." In Ella Grasso's passing, I feel I words spoken by her son, Jim Grasso, It is fitting that my mother's last public have lost a loyal and trusted friend, a at the service on February 9. I include words be echoed once more now, upon her faithful supporter, and a wise counsel his eulogy for his mother, Governor final farewell and journey from us: "I love you, I love you all." or. Connecticut and the Nation have Grasso, to be printed in the RECORD at lost a distinguished public servant and this point: Besides admiring the late Governor a favorite daughter whose public EULOGY FOR Gov. ELLA GRASSO for the strength with which she faced record is without parallel. On behalf of my family, I would like to her disease, we can look at the record I extend my sincerest condolences to express my sincere appreciation to all who she compiled as a public servant with her beloved and devoted husband, have come to bid my mother her last fare immense respect as well. Those of us Tom Grasso, and to her two beautiful well. with a long-term political memory cite children, James and Susane. The lives of all of us gathered in this ca among her accomplishments: eMs. MIKULSKI. Mr. Speaker, I was thedral have been greatly enriched by the As an original architect of the experience of knowing her. She touched us modern Connecticut constitution saddened to learn of the death of Gov. with a love that was special and enduring. It Ella Grasso of Connecticut on Febru was a love of devotion and dedication to her which took effect in 1960; ary 5, 1981. Her distinguished career people, a love which was reciprocated over As a drafter of the Comprehensive as a respected public servant has done and over again during the last few months Employment and Training Act while much to encourage other American of her life. Throughout her ordeal, she felt serving as a member of the Educatioh women contemplating their own entry the warmth of that love, and it greatly com and Labor Committee; into public life. forted her. As the advocate of a stronger depart As we all know, Ella Grasso was the I take this opportunity to express publicly ment of public utilities cop.trol; and my personal gratitude and that of my As a "People's Governor"; a woman first woman elected to the office of family to Governor O'Neill who has shown Governor without succeeding her hus deep compassion for our grief and who, with who understood that the democratic band. It is, I think, even more remark great humility has taken on the ardous task process flourished when citizens from able that she never lost an election in of leading a State during such difficult all walks of life participate. over 25 years of public service. She times. A longstanding memory for all Con was one of an outstanding group of I want to thank the dedicated staff mem necticut citizens will be Governor ethnic women who have made their bers, who unselfishly gave of themselves, Grasso's trek into a blizzard-entangled careers in public service. constantly working beyond what was nor State in February 1978. Traveling by mally expected, who rarely received any Governor Grasso's pioneering public credit, yet who truly deserved so helicopter, reaching out, and directing achievements while in public office much. State services to particularly troubled laid an important, creditable founda I am taking this unusual step of paying areas where they were needed, Mrs. tion for the many women who are now tribute to my mother at her funeral because Grasso was a beacon during a terribly winning elections and being appointed I am so proud and privileged to have had difficult period for our State. to policymaking positions in all levels Ella Grasso as my mother. She gave to all of For her contribution and for her of government. For example, her ef you what she gave to my sister, Susane, and spirit, it is wholly appropriate for this forts to give the public access to offi me-a mother's gift of unselfish love, under House to stop and remember this re standing, compassion, and tenderness. To all cials and records, to simplify State who knew and worked with her, to us, her markable woman.e government by eliminating unneces family, who revered and worshipped her, • Mr. BOLAND. Mr. Speaker, I appre sary layers of bureaucracy, to recog she was a radiant ray of sunshine, whose ciate the opportunity to pay tribute to nize and publicize the critical needs of warm and engaging smile cast a bright glow our former colleague, and the former the elderly, to oppose vigorously an of love upon each day. And during the most Governor of Connecticut, Ella Grasso. February 17, 1981 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD -HOUSE 2225 Ella Grasso was a person of un To say that Ella Grasso was popular tenure in Washington, she brought us quenchable spirit and determination. and competent would indeed be an un the benefit of her good sense and dedi The political life of Connecticut, and derstatement. Her no-nonsense ap cation on many occasions when we the Nation, was enriched by her deci proach to politics highlighted her po greatly needed such counsel. Quickly sion to channel those qualities into a litical career from the State House in she became one of our most respected career of public service. For three dec Connecticut, to the Halls of Congress, and genuinely liked colleagues. The ades she labored on behalf of the citi and back to the Connecticut State obvious sincerity of her sober dedica zens of Connecticut, first as a member House as Governor. I was fortunate to tion to the people's work endeared her of the State legislature, then as secre serve with her during her two terms to us from the start. We could have tary of state, as a Member of Con representing Connecticut's Sixth Dis used her energy and her example for gress, and, finally, as Governor. That trict, and held her in my highest longer than we had it; we would do she was the first woman in the Nation esteem for her forthright leadership well if it were with us today. to be elected Governor without suc and sincere compassion for her people. When the people of Connecticut ceeding her husband was the most Ella Grasso's achievements went far called Ella Grasso home to lead their commonly known aspect of her public beyond her milestones-the first Ital State government, they knew that life, but those of us who knew her un ian-American Governor of Connecti they would have an honest, hard derstood that her entire career was a cut, the first woman elected Governor working, and sensible chief executive. reflection of superior intelligence and in the Nation. She was a sensible, ag In Hartford, Governor Grasso com ability combined with a deep compas gressive public servant whose lifestyle piled a record of achievement which sion for the needs of others. Her polit and manner reflected her earnest dedi was the envy of her colleagues in ical life was an unblemished record of cation to the people of Connecticut. other States, managing effectively the success because she brought to her She transcended her labels by never complexities of administration at a tasks not only great personal strength bowing to special interests, and let time of diminishing revenues. Truly, and skill, but a love of her work and a commonsense and hope for the future Ella Grasso governed her State at a belief in its value. The people of Con guide her in her decisions. time when some theorists were saying necticut could see that Ella Grasso While she will be missed by those of that the chief executives across the cared for them and for their State, us who served with her, she leaves a Nation should be less and less able to and they responded with a depth of special void among those she served do so. Her quiet dignity in leaving affection enjoyed by few public fig her family, her district, and her office so as to disrupt the Government ures. State.e as little as possible was typical of her Ella Grasso never forgot her roots, e Mr. RHODES. Mr. Speaker, it is an selfless dedication to working for the either her physical ones in her home honor, albeit a sad one, to pay tribute people. town of Windsor Locks or her intellec to our former colleague, Ella Grasso. Our sympathy goes to the people of tual ones in her belief in the intrinsic This courageous lady's outstanding Connecticut, whom Governor Grasso worth of the American political career is a perfect model for aspiring served so long and so well, and most system. As she wrote in 1956, "Politics elected officers. particularly to her family, to whom is democracy in action. It is the mar She advanced steadily through her she was so markedly devoted. I would velous alchemy of mind rubbing public service, spending 4 years in the add that those of us of Italian descent against mind, sending off ideas. It is State legislature; 12 years as secretary feel a special sense of loss on this sad the solemn responsibility of citizenry." of the State of Connecticut; two terms occasion. All Americans can share our She discharged that responsibility in in the House of Representatives; and pride in the achievements of this good manner worthy of emulation. returned to Connecticut to serve as its and remarkable woman.e Governor for 4 years until she was Those of us who live in western Mas forced to resign last December because e Mr. FORD of Michigan. Mr. Speak sachusetts felt a special kinship with of failing health. er, I rise today to honor Governor Ella Ella Grasso. She came to the town of It is, indeed, unfortunate that Gov Grasso, who served with me from 1971 South Hadley in 1936 to study at ernor Grasso's public career was cut to 1974 on the House Education and Mount Holyoke College and stayed to short; but her many achievements and Labor Committee. Governor Grasso receive both bachelor's and master's her contributions to those whom she was an outstanding and steadfast sup degrees in sociology and economics. served, remain as living memorials to porter of education, human resource, She maintained close ties with the col this talented and valiant lady. She will manpower, and child nutrition pro lege and was a frequent visitor, in both be missed but fondly remembered.e grams, as well as of efforts on behalf an official and an unofficial capacity, e Mr. MINISH. Mr. Speaker, it was of senior citizens and disadvantaged to our area. The sorrow being felt by with deep personal regret that I populations. I was privileged to serve the people of Connecticut is under learned of the death of the former with her on the Subcommittee on Ag stood and shared by many in Massa Governor of Connecticut, our former ricultural Labor where she worked un chusetts. colleague in this House, the Honorable stintingly on behalf of the migrant Since our congressional districts Ella Grasso. workers in her State and the Nation. abutted, I had an opportunity to get Governor Grasso's long and honor She could be counted on in difficult to know Ella Grasso well during her able political career was a noble exer of times to sort through the most com service in the House of Representa cise in the highest kind of statesman plicated proposals being brought tives. I admired her dedication and ship because, as she herself pointed before the committee to come up with valued her friendship. Her equal will out, "all my life has been one of dedi plausible solutions. As a Representa not soon be seen. I know I join with cation to working for people." tive from one of Connecticut's most di my colleagues in offering sincere con By keeping the well-being of people verse districts, Governor Grasso was dolences to her husband, Tom, and clearly before her eyes, Governor an exemplary example of a Member their children, James and Susane.e Grasso avoided getting bogged down in who was able to retain the highest • Mr. CONTE. Mr. Speaker, with a the details of political mechanics; in degree of principle while acting as an feeling of sadness and great loss, I join stead, she mastered them and used effective compromiser. with my colleagues in paying tribute them in the pursuit of more far sight I join my colleagues in paying trib to the brilliant and gracious former ed goals. ute to an admirable woman who was Member of Congress and Governor of My one regret about the career of held in very high regard during her Connecticut, Ella T. Grasso, who Ella Grasso is that she did not remain years in the House. I am sure she will ended her battle with cancer on Feb longer among us here in the House of be sorely missed by the citizens of ruary 5. Representatives. In her all-too-brief Connecticut as well as her many 2226 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD- HOUSE. February 17, 1981 friends and admirers in Washington pioneer. But more than just being a our work-always there with a joke to and throughout the Nation.e pioneer, she was elected-and then lighten the pressure. e Mr. STGERMAIN. Mr. Speaker, it reelected-because of her outstanding Ella Grasso was a distinctive is with great sorrow and honor that I personal qualities and obvious dedica Member of this body, an exceptional pay tribute to the Honorable Ella tion. Mrs. Grasso did not surrender Congresswoman, and one of those pre Tambussi Grasso, the 83d Governor of her life without a typically courageous cious few who excelled in whatever en Connecticut. struggle, showing her great personal terprise she undertook and managed Perhaps Archbishop John F. strength that helped make her so to do so with extraordinary modesty Whelan stated it best during his unique. and grace. Like my colleagues, I will homily at the services for Governor I sincerely hope that all Members sorely miss her, but I will always be Grasso, when he quoted this passage will join me in tribute to a great friend grateful for having had the privilege from the Book of Proverbs: and colleague.e and pleasure of working with and Many are the women of proven worth, but e Mr. COUGHLIN. Mr. Speaker, it knowing this great individual. My you have exceeded them all. Charm is de was my great privilege to serve in this deepest sympathies go out to her ceptive and beauty fleeting, the woman who body for two terms with the late family for their great loss.e fears the Lord is to be praised. Give her a reward of her labors and let her works former Governor of Connecticut, Ella • Mr. ADDABBO. Mr. Speaker, on praise her at the city gates. Grasso. History will no doubt take spe Thursday, February 5, our Nation lost cial note that Ella Grasso achieved the one of its most revered and beloved Indeed Ella Grasso exceeded the distinction of becoming the first public servants, when Ella T. Grasso, milestones of many. Her life as a hard woman elected chief executive of a former colleague, Governor and secre toiling public servant was comparable State without succeeding her husband tary of state of Connecticut, as well as to none. My experiences with her as a to that high office. Yet, for those of us a dear and trusted friend, lost a coura fellow Member of Congress, and, our who knew and worked with "Ella," geous battle to cancer at the much too continued relationship during her there was nothing surprising or ex early age of 61. It was undoubtedly tenure as Governor, underscored her traordinary about her rise to the Gov the only battle she ever lost in her interminable concern for the welfare ernor's chair in Hartford. Her grasp of of others. We spent many hours in lifetime. consort seeking solutions to the prob issues, her commitment to better gov Ella Grasso will long be remembered ernment at all levels, and her warm for her dedication to excellence. Few lems of our constituencies. But Ella personal appeal were as evident to her Grasso was unsurpassed in her dili people I have known ever worked as colleagues here in the House as to the hard as she did to best address the gence and candor. The people of Con people of Connecticut she later served necticut, and those of us who had the problems and needs of the country so capably and with such devotion in and her constituents. Whether it was immeasurable pleasure of serving with Hartford. Ella was a born leader with her, can readily attest to this fact. an issue commanding the attention of a special gift for reaching out to an entire nation, or a problem affect For it was in laboring for the good of people in need and helping wherever others where Ella Grasso reaped her ing one constituent, Ella was always rewards. Be it fighting for a grant or she could. News of her tragic illness in there to do all within her power to trudging the last mile to the State the midst of her second term as Gov correct the problem. ernor touched her many friends pro Her career in politics was one of con House during the blizzard of 1978, Ella foundly, and her loss has deeply sad attacked both with the same zeal she tinued success. In 25 years of serving had for life-relentlessly. This spirit dened us an.• the public, she never lost an election. I served her well in life, as in the illness e Mr. DE LA GARZA. Mr. Speaker, had the distinct privilege of working she fought so valiantly, that could along with all my colleagues, I was with her when she served in the House only engender the highest admiration saddened by the death of our dear of Representatives from 1971 to 1975. for this fine human being. friend and former colleague, Ella Tam While serving in the House she fought Ella Grasso leaves us a legend of bussi Grasso. I rise today to pay trib hard to reverse the economic troubles compassion, hard work, and success. ute to one of the finest American in her industrial district, voting for Her final reward is the peace of mind women I have ever known. badly needed economic stimulus bills, in knowing that she always did her Throughout her illustrious career and she was a major force behind pas best for everyone. A legend difficult to spent in service to the people of Con sage of the Comprehensive Employ emulate, and a reward most of us can necticut, Ella Grasso exemplified the ment and Training Act, legislation only hope for.e virtues of dedication, concern, and which today continues to benefit thou e Mr. PEYSER. Mr. Speaker, on Feb good humor, earning the respect and sands of Americans. Ella was always ruary 5, the Honorable Ella Tambussi admiration of her fellow colleagues. sincerely concerned for those seg Grasso, a former colleague and the A rendition of Ella Grasso's accom ments of our society who needed to be 83d Governor of Connecticut, lost a plishments in her career of public heard, yet lacked the strong voices, valiant battle with cancer. All Mem service would be both lengthy and im and she fought for the expansion of bers of the House who served with her pressive. As a Member of this body, minimum wage laws, increased veter will indeed agree with me that we she earned our respect and friendship ans benefits, greater funding for social have lost a truly remarkable person. for her tireless efforts in support of security and health programs for the Mrs. Grasso was a person held in the those things she believed in, primarily elderly. highest regard as she faithfully repre the greatness of our United States. In 197 4, to the surprise of no one sented the Sixth Congressional Dis Her fine qualities of quick reasoning who knew her determination and trict of Connecticut. I had the pleas and unfaltering judgment proved to be desire to be the best she could possibly ure to serve with her on the Education invaluable assets in her tireless work be, she became the first woman to be and Labor Committee for 4 years. In on her committee assignments as both elected Governor in her own right in her work on this committee, as in her a member of the Veterans' Affairs the United States when the people of duties as a Member of Congress and Committee and the Committee on Connecticut chose her to run their Governor, she served with great dis Education and Labor. State. tinction. She will be remembered as a Although a diligent and capable Ella Grasso will be missed by a woman with great ambition, as well as worker, I will best remember Ella Nation grateful for the work on its great compassion and knowledge. Grasso as a friend, for she was always behalf. The consummate public serv As the first woman elected solely in there to help and brighten our spirits ant, her passing leaves a tremendous her own right to the office of Gover when needed. Ella used her great wit leadership void in this country that nor, Mrs. Grasso can be considered a as a means of helping us accomplish will be difficult to fill. To her family I February 17, 1981 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD- HOUSE 2227 offer my prayers in their time of • Mr. CONABLE. Mr. Speaker, during tal. It is a capital recovery system. I mourning.e the first session on the 97th Congress have sought to purge the word "depre e Mr. ANNUNZIO. Mr. Speaker, I rise we are likely to make the most innova ciation" from my vocabulary when in tribute to the Honorable Ella T. tive changes in tax policy that have speaking of the 10-5-3 system. The Grasso, who served as Governor of occurred in our lifetimes. The center term "depreciation" often carries with Connecticut and as a Member of the piece of this activity will be the total it the connotation of physical obsoles House of Representatives. Her death overhaul of our depreciation system. cence. H.R. 1053 provides a capital re is a sad loss, and she will be remem Looking ahead to this challenge I covery mechanism unrelated to physi bered for her distinguished and com would like to refresh our memories cal obsolescence or the useful lifetime passionate leadership. about how the current system oper of an asset. Ella Grasso was born to Italian im ates and describe the principal fea H.R. 1053 both accelerates and sim migrants, and began her career in tures of H.R. 1053, the Capital Cost plifies the capital recovery of invest public service during World War II as Recovery Act, often nicknamed "10-5- ments in plant and capital assets. The the Connecticut State assistant direc 3." simplification results from the use of a tor of research for the Federal War Depreciation is the term which de fixed statutory recovery schedule Manpower Commission. In 1952, she scribes the manner in which a business rather than calculating depreciation was elected to the Connecticut House deducts-or writes off-its investment in plant and capital equipment. The based on each asset's useful lifetime. of Representatives, where she served 4 Since useful lifetime varies from asset years. Beginning in 1956, she served 2 law does not allow an immediate de duction for plant and capital expendi to asset, the current system results in years on the Democratic National a multitude of calculations as well as Committee, and then returned to tures where the assets have a useful lifetime of more than 1 year. Rather, disputes with the IRS over what is the become Connecticut's secretary of proper useful lifetime of an asset. state, a post she held for 12 years. those expenditures must be capitalized Mrs. Grasso was elected to represent and deducted over the expected useful The acceleration of capital recovery the people of the Sixth District of lifetime of the assets. The original is at the heart of H.R. 1053. It would Connecticut in 1969, and served in the policy conviction behind this approach place depreciable property into one of House of Representatives until 1974 was that it matched the deductions for three classes. Class I provides a 10- during both the 92d and the 93d Con the assets with the income which the year capital recovery period for build gresses. She was a strong supporter of assets were producing. This may have ings and their structural components economic stimulus bills, and as a been a reasonable approach in a except residential property. Class II member of the Education and Labor stable, noninflationary economic envi provides a 5-year capital recovery Committee, she helped draft the Com ronment but today it is out of step period for equipment and other tangi prehensive Employment and Training with economic reality. ble personal property. Class III pro Act. Over the years the tax law has en vides a 3-year recovery period for up She was then elected by the people grafted modest forms of accelerated to $100,000 of annual expenditures for of Connecticut to serve as their Gover depreciation onto the system. But the automobiles and light trucks. Any nor, and was the first woman to be roots of the underlying system still annual expenditure in excess of elected Governor of a State without rest on the principle that capital $100,000 for cars and light trucks following her husband into office. In assets must be depreciated over their would be placed in class II. 1978, she was reelected to serve a useful lifetime. All class I and class II property is eli second term as that State's chief ex In the decade of the 1980's American gible for the full 10 percent invest ecutive. business will be called upon to invest ment tax credit, as long as the proper She fought valiantly and relentlessly enormous sums of money to replace its ty is of the character eligible for the to stop waste and abuse in Connecti aging capital stock. This is essential if credit. Class III property is eligible for cut's government operations, and she our economy is to grow at a healthy a 6-percent investment tax credit. served in tireless dedication to the pace and provide adequate jobs. How Some persons have commented that highest standards until forced to ever, it is unrealistic to expect a depre in the case where an asset has a useful resign because of serious illness. ciation system designed in the 1940's lifetime of less than 5 years, that the Ella T. Grasso was a dedicated and and early 1950's to provide the best 10-5-3 system appears to put it at a devoted American, and a public offi framework to encourage investment in disadvantage. For example, a machine cial of outstanding ability, deep com the 1980's. The touchstone of the cur that has a useful lifetime of 4 years is passion, and courage. rent depreciation system is that a busi placed in class II with a recovery Mrs. Annunzio and I extend our ness must recover its investment in a period of 5 years. deepest sympathy to Mrs. Grasso's capital asset over the useful lifetime of husband, Thomas, and to her children, that asset. The time has come to break There are two reasons why the ini James and Susane.e the linkage between the useful life tial perception may be an overreac Mr. COTTER. Mr. Speaker, before time of an asset and the mechanism tion. First, the rate schedules within concluding, I would just like to state for recovering one's investment in that the classes are themselves accelerated. that I have here a resolution adopted asset. The 5-year recovery period in class II by the U.S. House of Representatives H.R. 1053, the Capital Cost Recov is not a uniform 20 percent a year, but on February 6, 1981, which bears the ery Act, accomplishes this result. It is provides for 20-, 32-, 24-, 16-, and 8-per signatures of all the Members of the not a fine tuning of the current cent recovery allowances over the re Connecticut delegation. It is available system, it is a fundamentally new ap spective 5 years. Thus the asset with a for anyone else who would like to sign proach. H.R. 1053 provides a fixed 4-year lifetime would receive a 92-per it. statutory schedule for recovering cent recovery allowance in 4 years. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the bal plant and capital investments. The Second, and even more important, is ance of my time. fixed statutory schedules provide for a the fact that this 4-year asset in class more rapid recovery of capital invest II will now receive the full 10-percent ment rather than is available under investment credit. Under current law H.R. 1053-THE CAPITAL COST the useful lifetime approach or under the asset would receive a 3~-percent RECOVERY ACT OF 1981 the various forms of accelerated de investment tax credit. Thus the more The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under preciation permitted under current generous application of the invest a previous order of the House, the gen law. ment tax credit in this situation tleman from New York by control of the Hudson Valley. Colonel my is the need for American products It is one of the ironies of history that had Kosciuszko prevented this at the Battle of to remain competitive in world mar General Thaddeus Kosciuszko been born Saratoga in the north and by his impregna kets. The traditional edge which our with a name as easily pronounced as Gener ble fortifications of West Point in the south. al Robert E. Lee. Ulysses Simpson Grant or The Battle of Saratoga, fought in October products often held in world markets of 1777, is unanimously called one of the ten is being challenged and eroded. H.R. John J. Pershing, his name would resound throughout Western civilization as one of most important battles in recorded history. 1053 will allow American business to the foremost military geniuses of all time. The reason is that when British General increase its productivity to meet better But a name which is difficult to pro "Gentleman Johnny" Burgoyne surren the foreign competition in our domes nounce is almost impossible to remember. dered, both France and Spain were con tic market as well as maintain a strong Phonetically, the name is pronounced os vinced that the Continental Army could record of exports in the world market. Choose-Ko. Ko. win, and thereupon entered into the war as H.R. 1053 can be the spark which He was of the towering stature of a Hani allies of the Colonies. triggers a new generation of business bal, or a Caesar. Most Americans are quite The campaign of "Gentleman Johnny" unaware of the fact that the military genius was brilliantly conceived. It was a three expansion. As our national policy of this man is largely responsible for the pronged offensive. Colonel Barry St. Leger shifts the emphasis away from Gov victory which gave America its independ was to come down the Mohawk Valley from ernment as a source of goods and serv ence. There are thousands of memorials Lake Ontario, in a flanking movement; Gen ices and more toward the private throughout these United States to General eral Burgoyne was to hammer down Lake sector, we must provide the private Lafayette, General Pulaski, and General Champlain and Lake George to Albany; and sector with the best tools to do the von Steuben; but the military giant who General Clinton was to come up the Hudson job. H.R. 1053 is one of the best tools towered over them all goes unnoticed. from New York City, to provide the anvil the Government can provide. Though the military was his first profes for "Gentleman Johnny's" descending Mr. Speaker, over the coming sion, Thaddeus Kosciuszko was a Renais hammer on the Continental Army. Obvious sance man. He was a painter, an architect, a ly enough, the hammer and anvil had to be months the Congress will be debating composer, a scholar and a philosopher. He prevented from meeting. Only twenty miles alternative approaches to improving was accepted as an intellectual equal by Jef north of Albany, Colonel Thaddeus Kos our depreciation laws. No one can fore ferson; he was also a mystical visionary of ciuszko selected a natural fortress in the cast what the outcome of this process human rights scarcely second to Abraham terrain, and he made it both an invulnerable will be. The two objectives of any new Lincoln. fort and a trap by his brilliant engineering. February 17, 1981 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD- HOUSE 2229 In briefest terms, Colonel Kosciuszko house as he arrived with letters from Prince unharnessed, and the city fathers them found a little mount which controlled the Czartoryski to General Washington's selves pulled the vehicle through cheering narrow road between it and the river and he second-in-command, General Henry Lee. As thousands to his dwelling. crowned it with artillery. He had carefully a youth, he was first in his college. He was President Adams sent a courier. Wrote the selected the mount; it was just below Mill first King's Cadet at Poland's West Point second President: "I hope you will find all Creek, flowing into the Hudson. His selec and he was first at the advanced Ecole Mili the consolation, tranquility and satisfaction tion provided a water barrier which prohib taire in Paris. General Washington's staff, you desire after the glorious record you ited the famed bayonet charge of the Red like the generals of Mr. Lincoln's Army, have made in a greater theater. On my ar coats on the American Right flank. More were to receive their training in battle. rival in Philadelphia, I hope to have the over, Mill Creek's tributaries had formed He had scarcely unpacked his bags before pleasure to receive you." But it was with four deep ravines running from northeast to the anxious authorities begged his assist Thomas Jefferson, then Vice-President, southwest, natural breastworks which made ance in devising a defense for the city. In that General Kosciuszko formed his deepest infantry attack on the American center im doing so, Colonel Kosciuszko planned and friendship. possible. Thereafter, to crown the master effected a defense against amphibious war Philadelphia continued to lavish its affec piece, Colonel Kosciuszko placed the heav fare for a young nation which had no navy tion upon him. Love has curative powers. iest concentration of American artillery on at all. Within months he could walk. To the little the higher Bemis Heights, commanding A sea-land pincer was closing on the Con house at 301 Pine Street came a string of both the river and the ravines. tinental Army. General Washington, badly distinguished visitors: the Duke of Orleans, "Gentleman Johnny" had no alternative beaten in the Battle of New York and future King of France, cabinet members, but to attack the American left flank. This driven north to White Plains, was falling senators, governors and diplomats from movement had been foreseen by Kosciuszko back across New Jersey to Philadelphia. abroad; but its most distinguished visitor and the Continental sharpshooters were Lord Cornwallis relentlessly pursued. Out at was Vice-President Thomas Jefferson. waiting. Brigadier Frazer, the soul of the sea, off the Delaware capes, His Majesty's Thomas Jefferson became the executor of British forces, was shot, and when that Fleet, under command of Admiral Howe, his will-a will in which General Kosciuszko noble soldier pitched from his saddle, the made ready to sail up the Delaware River to directed that his American assets be used to British Crown in the Colonies fell with him. attack Philadelphia by sea. Washington re purchase the freedom of slaves and furnish General Horatio Gates, Commanding treated across the Delaware. Cornwallis them with both land and education. General of the American forces, attested gloated that he had trapped the fox at last. These distinguished gentlemen exchanged that the genius of Thaddeus Kosciuszko was But down at the narrow tum of the Dela several interesting documents, among them the decisive factor in these words: "Let us ware, Colonel Kosciuszko designed and false passports forged by Vice-President Jef be honest. In war as in medicine, natural built, by Herculean effort, throughout that ferson for General Kosciuszko. The purpose causes not under our control do much. The autumn, forts on Billingsport Island, which was to get the general to Paris to end the great tacticians of the campaign were hills controlled both banks of the Delaware. The undeclared naval war between the United and forests, which Colonel Kosciuszko was river was corked. The British sea-land pin States and France. Smuggled out at dead of skillful enough to select for my encamp cers couldn't close. night by Thomas Jefferson himself, Gener ments." General Washington, falling back across al Kosciuszko sailed for Paris via Lisbon. His masterpiece of strategy was at Sarato the Delaware just above Trenton, was not General Kosciuszko apparently accom ga; but his greatest work of military art was fully apprised of this. With his back to the plished his mission: hostilities ceased after the creation of West Point. As at Saratoga, wall, he sent orders to Philadelphia to build he arrived in Paris. it was in the selection of the site. In all of fortifications in preparation for a last-ditch Thomas Jefferson wrote of General Kos the vast Hudson Valley Colonel Kosciuszko siege. It must have been with enormous selected the one point where the river bends relief that he learned that Colonel Kos ciuszko: "He is as pure a son of liberty as I around a high promontory controlling both ciuszko had protected the rear of the Conti have ever known, and of that liberty which angles of the stream. On a grand scale, he nental Army. The rest is dramatic history, is to go to all, and not to the few and rich chained the river, then plateau. Thus, the how on Christmas Night, Washington re alone." all-powerful British Navy was blocked from crossed the Delaware to smite the Hesians The most significant tribute to General the south; never again could the British at Trenton and followed it up with the blow Kosciuszko came from the Commander-in pincer off New England. Colonel Kosciusz at Princeton which sent Cornwallis reeling Chief, General George Washington himself. ko's intellectual triumph at West Point was back to New Brunswick. Down in the Dela General Washington's letters reveal the greater than at Saratoga. This, because the ware Bay, Admiral Howe, after evaluating growth of his respect. "There is one in fortress was too formidable to attack. the cost of reducing the Kosciuszko forts, Philadelphia who I am told is clever, but The British were forced to revise their stood out to sea. Colonel Kosciuszko had him I have never seen," General Washing grand strategy. They abandoned the North held Philadelphia by making its river ap ton wrote after his Trenton victory, alluding and the Hudson Valley to open operations proaches too formidable to attack. to Colonel Kosciuszko's decisive fortifica in the South. Thus, Colonel Kosciuszko's Colonel Kosciuszko was rushed north. tions at Fort Miffling. After the Battle of greatest victory was at West Point, the The strategic key to the Hudson Valley was Saratoga, General Washington wrote the battle his Majesty's forces dared not fight. between Lake Champlain and Lake George, Congress, "I would take the liberty to men When the British switched their offensive at Fort Ticonderoga. Colonel Kosciuszko at tion that I have been informed that the En to the Carolinas, Colonel Kosciuszko was once outlined full defenses, but the Kos gineer of the N orthem Army nitrogen from the air; scientists hope that has been so successful that commercial pro Seven elaborately handwritten Torah this ability, which is possessed only by bac duction is considered possible. teria, can be transferred to plants that now scrolls that were valued at $15,000 each and get nitrogen from fertilizer. And if photo And researchers here sometimes turn to had been used weekly for more than 50 synthesis-the process through which old crops. One is amaranth, a high-protein years by one of the oldest synagogues in plants convert the energy in sunlight into cereal of the ancient Aztecs. The Spanish Brooklyn were stolen sometime Saturday plant sugars-could be made more efficient, conquerors of Mexico banned cultivation of night or yesterday morning. plants would grew faster. the grain because of its religious signifi The crime, the latest in what the police Plants now convert only 1% of the energy cance to the Indians, and it hasn't been called a rising incidence of break-ins at absorbed from the sun into sugars. Says raised to any extent in North America ever houses of worship in the city, stunned the Dean Hess: "Think of what it would mean if since. rabbi and members of Congregation Yeshiva Yavne, a turn-of-the-century synogogue at we could raise that to 2%. That could mean "It is a crop that might fit the growing a doubling of plant growth rates, and that 510 Dahill Road, near 40th Street, in the cycles of many American farmers," says Borough Park section. might be reflected in massive food-produc Subodh K. Jain, a researcher l.tere. He is tion increases." "My heart aches when I speak about it," working to improve seed characteristics. Rabbi Solomon Shapiro said yesterday after Moreover, fewer than 10% of the world's And backyard garde'"' · ·s, especially in Cali 300,000 species of higher plants have been discovering the doors of the Holy Ark ajar fornia, are already growing amaranth as a on the altar and the seven wooden-handled screened for any purpose, and only about health food.e 1% have been thoroughly screened for pos parchment scrolls missing. sible use by man. So enormous latitude still The rabbi said his Orthodox congregation remains for agricultural expansion-and a was composed of a dwindling number of staggering task is faced by genetic engineers MALICIOUS DESTRUCTION OF aging members, only about 30 people, who searching for desirable genes. RELIGIOUS PROPERTY MUST could not afford a single replacement for Perhaps unlike some financial people, ge BE STOPPED the stolen Torahs, which were not insured. netic engineers here seem to harbor few il And unless he is able to borrow one this lusions. They say it may take years and The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under week, the rabbi said, a tradition of Sabbath even decades before some of their ideas a previous order of the House, the gen services dating back 55 to 60 years might be reach commercial usefulness. tleman from New York is broken. Much closer to practical application re recognized for 15 minutes. TWO YEARS OF WORK embryo transplants in animals. A high _u.ilk • Mr. SOLARZ. Mr. Speaker, today I The Torah is traditionally the holiest producer can become the mother cow for a am introducing legislation cosponsored object in a synagogue. A long parchment whole herd. After artificial insemination in scroll inscribed with the Five Books of duces pregnancy, the embryo is transplant by Congressman WAXMAN which would Moses and wrapped around a wooden or ed into an ordinary cow. The resulting calf make it a Federal crime punishable by metal roller, each is a product of painstak has the quality characteristics of the blood 5 years imprisonment and a $10,000 ing effort by a scribe who may labor two mother rather than the bearing mother. fine to destroy a house of worship or years or longer copying the Hebrew text. The high-quality cow can deliver embryo the religious property within, or to Some have gold or silver handles and finger after embryo for transplanting; one cow vandalize a cemetery or religious like pointers used for following each line of here had I' uru 11 ,... ,, es in a single year. the text. "This 1., ~,ne way ali l:Uillllal breeding will school. Because of the costly materials and effort be done on farms in another few years," To effectively guarantee freedom of involved in creating a Torah, the value of a says Donald L. Bath, a scientist here. worship in this country there must be scroll has risen dramatically in recent years, COMPUTERIZED FARMS substantial penalties for those who from $3,000 to $15,000, according to Rabbi Also likely is the computerized farm, on would interfere with an individual's Shapiro. which the farmer can handle his cattle and right to worship without fear. Those And as the value of Torahs has risen, the milk-cow feeding programs via computer. who deliberately destroy religious number of reported thefts also has been in The university already has such a system. creasing in New York, Israel, France and With it, a farmer can select any of dozens of property commit not only a crime elsewhere. The police and spokesmen for feeds to achieve the best nutrition at the against property, but also a crime various religious organizations have noted lowest price. against individuals. Churches, syr a that churches and synagogues are often un "We now have 61 groups around the coup gogues, and their sacred contents are locked, unattended and quite vulnerable to try tied into one computer to get feeding often of irreplaceable, traditional and thieves, and that the rising value of reli programs," Mr. Bath says. Some are feed historic value and their destruction gious objects may have led to underworld companies, consultants and dairies, each of can cause the disappearance of congre "fencing" operations specializing in them. which deals with several hundred farmers. Detectives of the 66th Precinct, which During the past several years, the program gations and their heritage of worship. covers an area in Borough Park dotted with has increased average annual milk produc In my own district over the last year synagogues, recalled several other syna tion to 20,371 pounds per animal from there have been dozens of vicious at gogue thefts last year. Brooklyn South de 14,429 pounds. tacks on houses of worship. At Temple tectives said they had observed a rising inci The new canning process, says Roger E. Ner Tamid night marauders painted dence of break-ins at churches and syna Garrett, chairman of the Agricultural Engi gogues in recent months, although no statis neering Department, uses direct flame on red swastikas on the floor, mutilated tics were available. cans for sterilization and drastically reduces Holy Torahs, and splattered paint over No precise statistics were available on a energy costs. Taste tests show that products the rabbi's robes and prayer shawl, citywide basis, either, but the police noted thus canned are more likely to retain natu leaving cash and valuable equipment that recent increases in such crimes had in ral flavors. untouched. In Brighton Beach, Beth part prompted the creation last month of a Wallis H. Clark Jr., director of the aqua Hamidrash Hagodol Synagogue was special 13-member police unit assigned to in culture program, reports the successful destroyed by arson, and dozens of vestigate crimes of a religious, ethnic or crossing of a Maine lobster with a European racial nature. one; the goal is to produce a lobster that is sacred and valuable antique Torah Rabbi Shapiro said the Torah scrolls at more docile than the Maine variety-and scrolls have been stolen from temples Congregation Yeshiva Yavne were taken less fond of cannibalism. Now the facility is in my district, preventing these con sometime between 6:15P.M. Saturday, when doing something heretofore deemed impos gregations from holding their Sabbath he locked up and left the building after Sab sible: breeding lobsters in captivity with an services. bath services, and 11:30 A.M. yesterday, artificial diet. Under the Davis system, a The following article from the New when he returned. The thief or thieves ap one-pound lobster may be produced in two parently entered through a basement years, less than half the normal period. York Times on January 5, 1981, details window, which had been forced open. "Two companies on the West Coast and the incredible impact of crimes carried "I left the congregation a little after 6 one on the East Coast are going into this on out against a small Jewish congrega o'clock and locked up as usual," the rabbi a commercial scale," Mr. Clark says. tion: recalled. "This morning, I happened to 2232 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD- HOUSE February 17, 1981 come into the main synagogue about 11:20 call to the attention of my colleagues Mayor Tom Bradley called the incidents and noticed that the Holy Ark was kind of and the general public the wave of "ugly and shameful attempts of a few sick open. The doors were not closed as they anti-Semitic vandalism now sweeping vandals to frighten, threaten or goad us into should be. our Nation. Tragically, such acts are the pit with them ..." "I ran over-and then I almost collapsed. The damage at the Wiesenthal Center, All seven Torahs had disappeared." no longer rare occurrences. It is no co 9760 W. Pico Blvd., took place between mid Rabbi Shapiro said there had been no incidence that the bombing of a syna night and 5 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 7. The vandalism in the synagogue. But the loss of gogue in Paris and attacks on Jewish outside walls of the holocaust museum, the Torahs, he said, has left his congrega businesses in Europe have been which is located at the Yeshiva University tion "shocked and very upset." matched, in our country with the of Los Angeles, were painted with German "At one time," the rabbi said, "the scrolls spray painting of swastikas and Nazi slogans and nazi insignias including swasti were considered such holy objects that no slogans on synagogue edifices and the kas. one would dare to touch them. Now, unfor firebombing of religious institutions. These slurs included "NSWPP Erwache" tunately, times have changed." In my own community in Los Ange • the budget process suggest that sud need for Christians at this time not to denly-eureka-we can dismantle the remain silent. Pastor Chester Harter, Jr., of First Baptist Church of Southgate, stated A GOVERNMENT OR A BUTCHER Federal Government and all programs that "anti-Semitism is not a Jewish prob SHOP? - that make it work for not only the lem, it is a challenge to Christianity as a banks and big business, but for the community and a world force. It is our re The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under less fortunate. sponsibility as Christians to challenge those a previous order of the House, the gen It is important that the grab for who perpetrate these acts of violence and tleman from Rhode Island The sential. I am not willing to take a great committee shall meet on the fourth Tues slash at the Export-Import Bank for So, for those people who believe in day of each month and at such other times some misguided public relations pur self-help, in starting their own local as determined by the chairman, or pursuant pose while we continue to struggle to organizations and maintaining control to subparagraph (b), in Room 2123 of the keep our balance of payments on an through a cooperative structure-the Rayburn House Office Building, at 9:45 a.m. even keel. We must face the fact that Reagan administration apparently has for the consideration of bills, resolutions, other nations subsidize many of their you in their sights. and other business, if the House is in session on that day. If the House is not in session exports and I do not want some over The budget cuts, Mr. Speaker, are, on that day and the committee has not met night computer run to suddenly create for the most part, slashes aimed at during such month, the committee shall more problems with our efforts to many, who-for various reasons-need meet at such time and place on the first day compete in world markets. a temporary helping hand, govern thereafter when the House is in session. Some of the black book's black ment of people; not a government of (b) The chairman may call and convene, magic seems designed to satisfy philo computers. as he considers necessary, additional meet sophical hangups of a few with little ings of the committee for the consideration or no concern about economic impact. Cuts of this magnitude would be of any bill or resolution pending before the For example, cooperatives-self-help questionable in any event, but the seri committee or for the conduct of other com ousness is magnified by the adminis mittee business. The committee shall meet organizations formed by local people for such purposes pursuant to that call of apparently have a real enemy some tration's emerging new tax policy the chairman. where among the black book authors. which appears certain to skew the If at least three members of the com The little National Consumer Coop benefits for business and upper mittee or subcommittee may file in the offices of the meat axs, in the medicine closet. And committee their written notice that a spe The capital in the Bank is repayable cial meeting of the committee or subcom by the borrowers, and it is being most importantly, if we can be assured mittee