Congressional Record—Senate S11848

S11848 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 15, 2000 SENATOR CHARLES S. ROBB The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from and led the plan and implemented that goal, Virginia. I believe that the military should also be Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, today I Mr. ROBB. Mr. President, I thank the chair. cast with making the President’s goal a re- wish to pay tribute to my colleague What is it that makes an excellent soldier? ality. from Virginia, Senator CHUCK ROBB, I submit to you that it five basic virtues: De- As a former military commander, I can tell who will leave the Senate in January votion to duty; loyalty to country, com- you that if a goal of truly equal access to after 12 years of exemplary service to manders, and comrades; skill in military military service is to be reached, I believe his state as a member of this body. arts; personal integrity; and courage. If you that the military itself will have to come to have these qualities, you can be an excellent As others have noted, CHUCK ROBB terms with it. soldier, whether your name of Manursky or That will best be done if given the proper has had a long and distinguished career Jefferson, Goldberg or Nguyen, Warner, Dole, role of implementing the President’s direc- in public service. He served his country Kerrey, or McCain. tive. The hearings announced actually last for 34 years in the Marine Corps and re- A number of Americans who have these year by the distinguished chairman of the serves, and he is a highly decorated qualities, however, are being excluded from Armed Services Committee will add informa- combat veteran. He was a widely pop- serving their country in the military for rea- tion and understanding to that process and ular governor of Virginia, who in- sons beyond fitness or performance. will let us fulfill the Congress’ proper role of creased the state’s education budget by People have told me for some time that ensuring that readiness is maintained while they cannot understand how someone who $1 billion, and appointed many women achieving the President’s goal. But I ask we thinks of himself as a gung-ho marine can not let fear govern our actions. While we and minorities to top government jobs. march to the music of a drummer that I do may not perfectly understand what moti- And he has now served two terms as a not hear. vates individual sexuality, we cannot allow United States Senator, where he has Mr. President, the drummer I hear plays that lack of understanding to block deserv- been praised for his leadership on na- the Marine Corps Hymn. It still gives me a ing patriotic Americans from service. tional security, education, and the chill, and I still stand when it is played. I Mr. President, I hope that my colleagues budget. certainly do not want to detract in any way will oppose the amendment offered by my But I would like to note several as- from the military’s effectiveness or perform- distinguished and very respected colleague, ance. the Republican leader, in this particular in- pects of CHUCK ROBB’s Senate tenure Because of that, I cannot stand by and let stance. that may not be quite as familiar, but a policy that I consider less than perfect I yield the floor. for which I will always remember him keep our services from attracting the best ∑ Mr. FEINGOLD. Mr. President, I rise and be grateful to him. The fact is that and most competent people. The issue should he was a hero on many issues: civil be not what kind of person you are but what today to pay tribute to CHUCK ROBB, a rights, human rights, and a woman’s kind of soldier, sailor, airman, or marine you friend and colleague whom I deeply ad- right to choose. are. mire. Throughout our service together Time and time and time again, even As a former marine who considers his 34- in the U.S. Senate, I have observed plus years in uniform and in the reserve to in the most difficult and politically Senator ROBB’s unfailing commitment be the proudest affiliation of my life, I well HUCK OBB charged debates, Senator ROBB was to principle. C R served his understand those who argue the importance country courageously in Vietnam, and steadfast in his support for the pre- of maintaining morale and good discipline in cious right of women to control their the ranks. he served the Commonwealth of Vir- own bodies without interference from But I would suggest to you, Mr. President, ginia just as courageously in the U.S. government. morale is in the heart of each service person. Senate. Time and again, he voted his He led the fight in the Senate to The threat to morale comes not from the ori- conscience, despite pressures to the bring justice to African-American entation of a few but from the closed minds contrary. Senator ROBB let principle, of many. President Truman recognized that not politics, be his guide during his farmers throughout the nation who had when he ordered the services to be integrated been discriminated against by the De- service in the body. His conduct should by race despite the racial animosity of many give every American faith that legisla- partment of Agriculture. His legisla- then in service. tion helped lead to the largest civil Do some of today’s soldiers fear what they tors can conduct themselves in a way rights settlement in our history. do not understand? Certainly, they do. Obvi- that does honor to our democracy. And then, in February 1993, he deliv- ously. But should America’s policy be guided Senator ROBB opposed the flag dese- ered a powerful and moving speech on by fear, or should be work to overcome prej- cration constitutional amendment, op- the floor of the Senate, the message of udice by showing that merit and behavior, posed the Defense of Marriage Act, and not orientations, are what counts in the supported spending cuts while opposing which was that all of God’s children, military? regardless of sexual orientation, should the politically popular tax cuts. He did I have spent a great deal of time discussing what he thought was in the best inter- be treated equally in the military. this with a number of friends, including the I will always remember Senator Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, Gen. Colin est of Virginians and the nation, and I ROBB’s eloquent words: Powell. Some think that I am simply on the thank him for that. The Senate is a better place for Senator ROBB’s service, The issue should be not what kind of per- wrong side of this issue, and I understand son you are but what kind of soldier, sailor, this and other objections to the proposal. and I join my colleagues in wishing airman, or marine you are. . . . I would sug- General Powell recently drew a difference him and his family all the best as he gest to you, Mr. President, morale is in the between discrimination based on sexuality, moves on to new endeavors.∑ heart of each service person. The threat to which he called a behavior, and that based Mr. CONRAD. Mr. President, I would morale comes not from the orientation of a on race, which he called a benign char- like to recognize the leadership and ac- few but from the closed minds of many. acteristic. But I submit to you that race is obvious, until and unless it is expressed in complishments of a respected colleague I was deeply touched by these words conduct. And if that sexuality is expressed, who will be departing at the end of this of tolerance and understanding, par- it is no longer benign. Then it will run into term. Senator CHUCK ROBB has served ticularly because they came from one the existing regulations of the Uniform Code in the Senate as a representative of who had served so gallantly in the Ma- of Military Justice. Virginia for more than a decade. Dur- rine Corps. The code offers sufficient protections ing his tenure, he has been a strong ad- So I salute you and I thank you, against much of the conduct that supporters vocate for a wide range of important of this amendment fear. And it can certainly CHUCK, and send you my very best be expanded to prevent breaches of decorum legislative reform activities. wishes as you move on to new chal- or good order. During his time in the Senate, Sen- lenges. The specter of drill sergeants dancing to- ator ROBB has fought to strengthen na- Mr. President, I ask unanimous con- gether is unsettling, to say the least, Mr. tional security, maintain fiscal respon- sent that the full text of the statement President. But some of the amendment’s sup- sibility, and protect the environment. be printed in the RECORD. porters fail to note it is just the kind of be- He has also been widely recognized for There being no objection, the mate- havior already prohibited by the Uniform his longstanding commitment to im- rial ordered to be printed in the Code, as is almost all of the conduct pre- proving education. sented as a concern by those who are in favor RECORD, as follows: As a former Governor of Virginia, of this particular amendment. FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE ACT OF 1993 The President is the Commander in Chief Senator ROBB was instrumental in in- (Senate—February 4, 1993) of the Armed Services, and he sets the goals. creasing resources for schools. Building Mr. MITCHELL. Mr. President, I yield 5 min- Just as many military men were given the on these efforts, he spearheaded efforts utes to the Senator from Virginia. goal of ejecting Iraqi forces from Kuwait, to help states and localities build and December 15, 2000 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S11849 renovate schools, promoted legislation ideas on issues affecting the industry internationally, and he can be proud of to put 100,000 new teachers in the class- such as transportation, environment, his contributions. room, fought for school safety initia- trade, technology and health care. I also appreciate Senator ASHCROFT’s tives, and championed measures to Working together with Senator recent work with Senator DORGAN, wire schools to the Internet. These are ASHCROFT’s, we were able to increase Senator BOND, and me on the Dakota important efforts that have benefited membership in the Auto Caucus from Water Resources Act. This legislation children and teachers across the na- six Senators to twenty-eight. The Auto is critical for the economic future of tion. Caucus played a leadership role in North Dakota, and I greatly appreciate As colleagues on the Finance Com- pressing the Administration to nego- the constructive role Senator mittee, we have fought to address the tiate market opening trade agreements ASHCROFT played in representing the challenges facing Social Security and with Japan and Korea in the auto- interests of his state. During discus- Medicare. Just this year, we worked motive sector and continues to weigh sions on this bill he was a tenacious ad- closely to develop a proposal to provide in on and monitor those agreements. In vocate for his state’s interests. His dili- prescription drug coverage for all addition, the Caucus hosts meetings gence in representing his state’s inter- Medicare beneficiaries. I am proud to between Senators and Automotive ests, coupled with his willingness to say that this proposal would provide CEOs, provides timely briefings on US- gain an understanding of the water much needed drug coverage to millions Japan and US-Korea automotive trade needs of my state, ultimately helped us of seniors citizens and disabled individ- negotiations, and encourages the Ad- reach a compromise acceptable to both uals. ministration to fight to open markets states. The people of Missouri can be I would also like to note that I am to U.S. vehicles and auto parts. proud of his work fighting for their in- proud to have worked with a colleague Last year, Senator ASHCROFT and I terests. with such a distinguished military worked together to urge the National More generally, Senator ASHCROFT background. Senator ROBB served our Highway Traffic Safety Administration has been a man of his word who served nation for more than 34 years, during to use an unbelted 25 mph barrier test his state and his country with distinc- which time he received national honors instead of a 30 mph test to design air tion. I join my colleagues on both sides for his leadership and commitment to bags that will help better protect chil- of the aisle in wishing him well in his serving our nation. dren, teenagers and small adults. Our future endeavors. For these and many other reasons, I work on this very complicated and con- Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, I rise have been honored to serve with CHUCK troversial issue brought the Adminis- to pay tribute to a colleague and friend ROBB. I would like to join my col- tration and Auto industry together to who will be greatly missed by the leagues in wishing him and his family reach a result that will increase auto- United States Senate—Senator JOHN all the best in the future. mobile safety. ASHCROFT. f We also worked together to continue Senator ASHCROFT, served Missouri the moratorium on unfair and ineffec- and the nation with distinction. RETIREMENT OF SENATOR JOHN tive increases in Corporate Average In the Senate, he was a leader in pas- ASHCROFT Fuel Economy standards and worked sage of landmark welfare reform legis- Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, as we con- toward a compromise in the Senate to lation, authoring the Charitable Choice clude the 107th Congress, we will be ensure that a National Academy of provision. He fought for lower taxes, a saying goodbye to our colleague and Sciences study of the effectiveness and strong national defense, greater local friend, Senator JOHN ASHCROFT of Mis- impacts of CAFE standards will include control of education, and enhanced law souri. the effect of those standards on motor enforcement. A former two-term Governor, JOHN vehicle safety as well as discrimina- A popular, former two term governor ASHCROFT has earned a reputation in tory impacts of those standards on the of his home state, JOHN brought a real the Senate for his principled pursuit of U.S. auto industry. ‘‘can-do’’ sense of purpose to his work conservative issues. He is also recog- Also, we have worked together in the in the Senate. I have always felt that nized as a strong proponent of the wide past to ensure that environmental reg- those who come to the Senate with ex- use of the internet by federal agencies ulations recognize and reinforce the perience as governor, have especially as a way to make the government more voluntary environmental improve- valuable experience that the entire na- responsive and accountable. As a leader ments and technological achievements tion benefits from. in the term-limits movement, he car- of the automobile industry. There is a term used throughout the ried out the innovative online petition Not only will JOHN’s contribution be 211 year history of the Senate called drive. missed in debate on the Senate floor, ‘‘Senatorial courtesy.’’ JOHN won the Senator ASHCROFT served on the Sen- but his voice will be sorely missed, I admiration of his colleagues in many ate Foreign Relations Committee, as suspect, by the ‘‘Singing Senators’’, ways, especially his caring tradition of well as the Commerce and Judiciary the wonderful quartet in which he has writing wonderful personal notes—not Committees. He established himself as joined with Senators LOTT, CRAIG and by computer—but always taking time a leader among Republicans on a range JEFFORDS. My wife and family, join me to write them by hand. of issues from term limits to tax re- in wishing the best in the years ahead We wish you, your wife and family form and welfare reform. While in for JOHN, his loving wife (and co-au- well as you take on your new chal- many instances I have found myself on thor), Janet, and their family. lenges. the opposite side of issues from John, I Mr. CONRAD. Mr. President, I rise f have always respected his intellect, his today to pay tribute to Senator JOHN integrity, his principled positions and ASHCROFT as he prepares to leave the RETIREMENT OF SENATOR ROD his ability to disagree without being Senate. GRAMS disagreeable. For the past six years, Senator Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, as this Since 1995, JOHN ASHCROFT and I have ASHCROFT has done important work as session of Congress comes to an end, I co-chaired the Senate Auto Caucus. In a member of the Commerce, Judiciary, want to speak about my friend and col- this capacity, we have worked together and Foreign Relations Committees in league from the State of Minnesota, to provide Senators with up to date in- the United States Senate. For example, Senator ROD GRAMS. formation on issues affecting the auto- Senator ASHCROFT has focused on re- A former television news personality, motive industry and its employees. forming our nation’s use of agricul- ROD GRAMS, in his term in the House of Through the Auto Caucus we organized tural sanctions during foreign trade Representatives and in the Senate, informational briefings to give Sen- disputes. We share a common vision quickly established himself as a pro- ators and their staff and opportunity to that we must not use food as a weapon ponent of assistance to farmers and as better understand the auto industry’s in our disputes with other nations, and an advocate for the establishment of a remarkable progress as well as the Senator ASHCROFT has made a high pri- national nuclear waste repository. challenges it faces. The Caucus pro- ority of changing this policy. His work As a member of the Senate Foreign vides a forum for Senators to exchange is important both domestically and Relations Committee, he has been an