E1334 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks July 8, 2004 fund raising events, or helping with White fore he was to turn over the office of President done so much to foster positive relations with Rock Marathons. to his elected successor. President Klestil was the United States and to help his country and Over the years, For the Love of the Lake a man of distinction whom I knew, admired its people deal with their past. has been honored with countless awards and and considered a friend. recognized by numerous organizations for Thomas Klestil was born in Vienna in 1932, f their outstanding work. Dallas Observer maga- the youngest of five children of a tram driver. COMMEMORATING COMPLETION OF zine said, ‘‘For the Love of the Lake is easily After completing a doctorate in economics and PHASE ONE OF THE JOHN N. one of Dallas’ best volunteer service organiza- business in 1957, he entered the Austrian dip- HARDEE AIRPORT EXPRESSWAY tions,’’ and I could not agree more. lomatic service. Some 18 years of his diplo- On behalf of all of the people in Dallas, es- matic career of 35 years was spent in the HON. JOE WILSON pecially those who live in neighborhoods near United States, first as a junior diplomat in OF SOUTH CAROLINA White Rock Lake, I would like to congratulate Washington and later as Consul General in the For the Love of the Lake organization and Los Angeles, Ambassador to the United Na- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES volunteers on their tremendous accomplish- tions in New York, and then as Ambassador to Thursday, July 8, 2004 ment. I would also like to thank them for their the United States here in Washington. I Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speak- continued and valuable service to our commu- worked with him during the time he served as er, I along with my colleague, Mr. BARRETT of nity. Ambassador in Washington. Following his South Carolina, would like to take this oppor- f election as President, I met with him in Vienna tunity to commemorate the completion of on more than one occasion. Phase One of the John N. Hardee Airport Ex- PAYING TRIBUTE TO EDMUND Mr. Speaker, Thomas Klestil was elected to CHELEWSKI pressway. This will be announced to the peo- the office of President at a difficult time in ple of South Carolina at a ribbon cutting cere- Austria’s post-World War II history. His prede- mony on Monday, July 10. The completion of HON. SCOTT McINNIS cessor as Austrian President was Kurt Wald- this 2.8 mile expressway will provide easy and OF COLORADO heim, former Secretary General of the United direct access to the Columbia Metropolitan IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Nations. Austria’s international reputation was Airport. severely damaged by the disclosure that Thursday, July 8, 2004 This expressway, which widened Airport Waldheim had lied about his Nazi military Road from Airport Boulevard in Cayce to Platt Mr. MCINNIS. Mr. Speaker, it is with a sol- service during World War II. Springs Road in Springdale, will make a vast emn heart that I rise today to recognize the Klestil played an important role in helping to difference in the way South Carolinians and life and passion of Edmund Chelewski of Rifle, restore Austria’s image, and in acknowledging visitors commute to the airport. We are looking Colorado. He will be remembered as a dedi- and taking steps to remedy the ugly taint of forward to the next and final phase of the cated servant to our nation and an innovative Austria’s Nazi past. He spoke out numerous project, which is currently under design and farmer in his community. As his family and times about Austria’s complicity with the Nazi should begin construction in 2006. This will community mourn his passing, I would like to regime during World War II, and he expressed provide for a new four-lane road extending Air- take this opportunity to remember the life of sympathy and regret for the victims of the Hol- port Road to Interstate 26. Coupled with the this exceptional man. ocaust. During an official visit to Israel in success of the John N. Hardee Expressway, Edmund was born and raised in Saint Paul, 1994, he spoke before the Israeli Knesset and these two new roadways will reduce traffic and Nebraska. During the Korean War he faithfully reaffirmed a statement made by Chancellor provide direct access to the growing Columbia served in the United States Army as a mem- Franz Vranitzky in 1991 acknowledging the re- Metropolitan Airport by passenger and cargo ber of H Company in the First Infantry Regi- sponsibility of Austrians in the Holocaust and vehicles, removing some 25,000 vehicles each ment. When he returned from the war he admitting that Austrians were not only victims, year from the local network surrounding the worked as a farmer in Nebraska and Colorado but also active collaborators with Hitler’s re- airport. for over two decades. In 1948, he married gime. We would like to thank the people at the Doris Price. He and his family moved to the Mr. Speaker, although Klestil was elected South Carolina Department of Transportation town of Rifle in 1963. His innovativeness President as the candidate of the Austrian (SCDOT) for all of their hard work in com- thrived in Rifle. He was the first to use an irri- People’s Party, he clashed with the party lead- pleting this important project. Mrs. Elizabeth gation system on Silt Mesa and he developed er Wolfgang Schossel. He was critical of Mabry, Executive Director of SCDOT, and Mr. farm equipment that he would later patent. Schossel’s decision to form a coalition govern- John Hardee, SCDOT Second District Com- One piece of farm equipment that he designed ment with the far-right Freedom Party of Jorg missioner for whom the expressway is named, and patented was shared with the world at the Haider in 2000. Several months of inter- thank you for your tireless dedication in getting 1965 World’s Fair. He saw an opportunity in national diplomatic sanctions against Austria this phase of the project completed. This ex- 1972 to get out of farming and open resulted from the formation of that govern- pressway will be helpful to the people of the Chelewski Pipe & Supply, but still remained ment. Though the role of Austrian President is entire state of South Carolina, and for this you active in cultivating agriculture in his garden largely ceremonial and representational, Klestil are appreciated. whenever he had the time. Edmund was ac- demonstrated his disapproval of the coalition tive in the community as a supporter of Future government with the Freedom Party by pub- f Farmers of America and as a member of the licly exhibiting stern disdain as he ceremo- Bookcliff Soil Conservation District. nially swore the new government into office. HONORING THE CONTRIBUTIONS Mr. Speaker, I am honored to pay tribute to He later stated in an interview, ‘‘The Free- OF DR. BRENDAN GODFREY the life of Edmund Chelewski. He will be re- dom Party is not a Nazi party, but, unfortu- membered in his community for his creativity nately, the highest officials of this party con- HON. CIRO D. RODRIGUEZ and inventiveness, his hard work as a farmer, tinue to use a language which disqualifies OF TEXAS and his commitment as a soldier. My heart them for every political office.’’ IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES President Klestil also played an important goes out to his family and community during Thursday, July 8, 2004 this difficult time of bereavement. role in strengthening Austria’s ties with the f Central European states emerging from almost Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today half a century of Soviet domination. In 1993, to recognize Dr. Brendan Godfrey, a great sci- TRIBUTE TO THOMAS KLESTIL, the year after his election, he began con- entist, leader, and friend. As the Deputy Direc- PRESIDENT OF AUSTRIA vening yearly meetings with the heads of state tor of the 311th Human Systems Wing at of these new democracies, which strength- Brooks City-Base, formerly Brooks Air Force HON. TOM LANTOS ened their ties with Austria and also helped Base, since 1998, Dr. Godfrey has served the OF CALIFORNIA the new governments to strengthen their com- medical and human system needs of the Air IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES mitment to democratic principles. Force and the San Antonio community. Mr. Speaker, I invite my colleagues to join Dr. Godfrey has proven his leadership skills Thursday, July 8, 2004 me in expressing our most sincere condo- and abilities, to the benefit of Brooks, the Air Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, earlier this lences to the family of President Thomas Force, and the San Antonio community. Dr. week, Thomas Klestil, President of the Repub- Klestil and to the people of Austria on the Godfrey has been a true partner in the trans- lic of Austria, passed away just two days be- death of this principled statesman, who has formation of Brooks from an Air Force base to VerDate jul 14 2003 06:39 Jul 09, 2004 Jkt 029060 PO 00000 Frm 00020 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A08JY8.038 E08PT1 July 8, 2004 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1335 the first city-base in the country. He has pro- have benefited both Air Force warfighters and create innovations that will enable the Air vided good counsel, creative ideas, and tre- the local community. Force to better serve its military members and mendous energy to make this first-ever transi- Dr. Godfrey’s accomplishments have distin- our country.