S2034 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE March 13, 2008 He was, by his own description, an or- Mr. REID. Mr. President, my final re- I remember watching Senator thodox liberal and made no apologies quest would be that the Senator from Metzenbaum when I served in the about it. As the majority leader has , Mr. BROWN, be given 5 minutes to House, at the beginning of my House pointed out, he had extraordinary suc- speak as in morning business. career and at the end of his Senate ca- cess, rising from absolutely nothing fi- The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- reer. I watched him as a younger elect- nancially and in terms of connections, pore. Without objection, it is so or- ed official in State politics. Even as he not only made a substantial amount of dered. was getting older and he began to show money in the private sector but then Mr. REID. I ask unanimous consent his age, when he stood in front of an had a long and distinguished public ca- for 3 minutes for Senator KENNEDY. audience, the energy just burst from reer as well. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- him. Fiery passion for economic justice We all remember Senator Metzen- pore. Without objection, it is so or- and social justice poured forth from baum with fondness and with respect. dered. Howard Metzenbaum. He would start at I, too, extend my sympathy to the The Senator from Ohio. the podium—he is the first politician I Metzenbaum family. f saw do this—and as he would work his Mr. REID. I suggest the absence of a SENATOR HOWARD METZENBAUM way up into his speech and begin to in- quorum. spire people, he would come away from The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- Mr. BROWN. Mr. President, Senator the podium and walk out into the audi- pore. The clerk will call the roll. KENNEDY and Senator Metzenbaum ence, and he had a strong, powerful The assistant legislative clerk pro- were so often fighting for same causes voice even when he was no longer ceeded to call the roll. and the same issues and showed the speaking into the microphone. People Mr. REID. I ask unanimous consent same courage. They both were and are that the order for the quorum call be would always respond with the same heroes to many. I thank the majority kind of passion and be inspired by him. rescinded. leader for the time. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- That is my clearest, favorite memory A great son of Ohio, Senator Howard of him. His legislative record, of pore. Without objection, it is so or- Metzenbaum, passed away last night in dered. course, was so important too. One of Florida. He was personally inspira- the most important things he did was f tional to so many. He changed the lives the plant closing legislation, giving 60 ORDER OF PROCEDURE of Ohioans, as he changed the lives of days’ notice to workers who too often Mr. REID. Mr. President, as we all so many Americans through his life- have seen their jobs disappear with know, this is the time for the vote- time commitment to public service. I nothing to show for it—pensions, arama or whatever we want to call it. am honored to hold his seat in the Sen- health care, all that. It is usually an exciting day, but it is ate and to follow in his footsteps. Howard Metzenbaum always fought a difficult day. I have conferred with According to Senate tradition, many for people who had less. He always the two Republican leaders, and what Members of the Senate carve their fought for people who had less privilege we are going to do—and I ask unani- names in the drawers of the desks that than he had. He always fought for op- mous consent that this be the case— line the rows. Whoever has Senator portunity for people of all races and the first vote we are going to have will Metzenbaum’s desk can, with all of us, both genders and all social classes. occur sometime around 11 o’clock. The share in the legacy of his greatness. That is what he will be remembered first vote will be 15 minutes plus 5, like As different as they were, Senator for. we do. After that, they will be 10 min- Metzenbaum and Senator , I particularly admire his family. utes straight, no wiggle time at all. who served together for almost two Howard was a great family man—a Senator CONRAD and Senator GREGG decades, made an unparalleled team for man who cared very much about Shir- have been through this many times. We Ohio. ley, his wife, and his four daughters: tried 5 minutes; it doesn’t work. But 10 Senator REID mentioned that Howard Shelley, Amy, Susan, and Barbara. He minutes we are going to do. This is was a child of poverty. He was a child will be greatly missed. going to apply to my side of the aisle of prejudice growing up as a Jew on the After his service in the Senate, as and the other side of the aisle, the 10 east side of and suffered both Senator REID said, he became the head minutes. We are going to cut things from his family’s poverty and anti- of the Consumer Federation of Amer- off, if people miss votes. Semitism in all too many cases. He ica. He never gave up his passion for Mr. MCCONNELL. Will the leader worked his way in jobs, starting as a fighting for ordinary people and for yield? That would include, of course, 10-year-old, through Ohio State. being a warrior for social and economic the 1-minute explanation of the amend- Senator REID told us that in the Sen- justice. ment on each side. ate, Senator Metzenbaum was a master Mr. President, I yield to Senator Mr. REID. Of course. I appreciate of the rules, a constant presence in an KENNEDY, who was a comrade in arms that very much. As my friend indi- often empty Chamber, who would, in so many ways with Senator Metzen- cated, prior to each vote there will be when leaving the Chamber, post an baum. 1 minute on each side, pro and con. I aide to scout for an unexpected amend- The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- also have asked the Parliamentarian to ment or hastily scheduled floor action pore. The majority leader is recog- enforce this. I say to the Chair, and I on various bills. Once, when a 2-week nized. hope you will notify your successor, we filibuster was cut off and Metzenbaum f are going to gavel people after 1 was still determined to block action on minute. These 1-minute speeches drag lifting natural gas price controls, he ORDER OF BUSINESS on for 3 or 4 minutes. That takes away and a partner sent the Senate into Mr. REID. Mr. President, one thing I from what we are supposed to do. The round-the-clock sessions by demanding did not mention—the Republican lead- 1 minute is something we have kind of rollcall votes on 500 amendments. He er is on the floor—we are going to fin- traditionally started doing. There is did not care if he angered his col- ish this bill tonight. Or if it goes past nothing in the rules to say you have leagues. He did not care if he was liked midnight, we are going to finish it on any time. every day by his colleagues. What he Friday. We are going to finish this bill. I ask unanimous consent that the cared about was to fight for economic We have a lot of amendments. It is not first vote be 15 minutes plus 5, subse- and social justice for the 10 million as if we have not done this before. I quent votes will be 10 minutes, with no citizens whom he represented in Ohio hope people will be understanding of wiggle room after that, and that there and for the 250 million or so Americans the rest of the Senators as to how be 1 minute on each side on each when he served in the Senate. many amendments are offered. amendment and that the Chair will en- The Washington Post, in 1982, said We understand the rules. You can force the 1 minute. that Senator Metzenbaum singlehand- offer all you want. We are going to fin- The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- edly saved at least $10 billion by block- ish this legislation tonight. It is impor- pore. Without objection, it is so or- ing special interest tax breaks and tant we do that. We have a very impor- dered. pork-barrel programs. tant work period coming, with many

VerDate Aug 31 2005 04:32 Mar 14, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G13MR6.002 S13MRPT1 ccoleman on PRODPC75 with SENATE March 13, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S2035 things scheduled. I have had a number The Senator from Ohio was one of ment about the loud tie I was wearing. of Democrats and Republicans come to the most conscientious, hardest work- He never failed to notice the unique me and say it would be to everyone’s ing, and influential Senators I have collection of ties I wore. However, over advantage if we finished this bill ear- had the privilege to observe since I the years, I noticed his selection of tie lier tonight rather than later. But came to the Senate in 1979. choices began to grow louder and loud- whenever it is, whether it is late on We were friends even though we er as well until eventually, we used to Thursday, early on Thursday, or early would disagree on some subjects and be see who could wear the most out- Friday morning, we are going to finish on the opposite sides of amendments he landish ties to work each day. We sure this legislation tonight or in the morn- would offer on appropriations bills I did wear some ugly ties trying to outdo ing. was supporting. He was a fierce debater each other. We really developed quite a The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- and would often become agitated and fondness for each other during those pore. The Senator from Massachusetts. raise his voice level for effect. But, he years. f always impressed me as sincere, hon- As you might expect, Howard and I est, and relentless. often found ourselves butting heads on SENATOR HOWARD METZENBAUM The Senate and the United States many issues. He certainly had a tend- Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. President, all of were well served by Howard Metzen- ency, at times, to frustrate some of our us are deeply saddened with the loss of baum. colleagues. However, we all admired an extraordinary Senator and a great Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, I rise to him for his courage and conviction. human being: Howard Metzenbaum. We speak today regarding the passing of Howard was a tough politician. As we extend our condolences to Shirley and former Senator Howard Metzenbaum, came to the close of each of our Senate to the members of the Metzenbaum who passed away last night at his home work periods right before a recess family. in Fort Lauderdale, FL. I think I speak began, you could always find Howard He truly was the conscience of the for many of my colleagues when I say sitting at his desk on the Senate floor Senate for so many years. This is an that our Nation has lost a principled objecting to every piece of legislation institution made up of 100 individuals, leader and that Senator Metzenbaum that he did not agree with. He spent and all of us wonder whether any of us will be missed. hour upon hour standing up for the can make much of a difference in a Senator Metzenbaum was born in people of Ohio. group of 100. But history will show that Cleveland, OH in 1917 and spent much Howard’s enthusiasm in protecting Howard Metzenbaum made an extraor- of his life serving the people of that the interests of Ohioans was probably dinary difference in this institution great State. He graduated from Ohio the only thing that exceeded his zeal in and for the working men and women of State University in 1939 and received a guarding against legislation that he this country whom he championed. law degree from that same institution viewed as helping large corporations. I He was an unabashed champion for in 1941. The early days of his legal recall with some amusement an inci- those who were left out and left behind. practice were devoted to representing dent surrounding an amendment I was So often their interests and their well- labor unions in Ohio. trying to add to a tax bill on the Sen- being are forgotten, but they never In 1943, he began an 8-year period of ate floor that would have lowered ex- were when Howard Metzenbaum served service in the Ohio State Legislature, cise taxes for certain companies that in this institution. serving 4 years in the Ohio House of supplied materials to mining compa- Reference has been made to one of Representatives and 4 more in the Ohio nies. This amendment had been cleared the great battles, among the many he Senate. He soon became a prominent by the managers of the bill, who were the leaders of the Finance Committee. fought, and that was on this issue of figure in Ohio politics. the deregulation of natural gas. How- After his time in the Ohio Legisla- It appeared that acceptance of the ard and Jim Abourezk and a few of us ture, he continued his legal practice amendment was a done deal. That is, until Senator Metzenbaum were interested in that issue. We were and also embarked on a very successful found out that a potentially pro-cor- following the leadership of Howard career in real estate development, be- poration amendment was about to be Metzenbaum. He absolutely infuriated coming a self-made millionaire accepted. every Member of this body as he kept through a series of very successful in- Howard began objecting to the unani- us here day and night, day and night, vestments. However, he did not stay mous consent request to include this rollcall after rollcall, but he would not out of public service for long. amendment in the bill. During a call of give up, and he would not give in. In 1974, Senator Metzenbaum was ap- the quorum, I went over to chat with All of the Members were in an up- pointed by Ohio Governor Jack him. I informed him that of the rough- roar, until finally a solution was Gilligan to fill the vacancy in the U.S. ly two or three dozen mining supply reached and the Senate went in ad- Senate left by Senator William B. companies that would be helped by this journment. As Senator Metzenbaum Saxbe who had departed to serve as amendment, three were located in walked out on the Senate steps, Sen- U.S. Attorney General. After losing a Ohio. I could see in his eyes the dif- ator after Senator came up and con- tough primary election to future Sen- ficult nature of his dilemma—on the gratulated him. They all were express- ator John Glenn later that year, How- one hand he did not want to spend ing a viewpoint that was unsaid, but ard was elected to Ohio’s other Senate money on helping corporations and on they were basically saying beneath seat in 1976, the same year I came to the other hand, he always wanted to their breath that they hoped they the Senate. He served three Senate help his beloved Ohioans. could be the champion for their inter- terms before retiring in 1995. In the end, Howard made what he ests as Howard Metzenbaum was a I had the privilege of serving with thought was the best decision for his champion for the interests of working Howard for his entire career in the constituents and agreed to let the men and women in this country. Senate. It always amazed me how dedi- amendment go, but not before he had a Howard could scold, he could hassle, cated Howard was and how he dutifully chance to weigh in his mind the impor- he could provoke, he could cajole, but watched out for his constituents’ inter- tance of his decision. I remember he also could smile and he could joke. ests. It seemed like he was always on thinking at the time that I had prob- He had a warm heart and a brilliant the floor at the right time and ready to ably witnessed one of the only times mind. He was a Senator’s Senator. He stop any amendment that he thought Howard ever changed his mind regard- will be greatly missed, but he will be might go against the principled views ing a piece of legislation. greatly remembered as well for his he held. Mr. President, I want to extend my service to this institution, which he For many years, Howard’s Senate of- deepest sympathies to the Metzenbaum loved, and for the people of Ohio, whom fice was across the hall from my office family. As I said, Howard and I didn’t he served so nobly. on the first floor of the Russell Senate often find ourselves on the same side of Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, I was Office Building. Frequently, when matters before the Senate, but I can deeply saddened by the news of the there was a vote, Howard and I would say, without reservation, that he was a death of our former colleague and enter the hallway at the same time and dedicated public servant, a man I have friend, Howard Metzenbaum. he would immediately make a state- always admired and a dear friend.

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