April 26, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S4157 That is one of the things we are talk- body and who died yesterday at As a young staffer, I would be invited ing about doing, trying to put together Omaha, NE, at the age of 94. Senator in to the outer ring of those distin- a personal account—not to take all of Hruska served with my friend, the dis- guished United States Senators and the 12 percent but to take, say, 3 or 4 tinguished Senator from South Caro- would stand and watch and listen. Sen- percent out of the 12, about a third of lina. ator Hruska would never fail to intro- the money. Let it be your account, In a day when some might question duce me to his colleagues and make me your personal account. If, unfortu- the morality of public service, the ci- feel not only welcome but a part of nately, you were not able to live long vility of public service, the genuine- Government, a part of what he was enough to get all of your money out of ness of public service, and the goodness doing. it, it would go to your estate. of public service, they did not know The dignity that Senator Hruska How is it invested? By private inves- Senator Roman Hruska. Senator brought to his service is something tors, similar to the Federal savings Hruska was one of 11 children, born in well remembered by not just those of program. Once a year, members get a David City, NE, 94 years ago. His father us who were privileged to have some sheet of paper asking how they would had emigrated from Czechoslovakia, relationship but all who served with like this invested. The choice would be and moved his family to Omaha where Senator Hruska. He made this body a in equities, bonds, or in a combination he felt they would have a better oppor- better body. He made America strong- of the two. So members would choose tunity to get an education and a better er. He believed in things. one of those options. It is invested for opportunity for a better life. Senator Hruska did not believe in you—not invested, as the President has Senator Hruska’s father was a teach- governance by way of calibration of the suggested, where he takes trillions of er. Senator Hruska went on through polls. You knew where Senator Hruska dollars and has the Government invest public schools in Nebraska, attended a was and why. He was always a gen- it. Then the Government would basi- number of graduate schools, the Uni- tleman—always a gentleman. He would cally control the marketplace. None of versity of Chicago, and obtained his debate the issues straight up. He won us want that. law degree in Nebraska. He started a most of the time; he lost his share. But Personal ownership, it seems to me, law practice in south Omaha. the relationships that Senator Hruska ensures that the Federal Government When there became a vacancy on the developed and the respect that under- can’t come back later and reduce your Douglas County board of commis- pinned his service is rather uncommon. benefits. That is a way to secure those sioners in Omaha, NE, his fellow citi- We are all better for it. America is dollars. They are not then in the Gov- zens came to him and said, ‘‘Will you stronger for it. Nebraska loses a very ernment ready to be spent for some serve for one term?’’ That one term wise counselor. America loses a great other reason. began in 1944. public servant. When I ran for the Senate in 1996, one Depending on your view about the A year later, he became chairman of of the first people I went to see was size of government—and there is a le- the Douglas County board of commis- Senator Hruska. The advice he gave me gitimate difference between those who sioners, and until 1952 he served the was consistent with his service and his are more conservative and those who Greater Omaha area and the State of life. He said, ‘‘Chuck, I would not feel are more liberal. There are always Nebraska with great distinction. competent to judge or give you counsel ways to spend more money. To control In 1952, a House seat opened up. It on the issues of our day, but I will tell the size of government, as has been our was the seat of Howard Buffett. Mr. President, that name ‘‘Buffett’’ may you this: Play it straight, say it goal over the last number of years, you straight, respect your colleagues and can’t have a lot of surplus money lying ring a bell. Howard Buffett was the fa- ther of Warren Buffett. Howard Buffett respect yourself, but most important, around or else it is simply spent and respect the institution of the U.S. Con- government grows. We have to do decided not to run for reelection. Again, Roman Hruska’s friends and gress and always understand the high something to secure Social Security. privilege it is to be part of that great Then, hopefully, when there is excess colleagues said, ‘‘Will you run for Con- gress?’’ Roman Hruska said, ‘‘Well, I body.’’ money, we can look for some kind of He was much too modest to go be- will do that for a short period of time.’’ tax relief. yond what he gave me as good, solid Roman Hruska was overwhelmingly It has been a long time since we advice on issues, but I can tell you that elected to the Congress in 1952. Two started on this. Quite frankly, I think on the big issues over the last 3 years, years later, the Senate seat opened the sooner we make a change, the less not only I, but many of my colleagues, abrupt that change will have to be. I and, again, the same people asked have constantly gone back to Roman am hopeful we do get back. We started Roman Hruska to serve. He ran for the Hruska and asked for his judgment and out this year wanting to do this. Now Senate in 1954 and never looked back. his thoughts. the President is reluctant to take any He retired from the Senate in 1976. He will be greatly missed. I say to leadership. Some of the leaders in the I recall my first exposure to Senator Senator HOLLINGS, I will leave these re- Congress were saying we ought to set it Hruska as a young chief of staff to Con- marks on behalf of your former col- aside. I don’t agree. gressman John Y. McCollister in the league and friend and my friend, Sen- Certainly, we need to focus on early 1970s. I would come to the Senate ator Roman Hruska, by referring to Kosovo, but it doesn’t mean we don’t once or twice a week to get a delega- Senator Hruska the way your former do the other things that are before the tion letter signed by Senator Hruska colleague, Everett Dirksen, once re- Senate. It is time to design a first-class and then Senator Curtis. Senator ferred to Roman Hruska, and that is: A system that fulfills the needs of every- Hruska would see me occasionally salute to the noblest Roman of them one—our older citizens, our younger standing outside a hearing room and all—Roman Hruska. citizens. We need a permanent fix, not would never fail to accord me not only Mr. HOLLINGS. Mr. President, the just tinkering around the edges. People some recognition, which as we know distinguished Senator from Nebraska, have thought for years that Social Se- around here does not always happen Mr. HAGEL, reminds me of a happier curity was the holy grail of politics— with junior staffers, but he was beyond day. I say a happier day most sincerely touch it and you are dead. I think it gracious. He always had time for young in the sense that we had not become has changed, because people under- people, always had time to talk a little subject to all the consultants, all the stand if it is not changed, Social Secu- bit about what we thought and what pollsters to the point whereby today, rity will be dead. was on our minds. in large measure, we more or less are I hope we move forward. I really came to cherish those times marionettes to the consultants’ hot- f when I had an opportunity to come button items and issues and not the over and see Senator Hruska. Senator needs of the people. SENATOR ROMAN L. HRUSKA Hruska was often in meetings, I say to There was a tremendous respect on Mr. HAGEL. Mr. President, I rise this Senator HOLLINGS, with some of Sen- both sides of the aisle. I was elected in afternoon to recall a towering public ator HOLLINGS’ favorite colleagues, 1966. At that time, Senator Hruska was servant, Senator Roman L. Hruska, such as Senator Goldwater, Senator the ranking member of the Senate Ju- who spent 22 years of his life in this Eastland, Senator Long. diciary Committee and Senator Jim S4158 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE April 26, 1999 Eastland of Mississippi served as chair- the rest of us who had the privilege of ited the port of Valdez, where oil is man. I remember the various measures knowing Senator Hruska appreciate loaded onto tankers, and I traveled that went before the Judiciary Com- him and his service for 22 years in the along the pipeline that brings oil from mittee for debate and action were Senate —a very long time. the north. I also flew over the refuge those bills that were agreed upon by I agree with the comments of my old, itself, including the Mollie Beattie Wil- Senator Hruska and Senator Eastland. dear friend from South Carolina that derness. I was astounded by the natural Senator Hruska was a profound law- we do need more balance in the Senate. beauty of this area that is home to yer, and I say that advisedly in the He and I occasionally find ourselves on such variety of plants and animals that sense of a little quibble. Everybody different sides of an issue, as we do on rely on the delicate balance that exists will remember or the media friends this one. But our disagreements have in this pristine wilderness. I also vis- will remember when we were trying to been characterized with mutual respect ited a number of native communities nominate a Supreme Court Justice, and appreciation. And frankly, I enjoy along the North Slope and spoke to the that maybe he was not a graduate of the debates I have had over the years inhabitants about their life in this Harvard and, therefore, sort of what with the Senator from South Carolina unique environment that they depend they would call ‘‘mediocre talent.’’ because he marshals his audience, and on for both their cultural identity and That nettled the Senator from Ne- not only that, he from time to time in- their survival. As a nation we must braska and he said, ‘‘Well, there are a jects a degree of humor that illumi- continue to protect this vital eco- lot of people in the land and a lot of nates as well as elevates the debate. system and work to bring good jobs, lawyers of mediocre talent and maybe Mr. THURMOND. Mr. President, I education, and health care to these na- they need representation on the rise today to pay tribute to former U.S. tive communities. Court.’’ Senator Roman Hruska, who served I continue to believe that the United I remember him as a very erudite Nebraska and our Nation with honor, States dependence on oil and its by- counsel who worked on these measures dignity and ability for 22 years in the products cannot overshadow the impor- seriously and with purpose and was U.S. Senate, from 1954 to 1976. tance of keeping ANWR free from the most respected. He has been a loss, I I join my colleagues in mourning the traditional impacts of oil drilling and say to Senator HAGEL. He has been passing of Roman Hruska. Roman was exploration. The technological im- missed over the many years because he a man who embodied all the positive provements within the oil industry held the line. We deliberated in a bipar- traits of a good public servant. He was make it possible for the oil companies tisan fashion, and he contributed to selfless, a man of integrity and char- to use a slant drilling technique to har- vest the oil in a manner that may not that bipartisan leadership which is so acter, and someone who was committed impact the ecosystem to the degree lacking today. to helping others. We ought to be working together. It I had the pleasure of serving with traditional techniques would. But drill- would be a happier day. But, unfortu- Roman during his entire service in the ing and exploration in this gentle Arc- tic wilderness at this time could have a nately, here we go again. The down- U.S. Senate. He and I were both Mem- lasting impact that would forever dam- town crowd thinks they can embellish bers of the class of 1954. a computer glitch problem into a re- It is my hope that others will be in- age the environment of this region. I applaud the Senator from Dela- form of the State tort laws with re- spired by Roman’s commitment to pub- ware’s commitment to permanent pro- spect to joint and several liability, pu- lic service and helping others. He was a nitive damages, and everything else. As tection for this unique linkage of eco- good man who will be missed by a large a result, it is a nonstarter. systems upon which the local commu- circle of friends in and out of the Sen- Like last week, the folks thought it nities depend, and the American com- would be good, since the President ate. munity as a whole should value as a said, ‘‘I’m going to save 62 percent for f national and natural treasure. Social Security,’’ they one- ARCTIC NATIONAL WILDLIFE f upmanshipped and said, ‘‘We’ll save 100 REFUGE U.S. COMMERCE DEPARTMENT’S percent,’’ knowing all along the 100 Mr. JEFFORDS. Mr. President, I rise NEW INTERNET PATENT AND percent going to pay down the debt was today in support of legislation intro- TRADEMARKS DATABASE coming from Social Security, increas- duced by Senator ROTH that would per- ing the debt on Social Security, there- Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, I would manently protect the Arctic National by savaging, not saving, the fund. But like to commend Commerce Secretary Wildlife Refuge. The fate of the Arctic so it goes. William Daley, acting Commissioner of We do miss Senator Hruska. Mostly Refuge has been one of the highest pro- Patents and Trademarks Q. Todd Dick- we miss his habits and his leadership file natural resources issues of the past inson, and the U.S. Department of and his balance in service. I think more 20 years and will continue to be a key Commerce for their hard work and than the balanced budget, what we issue in the environmental debate. The dedication in establishing the new Pat- need is balanced Senators. Refuge is one of the last unspoiled wil- ent and Trademark Office Internet With that, I yield the floor for a bal- derness areas in the United States, and database. This online database truly anced Senator, the distinguished Sen- is most often referred to as the ‘‘bio- reinvents how the government does ator from Arizona. logical heart’’ of Alaska and ‘‘Amer- business and how business innovation Mr. MCCAIN addressed the Chair. ica’s Serengeti.’’ can flourish with government’s help. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge This database will help erode some of ator from Arizona. is the only place in the United States the traditional barriers that have hin- Mr. MCCAIN. Mr. President, I lis- where a full range of sub-arctic and dered business innovation in small, tened with interest to the comments of arctic ecosystems are protected in one rural states like Vermont. the Senator from Nebraska about the unbroken stretch of land. This 1.5 mil- As an avid Internet user, I have long late Senator Roman Hruska. There is lion acre coastal plain is home to a advocated a transition to an online something unique about Nebraska. vast number of species including arctic database for trademarks and patents. There has been a long line of out- foxes, musk oxen, wolves, polar and The prior painstaking process of standing Senators to represent that grizzly bears, wolverines, and more searching existing patents and trade- State on both sides of the aisle. I know than 135 varieties of birds. The area is marks was a time-consuming frustra- my colleagues and I appreciate very also the main calving ground for the tion for inventors. Last Congress I co- much both of our Senators from Ne- 120,000 head porcupine caribou herd, authored an amendment to the Omni- braska, and they have carried on the which migrates each spring to feed on bus Patent Act of 1997, which would tradition of Senator Curtis and Sen- the vegetation found there. have required the creation of computer ator Hruska for honesty and integrity In the summer of 1997, I traveled to networks to provide electronic access and a forthright addressing of the the refuge and was able to see first to patent information. I am proud that issues. hand how beautiful and important this the database unveiled today achieves I know Senator Hruska is proud of land is to both Alaska and the Nation. the goal of universal electronic access Senator HAGEL, as Senator HAGEL and As part of a Senate delegation, I vis- to trademarks and patents.