October 11, 2000 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—HOUSE 22259 The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there much as a friend, he symbolized much and comfort to our homeless, to our objection to the request of the gentle- as a colleague, he symbolized much as poor and destitute. woman from New York? The Chair a constructive legislator. b 1830 hears none and, without objection, ap- I think, though, it is important to points the following conferees: Mr. note that this particular bill was sug- Traces of his tireless commitment can be found on any forgotten street in TALENT, Mr. ARMEY, and Ms. gested by our good friend the gen- urban America. His commitment can VELA´ ZQUEZ. tleman from New York (Mr. LAFALCE). There was no objection. I certainly strongly supported him and be found in a shelter where families go for a hot meal. His commitment can be f am appreciative that our leadership concurred. found in a vacant building that has MCKINNEY-VENTO HOMELESS Mr. Speaker, I think at this point I been converted into a place where the ASSISTANCE ACT would like to turn to the gentleman homeless can find a bed and a roof over their heads. from New York (Mr. LAFALCE) to out- Mr. LEACH. Mr. Speaker, I ask unan- There is so much more I would like line the causes and background of this imous consent that the Committee on to say, but so many others wish to bill and certainly to express my strong- Banking and Financial Services be dis- speak on this bill and on Bruce’s be- est support for his initiative. charged from further consideration of half, too. I just want to say one thing. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of the bill (H.R. 5417) to rename the Stew- He was blessed, too, with a great staff; my time. art B. McKinney Homeless Assistance and I came to know two of them in par- Mr. LAFALCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield Act as the ‘‘McKinney-Vento Homeless ticular, Larry Romans and Kirsten myself such time as I may consume. Assistance Act,’’ and ask for its imme- Johnson-Obey, and so much of Bruce’s Mr. Speaker, first of all I want to diate consideration in the House. legislative record was only possible be- thank the gentleman from Iowa. I re- The Clerk read the title of the bill. cause of their great ability and work, member the very first day that the The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there too. They represent the best of what gentleman from Iowa and I discovered objection to the request of the gen- congressional staff can be, and I know that Bruce Vento had incurred cancer. tleman from Iowa? that Bruce looking down on us would And we talked and we said that Bruce There was no objection. feel it very important that we make Vento is a very, very special person The Clerk read the bill, as follows: that statement, too. H.R. 5417 and we ought to do something very spe- I urge everyone to support this bill cial for him. This is the least we can Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- and honor Bruce. resentatives of the United States of America in do. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of Congress assembled, I love Bruce Vento. I sat next to him my time. SECTION 1. DESIGNATION OF MC KINNEY-VENTO for almost 24 years. There are so many Mr. LEACH. Mr. Speaker, I yield HOMELESS ASSISTANCE ACT. things that I could say about him, but such time as she may consume to the Section 1 of the Stewart B. McKinney maybe more than anything else, Bruce gentlewoman from New Jersey (Mrs. Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11301 Vento cared. He was a caring, loving ROUKEMA). note; Public Law 100–77) is amended by strik- human being. He cared about our poor. Mrs. ROUKEMA. Mr. Speaker, I ing subsection (a) and inserting the following He cared about our underprivileged. He thank the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. new subsection: cared about equal justice. He cared ‘‘(a) SHORT TITLE.—This Act may be cited LEACH) for yielding me this time. as the ‘McKinney-Vento Homeless Assist- about preserving the beauty of our nat- Mr. Speaker, I rise with a very heavy ance Act’.’’. ural resources. He cared about the heart tonight. I worked a long time SEC. 2. REFERENCES. rights of consumers. He cared about with Mr. Vento on the Committee on Any reference in any law, regulation, docu- the future of our Nation’s youth. And Banking and Financial Services. We ment, paper, or other record of the United it is difficult to say what he cared traded back and forth. When the Demo- States to the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless about most. But very possibly he might crats were in the majority, he was the Assistance Act shall be deemed to be a ref- have cared most about our homeless. chairman and I was the ranking; and erence to the McKinney-Vento Homeless As- And each of these issues, each of these alternately when the Republicans took sistance Act. causes has lost a great friend. charge, but we always tried best to The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen- Bruce Vento was a great leader, a work together for whatever was good tleman from Iowa (Mr. LEACH) is recog- tireless champion of the poor and the for the American people. nized for 1 hour. homeless; and he brought such tremen- This is very little to-do today but Mr. LEACH. Mr. Speaker, I ask unan- dous compassion, intellect, vision, much, much necessary to the visible imous consent to yield 30 minutes to dedication, persistence, tenacity to the recognition of Mr. Vento’s tireless ef- the gentleman from New York (Mr. LA- work of writing our Nation’s laws. It forts here in this Congress and cer- FALCE) for the purpose of controlling has also been written that all of this to tainly in improving the lot of the Na- the minority’s time. be genius must be accompanied by good tion’s homeless. So it is very appro- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there sense. And Bruce Vento had good sense priate, even if it is not enough, but it objection to the request of the gen- which made him a genius of both a per- is very appropriate for us to name this tleman from Iowa? son and a legislator. the McKinney-Vento bill in recognition There was no objection. The bill before us today, cosponsored of his tireless work. Mr. LEACH. Mr. Speaker, I yield my- by each and every member of the Com- I will not go into the full expla- self such time as I may consume. mittee on Banking and Financial Serv- nation. The gentleman from New York Mr. Speaker, changing the title of a ices, both Democrat and Republican (Mr. LAFALCE) has very nicely outlined major piece of legislation may seem and countless other Members of this the work that Mr. Vento has done, but like a small step for Congress to take, House, would rename the Stewart B. let me give a few other personal obser- but it has symbolic meaning to the McKinney Homeless Assistance Act the vations. He certainly was a major force congressional family. McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance behind the 1987 law that established Changing the name Stewart B. Act. It is fitting to Congressman Bruce the emergency shelter grant program McKinney Homeless Act to the McKin- Vento’s tireless commitment to the for traditional housing, as the gen- ney-Vento Act implies putting the homeless. We will pass this today. I tleman from New York (Mr. LAFALCE) names of two of our most esteemed col- hope it will become law in this Con- has outlined; and, of course, his activi- leagues together, two colleagues who gress. ties on the Committee on Resources have passed away, the one most re- For 24 years, Bruce was a tireless are outstanding. I was privileged to cently. Like Mr. McKinney, Bruce champion and advocate on behalf of work with him closely on the Com- Vento devoted his life to the problems homeless people. And he wrote many if mittee on Banking and Financial Serv- of the disadvantaged. He symbolized not every law that brings compassion ices, and I remember as a relatively

VerDate jul 14 2003 10:28 Jan 05, 2005 Jkt 079102 PO 00000 Frm 00103 Fmt 0688 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR00\H11OC0.003 H11OC0 22260 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—HOUSE October 11, 2000 new member of the committee when he resented in Minnesota but also all the Mr. LAFALCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 gave leadership with the Resolution needy and homeless people of America. minutes to the gentlewoman from New Trust Corporation and the task force. Their benefits over these last many York (Mrs. MALONEY). As I remember it, it was a task force years, although they probably have no Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. that oversaw the cleanup of the savings awareness of the fact, are to a great Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that and loan debacle of the 1980s. I will say, deal due to his ever-present desire to I join my colleagues in adding our col- it was a good example of how Mr. see that the American government rec- league, Congressman Bruce Vento’s, Vento always maintained his standards ognized that there are needs in this name to this important legislation. We on behalf of the people; financial integ- country that must be served, and he all knew that some day Members of rity and intellectual integrity and per- was their best ambassador and rep- Congress would stand here in the well sonal integrity, and it was a good ex- resentative to serve those needs. I of the House to praise Bruce’s many ac- ample of that. But I guess there was think it is most fitting that we tie complishments. It is truly sad that this never an action that we took on the Bruce Vento to the McKinney Act, be- day has come so soon. Committee on Banking and Financial cause in a way Stew McKinney had In my years in Congress, I have en- Services, whether it be on homeless- some of the same characteristics of joyed a close working relationship with ness or whether it was on financial gentleness that Bruce had; an able leg- Congressman Vento as colleagues on modernization or on savings and loan islator, not a partisan but a person the Committee on Banking and Finan- cleanup, his contributions always dis- that worked with real integrity. I sus- cial Services. The Committee on Bank- played that he was an advocate for the pect Bruce and Stew will be in con- ing and Financial Services deals with people to improve their lives. Knowing versation now; and we in the Congress, some of the most complex issues in all him as I did, I can say that he had a we in America, are poorer for their of Congress. Bruce put in the time and heart and a soul, and we recognize him passing but inevitably as life makes its mastered the range of complex issues. today for that. cycle we all come to pass. As a teacher himself, prior to coming I guess I also want to say that we did I am very pleased and honored to join to Congress, he became a resource to not agree on every issue. There were the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. LEACH) all committee members, providing issues on which we agreed to disagree, and the gentleman from New York (Mr. counsel on a host of complex issues but I will say it was a symbol of his LAFALCE) in supporting this resolu- from financial modernization to intri- stature of integrity and honesty and tion, and I hope that we have the full cate housing programs. professionalism that we could always support of the entire Congress. All along the way, Bruce served as a Mr. LEACH. Mr. Speaker, I yield agree to disagree, but there was never tireless advocate for all consumers. He such time as she may consume to the any personal bickering or animosity; truly stood up for the working people gentlewoman from Illinois (Mrs. and there was always the respect of a time and time again. He made it his BIGGERT). gentleman and a scholar. Mrs. BIGGERT. Mr. Speaker, I thank focus to ensure that individual’s rights We are going to miss him des- are protected when they do business the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. LEACH) perately. I know I am and others in for yielding and this opportunity to with the most powerful banks and fi- this Congress are going to miss him speak. nancial companies in the world. His desperately, but I have to say in addi- Mr. Speaker, I rise as a cosponsor legacy on the committee and his im- tion to what we are doing tonight, I for and strong supporter of H.R. 5417, legis- pact on consumer banking law will live one am speaking now only for myself, lation to rename the Stewart McKin- for decades to come. It is truly appro- nevertheless recognize the health ney Homeless Assistance Act as the priate that we add his name to this leg- issues and concerns that are integral to McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance islation, the aim of which is to aid the his passing; and I believe that whatever Act. To borrow a line from our 16th homeless. Providing housing for the else there is that needs to be done, and President, arguably our greatest Presi- less fortunate was part of Congressman there is some unfinished business out dent, Abraham Lincoln of Illinois, it is Vento’s daily work. President Clinton there with respect to the asbestos ques- altogether fitting and proper that we said it best yesterday at a White House tions with relationship to housing and honor our recently departed colleague, event saying, and I quote, ‘‘that Con- other uses of asbestos in our commu- Representative Bruce Vento of Min- gressman Vento was a great teacher, a nities, but I think we also have to rec- nesota, in this way. After all, if it were great representative and a wonderful ognize that there has to be renewed ef- not for Representative Vento and his human being.’’ fort and research and expanded re- determined efforts, the Stewart B. Let me convey to Congressman search, as much as we have done this McKinney Assistance Act would never Vento’s family, his friends, his dedi- year on cancer research. But we will have been created. cated long-time staff here in Wash- have to redirect efforts next year, or Bruce Vento was one of the earliest ington and Minnesota, and to the peo- rather expand efforts not redirect and strongest proponents of enacting a ple of Congressman Vento’s fourth dis- them, expand them next year, with the major Federal legislative response to trict my strongest and heartfelt condo- recognition of the loss of our beloved homelessness. His tireless efforts were lences. and honorable colleague, Bruce Vento. rewarded with the enactment in 1987 of Mr. LEACH. Mr. Speaker, I reserve Mr. LAFALCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 the McKinney Homeless Assistance the balance of my time. minutes to the gentleman from Penn- Act, but his dedication to homelessness Mr. LAFALCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 sylvania (Mr. KANJORSKI). did not stop there. Up until the very minutes to the gentleman from Texas Mr. KANJORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I end of his life, Representative Vento (Mr. BENTSEN). would like to join with our chairman of remained a vocal and true champion of Mr. BENTSEN. Mr. Speaker, I want the Committee on Banking and Finan- homeless assistance programs. The suc- to rise in strong support of this bill, cial Services and ranking member in cess of the McKinney Act in helping and I commend the chairman and the paying tribute to Bruce Vento. Bruce hundreds of thousands of Americans re- ranking member for their work on this. was the sort of fellow that was a real gain the stability in their life is testa- The people of Minnesota clearly have legislator, a quiet, gentle man. ment to the foresight, hard work and suffered a loss in the passing of Bruce I came to the Congress a number of character of the man who helped to Vento, but so have the American peo- terms after Bruce, but I was always im- shape this law. In celebration of this ple; and also, I think all of his col- pressed with the fact that he would success and of the gentleman’s distin- leagues on the Committee on Banking willingly offer his insights as to how guished congressional career, it is only and Financial Services and his col- the Congress operated and how we fitting that the act on which Bruce leagues on the Committee on Re- could best serve our constituents. Vento worked with such passion is re- sources as well. Speaking of constituents, Bruce really named in his honor, and I am very hon- I had the opportunity to serve with had two: that excellent district he rep- ored to be on this bill. Bruce for the last 6 years, and I found

VerDate jul 14 2003 10:28 Jan 05, 2005 Jkt 079102 PO 00000 Frm 00104 Fmt 0688 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR00\H11OC0.003 H11OC0 October 11, 2000 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—HOUSE 22261 him as one who could be a mentor, who Bruce Vento for reaching out and rep- American Samoa to the Boundary Wa- could be an ally, occasionally he was resenting those who oftentimes are left ters Canoe Area in Minnesota. an adversary but he was always an hon- behind and not represented. With the preservation of these lands, orable one in any role that he played. Mr. LAFALCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield the Earth itself has prospered from the Having sat through numerous hear- such time as she may consume to the passion of Bruce Vento. Again, the ings with him, having traveled with gentlewoman from California (Ms. WA- work that he did for the wilderness and him, it is hard to understand the level TERS). the preservation of our precious na- of institutional knowledge that has Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I thank tional parks was matched by the work been lost in his passing. the gentleman for yielding time to me. that he did defending the rights and I dare say that Bruce Vento’s finger- Mr. Speaker, I rise this evening in humanity of the homeless. He saw his prints are probably on every major support of H.R. 5417, to rename the work for the homeless as a defense of piece of financial legislation that has Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assist- human rights. passed this Congress in the last quarter ance Act the McKinney-Vento Home- I am hopeful that what we do here century and every major piece of envi- less Assistance Act. today not only inspires us, but many ronmental legislation, national parks I am very proud to join with my col- others yet to come who will some day legislation, that has come through this leagues in doing this and paying trib- serve in this body so that they can un- Congress. ute to a very, very great human being, derstand that they, too, can have an We, as American citizens, owe him a a great legislator, a great and impor- impact on the direction of this Nation great debt of gratitude. Bruce was one tant and respected Member of the and of this world; that they, too, can who was willing and steadfast in his United States Congress, now deceased. come here with a vision for what is support of the American consumers, of I am very proud that I have had the good for this country, what is good for the average working men and women of opportunity to serve on the Committee human beings, and work in ways that this country; of ensuring that their on Banking and Financial Services will help to better this society. rights were protected; ensuring that with Mr. Vento. I am very proud and I join my colleagues here today to our environment was protected, but pleased that I came to this Congress at say to our friend, our colleague, Mr. Bruce was also one that at the end of a time when many of the great minds Vento, we are going to miss him. We the day felt it was his role, I believe, as still held forth in this Congress. are going to miss all that he has a Member of this House to get some- Mr. Vento was one of those Members taught us and the ways that he led us, thing done. who was an expert in the field of bank- but we are going to remember him in He was willing to reach across the ing and housing and the wilderness. He this small way, by the renaming of this aisle, to reach that bridge across issues exemplified the best in what a legis- legislation. With the renaming of this that divided members on the commit- lator could and should be all about. legislation, the work that he has done tees and in the House, between this This that we do today is but a small will live on and will never be forgotten. body and the other body, to get legisla- tribute to him, because when we review Again, I am very appreciative for the tion passed that in the end would do the tremendous contributions that he opportunity to have served with Mr. good for the American people. has made to this country and to this Vento. Nation, one could understand why we Mr. LEACH. Mr. Speaker, I yield my- 1845 b would readily want to in some way self such time as I may consume. I just want to say that I think it is show our appreciation for all that he Mr. Speaker, I would like to just extremely fitting that his name be has done for all of us. stress a couple of things about the life added with McKinney’s name to the Mr. Speaker, it was said today when of Bruce Vento. He was a wonderfully homeless act, and I commend the I had a discussion with one of my committed legislator who combined chairman and the ranking member for former staff members that he remem- compassion with practicality; who had doing that. bered Bruce Vento because he always populist concerns, but not a populist Mr. LAFALCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 concerned himself with these ques- hate. minutes to the gentleman from Illinois tions: How will this measure impact The committee that I served with (Mr. DAVIS). the environment, and how will this Bruce on, the Committee on Banking Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I measure impact low- and moderate-in- and Financial Services, has jurisdic- thank the gentleman for yielding time come communities? tion over banks and housing and over to me. Mr. Speaker, this is very important the economy, in some ways. It is inter- Mr. Speaker, I rise to echo the senti- to me and to members of my staff. We esting to me that in Bruce’s work, he ments that have already been ex- work for the least of these. We do our was not against any individuals or in- pressed by so many on this floor, but best to represent poor people and to stitutions. also so many throughout America. represent working people, and to rep- In fact, he was a liberal Democrat I first knew of Bruce Vento through resent folks who do not oftentimes who rather liked banks, especially one of his fellow Minnesotans who have any way of connecting to the smaller banks, and especially commu- moved to the community where I live great policy-making bodies, either at nity banks. He just understood that it in Chicago, Al Arcello, who was ac- the local, State, or Federal level. was important, if you have a banking tively involved in prevention programs. So when we see legislators who do system, that that system serves all He said to me when I came, you not have to necessarily spend all of Americans. So his emphasis as some- ought to get to know Bruce Vento, and their time trying to represent working one in the banking community was get to know him I did. I got to know people or poor people, we are extremely never to be against anything, but to be him through his work, through obser- appreciative for that. Mr. Vento was for better ways for banks to serve. vation of his sensitivity and his ability such a legislator. The work that he has That is one reason that he developed to reach out, especially to those who done, both for the wilderness and the such an interest in ensuring that com- are sometimes called the least ones in homeless, is appreciated in so many petition was maintained and that in- our society, those who are untouch- ways. vestment was maintained in various able, unreachable; the homeless, those In 1994, the Wilderness Society hon- aspects of our communities. that we do not always see. ored Bruce Vento with its prestigious Part of this relates to the American I serve on the board of directors of a Ansel Adams conservation award. That dream. All of us have various feelings homeless newspaper, Streetwise. I can is just, again, a small token for the about what the American dream is. tell the Members, from all of those who work that he has done to ensure the One is that it includes a home. Well, sell Streetwise, all of those who have continued viability of millions of acres issues of the homeless concern people benefited from assistance to the home- of wilderness lands, forests, and pre- that by definition have been deprived less, I say on their behalf, we thank cious national parks from Alaska to aspects of the American dream. We

VerDate jul 14 2003 10:28 Jan 05, 2005 Jkt 079102 PO 00000 Frm 00105 Fmt 0688 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR00\H11OC0.003 H11OC0 22262 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—HOUSE October 11, 2000 have all come to understand to some ond home at any point in time within It would not have been shaped the degree, and none of us as deeply as we our national parks. way it was without Bruce helping to should, that homelessness is not sim- Finally, let me just conclude with a shape it; that is the business side of the ply an aspect of someone without a couple of observations of a very per- job. That is extremely important, but structure. It usually involves a whole sonal level. Bruce was a very com- there are so many other things that go group of societal problems. Some of mitted individual with an absolutely into this Congress, the intangibles, them might be psychiatric, some might infectious laugh. He also had a very when we get to know an individual. I be elements that relate to addictions, sardonic wit, particularly to those he probably knew Bruce as well as I knew and sometimes disease itself. opposed. Sometimes my party was anybody in this body. Mr. Speaker, the problems of the more the beneficiary of the second I have been on a few trips in my ten- homeless came to the attention of Con- than the first. ure in Congress. I never went on a trip gress rather late. In fact, it is aston- But interestingly, in this era in when I did not ask Bruce to come with ishing how little attention public bod- which we talk about nonpartisanship me. He came with me most of the time. ies paid to this problem. But because of and bipartisanship, Bruce gave a very One of the great values of the trips is Bruce, we started to. good name to the word ‘‘partisan.’’ not just learning about other countries About 13 years ago, finally the law Bruce was a partisan Democrat, but he and other people, but coming to know was enacted. When that law was en- was always with decency and always your colleagues, too; and we came to acted, and a number of people had roles with humor, always with a sense of know each other so very well. in ensuring that it came about, Bruce perspective. This is one of the things so We shared so many things together: led the way. Then, as it was about to be many of us loved very much about shared values, shared meals, shared enacted, it was revealed that one of our Bruce. wine. We shared a common heritage Members, this one on the Republican b 1900 not just as Americans, but as Italian- side, who was a man of some substance Finally, I would like to echo a com- Americans, and Bruce was so proud of but had an ailment, in this case an ail- ment that my good friend, the gen- that heritage. He knew how to live and ment sometimes identified with the tleman from New York (Mr. LAFALCE), he knew how to die, and he lived right. homeless, he got pneumonia related to made about a staff member, because I He worked hard and he played hard. a social disease called AIDS. think it symbolizes a great deal. The He worked by the rules. He played by This Republican stood up for people congressional family is a wide family the rules. He knew how to be ferocious. that had problems sometimes analo- and Larry Romans who worked with He knew how to laugh. Traveling with gous to his own, sometimes much more Bruce was as much an alter ego as any- him was always a great pleasure be- serious. Bruce Vento suggested that one could be. On legislation, he cer- cause we knew he worked and worked the bill be named for him; that is, it tainly played a larger role than most hard, so we could be proud of the trip; was Bruce Vento’s idea and his argu- Members of Congress. I think that is but we knew that he would love it and ment that this initiative that came something that only Members of Con- make it an enjoyable trip the entire largely from the majority party, the gress truly understand. way, too. then the majority party, the Demo- So our heart goes out to Bruce’s fam- Bruce started out his career as a cratic Party, would be named for a Re- ily, his three kids, his wife, and also teacher and then he came to Congress, publican, Stewart McKinney. his staff. but throughout his entire congres- I think nothing could be more appro- Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance sional career, he taught us a great priate, as we look at the life of Bruce of my time. many things. For most of his 24 years, Vento, a man who had a disease related Mr. LAFALCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield he taught us how to live, and for the to a different kind of social problem, myself such time as I may consume. last 6 months or so he taught us how to one that relates to industrialization, Mr. Speaker, I think we have heard die. We honor ourselves when we honor asbestos, that he should have his name just a few of the sentiments that the Bruce by naming this homeless bill the associated with the McKinney bill, Members of Congress have, feel, share McKinney-Vento homeless bill. which was actually from the beginning about our beloved brother Bruce. The Mr. Speaker, I insert the following more a Vento bill. So this became the words of the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. article for the RECORD: Vento-McKinney bill. LEACH) were especially eloquent. I BRUCE VENTO: JUST ANOTHER GUY FROM THE I would also like to comment as thank the gentleman for making them EAST SIDE WHO WENT ON TO DO GREAT someone who, from a more distant per- so eloquently, and I know Bruce appre- THINGS spective, followed the career of Bruce ciates them. (By Garrison Keillor) in his advocacy of our national park When I think of the accomplishments There was a dinner in Washington, D.C., system. of the past two Congresses when I have Tuesday night to honor a guy from St. Paul’s Bruce basically picked up the cudgels had the pleasure of serving as either East Side. of the Udall family and has become the the de facto or de jure ranking mem- The president dropped by and dozens of U.S. representatives, Republicans and Demo- greatest congressional champion of our ber, none of them would have been pos- crats. And at the end, when the guy from the national park system. Part of this sible without Bruce. When we think of East Side stood up to say his piece, he got a which is interesting to me is not only credit union reform, I did not attend a long, long standing ovation. You could have the issue of parks and their role in so- meeting in my office without Bruce gone around the room and stolen everyone’s ciety, but parks stand in the American Vento by my side. dessert, they were so busy applauding him. dream not only with the notion of the When I think of the meetings that we Congressman Bruce Vento, a modest man West and the great body of forest and had on what some have said is the pre- and a hard worker, is stepping down after 24 mountains that is our country, but eminent legislative enactment to this years representing the 4th Congressional District, and I must admit I voted for him all they are basically second homes avail- Congress, the financial services mod- these years because I’m a yellow-dog Demo- able to all Americans, whether those ernization, the Graham–Leach-Bliley crat and he’s a Democrat. So now I’m a little Americans actually earned them or not bill, it would not have happened with- taken aback to see what a good man he is at a particular moment in time. They out Bruce, the ranking member of the who I unthinkingly supported all these are refuges for everybody. Subcommittee on Financial Services years. In a way, the national park system and Consumer Credit, because it re- This isn’t how our civics teachers taught that Bruce was such a champion of was quired understanding and it required us to exercise the franchise, but a person a home circumstance. So Bruce Vento compromise and it required tenacity doesn’t have oceans of time to study up on candidates. I sure don’t. I heard Mr. Vento leaves as his mark on this body not and goodwill, balance, perseverance; speak once years ago, speak very movingly only the notion of standing up for con- and it was essential that Bruce be about the problem of homelessness and about cerns for the homeless, but also for en- there. It would not have happened if the importance of wilderness, and that was suring that all Americans have a sec- Bruce had opposed it. good enough for me. But if he had stood on

VerDate jul 14 2003 10:28 Jan 05, 2005 Jkt 079102 PO 00000 Frm 00106 Fmt 0688 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR00\H11OC0.003 H11OC0 October 11, 2000 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—HOUSE 22263 his hind legs and barked, I still would have coding of the human genome and saying, In 1987, it was Bruce who led the efforts to voted for him. ‘‘All we need to do is take this new knowl- enact a comprehensive homeless assistance Wilderness preservation and the plight of edge and apply it to public policy,’’ and program, named after his late colleague and the homeless are not issues that pay a big thanking everybody and grinning, and you political bonus. You become a wilderness ad- had to admire him for his command of the friend, Stewart McKinney, then the Ranking vocate and you’re going to be hung in effigy occasion. Republican on the Housing Subcommittee. and yelled at by large men in plaid shirts. A man who is desperately ill and on his I am privileged to have worked closely with Homeless people tend not to turn out in way out of public life stages a dinner that Bruce over the last several years, in particular, numbers at the polls. raises money for a scholarship fund for on homeless reform legislation designed to But Mr. Vento applied himself to the issues teachers. Bruce Vento is a man of great focus efforts on permanent housing and the he cared about, did his homework, made the bravery and devotion and foresight who rep- hope of ending homelessness forever. As the rounds of his colleagues, carried the water, resented us nobly in Congress, whether we Chairman of the Subcommittee on Housing dug the ditches, fought the good fight, made knew it or not. and Community Opportunity, I have known no the compromises, and wrote the landmark Mr. GEPHARDT. Mr. Speaker, today, we other that has been more sincerely dedicated legislation that became law and that made a say goodbye to a good friend and colleague, real difference in the world. And I’m not sure to the problems associated with homelessness how many of us in St. Paul are aware of this. Bruce Vento. and families in need of affordable housing. He There have been only three congressmen Bruce was a humanitarian in every sense of will be missed. from St. Paul in my memory, and that cov- the word. Life is fleeting, for us all. But what we do ers 50 years. Gene McCarthy, Joe Karth, He called environmental issues his one while we are here can affect so many and Bruce Vento—all DFLers, all good men and ‘‘true passion’’ and he pursued that passion in have such a lasting impact. Bruce’s tireless all of them got to Congress on the strength a way that lifted up all Americans. work has made and will continue to make a of yellow-dog Democrats like me. They got He was a strong leader in the Committee on real difference in countless lives of those less re-elected simply by doing their job, rep- Resources with a keen understanding of envi- resenting working people, speaking the con- fortunate. science of the Democratic Party, and apply- ronmental issues. Mr. LAFALCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield ing themselves to the nuts and bolts of Con- He worked to protect and strengthen Amer- back the balance of my time. gress. ica’s national treasures—our urban parks, our The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. A political party serves a big function that public lands, and other public resources, and TANCREDO). Without objection, the pre- TV or newspapers can’t. It pulls in idealistic he fought for tropical rain forests and the Arc- vious question is ordered. young people, puts them to work in the tic National Wildlife Refuge. There was no objection. cause, trains them, seasons them, and gives He believed in making our country not just The SPEAKER pro tempore. The the talented and the diligent a chance to a wealthy country but a beautiful country, question is on the engrossment and rise. If it can produce a Bruce Vento, then a marked by forests, rivers, mountains and third reading of the bill. party has reason to exist, and if it can’t, The bill was ordered to be engrossed then it doesn’t. Simple as that. Then it streams that all American could visit and fades, as the DFL has. enjoy. and read a third time, was read a third People say it’s inevitable for political par- Bruce was ‘’a hero’’ who had ‘‘done more time, passed, and the motion to recon- ties to fade, part of the loss of the sense of for parks than anyone I know,’’ one of his fans sider was laid on the table. community, blah blah blah, that people are said of him. f cynical about politics and more interested in Bruce was also special because he cared GENERAL LEAVE lifestyle and media and so forth, but we are so very deeply about all people and the sanc- poorer for the loss of parties and the devalu- tity of the places in which they lived. Mr. LEACH. Mr. Speaker, I ask unan- ation of endorsement. imous consent that all Members may Bruce Vento never could’ve gotten elected He earned a reputation as a strong advo- cate for the homeless, and it was well-de- have 5 legislative days within which to in a media-driven campaign, the sort in revise and extend their remarks on which high-priced consultants and media served. He tried to lift people up through bet- buyers spend 15 million bucks to make the ter housing and emergency shelter, a powerful H.R. 5417. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there candidate into a beautiful illusion. reminder that this country should not leave be- objection to the request of the gen- Mr. Vento is the wrong man for that kind hind anyone. tleman from Iowa? of politics. His eyebrows are too big; he isn’t Bruce spend the last decade working for the cool enough. He is a modest and principled There was no objection. Hmong people who fought on the side of the and hard-working guy, but you couldn’t put f this over in a 30-second commercial. He man- United States in the war in Vietnam, and who aged to get to Congress because there was a were trying to become citizens of our country. MODIFYING RATES RELATING TO strong DFL party that endorsed him, and so He was also a tireless advocate for con- REDUCED RATE MAIL MATTER voters like me pulled the lever and gave Mr. sumer protections as a senior member of the Mr. MCHUGH. Mr. Speaker, I ask Vento the wherewithal to be a great con- Banking and Financial Services Committee. unanimous consent to take from the gressman. Which he, being a true East Sider, A strong voice for his constituents, a be- Speaker’s table the Senate bill (S. 2686) never told us he was. But which I now think loved son of the state of Minnesota, Bruce he was. to amend chapter 36 of title 39, United Unknowingly, we did something great in represented that state’s 4th district with dedi- States Code, to modify rates relating sending him there. And our partisan loyalty cation and commitment to his party and to the to reduced rate mail matter, and for gave him the freedom to take on thankless people he represented. other purposes, and ask for its imme- tasks, like protecting wilderness and dealing Bruce and I entered Congress in the same diate consideration in the House. with the homeless. year and my journey through this institution is The Clerk read the title of the Senate I sat in the back at Mr. Vento’s dinner and bound with Bruce’s journey. I am proud to say bill. thought what a shock it is when you realize that I had a wonderful colleague, a good The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there that the country is in the hands of people friend, and a man who will be sorely missed your own age. You go along for years think- objection to the request of the gen- ing it’s being run by jowly old guys in baggy not just by me, but by a nation that prides tleman from New York? suits and then you see that the jowly old itself on a commitment to democratic values, Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, guys are people you went to school with. a safe environment and humane treatment for reserving the right to object, I yield to Mr. Vento is about my age, and I feel for every American. the gentleman from New York (Mr. him. He is fighting lung cancer and it has We will miss you Bruce. MCHUGH) to explain his request. taken its toll on him. He looks haggard but Mr. LAZIO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a Mr. MCHUGH. Mr. Speaker, I thank game. heavy heart as the House pays tribute to the the gentleman for yielding to me. His three boys were at the dinner in Wash- distinguished work or our friend and colleague, Mr. Speaker, I will try to be very ington, and their wives, and the event felt brief, but I do think it is important to like a real valedictory. If Mr. Vento had Bruce Vento. wanted to make us all cry into our pudding, It is appropriate that we recognize his life- put out for the RECORD a few comments it wouldn’t have taken much. long work as a champion of the homeless by about this bill. It is a privilege. The But he was upbeat and talking about the renaming the ‘‘Stewart B. McKinney Act’’ the Senate passed this legislation on Octo- future and about national parks and the de- ‘‘McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act.’’ ber 6, and it was sponsored in the other

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