July 15, 2005 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS 16209 even more of a loner these days and reluc- The political wars are in back of White ‘‘Aw, don’t listen to him,’’ says White, tant to speak publicly. But he girds himself now, and the punch and counterpunch of pol- ‘‘honest to God.’’ and trails Crane into the back room, then itics have faded into lore. How does White spend his time these days? brightens to hear applause from the gaggle How much does he miss it? ‘‘Well, I don’t see many people.’’ of men, old and gray, who once had a say in ‘‘What?’’ Among those Crane lists who spend time running Boston a generation or two ago. Crane: ‘‘How much do you miss being [in] with White, lunching, golfing, or attending White shakes hands with former attorney office?’’ Red Sox games, are Robert Beal, the prop- general Robert Quinn and with Bernard White: ‘‘I loved every minute I was there erty owner; George Carney, owner of ‘‘Bunny’’ Solomon, aide to governor Foster but . . .’’ He pauses. Raynham-Taunton Greyhound Park; former Furculo in the 1950s and now a trustee at Crane: ‘‘The answer is . . .’’ treasurer John Driscoll; publicist George Northeastern University, and then White White: ‘‘Are you speaking for me or for Regan; Jack Connors, chairman of the Hill, stands in back, alongside Crane. ‘‘There are us?’’ Holiday ad agency; and City Councilor Ste- a couple of people here I want to introduce,’’ Crane: ‘‘Us. We’re sophisticated enough to phen J. Murphy. says Bobby Hannan, a political reporter for know that our day is gone, and that we ‘‘People say I spend a lot of time with the Boston Herald 40 years ago. ‘‘It’s good to shouldn’t be around bothering people.’’ Kevin, but it’s time I love,’’ says Crane. ‘‘It’s Around Crane, White laughs heartily, but see Mr. Kevin White we’re pleased to see you time we love, because we’re perfectly com- in conversation, he often asks Crane and a and your smiling face.’’ patible. We disagree about nothing.’’ guest the same question three and four times Most of the men put down their salad forks White smiles. in an hour: How long have we known each to applaud again. ‘‘We really do get along, don’t we?’’ other? Where did you grow up? ‘‘And,’’ says Hannan, ‘‘former treasurer How does he feel on a scale of 1 to 10? f Bob Crane.’’ ‘‘How what?’’ ‘‘You may not realize it,’’ says Crane, How do you feel? HAITI—THE NEED FOR BALANCED never at a loss for blarney, ‘‘but this is the ‘‘About what?’’ ENGAGEMENT best luncheon you’ll ever have, and the rea- How is your health? son is that your guest is Francine Gannon,’’ ‘‘I’m in good shape. I could beat you at he says, pointing to one of Boston’s wilier anything,’’ he says to Crane. HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL politicians, who served as an aide to con- But your memory is not what it used to OF NEW YORK gressmen Thomas P. ‘‘Tip’’ O’Neill and Jo- be? IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES seph Moakley and now to Senate President ‘‘Well, that’s for sure.’’ Robert E. Travaglini. ‘‘You are forgetful,’’ says Crane. Thursday, July 14, 2005 ‘‘Mr. Mayor,’’ Hannan says deferentially, ‘‘Yeah, I am. But I don’t travel or do Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, events in Haiti ‘‘would you want to say a word of greeting?’’ things that would make that something to over the last few months have been quite dis- White winces. worry about.’’ couraging to those who seek stability and He’s unsure how to respond, uncertain You mean you spend more time with what to say. friends than with strangers. prosperity in that country. For an awkward instant, the room is quiet, ‘‘That’s a good line, yeah, much more.’’ A year has passed since the forced removal until Crane leans in to White and says softly, White brightens at a question about his of President Jean Bertrand Aristide, the Na- ‘‘Say you’re glad to be here.’’ daughter Patricia, who announced last week tion’s democratically elected leader. At the White brightens, takes a step forward, that she is a candidate for City Council. time, members of the Congressional Black smiles, and says in a strong voice, ‘‘I How much of a role will he play? ‘‘I don’t Caucus (CBC), as well as members of the couldn’t be more pleased to be here.’’ know. If she asked me . . . I take pride in Caribbean Community (CARICOM) regional watching her, and I don’t want to interfere.’’ More applause. Do they cheer because he block lamented and criticized Aristide’s re- survived so many challenges in politics or As mayor, White maintained a hideaway because he just survived a challenge of old office on Tremont Street. During a private moval. age? interview late in his final term, he was asked Not only was Aristide’s removal illegal, but it A moment later, smiling and waving, about his legacy. served to alienate those portions of the Haitian White follows Crane from the room, out of ‘‘The Prudential Center is [Mayor] Johnny population which supported him, and further the cafe, and into a car for the drive back to Hynes. Center Plaza and City Hall belong to wounded their faith in democracy. This disillu- his home on Beacon Hill, where the sur- [Mayor] John Collins. But Faneuil Hall?’’ he sionment and alienation is a cornerstone of roundings are familiar, where he feels safer, said, leaning forward and pointing his thumb to his chest. ‘‘Faneuil Hall is mine!’’ the current situation in the country. and where the struggle with Alzheimer’s is Without question, conditions in the Haiti are once again private. As he walks around Boston today, what White and Crane are the Romulus and gives him that level of satisfaction? worse since Aristide’s removal, and continue Remus of Boston politics. Their friendship ‘‘I don’t think of it much, but if I had to to deteriorate. Since last September, more dates to the 1960s, when they campaigned to- . . . if I thought . . . or if I were walking than 700 people have been killed. At the July gether in Western Massachusetts, Crane for with you I don’t think it’s because of any- General Meeting of CARICOM, Secretary treasurer and White for secretary of state, thing I’ve done. I’m not being coy, but I General, Dr. Edwin Carrington voiced the or- think it’s the town, because Boston has a an office he held from 1961 to 1967. The ganization’s concern over the deteriorating friendship grew through tennis holidays on certain . . . what’s the word?’’ ‘‘Pride?’’ says Crane. conditions in the country, as it made the suc- Cape Cod and golf weekends in Florida and ‘‘Pride’s a good word,’’ says White. cess of October elections unlikely. family vacations in Barbados and the Soviet ‘‘Spirit?’’ Indeed, the electoral picture continues to be Union, and who can say how many nights of ‘‘Spirit?’’ says White. ‘‘Yeah, Boston’s got counting votes and all the triumphs and discouraging. Out of a total of 4.5 million eligi- . . . is it charm?’’ ble voters only 150,000 have actually reg- losses and the laughter, too, that finally ‘‘Whatever it’s got, Kevin, people say you bring them together, as two old men, in a were the best thing that happened to Boston. istered, with supporters of Aristide’s Lavalas corner booth at Doyle’s on a chilly afternoon People walk right by me to get to you, which Party—a large portion of the electorate—refus- in June. doesn’t set too well with me.’’ ing to participate. There is also widespread Over White’s left shoulder is a snapshot of White is embarrassed by the description of criticism about the disbursement of promised the three who have served as mayor for near- himself as the best thing that’s happened to aid for Haiti from international donors. ly four decades: White, Raymond Flynn, and Boston. Thomas Menino, photographed under a Pick- A recent editorial in the publication ‘‘I’m not being a con merchant, but I don’t CaribNews argues that CARICOM, the CBC, wick Ale sign. Over White’s right shoulder is think that’s really true. A lot of people con- a copy of the Globe, Nov. 8, 1967, the first day tribute. Don’t you think the people of Bos- and the Bush Administration should all in- of what would become the New Boston. ton have a certain . . .’’ crease their involvement in finding a solution ‘‘White Goes In as Mayor with 5 New He pauses, tapping the table in frustration. to the Haitian crisis. While CARICOM and the Councilors,’’ reads a headline about White’s ‘‘It has nothing to do with me, but Boston CBC still remain disturbed by the removal of victory over Louise Day Hicks. A photograph has and I can’t quite . . . it’s a certain . . .’’ Haiti’s democratically elected government, of the party at the Sheraton Plaza shows His face lights up as the word comes to there is recognition that the situation in Haiti White, then 38, Hicks, Senator Edward M. mind. ‘‘Boston has a certain panache!’’ demands our increased engagement. Kennedy, governor John A. Volpe, and, in At times, White and Crane seem as the background, Crane. scripted as a Marx Brothers routine. The Bush Administration has continuously ‘‘I’m always in the background,’’ he grum- ‘‘I didn’t recognize you in this 1979 pic- argued that the interim government in Haiti be bles. ‘‘All my life, you’ve been putting me in ture,’’ says Crane, ‘‘because you’ve got your allowed to prepare for elections, with the col- the back row.’’ hands in your own pockets.’’ laboration of the UN MINSTAH force. The

VerDate Sep 11 2014 10:06 Feb 16, 2017 Jkt 000000 PO 00000 Frm 00075 Fmt 0689 Sfmt 9920 E:\FDSYS\2005BOUNDRECORD\BOOK12\N0-SSN\BR15JY05.DAT BR15JY05 ejoyner on DSK30MW082PROD with CONG-REC-ONLINE 16210 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS July 15, 2005 CBC and CARICOM have waited warily, but that there’s not a credible, effective police state Haiti into the community until free the situation is getting worse. The U.S. Admin- and judiciary.’’ and fair elections are held. istration has seemed to place the blame ‘‘Haitian refugees rescued from sinking But staying on the sidelines while the squarely on Aristide/Lavalas supporters, but Boat off St. Maarten.’’ Authorities in the country moves closer and closer to civil war Dutch dependent territory rescued 63 mi- is not really an option. that is neither an accurate or fair assessment grants from Haiti from a sailboat that was of the complex mix of factors which combine sinking off the island’s coast. to create the current Haitian reality. Many Each story paints its own picture of a na- f groups are responsible for the instability. tion in the throes of yet another disaster, a HONORING THE SERVICE OF CHIEF However, among most experts, there is very chapter of anarchy, death and a further de- WARRANT OFFICER FOUR CHRIS little disagreement that the root causes of Hai- scent into further tragic circumstances, if J. SCHERKENBACH TO OUR ti’s problems are economic. According to a re- that’s possible. COUNTRY cent report by the International Monetary Hence, Congressman Rangel’s sensible Fund, economic conditions in Haiti deterio- offer to use his considerable influence on Capitol Hill in a search for a solution to Hai- rated significantly during the early 2000s. The ti’s apparent intent to destroy what’s left of HON. JOHN L. MICA economic deterioration has been exacerbated the 200 year old nation. OF FLORIDA by the political turmoil and devastating floods Yes, he is right to try to bring together the of 2004 which led to a contraction of 3.75 per U.S. Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES cent of GDP. This has resulted in economic and CARICOM leaders who have behaved like Thursday, July 14, 2005 stagnation, high inflation, and widespread un- Pontius Pilate, washing their hands of a employment. troubled neighbor which seems unable these Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to Economic and trade development is the day to pursue peace and prosperity. honor and pay tribute to Chief Warrant Officer overarching need in Haiti, and will remain so, The unfortunate and unnecessary ouster of Four Chris J. Scherkenbach, who died on Aristide and the installation of interim June 28 from injuries sustained during combat with or without elections in the fall. CARICOM, President Boniface Alexandre and stopgap the CBC, and the Bush Administration are all operations in Afghanistan and in service to our Prime Minister, Gerard Latortue were the country. well placed to ensure that such development handiwork of the Bush Administration which takes place. There has been work towards hated Jean Bertrand Aristide with such a Chris was proud to serve in the United that end already. passion that it even sided with convicted States Army for 18 years, and as a Night Separately, members and supporters of the murderers, drug traffickers and violent Stalker was a member of our Special Oper- Lavalas Party must be persuaded to trust the criminals to get rid of him. ations forces for the past 8 years. He had system and participate in the transitional proc- Having put a gun to Aristide’s head and been assigned to B Company, 3rd Battalion, forced him to flee, the President said he was ess. The problem is that major stakeholders 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment ‘‘kidnapped’’ and taken into exile, Wash- (Airborne) at Hunter Army Airfield in Georgia. such as the interim Haitian administration, the ington has shown little interest in helping UN, and the Bush Administration have no the country out of the quagmire. Chief Warrant Officer Chris J. credibility with Lavalas/Artistide supporters. It has left the mess to the UN to clean up Scherkenbach’s awards and decorations in- The actions and positions of all three have at while starving the country of the hundreds clude the Air Medal, Army Achievement times been very counterproductive to national of millions pledged by the international Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, Army unity. This is another avenue where community to aid re-development and re-ha- Commendation Medal, National Defense Serv- CARICOM and the CBC can become en- bilitation. ice Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, gaged. It’s a crying shame that the Bush White Global War on Terror Expeditionary Medal, House, an architect of the Western Hemi- CBC and CARICOM may be the only sphere’s Democratic Charter, would turn Global War on Terror Service Medal, Humani- groups with enough credibility to compel Pro- around and blast holes into the document, tarian Service Medal, the Afghanistan Cam- Aristide supporters to enter the process. I be- thus making the whole exercise nothing paign Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, Army lieve there is growing recognition of this fact. more than a sham, a public relations exer- Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon and In the meantime, it is my hope that the Admin- cise that was empty of any real morality. Senior Army Aviator Badge. He was post- istration will take a more balanced and objec- Clearly, Rangel, a decent public figure, humously awarded the Purple Heart, the tive approach in helping Haiti to find the peace should pursue his idea of reaching out to Bronze Star Medal and an Air Medal with and prosperity that it deserves. CARICOM and to Rice, not to mention Hai- Valor device, the Master Army Aviator Badge, tians who want to see their country move the Meritorious Service Medal and the Combat [From the CaribNews, July 5, 2005] forward economically. WHY THE BLACK CAUCUS, THE BUSH WHITE An astute and experienced lawmaker, Ran- Action Badge. HOUSE AND CARICOM SHOULD BECOME EN- gel is fully aware that the task would not be Chris’s family describes him as a strong GAGED IN HAITI easy. But it is worth a try. man who had a firm sense of justice, who be- The headlines rarely recall Haiti’s glorious He also knows and was the first to point lieved in his mission and stood up for what he past when it defeated France’s mighty army out that he couldn’t achieve his goal by knew was right, and who perished doing what in 1804 and emerged as the first Black repub- working alone. The Congressional Black he loved. Caucus, all 43 members in the House of Rep- lic in the Western Hemisphere. We should all remember Chris’s courage Sadly, they certainly don’t call to mind resentatives and the Senate would have to the Caribbean nation’s rich cultural herit- bring their collective influence to the effort. and his ultimate sacrifice for our nation— age. ‘‘I would be glad to get the 43 members of ‘‘Greater love hath no man than to give up his Instead, they draw international attention the Congressional Black Caucus to support life for others.’’ The freedom we enjoy and the on a daily basis to what U.S. Congressman anything that makes sense to stabilize the liberty in the world for which he fought are part Charles Rangel in an interview with this government of Haiti,’’ was the way Rangel of the great legacy Chief Warrant Officer Four newspaper on Monday quite correctly called put it. Chris J. Scherkenbach leaves behind. the country’s ‘‘pain and suffering over such a Yes, we, like Rangel, are aware that others A native of Jacksonville, Chris was born in long period of time.’’ have tried and failed but we have a special Some example of recent headlines: responsibility to be unrelenting in our pur- Illinois on November 3, 1964. A devoted hus- ‘‘Gunfire erupts as New Haitian Ministers suit of reconciliation. band to his wife Michelle, Chris was also a Take Office in Port au Prince.’’ Boniface For without it, we would stand accused of loving son, brother and uncle and will be dear- Alexandre, the country’s interim President acting like Nero who played the fiddle while ly missed. To all of Chris’s family, we extend was delivering a speech at a ceremony in- Rome was burning. our deepest sympathy. stalling four new cabinet ministers when Rangel and the other members of the Con- Mr. Speaker, because of Chief Warrant Offi- heavy gunfire erupted near the Presidential gressional Black caucus have the credibility cer Four Chris J. Scherkenach’s sacrifice for Palace. and the interest to act as honest brokers. ‘‘Foreign troops likely needed in Haiti for CARICOM too must be involved in the search our country, I ask all Members of the U.S. years.’’ A story built on the words of United for peace. It may have been justified in criti- House of Representatives to join me in recog- Nations Under-Secretary-General, Jean- cizing LaTortue for his role in the tragedy nizing his service in our nation’s Armed Marie Guehono, who told a news agency now unfolding in his country. And it has al- Forces and remembering both his life and his ‘‘Haiti will need (UN) peacekeepers so long ready made its point by declining to rein- dedication to the United States of America.

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