February 2, 1995 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S1979 right of ‘‘set off’’ against Mexican oil pro- eran advisory boards and was honored cerning the retirement of Mr. Donald ceeds in the New York Federal Reserve Bank with life membership to most veteran- E. Gessaman of Dayton, OH. (FRBNY). related organizations. Upon Mr. Gessaman’s retirement, the This means that the FRBNY has access to Richard Roudebush fought for United Federal Government will lose one of its the Mexican oil proceeds and can use them States and served his country in the to reimburse the for any most effective public servants. Mr. amounts it had paid out on its guarantee, public sector as representative of the Gessaman served as the Deputy Asso- plus interest. people. He was a Hoosier hero who ex- ciate Director for National Security in f emplified the very best in public serv- the Office of Management and Budget. ice. His vision, knowledge, and zeal for I would like to take this opportunity DEATH OF RICHARD L. excellence, and determination to see to commend Mr. Gessaman on 32 years ROUDEBUSH initiatives through to their successful of outstanding service to his country. Mr. COATS. Mr. President, the world conclusion are some of his qualities He is known for exceptional intel- lost a great public servant and well- that have endured in the Veterans Ad- ligence, common sense, and good known Hoosier last weekend with the ministration and the Congress. His humor. Mr. President, his counsel and death of the Honorable Richard L. honors and awards are a treatment to wisdom will be sorely missed. Roudebush. the depth of his service dedication and Mr. Gessaman began his career in He was born on a farm in Noblesville, the impact of his efforts. His presence 1963 as an analyst for the Air Force IN, 77 years ago. In 1941, he graduated will be greatly missed, but his work on space program. In 1966, he moved to from Butler University in Indianapolis behalf of veterans and the residents of Washington to become a management with a degree in business administra- Indiana will remain a great legacy of intern in the Office of the Secretary of tion. Soon after, he enlisted on the which all Americans can be proud. Defense. The following year, he began Army just 1 month before the Japanese f his work at OMB and has remained attack on Pearl Harbor and was RECOGNIZING THE 200TH BIRTH- there since, rising through the ranks shipped out to Egypt in September DAY OF THE U.S. NAVY SUPPLY and becoming a member of the Senior 1942, where he joined with British CORPS Executive Service. In 1990, he assumed Forces during five major battles in his present position as Deputy Asso- Mr. THURMOND. Mr. President, I North Africa. While participating in ciate Director for National Security. the invasion of Italy, his landing craft rise today to recognize the more than Mr. Gessaman dedicated his career to was hit and was sunk by the enemy, 5,000 men and women of the U.S. Navy ensuring that the taxpayers’ invest- Supply Corps, active and reserve, who but he survived and continued the fight ment in our Nation’s Armed Forces is on February 23, 1995, will celebrate the with the 15th Air Force. well spent. The importance of national 200th birthday of their distinguished Richard Roudebush’s distinguished security issues and the spending con- service to our Nation and Navy. The career of serving United States does straints imposed by the deficit have naval officers who proudly wear the not end with his role in World War II. made this a daunting task. Yet, time Supply Corps oak leaf are the business He demonstrated his leadership among and time again, Mr. Gessaman has managers of the Navy and are respon- his war veteran peers with being ac- shown that judgment, analysis, and a sible for the logistics support of oper- tively involved in the Indiana Depart- thorough understanding of defense pro- ating forces in the fleet and naval ment of Veterans of Foreign Wars and grams can serve both our national se- eventually being elected as national shore installations worldwide. The Supply Corps has come a long curity and our economic security. commander in chief of the national way since its birth in 1795, when Teach Mr. Gessaman’s professionalism, his VFW. Francis of Philadelphia took the helm thorough analyses, and his commit- A friend of Mr. Roudebush’s re- as the first Purveyor of Public Sup- ment to the highest standards through- marked that he was so discouraged at plies. The original charter of the Sup- out his career have inspired his col- the way Hoosier Congressmen were ply Corps was to support the six wood- leagues. I want to join those colleagues handling things in Washington, that he en frigates of a young American Navy. and his many friends in thanking Mr. decided to run for Congress himself. He The Supply Corps has distinguished Gessaman and wishing him all the best did, and in fact, he was elected to the itself throughout its long history by for the future. House of Representatives five times, ensuring that the United States has f and from three different districts. been ready to defend American freedom TRIBUTE TO M.R. SENI PRAMOJ Through his own efforts, he quickly and interests in every conflict since rose from the ranks to become the as- the War of 1812. Its responsibilities Mr. BAUCUS. Mr. President, I rise to sistant minority whip and ranking have grown tremendously and have offer congratulations and best wishes member of his party on the Committee kept pace with the challenge of pro- to M.R. Seni Pramoj, one of America’s on Science and Astronautics where he viding logistics support to a modern great friends, and one of Asia’s most was best known for his instrumental and highly technological Navy, which accomplished democratic leaders, as efforts in helping to get America’s has grown in size and complexity. his 90th birthday approaches. space program successfully off the Today, the Navy Supply Corps employs And as we prepare to commemorate ground. the latest technologies and manage- the 50th anniversary of the end of the No challenge was ever too great for ment skills to supply our Navy at the Second World War, I would like to re- Richard Roudebush. This was most ap- lowest possible cost and with the great- mind the Senate of Seni’s great service parent in the contest for the Senate est efficiency. as Thai Ambassador to the United seat of then-Senator Vance Hartke. Mr. Having progressed from supplying States when the war began. Roudebush did not win the race, but it wooden frigates with cannon balls to Seni Pramoj began his career in the was the closest Senate election race in supplying AEGIS destroys with Toma- 1930’s, as one of ’s first legal Indiana history. Out of 2 million votes hawk cruise missiles, the U.S. Navy scholars. During that decade, he helped cast only 4,000 votes kept him from vic- Supply Corps continues to carry out its to draft many of Thailand’s modern tory. vital mission to keep our Navy well laws, including the law abolishing the His deep affection and commitment equipped and ready to respond at a mo- unequal treaties Thailand was forced to his fellow veterans led him on a con- ment’s notice. I ask my colleagues to to sign during the colonial era. He lec- tinued mission, especially after his join me in congratulating the officers tured to a generation of students at congressional days, to help make bet- of the U.S. Navy Supply Corps on its Thammasat School of Law, and before ter the lives of his fellow comrades. 200th birthday. the end of the decade was made a judge After working in the Veterans Admin- f on Thailand’s Supreme Court. istration for 3 years as the No. 3 man, These accomplishments gained him President Gerald Ford nominated Mr. RETIREMENT OF DONALD E. national recognition far beyond the Roudebush as Veterans Administrator GESSAMAN legal field. And in 1940, at the young in 1974. His dedication to veterans con- Mr. GLENN. Mr. President, I rise age of 35, Seni found himself appointed tinued later in life as he served on vet- today to make a few comments con- Ambassador to the United States.

VerDate Aug 31 2005 03:28 May 28, 2008 Jkt 041999 PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 J:\ODA15\1995_F~1\S02FE5.REC S02FE5 mmaher on MIKETEMP with SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS S1980 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE February 2, 1995 A year and a half later, on the day of Rama IV expressed the hope that the BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, United States and Thailand would for- TO THE CONSTITUTION the Japanese Army entered Thailand. ever regard one another with ‘‘friend- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under A powerful faction within the Thai ship and affection,’’ and support one the previous order, the Senate will now Government, favoring collaboration, another in times of difficulty. And resume consideration of House Joint ordered the Thai military not to resist. nearly 150 years later, few have done Resolution 1, which the clerk will re- And later in December, now in full con- more to make the King’s hope a reality port. trol, they signed a military alliance than Seni Pramoj. The bill clerk read as follows: with Japan. All American friends of Thailand join A joint resolution (H.J. Res. 1) proposing a Their next step was to order Seni by in wishing M.R. Seni Pramoj best wish- balanced budget amendment to the Constitu- cable to deliver a formal Declaration of es as his 90th birthday approaches. And tion of the United States. War to the U.S. Government. As a pa- we thank him for a service to both our The Senate resumed consideration of triot and a man of conscience, Seni did countries which we will not forget. the bill. not hesitate to do his duty as he saw it. Mr. DORGAN addressed the Chair. As he recounts the story, he went to f The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- the State Department the day after re- ator from North Dakota. ceiving this cable, and told then-Sec- IN HONOR OF FRANK E. RODGERS, Mr. DORGAN. Mr. President, the retary of State : RETIRING MAYOR OF HARRISON, Senate is now considering an amend- Sir, I regret to say that I have been in- NJ ment to the U.S. Constitution. This is structed by my government to declare war on the United States. But I refuse to do it be- Mr. BRADLEY. Mr. President, on De- not a usual matter and ought not be cause there is no reason, and I have already cember 31, 1994, a very special man, treated as such. Changing the U.S. cut myself loose from . I cannot Frank E. Rodgers, served his last day Constitution is a very solemn responsi- bring myself to declare war on the United as mayor of Harrison. After 48 years of bility, and those who wrote the Con- States. public service, Mayor Rodgers is being stitution made changing it very dif- Seni placed the Declaration of War in honored for his life-time commitment ficult, by design. a safe at the Embassy on Kalorama to the citizens of Harrison, NJ. I have in my hand a copy of the Con- Road, where it remained for the rest of Mayor Frank Rodgers won his first stitution. This is a little booklet put the war. He refused further to leave the term as mayor of Harrison after the out by the bicentennial group that Embassy when the ruling faction in war in 1946 and began the distinguished worked on a program to educate the Bangkok ordered him to do so. And in- career that would make him the long- American people about the Constitu- stead, he devoted himself to the Allied est-serving mayor in the history of the tion. The Constitution begins, as all cause, writing every Thai student in United States. Epitomizing the old Americans know, ‘‘We the people of the the United States to announce his deci- adage that all politics is local, Mayor United States.’’ ‘‘We the people.’’ sion to form a resistance force called Rodgers campaigned door-to-door all 24 I was privileged to go to a celebra- the Seri Thai or . times he sought reelection and main- tion in Philadelphia about 8 years ago Virtually all of the 110 Thai students tained an open-door policy at town or so. It was the 200th birthday of the in the United States at the time joined hall. signing of the Constitution. The birth- the Seri Thai. Seventy of them trained In addition to his time as mayor, day, the 200th anniversary, was held in under the OSS as guerrilla fighters. Frank Rodgers held a variety of elected the very same room in Philadelphia, Others served as technical experts. and appointed jobs in government, in- called ‘‘The Assembly Room,’’ in Con- Some carried out broadcasts in the cluding 6 years from 1977 to 1983 as a stitution Hall, the same room where . Still others helped State Senator and 10 years as a town the Constitution was written in the American military authorities to iden- councilman. Frank’s service in the first place 200 years previous, when 55 tify sites of great cultural and histor- Army during World War II did not white, largely overweight, men sat in a ical value to Thailand, in order to pre- interfere with his commitment to pub- very hot Philadelphia room in the sum- serve them from Allied bombing raids lic service; he was reelected as a coun- mer and wrote a constitution. toward the end of the war. cilman while in basic training at Fort We know that because we know who The Seri Thai movement was equally Dix and managed town affairs through they were. Two-hundred years later successful inside Thailand. Inspired by calls and letters to his wife and family fifty-five people, men and women of all Seni’s wartime broadcasts, and trained while working as a military intel- races went back into that room to by his student recruits, it ultimately ligence officer on assignment along the recreate in celebration the writing of armed about 50,000 Thai partisans. And east coast. that Constitution. I was one who was following the Japanese surrender, Seri Diligence, dedication, and a true picked to be among the 55. And to go Thai formed the first postwar govern- commitment to his constituency were into that room on the 200th anniver- ment, with Seni himself as Prime Min- the hallmarks of Frank Rodger’s ca- sary of the date of the writing of this ister. reer. In his retirement letter to the Constitution was pretty special. Seni’s career since then has been just residents of Harrison, Frank wrote, ‘‘I George Washington’s chair is still at as distinguished. He was a founder of believe our years together hint at a the front of the room, the chair he sat the Prachatipat or Democrat Party— mutual respect and caring that goes far in when he was presiding, and Franklin now Thailand’s oldest political party, beyond the requirements of gov- sat over there. and ably led by Prime Minister Chuan. erning.’’ Frank Rodgers possessed both It was very remarkable to be in this He has been, as well, a highly success- the insight to know what it means to room where they wrote this Constitu- ful and musician; and Prime govern and the willingness to devote tion. Even more remarkable was that Minister once again in the 1970’s. himself wholeheartedly to the task. it was written over 200 years ago by pa- Altogether, it is no exaggeration to While his retirement will be a great triots, by people who cared deeply for say that for the past 60 years, Seni has loss to those who have worked with this country, but also by a homogenous been at the center of Thai law and poli- him and for those he has served, he has group of people, only white men who tics. And his sincere commitment to left an exemplary legacy of excellence came from various parts of the colonies democracy, moderation, and the rule of in public service. to join in that room and write this doc- law has helped Thailand become the ument. prosperous democracy so many people f We have come a long way. Two-hun- around the world admire today. dred years later it was a diverse group In a letter to President Franklin of men and women of all races who Pierce, written in 1856 and reprinted in CONCLUSION OF MORNING celebrated. I sat there kind of getting the book ‘‘A King of Siam Speaks,’’ BUSINESS some goose bumps about the history of which Seni and his brother Kukrit The PRESIDING OFFICER. Morning it all. I thought: as a little boy I grew Pramoj edited some years ago, King business is closed. up studying about George Washington

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