January 8, 2014 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S129 close this tax loophole rather than re- [POLITICO, Dec. 26, 2013] Russia had been Clark’s early academic in- ducing military retiree benefits. What A NELSON MANDELA BACKSTORY: IOWA’S DICK terest and was as well in his first years at all Americans would agree with is that CLARK Aspen. But Africa tugged and he set out ‘‘to try to get a get a cadre of Congress who (By David Rogers) we should keep faith and leave no vet- would know about South Africa and what eran behind, making sure this amend- Dick Clark was Mandela when Mandela was going on in South Africa.’’ ment is voted on and approved and wasn’t cool. These typically were nearly weeklong sem- given legal force and effect so we cor- A one-term Democratic senator from Iowa inars—held at choice locales overseas to lure rect and fix the flaw in the budget and for years afterward a leader of congres- members of Congress but also to provide neu- agreement that has disallowed and dis- sional discussions on apartheid, Clark is now tral ground for the warring parties inside 85 and long gone from the public scene. But South Africa. honored the obligation we owe these the ups and downs of his career are an in- Bermuda, for example, served as a meeting retirees. triguing back story—and counterpoint—to place in 1989. The island allowed officials I thank the Presiding Officer, and I the outpouring of praise for Nelson Mandela, from the South African government to shut- yield the floor. the black liberation leader and former presi- tle in and out before the arrival of outlawed f dent of South Africa who died Dec. 5. representatives for Mandela’s African Na- It wasn’t always that way in Washington. tional Congress, which was operating then REMEMBERING DICK CLARK Indeed, Mandela turned 60 in South Afri- from outside South Africa. Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, on De- ca’s Robben Island prison in the summer of ‘‘All of them were there, making their cember 5, the world lost one of the 1978 even as Clark—chairman of the African pitches,’’ Clark said. And once Mandela was Affairs panel on the Senate Foreign Rela- released from prison in 1990, the venue shift- greatest leaders of our era, and of any ed to South Africa itself. ‘‘We got Mandela, era, when Nelson Mandela died at the tions Committee—was fighting for his own re-election in Iowa. who had just gotten out of jail not long be- age of 95. His capacity for forgiveness It was a time when Republican challenger fore, to come,’’ Clark recalls of an April 1991 was rivaled only by his courage. His ac- Roger Jepsen felt free to taunt the Democrat session in Cape Town—a seminar that also tions serve as an example for the entire as ‘‘the senator from Africa.’’ Tensions were included F. W. de Klerk, South Africa’s world. Having led South Africa out of such that the State Department called in a white president. its darkest period of history, Mandela South African Embassy official in May for Most striking here was Clark’s impact on making disparaging remarks about Clark in Republicans—the party that helped to throw focused on achieving national rec- him out of the Senate. Iowa. And after Clark lost, South Africa’s onciliation to transition his govern- ‘‘He is a wonder,’’ says former Sen. Alan ment from minority rule and apart- ousted information secretary, Eschel Simpson (R–Wyo.). ‘‘I had been told he was a heid, to a multicultural democracy. He Rhoodie, said his government invested lefty, the stereotype, but he just drew out $250,000 to defeat Clark, who had become a people. He never showed bitterness toward was successful in this endeavor because thorn in the side of the white regime. he believed in the importance of bring- the right or promoting one side.’’ Jepsen denied any knowledge of South Af- Just as ‘‘Mandela made a difference, Dick ing people together, breaking down the rica’s alleged role. Nor does Clark accuse Clark made a difference in awareness’’ at barriers that defined, and imprisoned, him of such. But 35 years after, Clark has no home in Congress, Simpson adds. many South Africans. For Nelson doubt that the apartheid government led by Former Rep. John Porter (R–Ill.) remem- Mandela, the opportunity to lead Prime Minister B. J. Vorster wanted him bers an Aspen meeting in Cape Town at meant the possibility of painting South out—and had a hand in his defeat. which Clark surprised the participants on African society on a blank canvas. It Clark’s liberal record and support of the the last day by sending them out to walk Panama Canal Treaty, which narrowly through the neighborhoods of a black town- meant the possibility of creating a uni- cleared the Senate in the spring of 1978, also ship to meet with families. ‘‘Dick Clark fied and free South Africa, rather than hurt his chances in Iowa. But the fatal blow would do things like that,’’ Porter said. perpetuating a fractured mosaic de- was a fierce wave of late-breaking ground at- ‘‘This was before all the big changes in fined by inequality. tacks from anti-abortion forces—something South Africa when we were debating sanc- We are fortunate to have leaders even conservative writers like Robert Novak tions,’’ said former Sen. John Danforth (R– among us who share many of Nelson had not anticipated in a published column Mo.). ‘‘He was just so dedicated to it and Mandela’s qualities of leadership and a weeks before. knew all the players.’’ In fact, Clark says he ‘‘Abortion was the issue, and how much ef- knew very little about Africa before coming focus on human rights. Having served to the Senate after the 1972 elections. But for nearly four decades in the Senate, I fect this apparent $250,000 had to do with pro- moting it more, I have no way of evaluating when a seat opened up on Foreign Relations have had the privilege to serve with it,’’ Clark said in a recent interview at his in 1975, he grabbed it and fell into the Africa some of them. Dick Clark, a Senator home in Washington. ‘‘No question that they post—just ahead of his classmate Sen. JO- from Iowa who was in the Senate when did it. They said they did, and I think they SEPH BIDEN (D–Del.), the future vice presi- I was first elected, is one such indi- did.’’ dent. Timing is everything in Congress and vidual, and his story is connected to Clark had made himself a target for South it was Clark’s good fortune in this case. The Nelson Mandela’s legacy. I not only Africa with his high-profile chairmanship of legendary but very controlling Foreign Rela- tions Committee Chairman J. William Ful- served with Senator Clark but I trav- the Africa subcommittee. In Washington as well, he was not without critics who accused bright (D–Ark.) had just left the Senate at elled with him to Vermont and else- the end of 1974 and this allowed sub- where. His sense of commitment and him of being too puritanical, too quick to fault U.S. policy. But like no senator before committee chairs like Clark to act more on his conscience set a Senate standard him, Clark used the panel to raise the visi- their own. ‘‘Fulbright’s attitude was the subcommit- that is rarely matched. bility of human rights issues in the southern tees couldn’t do anything. Everything ought He was a fierce opponent of apart- regions of the continent. The roster of prior to be done by the full committee,’’ Clark heid, and a recent POLITICO article re- Africa subcommittee chairs reads like a said. ‘‘I was next to last on seniority. When calls Dick Clark’s efforts to raise Who’s Who of national Democrats: John Ken- it got down to me, the only thing left was Af- nedy in the late 1950s; Tennessee Sen. Albert awareness in Congress on the impor- rica about which I knew very little. Some Gore, father of the future vice president; fu- tance of the issue, and to push legisla- would say none. So I just figured: Here’s a ture Senate Majority Leader Mike Mans- tion that would distance the United chance to learn something and I spent a lot States from the South African govern- field; and former Vice President Hubert of time doing hearings and learning about Humphrey after his return to the Senate. ment’s activities in the region. His ef- Africa.’’ But all stayed for just one Congress before He also traveled—venturing into southern, forts eventually contributed to his moving on. Clark stuck, challenging Cold electoral loss at the end of his term, sub-Saharan Africa which was then unfa- War policies that he believed hurt the larger miliar to many on the Senate committee. but that did not keep him from pursing struggle against apartheid that Mandela ‘‘Humphrey told me that he got as far his goals. I am pleased that during this symbolized. south as Ethiopia,’’ Clark said. ‘‘It was new important period of reflection, Dick ‘‘He was the icebreaker here,’’ says his territory and interesting and of course we Clark’s contributions continue to be friend Rep. George Miller (D–Cal.). ‘‘He was were putting a lot of covert money in Africa, recognized. out breaking ice on Africa issues for the as were the Russians.’’ In the summer of I ask unanimous consent that a copy country and certainly for the Senate.’’ 1975, Clark and two aides left Washington for of the recent POLITICO article, A Nel- What’s more, after losing his Senate seat, what was to be a trip to just Tanzania, Zam- Clark didn’t stop. Instead, he found a new son Mandela backstory: Iowa’s Dick bia and Zaire. But that itinerary quickly ex- classroom via the Aspen Institute, where the panded to include the two former Portuguese Clark, be printed in the RECORD. former professor began what amounted to his colonies, Mozambique and Angola. There being no objection, the mate- own graduate program in 1983 to educate The Angola detour was pivotal and in- rial was ordered to be printed in the members of Congress about different policy cluded face-to-face meetings with Central In- RECORD as follows: issues. telligence Agency personnel on the ground as

VerDate Mar 15 2010 02:22 Jan 09, 2014 Jkt 039060 PO 00000 Frm 00043 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G08JA6.065 S08JAPT1 tjames on DSK6SPTVN1PROD with SENATE S130 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE January 8, 2014 well as the leaders of the three rival factions Watergate had its John Dean, Rhoodie—a versity of Maryland, joining the com- in Angola’s post-colonial civil war. The So- top deputy to Mulder—proved the top wit- mittee staff on April 7, 1980, in order to viet Union and Cuba were then actively ness: a suave propagandist who later gave de- assist the committee’s arms control ex- backing the new leftist government under tailed interviews and wrote his own book on pert. She subsequently provided admin- Agostinho Neto. The CIA and South Africa the subject filling 900-plus pages. istrative support to the committee’s had begun a covert partnership assisting Rhoodie, who was prosecuted for fraud but rebel factions: chiefly Jonas Savimbi in the cleared by an appeals court in South Africa, budget director, minority counsel, and south, but also Holden Roberto, whose base ultimately relocated to the U.S., where he minority staff director. In 1987, Chair- was more in the north and Zaire. died in Atlanta in 1993. But by his account, man David L. Boren appointed Kath- Soon after Clark returned, the debate the Vorster government had used its con- leen as the chief clerk of the Intel- broke into the open after news reports de- tacts with a Madison Avenue public relations ligence Committee, a position she has tailing the U.S. and South African oper- firm, Sydney S. Baron & Co. Inc., to under- held ever since. ations. Congress cut off new funding in a De- mine Clark’s reelection. In her time here, she has been cember 1975 appropriations fight. It then Rhoodie describes a meeting early in 1978 present when some of our Nation’s in South Africa attended by Mulder, Vorster quickly enacted a more permanent ban—the most important national security so-called Clark amendment—prohibiting fu- and Baron at which Clark’s election was spe- ture covert assistance for paramilitary oper- cifically discussed, and the $250,000 was later issues were considered and debated— ations in Angola. moved into one of Baron’s accounts ‘‘to from espionage during the Cold War to Signed into law in February 1976, the Clark make sure that Clark was defeated.’’ As the response to the terrorist attacks of amendment was repealed under President South Africa’s information secretary, September 11, 2001, and many more. In Ronald Reagan in 1985. Conservatives long Rhoodie was in fact the signatory of con- the thousands of hearings, briefings, argued that it was always an overreach by tracts with Baron, according to filings with and markups she has run, Kathleen has Congress, reacting to Lyndon Johnson and the Justice Department. These show the New truly seen and heard it all. Richard Nixon’s handling of the Vietnam York firm initially received about $365,000 Kathleen has served as clerk, and War. annually under a contract signed in April mostly as chief clerk, for 11 committee ‘‘The danger now is the pendulum will 1976. This was increased to $650,000 a year swing too far the other way,’’ Secretary of later. In August 1977, the same arrangement chairmen: Birch Bayh, Barry Gold- State Henry Kissinger warned Clark’s panel was extended through January 1979, includ- water, Dave Durenberger, David Boren, in a January 1976 hearing. But for all the ing a $250,000 payment in April 1978. Dennis DeConcini, Arlen Specter, RICH- echoes of Vietnam, Clark says he saw his Whether this $250,000 is a coincidence or ARD SHELBY, Bob Graham, PAT ROB- amendment more as a way to separate the what Rhoodie was speaking on is not clear. ERTS, JAY ROCKEFELLER, and for me. U.S. from South Africa’s apartheid regime. At this stage, most of the major players are Owing to the nature of the committee ‘‘The reason the amendment passed so eas- dead and New York state corporate records and its rules, and to her even-handed, ily in both houses was because of Vietnam, show Baron’s firm was dissolved in 1993—the nonpartisan approach, she has also so I certainly related the two,’’ Clark said. year that Rhoodie died. ‘‘But my interest was really in Africa and Watching it all is Clark’s friend, old boss served many Vice Chairmen equally South Africa. We were aligning ourselves in the House and later Senate colleague, well during her tenure: Patrick Moy- with apartheid forces. The reason for my John Culver. The two met in 1964, when nihan, PAT LEAHY, Bill Cohen, Frank amendment was to disassociate us from Clark signed on to help Culver win his first Murkowski, John Warner, Bob Kerrey, apartheid and from South Africa.’’ House election and then worked with Culver Richard Bryan, Kit Bond, and now ‘‘Kissinger had really no feeling for human in Washington until 1972, when Clark went SAXBY CHAMBLISS, to name a few. Few rights that I could ever discern and certainly back to Iowa to run for the Senate. A Har- people in the U.S. Congress can say not in South Africa,’’ Clark said. ‘‘His asso- vard-educated Marine Corps veteran, Culver that they have worked for so many ciation with South Africa was obviously very said he had his own fascination with Africa close.’’ A year later, visiting South Africa, as a young man in the 1960s. But he remem- Senators—85 Senators in all—and as Clark got a taste of how closely the white bered that era as a time of greater optimism, professionally. government under Vorster had been watch- as new countries across the continent were As importantly, in her time here, and ing him. emerging from colonial rule. especially as the committee’s chief That trip included an important meeting ‘‘Dick came to it when there was less polit- clerk for more than two decades, Kath- in Port Elizabeth with the young black lead- ical reward,’’ Culver said. ‘‘But he stuck to leen has worked with more than 300 er, Steve Biko, who had just been released it.’’ staffers who have uniformly appre- from jail and would die 10 months later after f ciated and respected her profes- a brutal interrogation in the summer of 1977. Clark said he became a courier of sorts, tak- TRIBUTE TO KATHLEEN MCGHEE sionalism and collegiality. Kathleen has managed the administrative staff ing back a Biko memorandum to Jimmy Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, I Carter’s incoming administration. But while and functions of the committee, and rise today with Senator SAXBY CHAM- in South Africa, Vorster himself wanted to coordinated with other Senate offices see Clark and spent much of an hour quizzing BLISS to honor and thank one of the on matters ranging from the rules to the senator on his past public comments— Senate’s longest-serving and most the architecture. She has walked doz- even down to small college appearances in widely-respected professional staff ens of staff directors through the prep- the U.S. ‘‘He spent an hour with me,’’ Clark members—Kathleen McGhee. Kathleen aration and execution of the commit- said. ‘‘They obviously had followed me to is retiring this week after 33 years of tee’s budget and has been hailed re- each of these, much to my surprise.’’ continual service to the Select Com- ‘‘He would quote me. And then he would peatedly as the committee’s ‘‘institu- mittee on Intelligence. tional memory.’’ say, Did you say that on such and such a As all Senators know, much of the date and such and such a place?’ ‘‘We went As the chief clerk, Kathleen has been through this for an hour. He just wanted the work of the Senate is done quietly and responsible for showing new staffers opportunity to tell me how wrong I was behind the scenes, by staff whose the ropes and making sure they were about everything I was saying.’’ names are not in the papers and who able to transition smoothly into their ‘‘He was the last great Afrikaner presi- are not in public service for the rec- new roles on the committee staff. Espe- dent,’’ Clark said. ‘‘In fact, he ultimately re- ognition. This is especially true for the cially for people used to the bureau- signed over the embarrassment of the work of the Intelligence Committee, cratic difficulties in the executive Muldergate thing years later.’’ The which operates behind closed doors Muldergate thing—as Clark calls it—was a branch, her ability to pave the way has major scandal inside South Africa in the late and—when things are working right— been nearly miraculous. 1970s when it was revealed that government without public attention. For 33 years, Sadly, but understandably, it is now funds had been used by the ruling National Kathleen McGhee was the person who the time for her own transition—al- Party to mount a far-reaching propaganda made sure that the committee operated though true to her form, Kathleen campaign in defense of apartheid. professionally by ensuring that our agreed to continue her service longer This went well beyond placing favorable hearings ran smoothly, reports were than anticipated in order to make sure articles or opinion pieces in the press. Tens written, letters sent and received, tran- that the hand-off to her successor of millions of dollars were invested to try to scripts maintained, and budgets were would go smoothly. undermine independent South African pa- pers. There was even a failed attempt in the met, all in a timely fashion. Now, we are pleased to take the op- U.S. to buy the Washington Star in hopes of The only thing she has not been able portunity on behalf of the Senate to influencing American policy. Muldergate got to overcome is the mice. thank Kathleen McGhee for her tre- its name from Connie Mulder, South Africa’s Kathleen came to the committee mendous service to the Select Com- information minister at the time. But just as shortly after graduating from the Uni- mittee on Intelligence, the Senate, and

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