April 12, 2005 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—HOUSE 6141 remarkable challenge that we have as a wanted to put a face on it, if you want- find a responsible and a secure solu- Nation? ed to draw it on a graph, that plan is tion. Well, a little earlier I talked about this graph. What this says is that we go f the initial impressions that I have had along and go along and go along just as HONORING THE LIFE OF FORMER in my freshman term here in Congress, we are doing now until we get to that CONGRESSMAN WILLIAM LEHMAN and one of the things that may not sur- date, 2041, when the bottom falls out of prise anyone is the remarkable level of the system and individuals are only The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. partisanship. Remember I talked about able to receive 73 or 74 percent, which FORTENBERRY). Under the Speaker’s the need for this to be a nonpartisan is a 26 or 27 percent cut in benefits. announced policy of January 4, 2005, issue, but the incredible level of par- I promise you that that is not accept- the gentleman from Florida (Mr. MEEK) tisanship and nowhere is it more clear able. It certainly is not acceptable to is recognized for 60 minutes. than on the issue of Social Security. me. It is not acceptable to our side of Mr. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I The Social Security problem is clearly the aisle, and I do not believe it is ac- would like to thank the Members of defined, and there is a clear recogni- ceptable to the American people. So it the House and also the Democratic tion by both Democrats and Repub- is a promise. This issue ought to be leader for allowing me to have this licans as demonstrated here that we nonpartisan. We ought to get together, time tonight. need to fix the system. Yet where is and I urge my colleagues to do so. GENERAL LEAVE the plan from the other side of the There needs to be generational fairness Mr. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I aisle? What is the plan that they have so that younger individuals have faith ask unanimous consent that all Mem- on the table? that some of the money certainly that bers may have 5 legislative days within Well, we searched and we searched they have put into the system will be which to revise and extend their re- and we searched and we searched. And able to grow and be able to provide for marks on the life of Congressman Bill this is the plan that we have come up their nest egg. Lehman, the subject of my Special with. This is the plan that the other Finally, it is your money. It is Amer- Order this evening. side of the aisle in this incredibly im- icans’ money. It is not the govern- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there portant issue, in an issue that will im- ment’s money. It is your money. These objection to the request of the gen- pact every single American, this is the ought to be our principles, and we tleman from Florida? plan that they have on the table. should focus on the facts, study the There was no objection. Just say no. Just criticize. It is poli- issue and alternatives that are avail- Mr. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, a tics as usual. It does such a huge dis- able to us, vigorously debate, both few weeks ago, a great man who served service to us as a Nation and to every sides of the aisle vigorously debate and in this House for 20 years went on to one of their citizens. So we should act glory. On March 16, 2005, former U.S. now. There is no doubt about it. We then act. It is imperative that we move forward with this because, as we have Congressman Bill Lehman passed away should act now. peacefully in the presence of his family The Social Security trustees, the heard, every year we delay costs this and a few close friends in Miami, Flor- Comptroller General of the United Nation, costs the American public, ida. He was ninety-one years old, and States, Chairman of the Federal Re- costs you $600 billion. for 20 of those years he served in this serve Board all agree that the sooner Social Security is a system that has we address the problem, the smaller worked for decades and for generations, great institution, the U.S. House of and less abrupt the changes will be for but the current system is outdated and Representatives. We are here this evening to pay trib- individuals and their families. does not meet the needs of the Amer- One of the individuals who works in ican people. It is not secure. ute to Congressman Bill Lehman who my office just this past week got her We have a wonderful opportunity served with great dignity and integ- Social Security statement, her Social right now. Right now, imagine the rity, who the Miami Herald described Security statement that each of us get peace of mind that you would have as a ‘‘legendary figure in south Florida each year, and I was reading through knowing that the contributions that politics considered a visionary on ra- the text of what everybody receives you make each month into Social Se- cial issues and public transit.’’ from the Social Security administra- curity will result in a nest egg for your Only three people have ever served in tion about their Social Security. And retirement that you own and that no the 17th Congressional District of Flor- it clearly says and I urge every Amer- one can take away. That is my vision ida, former Congressman Bill Lehman, ican to read the fine print when this and that is my dream and I hope that former Congresswoman Carrie Meek comes to your home. It says from the you share that. and myself, Mr. Speaker. For this rea- son, it is a great honor for me to honor Social Security Administration, ‘‘Un- b 2200 less action is taken soon to strengthen him today. Social Security, in just 14 years we will In closing, Mr. Speaker, I urge my By any measure, Mr. Lehman was an begin paying more in benefits than we colleagues and I ask my colleagues to extraordinary man. He was a successful collect in taxes. Without changes, by take the time now, take this time now businessman who went back to college, 2042 the Social Security trust fund will and let us get to work. We all look for- got his teaching degree and taught in be exhausted. By then the number of ward to the discussion that is coming the Miami Dade County schools. He Americans 65 or older is expected to about on this issue, but I am hopeful also was a school board member and a have doubled. There will not be enough that we will remember those prin- chairman of the school board, and he younger people working to pay all of ciples, that it is a promise and ought led his school system through a very the benefits owed to those who are re- not to be partisan and to keep in mind difficult time, the end of segregation in tiring.’’ every single generation and be fair to schools. This is not an opinion by anybody on them. Remember that nest egg that Congressman Lehman was a Member my side of the aisle or the other side of must be maintained for security and of Congress universally known for fair- the aisle. This is the Social Security that it is American’s money, it is not ness, kindness and compassion. He had administration who is looking at the the government’s money. If we do not strong relationships on both sides of numbers, seeing what kind of revenue act now, that would be the height of ir- the aisle and guided national transpor- is coming in and what is going to hap- responsibility, as with saying that tation policy through the 1980’s. pen and warning each and every one of there is no problem or that little needs Congressman Lehman started out as us, further, that there will be enough to be done. a used car dealer in Miami, and his money to pay only about 73 cents for So I urge this House, I urge the Sen- nickname was ‘‘Alabama Bill’’ because each dollar of scheduled benefits. ate and I urge the President to work Congressman Lehman was born in So I had the plan from the other side together and I congratulate the Presi- Selma, Alabama, and I think that it of the aisle. This is their plan. If you dent for bringing this issue forward to was very appropriate at that time for

VerDate Sep 11 2014 11:49 Jan 26, 2017 Jkt 000000 PO 00000 Frm 00100 Fmt 0688 Sfmt 0634 E:\FDSYS\2005BOUNDRECORD\BOOK5\NO_SSN\BR12AP05.DAT BR12AP05 ejoyner on DSK30MW082PROD with CONG-REC-ONLINE 6142 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—HOUSE April 12, 2005 him to be in leadership, but he was a crats ran for that seat, and nobody ever change it. The legislation became law, special kind of businessman even then. gave Mr. Lehman much of a chance be- and now such adoptions are common. He developed a reputation as a used car cause he insisted on supporting busing On a visit to a Federal agency in 1986, dealer that you could trust, and that is to end racial discrimination in schools. Mr. Lehman was told about two em- something that is very uncommon But he came in a surprising second in ployees, a husband and a wife, who these days, Mr. Speaker. that election against a well-known both worked in the same agency. The My constituents still tell stories front runner and came in a surprising wife had inoperable cancer and a few about ‘‘Alabama Bill.’’ One person said first in the run-off election that fol- months to live. They had young chil- that he bought a car from Mr. Lehman lowed. dren, and she had only a couple of but the battery died a few days later Bill Lehman started out as a member months to live. They had used all of after he drove it home, and for Mr. of the House Education and Labor their sick and vacation time on the Lehman, the solution was very easy, Committee, but his work in Congress is treatments and care. Their fellow em- give him a new battery, something most closely associated with his serv- ployees wanted to donate their unused very common. ice on the House Appropriations Com- time to the couple but found that the Another person told the story of how mittee, his chairmanship of the Trans- Federal law prohibited that from hap- she wanted to go to the prom with her portation Appropriations Sub- pening. Mr. Lehman introduced legisla- boyfriend, but because they did not committee and his membership on the tion to make it legal and started what have a car, Mr. Lehman thought that it Foreign Operations Appropriations is known as leave sharing, which is was fit for him to lend them a car for Subcommittee. today an established Federal policy. the evening. This was a very common As a member of the Foreign Oper- When he learned in 1987 that the man, but a man who walked softly and ations Appropriations Committee, Mr. Communist government in East Ger- was a giant in this Nation. Lehman used his position to help im- many would not allow Jews in East Mr. Lehman’s customers were loyal prove the lives and relieve human suf- Berlin to have a permanent rabbi, Mr. and he never forgot them. Once at a fering throughout the world. Lehman made contacts with the U.S. town hall meeting as a Congressman, a An example is his work in 1980, when ambassador to East Germany and the constituent showed up and said that he the flood of hundreds of thousands of East German government and won ap- bought a car from Mr. Lehman 35 years Cuban refugees, known as the Mariel proval for the first resident rabbi since ago. He asked Mr. Lehman, ‘‘Do you re- Boat Lift threatened to overwhelm all World War II. member me?’’ Silence fell over the of south Florida. Financially, Mr. Leh- Congressman Lehman learned crowd as the two men looked at each man managed to get $100 million in through hearings about ‘‘golden Hour’’ other, and Mr. Lehman said, ‘‘Your Cuban refugee resettlement aid in- for accident victims. If an injured per- son gets proper care within an hour of name is Willie,’’ and the man said, cluded in a foreign aid bill, only to see an accident, he has a much better ‘‘No, that was my brother.’’ Mr. Leh- it later stripped from the legislation. chance of living or of recovery. That is man remembered them both, and he Mr. Lehman did not give up then. He called trauma care. Mr. Lehman was had a great memory and that is some- tried for the refugee money again and one of the major champions here in thing we do not see common in public again until finally it got included in this institution for that and could be service. another bill. given credit for trauma care through- Mr. Lehman had a restless mind and Today, a whole generation of Cuban out the Nation and definitely in south could not be confined to business. His Americans who came to seek freedom Florida. IQ was high enough to qualify him for in this country owe Bill Lehman for He enlisted the help of then-Trans- membership in Mensa, a society formed looking out for their needs when they portation Secretary Elizabeth Dole, in 1946 to promote intelligent exchange first arrived in this country. now Senator DOLE, and pushed through In 1988, Mr. Lehman used his congres- between very bright people. Mr. Leh- the establishment of the Miami Dade man said later that he went to a few sional contacts to work with the Cas- trauma center, which is known as the meetings of Mensa but soon stopped be- tro regime in Cuba to obtain the re- Ryder Center that is working today. cause he found the people there very lease of three Cuban political prisoners The Bill Lehman Trauma Research boring. who had spent more than 20 years in Center in Miami is a testimonial to his So, after he got his business started, jail for opposing the Cuban govern- work. he went back to college and earned his ment. Lehman bargained behind the These are just a few stories of the teaching certificate and became an scenes through informal diplomatic kind of man that Bill Lehman was and English literature teacher in the back channels. He eventually traveled how he tried to use the power of gov- Miami Dade public schools. He would to Cuba and met secretly with Castro ernment not for personal or political often quote Shakespeare and other himself to win their freedom. It was a advantage but to help the lives of oth- English writers in his talks. victory that only a person like Bill ers. Perhaps one of the reasons Con- His foray into education led him into Lehman could achieve. gressman Lehman was so effective is an interest in school politics. He ran Bill Lehman only tried to use the that he knew what others were going for the school board and won, the first power of government to help people through through his own tragedy and of an unbroken string of electoral vic- who had no other recourse and often no trials in his own life. tories at all levels of government. hope. Just a few examples, Mr. Speak- His beloved daughter Kathy died of a Later, he would become the school er: In 1991, Lehman engineered the re- brain tumor. He was diagnosed with board chairman, just as the Federal lease of a 16-year-old girl who was ar- cancer and underwent surgery and re- courts ordered busing to end racial seg- rested and imprisoned by the repressive habilitation therapy. Because of the regation in the Miami Dade County government of Argentina at the time. surgery that cut some of the nerves schools. Lehman’s personal diplomacy, along that can allow him to speak, he had to Mr. Lehman described attending with a promise to the Argentine gov- take speech lessons to learn how to meetings of parents so angry that he ernment that he would not publicize talk again. He used to joke he was the had to have police guards escort him in the case in a way that would embarrass only politician that could only talk out and out, but his personal courage and the regime, led to her release which she of one side of his mouth. his uncanny skill at easing tensions is grateful for today and attended his He also suffered a stroke that effec- helped him win the day and the schools funeral. tively ended his active lifestyle, which were integrated. When a constituent who was a single included tennis and various other ac- In 1972, the rapid growth in south woman wanted to adopt a foreign-born tivities that he maintained well into Florida led to a new congressional dis- baby but found that the Federal Gov- his seventies. trict which was Congressional District ernment prohibited her from doing so, Yet through it all, he was an example 17. Mr. Lehman ran for it. Seven Demo- Mr. Lehman introduced legislation to of grace, endurance and perseverance.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 11:49 Jan 26, 2017 Jkt 000000 PO 00000 Frm 00101 Fmt 0688 Sfmt 0634 E:\FDSYS\2005BOUNDRECORD\BOOK5\NO_SSN\BR12AP05.DAT BR12AP05 ejoyner on DSK30MW082PROD with CONG-REC-ONLINE April 12, 2005 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—HOUSE 6143 His mind remained as sharp and as and once traveled to Cuba to rescue political transportation as chairman for 10 years of quick as ever, and he always had a prisoners. Known at home as the father of the House Appropriations Committee’s sub- sense of humor. the Metrorail and Metromover systems, he committee overseeing highways, seaports The many lives that Congressman was part of a renowned generation of Demo- and mass-transit systems. cratic politicians, including U.S. Reps. Dante Lehman touched, he touched deeply. MILLIONS FOR TRANSIT Fascell and Claude Pepper, who delivered un- He brought a significant portion of that Our hearts go out to his wife of 66 common clout to Florida. years, Joan Lehman; his sons, Bill Leh- money home to South Florida, with some ‘‘A person like this can only come along in $800 million going to the construction of the man, Junior, and Tom; and their fami- a community once in a century, twice in a Metrorail transit system. Millions secured lies and grandchildren and his grand- century if you’re lucky,’’ said John Schelble, by Lehman also went to build bridges and children. once Lehman’s press spokesman and now improve the region’s seaports and airports. Mr. Speaker, I just would like to say chief of staff to Miami Democratic U.S. Rep. ‘‘Anyone who rides a bus or takes a train that Congressman Lehman, they only Kendrick Meek. ‘‘He was truly colorblind.’’ in this area, they owe it to Mr. Lehman,’’ At the news of his passing, condolences Carrie Meek said. ‘‘That’s the way poor peo- walk this way once or twice in our life- poured forth, from Miami to Washington. time, someone that was willing to lead ple get around and he chose to make that his A REAL ‘FOLK HERO’ priority.’’ at the appropriate time in the history Other favorite causes included support for of this country and definitely within Former U.S. Rep. Carrie Meek called him a ‘‘real humanitarian and folk hero’’ in Mi- Israel and the resettlement of Soviet Jews. Sergio Bendixen, a Miami-based pollster the 17th District of Florida. ami’s poor communities. She recalled his car who worked in Lehman’s Washington office dealership, set in the heart of black Miami, b 2215 as press secretary and executive assistant and his fight as a school board member in from 1979 to 1982, said the congressman Mr. Speaker, the entire Florida dele- support of mandatory busing to integrate didn’t need the trappings of success to boost gation sends their heartfelt thoughts schools. his ego. not only to the family but also to his ‘‘He felt very strongly about the people in friends who had a great appreciation the black community, and that wasn’t just SMALL OFFICE for his existence. We are forever grate- pious platitudes. He showed it in all the ‘‘He chose the smallest office—a cubby- ful as a humble country of having his things he did. He showed it when he built his hole, really,’’ Bendixen recalled. ‘‘He was a family share his life with us. dealership. He showed it when he was on the congressman. He knew he was powerful. He didn’t need all the plaques on the wall and I personally feel the key to public school board,’’ she said. Mike Abrams, lobbyist and former state the symbols that seemed to make other service is helping those who cannot representative who had known Lehman since members of Congress happy. He was secure.’’ help themselves, and Mr. Lehman was the 1970s, said the former congressman was Lehman was an unabashed liberal who an example of that. guided by an unshakable sense of right and voted against a constitutional amendment Mr. Speaker, there are many Mem- wrong. banning flag-burning, against military aid to bers of the Florida delegation and ‘‘He was the most moral man I ever knew the rebels fighting to topple Nicaragua’s Members of this Congress that will be in politics—and I’ve known a lot of men in leftist Sandinista government and against politics. He was clearly guided by his per- sending troops to the Persian Gulf during adding their comments and memories. the first Gulf War. Finally, I want to end this Special sonal principles,’’ Abrams said. ‘‘But that PRISONER RELEASE Order with this quote from a book of didn’t mean he didn’t know how to use his knuckles in the process. If he didn’t think But he won respect among conservative poetry that Congressman Lehman you had character, forget it. He was a char- Cuban exiles in 1988 when he went to Cuba wrote in his spare time. He was a well- acter man all the way.’’ and negotiated the release of three political read, well-written man. This book of Lehman’s ability to reach people wasn’t prisoners. poetry was called ‘‘Hear Today,’’ and ruled by politics. U.S. Reps. Clay Shaw and It wasn’t his first effort for victims of po- the poem is called ‘‘Recognition.’’ Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, both Republicans, litical repression: In 1981, he won release of a political prisoner in Argentina, and in 1984, ‘‘We all have our problems, counted Lehman as a friend. he smuggled a synthetic heart valve to a But my acquiring wealth ‘‘He was a Democrat through and through, young patient in a hospital in the Soviet Was not the cure. and I’m a Republican, but that never inter- Union. He was also a strong advocate for Though I knew, sure as hell, fered with our friendship,’’ Shaw said. Haitian refugees. I didn’t want to be poor. Ros-Lehtinen characterized him as ‘‘a gen- tleman to his last breath.’’ ‘‘I’m a congressman,’’ he told an aide in- Recognition was the thing quiring about the danger of venturing into I knew I needed, Lehman was born Oct. 5, 1913, in Selma, Ala., the son of candy factory owners. He the Soviet Union. ‘‘If they catch me, what And before it’s all over, are they going to do?’’ I may have succeeded.’’ graduated from the University of Alabama, and married the former Joan Feibelman in DOWN-TO-EARTH Mr. Speaker, I speak for my col- 1939. They became the parents of three chil- Despite his power, Lehman retained his leagues in the House of Representa- dren—two sons and a daughter, Kathryn, down-to-earth sensibilities. He was a break- tives and for the people of South Flor- who died of a brain tumor in 1979. She had fast regular for years at Jimmy’s restaurant ida and around the world whose lives been a high school English teacher like her on Northeast 125th Street in North Miami. were touched in recognizing Congress- father. His two sons remembered him Wednesday man Lehman this evening. ‘ALABAMA BILL’ as someone who never raised his voice but taught them the value of working for others. Mr. Speaker, I submit the following He spent 30 years as a used car dealer, call- ‘‘He’d get involved in things and he ing himself ‘‘Alabama Bill’’ in advertise- articles for the RECORD at this time: wouldn’t skim the surface—he’d get down to ments, before he got into politics. Lehman [From the Miami Herald, Mar. 17, 2005] the very bottom,’’ said Bill Lehman Jr. was elected to the Dade County School WILLIAM LEHMAN, 1913–2005 ‘‘He just took great pleasure in being a Board in 1966 and became chairman in 1971. friend to anyone.’’ (By Amy Driscoll) His first election to Congress to represent a Their father always listened to his internal Former U.S. Rep. William Lehman, a leg- Northeast Dade district came in 1972. compass, financing cars for black customers endary figure of South Florida politics con- The Biscayne Park Democrat was known in the ’40s and ’50s, when few other white car sidered a visionary on racial issues and pub- for his low-key manner, for the Southern dealers would, they said. lic transit, died Wednesday at Mount Sinai drawl he never lost—and for his political ‘‘He would look at a man’s arms and if Medical Center in Miami Beach. power. they had salt on them, from sweating, he He was 91. He died of heart failure, his fam- ‘‘The fact that he was so demonstrably would know that was a working man,’’ said ily said. Southern probably gave him an ability to Thomas Lehman. ‘‘That was his credit A used-car salesman, teacher, school board play a conciliatory and constructive role in check.’’ chairman and powerful congressman who ex- some of Florida’s toughest times,’’ said Surgery for jaw cancer in 1983 left Leh- ercised broad authority over transportation former U.S. Sen. Bob Graham. man’s speech slurred. But he stayed in Con- spending in the United States, Lehman was In the years when the Democrats held sway gress for another decade, until his surprise remembered by friends and former staffers as in Congress, he rose to a position of great in- decision in 1992 not to seek reelection when a compassionate soul and a progressive voice fluence, a member of the so-called ‘‘college his influence was at its height. who helped shape South Florida. of cardinals’’ in the House. With an Friends say that even as he struggled with He was an Alabama-born Jew who opened a unpolished speaking style and quiet his speech and other health problems, Leh- business in a black neighborhood in Miami strength, he controlled billions of dollars for man maintained a sense of humor.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 11:49 Jan 26, 2017 Jkt 000000 PO 00000 Frm 00102 Fmt 0688 Sfmt 0634 E:\FDSYS\2005BOUNDRECORD\BOOK5\NO_SSN\BR12AP05.DAT BR12AP05 ejoyner on DSK30MW082PROD with CONG-REC-ONLINE 6144 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—HOUSE April 12, 2005 ‘‘I’m the only politician who can only 1981: Negotiated the release of a political a research center at the Ryder Trauma Cen- speak out of one side of his mouth,’’ he once prisoner in Argentina. ter at Jackson Memorial Hospital. joked, referring to treatment that left part 1984: Smuggled into the Soviet Union a As news of his death reached the commu- of his mouth paralyzed. life-saving heart valve for a teenager. nity, tributes poured in. But Lehman said he made up his mind to 1986: Despite opposition of the Department ‘‘He didn’t just make government work, he retire in 1992 for health reasons: He said he of Transportation, won full funding for two brought people together,’’ said U.S. Rep. had ‘‘a sudden realization’’ that a 1991 stroke extensions to the downtown Miami Kendrick Meek, the Miami Democrat who had made him a less effective legislator. Metromover system. occupies Rep. Lehman’s seat. 1987: Thanks to Lehman’s work, a rabbi ‘‘Mr. Lehman clearly left his mark on the END OF ERA was able to celebrate Passover in what was South Florida community,’’ said Mayor Car- His passing marks the end of a political then communist East Germany. los Alvarez of Miami-Dade. ‘‘His pioneering era, said lobbyist Ron Book. 1988: Flew to Cuba and picked up three works will be a fixture in Miami-Dade Coun- ‘‘They don’t make ’em like that anymore— Cuban political prisoners whose freedom he ty for many years to come. My thoughts and him, Claude Pepper and Dante Fascell— had secured from Fidel Castro. prayers are with his family during this dif- they’re all gone now.’’ 1992: Retired from Congress. ficult time.’’ Lehman is survived by his wife of 66 years, Rep. Lehman’s liberal voting record in- Joan; sons Bill Jr. and Thomas, and six [From the Sun Sentinel, Mar. 17, 2005] cluded opposing a constitutional amendment grandchildren. WILLIAM LEHMAN, DEAD AT 91, LEAVES banning flag-burning, voting against mili- The funeral will be at Temple Israel at 1 LEGACY IN S. FLORIDA tary aid to Nicaragua’s contra rebels, and p.m. Sunday. In lieu of flowers, the family (By Buddy Nevins) voting against sending troops to the Persian requests donations to the William Lehman Gulf in the first Iraq war. He went to Cuba in Injury Research Center, University of Miami South Floridians can see former U.S. Rep. 1988 to negotiate the release of three polit- Miller School of Medicine, P.O. Box 016960 William Lehman’s legacy through their car ical prisoners and was an advocate for Hai- (D–55), Miami, FL 33101. windshields or out the windows of their tian refugees. trains: Tri-Rail, Metrorail, the downtown Born on Oct. 5, 1913 in Selma, Ala., Rep. A MAN OF THE PEOPLE Miami Metromover, Interstate 595 and I–95 Lehman’s roots were far from the underprivi- It is customary to bestow praise on the and dozens of other bridges and roads. leged he would champion in Congress. newly departed, some of it well deserved, but Rep. Lehman, once one of the most power- His father was a wealthy candy manufac- in the case of former U.S. Rep. Bill Lehman ful congressmen to hold a firm grip on the turer. His mother was a housewife and the there is no need to depart from the nation’s transportation spending, died young Bill Lehman would ride in the fam- unembellished truth. He was a man of the Wednesday at Mount Sinai Medical Center in ily’s chauffeur-driven Cadillac, family mem- people, and he had a gift for politics. To Miami Beach. He was 91. bers said Wednesday. those who knew him well and, indeed, to Although the hospital did not announce Rep. Lehman’s liberal philosophy sprang anyone who encountered him even briefly, the cause of death, Rep. Lehman had suffered from the realization early in life that his Mr. Lehman’s humanity and decency radi- from a number of illnesses including cancer small Southern town was filled with the less ated like sunshine. and a disabling stroke in his senior years, ac- fortunate who could make it in life only with This wonderful man who did so much for cording to his family. the help of the government, said Tom Leh- the people of South Florida died Wednesday During his 20 years representing north and man, his son and a Miami-Dade lawyer. at Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami central Miami-Dade County, Rep. Lehman’s ‘‘He saw that, especially during the De- Beach. He was 91. passion was moving people, whether he was pression, all that the federal government Mr. Lehman will be remembered for the selling them cars from one of his auto deal- could do,’’ Tom Lehman said. ‘‘He was a big power he wielded as a congressman. He was erships, or building them a modern road and believer in the role of government in peoples’ chairman of the House Appropriations sub- transit system. lives.’’ Rep. Lehman was the last living member of committee that oversaw spending for mass- Moving to Miami in the 1930s, Rep. Leh- the trio of liberal Democrats who wielded transit, highways and seaports. He developed man sold used cars, billing himself as ‘‘Ala- enormous clout in Washington and brought an expertise on transportation issues that bama Bill’’ He developed the unusual reputa- attention and billions of dollars in federal few could rival, and he used his legislative tion for a car dealer as a gentleman who re- aid to South Florida. In the 1970s and 1980s clout to bring transportation dollars to the spected his customers and he carried that Rep. Lehman, along with U.S. Reps. Dante state, especially to South Florida. into politics. Fascell and Claude Pepper of Miami, made Mr. Lehman often used his power to help ‘‘He was admired, respected and loved, and the Florida delegation one of the most influ- ordinary people. He negotiated the release of you can’t say that about a lot of members of ential in the House. a political prisoner in Argentina in 1981 and Congress,’’ said U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros- ‘‘Public transit was always important to did the same thing for three political refu- Lehtinen, R–Miami. Bill Lehman, as he knew it was a lifeline to gees in Cuba in 1988. And once, he brazenly Bill Lehman Jr. recalled that his father employment, grocery shopping, doctor visits smuggled a synthetic heart valve to a pa- never lost the common touch. and other necessary services for poor and tient in the Soviet Union. ‘‘He was as comfortable talking to Ted working-class citizens,’’ said U.S. Rep. Alcee For all his political achievements—and Kennedy as he was talking to a car porter at Hastings, D-Miramar. ‘‘Bill Lehman was they were legendary—Mr. Lehman will be re- the dealership.’’ known as an ‘unbending liberal.’ This is one membered best for his genuine warmth and After a stint as a public school teacher, of many characteristics that endeared him generous spirit. Born in Selma, Ala., Mr. Rep. Lehman entered politics in 1966, win- to me.’’ Lehman embraced liberal values. He voted ning a seat on the Dade County School As Florida Speaker of the House in the late against a proposed constitutional amend- Board. Six years later he went to Congress. 1980s, Tom Gustafson worked with the con- ment to ban flag-burning; he opposed sending Rep. Lehman left Washington in 1992 after gressman to kick-start I–595 and the Tri-Rail military aid to the contras in Nicaragua; and suffering a stroke, but also as he faced the transit system, which carries passengers he did not favor sending troops to the Per- possibility of being thrown into the same from Miami to West Palm Beach. congressional district as Fascell when sian Gulf in the first Gulf War. ‘‘He was the go-to guy for any money for Mr. Lehman used his power to build com- boundaries were redrawn. transportation. If you needed federal money, Services for Rep. Lehman are at 1 p.m. munity and promote fellowship. Our commu- you went to Bill Lehman,’’ Gustafson re- nity is richer for having had him among us. Sunday at Temple Israel of Greater Miami. called. He is survived by Joan, his wife of 66 years, From his perch as chairman of the sub- two sons and six grandchildren. A LIFETIME OF SERVICE committee on transportation appropriations, Highlights of William Lehman’s life in pol- Rep. Lehman threw money at South Florida [From the Washington Post, Mar. 17, 2005] itics: projects. 1966: Elected to the Dade County School ‘‘I–595 was Bill Lehman. The Clay Shaw WILLIAM LEHMAN, FLA. CONGRESSMAN AND Board, where he helped desegregate public Bridge [on the 17th Street Causeway in Fort CAR DEALER, 91 schools in the late 1960s and early ’70s. Lauderdale] was Bill Lehman. Tri-Rail was (By Adam Bernstein) 1971: Elected chairman of the School Bill Lehman. This is a guy who has more William Lehman, 91, a used-car dealer who Board. monuments to him than anyone I know,’’ later served 20 years in the U.S. House of 1972: Elected to the U.S. House of Rep- said U.S. Rep. Clay Shaw, R–Fort Lauder- Representatives and became a force on trans- resentatives, where he later became chair- dale. portation legislation, died March 16 at a hos- man of the transportation subcommittee of Some of the facilities in Miami-Dade pital in Miami Beach. His heart was weak- the House Appropriations Committee. named for Rep. Lehman illustrate the ened from a recent bout with pneumonia. 1980s: Won about $800 million for construc- breadth of his impact: an elementary school, Mr. Lehman, known as ‘‘Alabama Bill’’ tion of the Metrorail system. a causeway, a transit maintenance building, when he was in business, owed his nickname

VerDate Sep 11 2014 11:49 Jan 26, 2017 Jkt 000000 PO 00000 Frm 00103 Fmt 0688 Sfmt 0634 E:\FDSYS\2005BOUNDRECORD\BOOK5\NO_SSN\BR12AP05.DAT BR12AP05 ejoyner on DSK30MW082PROD with CONG-REC-ONLINE April 12, 2005 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—HOUSE 6145 to his birthplace. But he spent most of his [From Roll Call, Mar. 17, 2005] was my congressman when I was just a teen- car-sales career in Miami, a district he EX-FLORIDA REP. BILL LEHMAN PASSES AWAY ager, and it is such a privilege to continue his service here,’’ Kendrick Meek said. served as a Democrat in the House from 1973 (By Jennifer Lash) to 1993. Mr. SHAW. Mr. Speaker, my wife, Emilie, He was a member of the Appropriations Former Rep. Bill Lehman (D-Fla.), consid- ered a strong advocate on both race and and I are deeply saddened to learn of the Committee and chaired its transportation passing of Congressman Bill Lehman. I will al- subcommittee, which controlled billions of transportation issues, died Wednesday at dollars in federal projects. Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami. He ways remember his good sense of humor, his Soft-spoken and adroit, as a politician he was 91. leadership and his unrivaled sense of duty. He was not at all the caricature of the flamboy- Throughout his tenure in Congress, which had a reputation of having the courage and ant, hard-sell salesman. Long gone were the began in 1972, Lehman voted against such conviction to do what was right for his con- days when he appeared in advertisements sit- issues as a constitutional amendment ban- stituents, and his country. ting on cotton bales and ‘‘making deals as ning flag burning and sending troops to the Bill was a good friend, and was a political solid as a bale of Alabama cotton.’’ Persian Gulf. He also fought to aid victims of political repression in areas such as Cuba, mentor when I first came to Washington. He He was much more subtle in the House. As led a remarkable life; from his service to his a member of the so-called ‘‘college of car- Argentina and the Soviet Union. Lehman remained in Congress for a decade community to his strong leadership in Con- dinals,’’ so named for their seniority, he following a jaw cancer surgery that left his worked quietly to pass bills with the least gress. Bill was the Chairman of the Transpor- speech slurred in 1983. Eight years later, the resistance. tation Subcommittee of the House Appropria- Florida Democrat suffered a stroke, and in His attentiveness to his constituents, in tions Committee. Many of the transportation 1992 he announced his decision to retire, cit- the form of authorizing public works facilities in South Florida are a direct result of ing health reasons. projects for South Florida, occasionally his tireless efforts as Subcommittee Chairman. Lehman, the son of candy factory owners, caused turf disputes with the House Public Bill will be missed by so many, but has left was born Oct. 5, 1913, in Selma, Ala. He re- Works Committee. When the committee’s ceived his bachelor’s from the University of an extraordinary legacy. His family will remain then-chairman, Rep. James J. Howard (D– Alabama in 1934. Three years later, he mar- in our thoughts and prayers. N.J.), called ‘‘egregious’’ Mr. Lehman’s ef- ried Joan Feibelman. The couple had three Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay trib- forts to approve a large mass-transit funding children—a daughter, who died of a brain ute to our former colleague, the late William bill, the Floridian backed down. tumor 1979, and two sons. ‘‘Bill’’ Lehman, who recently passed away in That is to say, he found another way to get Before entering the political arena, Leh- his projects approved—through an omnibus his home state of Florida. man sold used cars for 30 years, referring to spending package. Bill represented the 17th Congressional Dis- himself as ‘‘Alabama Bill’’ in his advertise- William Marx Lehman was born Oct. 5, trict of Florida from 1973 to 1992. While he ments. He also spent time as a teacher and 1913, in Selma, Ala., where his father owned was a great advocate for transportation, for- school board chairman prior to his election the American Candy Co. A 1934 graduate of eign affairs issues, and racial equality in edu- to Congress. the University of Alabama, he focused on Lehman never allowed his Congressional cation, he has received very little or no rec- business at his father’s behest. duties to cause him to lose touch with his ognition for his work on behalf of Haitian refu- Early in his career, he worked for CIT Florida district. He regularly ate breakfast gees. In 1979, Haitian refugees faced signifi- Corp., an industrial finance company, in New at a restaurant in North Miami, and he re- cant due process violations by the Federal York. He went to Miami on a job to finance sided in Biscayne Park, Fla., through his auto dealerships and soon decided he would government. At the time, he represented al- final days. take some family money to finance a car- most all of the fledgling Haitian community in Although Rep. Kendrick Meek (D-Fla.) sales venture himself. South Florida. Bill felt very strongly that he came to Congress 10 years after Lehman had During World War II, he learned airplane could not successfully oppose the onerous retired, Meek said he was ‘‘struck’’ by the mechanics and went to Brazil to help train friends Lehman had made on both sides of civil rights violations faced by Haitians, be- others aiding the Allied effort. the aisle. cause of their national origin, without addi- Mr. Lehman was a member of Mensa Inter- ‘‘Only three people have ever represented tional political support. It was at his urging that national. For years, he wanted to teach Florida’s 17th District in Congress: Bill Leh- the Congressional Black Caucus formed the English. After studying at Oxford University man in the 80’s; Carrie Meek in the 90’s and CBC Task Force on Haitian refugees. The in the early 1960s, he became a high school now me,’’ Meek said in a statement. ‘‘I will English teacher in Miami. Task Force eventually succeeded, accom- always cherish the photo of the three of us panied by various legal victories, in estab- He also won election to the Dade County together, because Bill Lehman was my Con- School Board and became its chairman. He lishing an immigration designation, ‘‘Cuban- gressman when I was just a teenager and it Haitian entrant status’’, that permitted Haitians ran for the U.S. House when a new district is such a privilege to continue his service was created. here.’’ seeking political asylum to remain in the coun- In Congress, he championed public trans- try while they pursued their asylum claims. portation, especially light-rail systems in [From the Hill, Mar. 17, 2005] Without his personal intervention and com- his district. He also helped shepherd legisla- FORMER REP. LEHMAN DIES mitment on their behalf, the Haitian community tion to allow federal workers to donate their in South Florida may have never received paid leave time to co-workers. (By Mark H. Rodeffer) some form of equitable treatment under our He made several publicized mercy trips. Former Rep. Bill Lehman (D-Fla.) died In 1984, he flew to Moscow and smuggled an yesterday morning at a Miami Beach hos- immigration laws. With his passing, our col- artificial heart valve to an ailing young pital. He was 91. league, Bill Lehman’s contributions to im- woman who was related to one of his con- Lehman, who chaired the Appropriations proved immigration laws in this country should stituents. Transportation Subcommittee until he re- not be forgotten. I am proud to have served Describing his part with cloak-and-dagger tired from Congress in 1992, was known for with him during his last 10 years in Congress. mystique, he told Roll Call that he sneaked running the subcommittee by consensus and Mr. STARK. Mr. Speaker, I rise to remem- the device past customs and immigration au- for a willingness to earmark money for dis- ber and honor my friend and distinguished thorities. trict projects. former colleague Bill Lehman. He then went to a pay phone as arranged, Before his 1972 election to Congress, Leh- Bill Lehman represented South Florida in where a voice told him to be at a certain ad- man was a used-car salesman for 30 years. dress and to watch for ‘‘a woman in red ‘‘Even though I came to Congress 10 years the House of Representatives for twenty years standing next to a short man.’’ The woman after Representative Lehman left it, I was beginning in 1972. Bill and I came to Con- eventually got her heart valve. struck by how many good friends he made, in gress together that year. It is with sadness In 1988, he traveled to Cuba and success- both the House and the Senate and among that I stand to pay tribute to him today as one fully appealed to Fidel Castro to release both Democrats and Republicans,’’ said Rep. of the last remaining members of the class of three longtime political prisoners. Kendrick Meek (D-Fla.), who today holds the ’72. Mr. Lehman had a massive stroke in 1991 seat Lehman held. ‘‘He didn’t just make gov- Though Bill left Congress in 1993, he and I that hastened his retirement. ernment work; he brought people together.’’ kept in touch. It was less than a month ago A daughter, Kathryn Weiner, died in 1979. Carrie Meek (D) was elected in 1992 to Leh- when we last corresponded. He noted my Survivors include his wife of 66 years, Joan man’s north Miami district. She served until Feibelman Lehman of Miami; two sons, Bill 2002, when she was succeeded by her son, name in an article in the Miami Herald and Lehman Jr. and Thomas Lehman, both of Kendrick. wrote to encourage me to keep up the fight. Miami; six grandchildren; and two great- ‘‘I will always cherish the photo of the I’m going to miss those notes and his many grandsons. three of us together because Bill Lehman years of friendship.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 11:49 Jan 26, 2017 Jkt 000000 PO 00000 Frm 00104 Fmt 0688 Sfmt 9920 E:\FDSYS\2005BOUNDRECORD\BOOK5\NO_SSN\BR12AP05.DAT BR12AP05 ejoyner on DSK30MW082PROD with CONG-REC-ONLINE 6146 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—HOUSE April 12, 2005 Bill was unique. He was special among striking a perfect balance between offering in- SPECIAL ORDERS GRANTED those who’ve served in this institution. He was centives to cooperate and promising con- By unanimous consent, permission to an individual of great principle and compas- sequences to those who didn’t. He knew all address the House, following the legis- sion beloved by the community he rep- the legislative routes, and successfully steered lative program and any special orders resented. As his hometown paper the Miami bills he believed would benefit his constituents heretofore entered, was granted to: Herald eulogized him, Bill Lehman was a ‘‘leg- and the country around the road blocks and (The following Members (at the re- endary figure of South Florida politics consid- land mines in the House. If he was defeated quest of Mrs. MCCARTHY) to revise and ered a visionary on racial issues and public on the House floor, he would work tirelessly in extend their remarks and include ex- transit.’’ the conference committee to ensure the traneous material:) Bill Lehman was legendary in this House soundest legislative policies were written into Mrs. MCCARTHY, for 5 minutes, today. where he served ten years as Chairman of the law. Mr. DEFAZIO, for 5 minutes, today. powerful Appropriations Subcommittee on Bill was respected on both sides of the Mr. BROWN of Ohio, for 5 minutes, Transportation. He was a tireless advocate of aisle, and had friends in both parties and all today. progressive causes at home and abroad, over Capitol Hill. He conducted himself with Mr. MCDERMOTT, for 5 minutes, known for taking principled stands on inter- dignity, and he showed others that he believed today. national and constitutional issues. in the issues he fought for, and wasn’t merely Ms. KAPTUR, for 5 minutes, today. Bill Lehman had another distinction, too. supporting them for political purposes. When Ms. WOOLSEY, for 5 minutes, today. He’s the only politician I ever met that, when you hear people describe him, they almost al- (The following Members (at the re- compared to a used car salesman, he was ways include the words ‘‘honest’’ and ‘‘moral’’, quest of Mr. JONES of North Carolina) proud to be a used car salesman. attributes that are rarely connected with politi- to revise and extend their remarks and Born in Selma, Alabama in 1913, he took cians in this day and age, but which truly fit include extraneous material:) the moniker ‘‘Alabama Bill’’ when he moved to Bill. Mr. DENT, for 5 minutes, today. South Florida and opened a used auto dealer- Even after becoming one of the more influ- Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN, for 5 minutes, ship in Miami in 1936. Playing country music ential members of Congress, he never lost today and April 13. in his advertising, ‘‘Alabama Bill’’ earned a touch, with his roots. He maintained his south- Mr. JONES of North Carolina, for 5 modest reputation as a country western sing- ern accent and his unpolished yet powerful minutes, April 13 and 14. er. That original business has grown into one manner of speaking throughout his career, Mr. GUTKNECHT, for 5 minutes, April of South Florida’s largest auto dealerships car- and continued to dine and spend time in his 13 and 14. ried on today by his son Bill Lehman, Jr. old neighborhood. Mrs. BLACKBURN, for 5 minutes, After nearly 30 years in the used car busi- One would be hard pressed to find a Con- today. ness, Bill Lehman went off to Oxford Univer- gressman who took more risks, and for more Mr. BURTON of Indiana, for 5 minutes, sity. In the early 1960s, he returned to Miami noble reasons, while in office. In 1988 he today and April 13 and 14. and began a second career teaching high chartered a plane to Cuba and successfully Mr. BURGESS, for 5 minutes, April 13. school English. In 1966, he began yet a third negotiated the release of three political pris- Mr. POE, for 5 minutes, today. career running for and winning a seat on the oners, endearing him to the conservative Mr. BOUSTANY, for 5 minutes, April Dade County School Board and went on to Cuban community in his district. Seven years 13. serve as Board Chairman in 1971. A year later earlier he had negotiated the release of a po- f he was elected to Congress. litical prisoner in Argentina, and he smuggled I was greatly saddened to hear of Bill Leh- an artificial heart valve into the Soviet Union ADJOURNMENT man’s passing on March 16 of this year and for an ailing 22 year old woman. Mr. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I commend my colleagues for dedicating this In my mind, Bill was more than a gifted col- move that the House do now adjourn. evening in his honor. league and a good person; he was a very The motion was agreed to; accord- My thoughts are with Bill’s wife Joan, to close friend. I can attest that this is one of the ingly (at 10 o’clock and 18 minutes whom he was married for 66 years, their two rare cases where the statements being made p.m.), the House adjourned until to- sons Bill Jr. and Tom, and their 6 grand chil- about a person after his death are absolutely morrow, Wednesday, April 13, 2005, at dren and 2 great-grandsons. true. He was as good of a person in life as he 10 a.m. Bill’s years of dedicated public service in is being described in death—a smart, moral, f this House will never be forgotten. His spirit genuinely decent human being, one whose and the principle and compassion he brought company it was a pleasure to keep. EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATIONS, to the job will continue to be greatly admired Over the years I had the pleasure of work- ETC. by those of us who knew him. ing with Congressman Lehman a number of Under clause 8 of rule XII, executive Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to times. We served on the House Judiciary communications were taken from the honor a great man, Congressman William committee together, and in 1982 we traveled Speaker’s table and referred as follows: Lehman of Florida. In his passing, I have lost to several Latin American countries, including 1455. A letter from the Secretary, Depart- a dear friend, Congress has lost a role model, Nicaragua to investigate illegal arms sales. He ment of Defense, transmitting notification and the Nation has lost a brave leader and was as much of a gentleman in the profes- that the Department anticipates it will be national hero. sional world as he was in the personal one. prepared to commence chemical agent de- Congressman Lehman was, above all, a Our country has experienced a great loss. struction operations at the Newport Chem- true liberal, dedicated to equality among races Congressman Lehman was the kind of man ical Agent Disposal Facility in Newport, In- and classes. He opened his used car dealer- diana, pursuant to 50 U.S.C. 1512(4); to the who does not come around often, and we Committee on Armed Services. ship in a black neighborhood, and was one of were blessed to have him in Congress. He the few dealers in the 1940’s and 1950’s— 1456. A letter from the Acting Under Sec- was a role model to politicians everywhere retary for Acquisition, Technology and Lo- white or otherwise—who would finance cars and an inspiration to citizens all across the gistics, Department of Defense, transmitting for black customers. He supported issues that Nation. He will be sorely missed wherever he the Department’s report on the amount of were important to poor communities, fighting was known. purchases from foreign entities for Fiscal against highways that divided and ruined com- Year 2004, pursuant to Public Law 104–201, munities, and bringing home more than $800 f section 827 (110 Stat. 2611) Public Law 105– million for a Metrorail system in Miami, pro- 261, section 812; to the Committee on Armed viding multiple ways for the poor to get to and LEAVE OF ABSENCE Services. from work. By unanimous consent, leave of ab- 1457. A letter from the Under Secretary for sence was granted to: Acquisition, Technology and Logistics, De- He was also a gifted politician, inspiring loy- partment of Defense, transmitting the Se- alty in his committee members and his party. Mr. GILLMOR (at the request of Mr. lected Acquisition Reports (SARs) for the He neither dictated policy, nor ran his sub- DELAY) for today and the balance of quarter ending December 31, 2004, pursuant committee overseeing highways, seaports and the week on account of illness in the to 10 U.S.C. 2432; to the Committee on Armed mass-transit systems with an iron fist, but by family. Services.

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