February 17, 2005 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S1591 The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- Again, I thank the Secretary for tion, his father serving as a Member of Con- ate is conducting morning business. doing what he did. That took care of a gress from 1951 until his death in 1964, his Mr. BURNS. I ask unanimous consent lot of the concerns about the rule. The stepmother Irene Baker succeeding Howard that I may proceed as in morning busi- Baker, Sr. in the House of Representatives, decision is critical for our cattlemen, and his grandmother Lillie Ladd Mauser hav- ness for 10 minutes. and the Secretary showed tremendous ing served as Sheriff of Roane County, Ten- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- leadership in taking that action so nessee; ator has that right. quickly. Whereas Howard Baker, Jr. served with f It is also important to the entire cat- distinction as an officer in the United States tle industry and it is important to con- Navy in the closing months of World War II; DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Whereas Howard Baker, Jr. earned a law DECISION sumers to have confidence in one of the safest products they find in their gro- degree from the University of Tennessee Law Mr. BURNS. Mr. President, I rise School in Knoxville where, during his final cery store. We know the border will be year (1948–1949), he served as student body today to join some of my friends on open at some point, but what we do and both sides of the aisle to talk about president; the steps we take are very important, and to do something about taking ac- Whereas after graduation from law school both to our friends in Canada and to tion regarding the Department of Agri- Howard Baker, Jr. joined the law firm found- our consumers and producers in the ed by his grandfather in Huntsville, Ten- culture’s decision to open the border to United States. nessee, where he won distinction as a trial Canadian beef on March 7. If this rule should go into effect and and corporate attorney, as a businessman, I have been vocal about this for some and as an active member of his community; time. We have been negotiating with we have another situation, I am afraid of the erosion that could take place in Whereas during his father’s first term in the powers that be in trying to improve Congress, Howard Baker, Jr. met and mar- this controversial regulation. my industry. So I urge my colleagues ried Joy Dirksen, daughter of Everett First, I congratulate and appreciate to support this resolution, not as a McKinley Dirksen, a Senator of Illinois, in Secretary Johanns of the Department means of cutting off trade with Canada December 1951, which marriage produced a of Agriculture for his candid responses indefinitely but as a way of ensuring son, Darek, in 1953, and a daughter, Cynthia, on this issue and for his timely deci- that Congress has the time and takes in 1956; the time, all the time it needs, to con- Whereas Howard Baker, Jr. was elected to sion to limit beef to cattle slaughtered the Senate in 1966, becoming the first popu- at under 30 months. That action took sider the provisions of this rule. It is important for producer and consumer larly elected Republican Senator in the his- care of most of the concerns I had with tory of the State of Tennessee; reopening the border since the out- alike for this industry we call the great Whereas during three terms in the Senate, break of BSE in May of 2003. beef industry. Howard Baker, Jr. played a key role in a We have all been trying to find an- I yield the floor and I suggest the ab- range of legislative initiatives, from fair swers to this situation, but my pro- sence of a quorum. housing to equal voting rights, the Clean Air ducers still have some serious concerns The PRESIDING OFFICER. The and Clean Water Acts, revenue sharing, the about Canada’s compliance with the clerk will call the roll. Senate investigation of the Watergate scan- feed ban and the firewalls that have The assistant legislative clerk pro- dal, the ratification of the Panama Canal ceeded to call the roll. treaties, the enactment of the economic poli- been put in place up there. There has cies of President Ronald Reagan, national been a team representing the U.S. De- Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, I ask energy policy, televising the Senate, and partment of Agriculture in Canada unanimous consent the order for the more; looking at this situation. The feed ban quorum call be rescinded. Whereas Howard Baker, Jr. served as both compliance appears to be the best way The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without Republican Leader of the Senate (1977–1981) to reduce outbreaks of BSE, so it is a objection, it is so ordered. and Majority Leader of the Senate (1981– critical component of our negotiations The majority leader is recognized. 1985); Whereas Howard Baker, Jr. was a can- and it is a critical component of what f actions we take from here on. didate for the Presidency in 1980; COMMENDING THE HONORABLE Whereas Howard Baker, Jr. served as Compliance with that feed ban must HOWARD HENRY BAKER, JR. White House Chief of Staff during the Presi- be consistent, but they also must be dency of Ronald Reagan; long term. Because BSE, or mad cow, Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask Whereas Howard Baker, Jr. served as a can lay dormant in a cow for such a unanimous consent that the Senate member of the President’s Foreign Intel- long period of time, feed ban violations now proceed to the consideration of S. ligence Advisory Board during the Presi- from years ago can still be a problem Res. 58, which was submitted earlier dencies of Ronald Reagan and George H.W. today. Thus, the 30-month rule. Prod- today. Bush; ucts from animals or live animals older The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Whereas following the death of Joy Dirk- than 30 months was taken from the clerk will report the resolution by sen Baker, Howard Baker, Jr. married Nancy title. Landon Kassebaum, a former Senator of rule. We had to work very hard to do Kansas; that, and I know it took great leader- The assistant legislative clerk read Whereas Howard Baker, Jr. served with ship on the part of the Secretary of Ag- as follows: distinction as Ambassador of the United riculture to change that part of the A resolution (S. Res. 58) commending the States to Japan during the Presidency of rule. Honorable Howard Henry Baker, Jr., for- George W. Bush and during the 150th anni- Now the technical team we had in merly a Senator of Tennessee, for a lifetime versary of the establishment of diplomatic Canada is back in the United States. of distinguished service. relations between the United States and Unfortunately, we will not get their re- There being no objection, the Senate Japan; port for another week. Congress will be proceeded to consider the resolution. Whereas Howard Baker, Jr. was awarded on break. So very few of us will be able Mr. FITZGERALD. Mr. President, I the Medal of Freedom, the Nation’s highest civilian award; and to get hold of that report, analyze it, ask unanimous consent that the reso- Whereas Howard Baker, Jr. set a standard and make a judgment on how we lution be agreed to, the preamble be of civility, courage, constructive com- should handle a rule that goes into ef- agreed to, and the motion to reconsider promise, good will, and wisdom that serves fect on March 7. It leaves us very little be laid upon the table. as an example for all who follow him in pub- time. Thus, the resolution that will The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without lic service: Now, therefore, be it come before this Congress puts a hold objection, it is so ordered. Resolved, That the Senate commends its on the rule and gives Congress some The resolution (S. Res. 58) was agreed former colleague, the Honorable Howard Henry Baker, Jr., for a lifetime of distin- time to operate. We just cannot afford to. guished service to the country and confers to allow this situation to move any The preamble was agreed to. upon him the thanks of a grateful Nation. further with the information that we The resolution, with its preamble, Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, it gives have now. If the USDA will not delay reads as follows: me a great honor to comment on the the implementation of this rule and S. RES. 58 resolution commending Howard Baker allow Congress to consider its findings, Whereas Howard Henry Baker, Jr., son of that we just addressed. I first met How- then I am left with no other choice but Howard Henry Baker and Dora Ladd Baker, ard Baker when I was considering the to support the disapproval resolution. was heir to a distinguished political tradi- run for the U.S. Senate in 1994. It is

VerDate Mar 15 2010 20:48 Jan 30, 2014 Jkt 081600 PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\2005SENATE\S17FE5.REC S17FE5 mmaher on DSKCGSP4G1 with SOCIALSECURITY S1592 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE February 17, 2005 surprising to me now, today, with our Estes Kefauver’s seat. He narrowly lost didn’t require a nation of supermen to close friendship, that I had not met to Democrat Ross Bass but came roar- make this government and this coun- him other than just in passing before. ing back in 1966, to be elected with 56 try work, but only honorable men and At the time, unlike Senator Baker, I percent of the popular vote, making women laboring honestly and dili- had absolutely no political credentials him the first popularly elected Repub- gently and creatively in their public whatsoever. Nobody from my family lican Senator in Tennessee’s history. and private capacities.’’ had run for public office, served in pub- He handily won reelection in 1972. Always sensible, always decent, Sen- lic office. But he was kind enough to That was at the height of Watergate, ator Baker was a giant in this institu- see me, a physician in Nashville, TN, and Senator Baker was known on both tion and deeply admired by his col- and to listen very patiently. I think a sides of the aisle for being scrupulously leagues on both sides of the aisle. It lot about it now, as people make ap- fair and levelheaded. Within months, has been my great good fortune to have pointments and come in to talk to me, the Senator was named cochair of the his example before me as I try to apply even if they had absolutely no experi- Senate Select Committee on Presi- his insights on a daily basis. ence in the political arena. Very quick- dential Campaign Activities. Senator Baker is known and re- ly after that first meeting he realized Initially, Senator Baker believed spected around the world. He has met that the smart politician in my family that President Nixon was innocent of heads of state, and advised American was not me but was my wife, so the any wrongdoing. Over the years, Sen- Presidents, but it is interesting be- very next meeting, it was me and ator Baker had become a friend and ad- cause it is home where his heart still Karyn sitting in his office. viser to President Nixon. But as the in- is. There is no place he would rather be Since then, I have had the real privi- vestigation unfolded and the evidence than in Scott County, TN, surrounded lege and the honor of Senator Baker’s mounted, he became convinced of by his friends, his family, his dogs, and friendship and his wise counsel, both as wrongdoing within the administration, taking in the view of what is called the leader currently, today, and also as a leading to his most famous questioning New River—I would really say it is his U.S. Senator and then as a candidate. during the investigation: ‘‘What did new river—out the back of his cabin. It is with great admiration that I rise the President know, and when did the I remember one of my first visits—it to speak a few moments on his retire- President know it?’’ may have been my first visit—to Scott ment from public service. I use that At Senator Baker’s right hand during County and to Huntsville, and to his very advisedly, because Howard Baker the investigation was our former col- home. Karyn and my three boys were will never, ever retire from public serv- league and friend Fred Thompson and with me. He said, Bill, you and Karyn ice. my late chief of staff Howard look around. He took my three boys He has distinguished himself as one Liebengood. It was a grueling and in- back to his darkroom. We all know of America’s most trusted and valued tense ordeal for Senator Baker and the about his passionate love for Photog- public servants. A former U.S. Senator, country. But at its conclusion, Senator raphy. He patiently walked them minority leader, majority leader, Re- Baker had won the respect of millions through the process. That has been publican Presidential candidate, Sen- of Americans. burned in their minds as they remem- ator Baker has, as we all know, In 1976, Senator Baker was chosen to ber slowly watching pictures come reached the pinnacles of political life, be the keynote speaker at the Repub- alive in the developing solutions. In serving most recently as America’s lican Convention and was the next year fact, I remember one photograph that Ambassador to Japan, a position re- voted by his colleagues to lead them in day was of his soon to be bride Senator served for our most highly respected the Senate. Nancy Kassebaum. I was touched that political figures, our statesmen. He won a third Senate term in 1978, Senator Baker turns 80 this year. He he would take such time to spend with and 2 years later made a bid for the Re- was born in 1925, on November 15, in my boys talking about the art of pho- Huntsville, TN, near the Kentucky bor- publican Presidential nomination. He tography, which is his favorite, and re- der, right where he lives today. His ran on a platform at the time of re- mains his favorite, avocation. grandmother, Lillie ‘‘Mother Ladd’’ straining Government spending, bal- As a husband and father, I am grate- Mauser, was Tennessee’s first female ancing the budget, increasing domestic ful for the warmth and the caring he sheriff. His father and stepmother both energy production, and cutting taxes has so generously shared with Karyn served in the U.S. House of Representa- and excessive regulations—all posi- and me and our three boys, and as an tives. tions that are very familiar 25 years American, I am deeply grateful for the Yet despite this illustrious family later. service he has rendered in so many ca- history, as a young man Howard junior In 1980, Senator Baker became Sen- pacities to our country. was not interested in a career in poli- ate majority leader, a post he held I have that opportunity every morn- tics. After graduating from a military until his retirement in 1985. ing bright and early, indeed, walking preparatory school in Chattanooga, he He was a strong proponent of the cit- back and forth down this hall behind enrolled in the U.S. Navy, where he izen legislator, one who came to Wash- me every day, to enter the Howard H. trained as an officer. He earned his ington, DC as a legislator for a period Baker Suites, which is the Republican bachelor’s degree in electrical engi- of time but returning home to be with leader’s office, and to walk through neering at Sewanee and Tulane. He real people and real communities all those doors, seeing his portrait at the then went on to law school at the Uni- across the United States. Indeed, that end of the first room in those suites. versity of Tennessee law school. During concept and that counsel and those We feel his influence every day, and we his senior year, however, he saw that conversations of a citizen legislator think about it in everything we do. first glimpse, that first tantalizing have had a huge impact on my life as Senator Baker understood that the taste of winning elections as he served well. Senate is like a family, not unlike his as student body president. As majority leader, Senator Baker hometown of Huntsville in Scott Coun- In 1950, Senator Baker ran his fa- had a list of rules. He called them his ty. As he reminded us a few years ago, ther’s first successful bid for the U.S. Baker’s Dozen. The list included: Lis- ‘‘What really makes the Senate work is Congress. Howard senior won a seat in ten more than you speak; have a gen- an understanding of human nature, an the House, and Howard junior won the uine respect for differing points of appreciation of the hearts as well as hand of Joy Dirksen, the daughter of view; tell the truth, whether you have the minds, the frailties as well as the Illinois Senator Everett Dirksen. For to or not; be patient; and be civil. strengths, of one’s colleagues and con- the next 16 years, he and Joy settled He expounded on his governing phi- stituents.’’ into life in Huntsville with their two losophy a few years ago during the Winner of the Medal of Freedom, our children, Darek and Cynthia. Senator Leader’s Lecture series down the hall country’s highest civilian award, he set Baker practiced law and devoted his in the Old Senate Chamber. I would a standard of civility, courage, of good- time to family, to church, and to a va- like to quote a few of his words, as will and wisdom that continues to riety of civic groups. they apply as much today as they did serve as an example for all to follow. In 1964, Senator Baker decided to run when Senator Baker led this great in- On behalf of the entire Senate and a in the special election for Senator stitution. He said that ‘‘the Founders grateful nation, I commend our former

VerDate Mar 15 2010 20:48 Jan 30, 2014 Jkt 081600 PO 00000 Frm 00012 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\2005SENATE\S17FE5.REC S17FE5 mmaher on DSKCGSP4G1 with SOCIALSECURITY February 17, 2005 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S1593 colleague the Honorable Howard Henry scheduled to take that honeymoon this Therefore, on this special occasion, Baker, Jr., for a lifetime of distin- spring. So I am not allowed to call when the Senate is honoring this great guished service to the country, and I Howard to congratulate him because man for his service to our country, I wish him and Nancy Kassebaum all the we cannot risk being dispatched again wish once again to recognize his serv- best in this new chapter of their life. to some foreign country. ice to our Nation. Howard’s time as Ambassador to The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- God give us men! ator from Alaska. Japan is only one chapter in the long Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, I feel and distinguished career the leader just A time like this demands strong minds, great hearts, true faith, and ready hands. honored to be here today to support talked about, a career that he spent Men whom the lust of office does not kill; this resolution recognizing the lifetime serving the American people so well. Men whom the spoils of office cannot buy; achievements of my good friend How- Few men are more deserving of the Men who possess opinions and a will; ard Baker. Howard and I have been honor of such a resolution, and Cath- Men who have honor; men who will not lie. friends for a very long time. We arrived erine and I wish our good friend and his Men who can stand before a demagogue in the Senate at about the same time. good lady great luck in their pursuits. And brave his treacherous flatteries without Howard was elected in 1966, and I was Mr. BYRD. Mr. President, I am winking. appointed in 1968. In 1977, Howard be- pleased and proud to cosponsor today’s Tall men, sun—crowned; came minority leader. I was elected Senate resolution that honors my good Who live above the fog, minority whip. We became leaders of friend and former colleague, Senator In public duty and in private thinking. the majority in the Senate in 1981. Howard Baker, for his lifetime of pub- For while the rabble with its thumbworn Being part of the Senate leadership was lic service. creeds, As the Senate Democratic leader It’s large professions and its little deeds, a new chapter in my life, and I was mingles in selfish strife, privileged to start out on that path from 1977 to 1980, I had the pleasure to Lo! Freedom weeps! with Howard Baker. work with Senator Baker, first when Wrong rules the land and waiting justice After the 1980 elections, we traveled he served as the Senate minority lead- sleeps. together to the White House almost er. From the start, I found my leader- God give us men! every couple of weeks to meet with ship relations with Senator Baker to be Men who serve not for selfish booty; President Reagan. I cherish those trips excellent, and that never changed. But real men, courageous, who flinch not at to the White House to this day. They Make no mistake, he was a tough com- duty. remain some of my favorite memories petitor, but he always remained ami- Men of dependable character; of the time I have spent here in the able and friendly to work with, in Men of sterling worth; short, a gentleman in the true sense of Then wrongs will be redressed, and right will Senate. rule the earth. Howard Baker is a great leader. He the word. He was necessarily partisan, God Give us Men! understands how to bring people to- but not overly so. I will never forget I suggest the absence of a quorum. gether to accomplish great things. his extraordinary cooperation in ob- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Those who were here during Howard’s taining consent for ratification of the clerk will call the roll. tenure, I am sure, remember his com- Panama Canal Treaties. The legislative The assistant legislative clerk pro- mitment to collegiality and fairness. It accomplishments of the 94th and 95th ceeded to call the roll. earned him tremendous respect among Congresses were a testament to our co- Mr. ALEXANDER. Mr. President, I his colleagues in the Senate. He was a operation. ask unanimous consent that the order great choice for majority leader. All of My admiration for Senator Baker in- for the quorum call be rescinded. us were honored to serve with him. creased even more when he became ma- The PRESIDENT pro tempore. With- In early 1984, I went to his office to jority leader in 1981. He remained co- out objection, it is so ordered. discuss the future. Howard convinced operative, friendly, and easy to work The Senator from Tennessee is recog- me I should plan to stay in the Senate. with. When I paid tribute to Senator nized. Later that year, however, Howard an- Baker on the occasion of his birthday Mr. ALEXANDER. Mr. President, I nounced his own retirement. And, as in 1983, I stated that Senator Baker thank the Senator for giving me this we know, he later became President was ‘‘the most congenial and likable of opportunity. I am glad to join with the Reagan’s Chief of Staff. all the majority leaders in my time President pro tempore and the major- Catherine and I were sad when How- here.’’ ‘‘He is accommodating,’’ I point- ity leader in cosponsoring this resolu- ard lost his first wife, Joy. She was a ed out, and I marvel at his equanimity. tion. I would like to add a few words wonderful woman. We were glad when He takes everything in stride. He does about Howard Baker. he and Nancy found each other. Nancy, not appear to be overwhelmed by the When Howard Baker left for Japan, who is also a friend, served as a distin- power of his office. I recall quite clear- there was an enormous ceremony guished Senator here in her own right. ly how all Senators, on both sides of hosted by the President of the United She has been a great friend and partner the aisle, liked Howard Baker and had States in the East Room. It was a sig- for our friend Howard. a genuine fondness for him. nal of the importance of our country’s In 1989, the day before Catherine and One of my saddest days in the Senate relationship with Japan. It was a dem- I were married, Howard called to tell came that same year when I learned of onstration of the long list of distin- me he needed to go to China, but Joy Senator Baker’s decision not to seek guished United States Ambassadors to was ill—she was in the hospital—and reelection. I expressed my deep regrets, the country of Japan. It was a re- Howard could not leave. Deng Xiaoping stating: ‘‘Having worked with Howard minder of the importance of the job had called, as leader of China, and Baker in the leadership in one fashion Ambassador Baker would have at this wanted to understand what or another for a long period of time, I listening post and action post in Asia. ‘‘Reaganism’’ meant. When Howard have a real and a very deep admiration Howard Baker’s coming home de- could not go on the trip which Ronald for him, and I have a warm glow of serves a little bit of fanfare, too. The Reagan asked him to take to answer friendship that has never ceased to relationship between Japan and the that question, Howard dispatched me burn brightly.’’ I finished that tribute United States has never been better. A on that mission. Again, it was a won- by reciting a poem by Ralph Waldo good bit of that credit goes to Presi- derful memory for me, and I appre- Emerson, ‘‘A Nation’s Strength,’’ as dent Bush and Prime Minister Koizumi ciated that honor. testament to my high regard for Sen- for their close relationship, but Howard Catherine and I were married on De- ator Baker. Baker had a lot to do with it, too. His cember 30 and left for China on Decem- Since leaving the Senate, Senator homecoming helps to bring to a close, ber 31. There was no time for a honey- Baker has gone on to serve our country as Senator STEVENS and Senator FRIST moon. But we got on that plane to in a number of other, important capac- have said, another chapter in one of China at Howard’s request, and we ities, including Chief of Staff to Presi- the most distinguished public careers haven’t stopped since. I am reminded of dent Ronald Reagan, a member of the in our country. that every year now, and it has finally President’s Foreign Intelligence Board, Howard Baker was a very successful caught up with me. Catherine and I are and U.S. Ambassador to Japan. Senator. There would not have been a

VerDate Mar 15 2010 20:48 Jan 30, 2014 Jkt 081600 PO 00000 Frm 00013 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\2005SENATE\S17FE5.REC S17FE5 mmaher on DSKCGSP4G1 with SOCIALSECURITY S1594 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE February 17, 2005 Reagan Presidency, as we know it, TRIBUTE TO DAVID NEXON on the cusp of seeing it pass in the Sen- without Howard Baker. I remember Mr. REID. Mr. President, this week ate and look forward to working with Howard Baker told me that when the marks the end of the career of a dedi- the House of Representatives to have it tax cuts passed in the early 1980s, after cated public servant. David Nexon will pass as soon as possible there, so we the Republican majority was elected, be leaving the staff of the HELP Com- can get it to the President of the United States. he, Senator Baker, the majority leader, mittee after 22 years of remarkable took the tax cuts and walked them I think it is a model demonstration service. He is the minority staff direc- of how we are leading today on tomor- over to the House of Representatives tor of the Health Subcommittee, and and handed them to Tip O’Neill. Then, row’s problems, problems we know in- over the years he has ably served the crease over time. of course, Senator Baker put his own Senate and the Nation. Senators get Presidential aspirations aside a few Just 2 years ego, the Human Genome the credit for successful legislation, Project completed the sequencing of years later and served as Chief of Staff but the public does not see the many for President Reagan. I was living in the human genome one year ahead of thousands of hours of work that staff schedule. With this historic achieve- Australia at the time, and I remember put in crafting the final legislative the relief the Australians had in 1987 ment, the pace of scientific discovery work product. has accelerated. The coming years will hearing on the radio that Howard David was instrumental, for example, bring a wave of new genetics-based Baker was going to the White House to in the passage of the Children’s Health treatments and more powerful pre- help straighten out some problems. Insurance Program legislation, which dictive tests for maladies like cancer, I saw him up close, and I have seen brought health care to 6 million chil- Alzheimer’s, and heart disease. him up close for a long time. I came dren. He was also deeply involved in Late last year, for example, the FDA here to this body in 1967, as his legisla- the passage of legislation which per- approved a new test that helps doctors tive assistant, 1 year before the Presi- mits workers to maintain health insur- determine the most effective medica- dent pro tempore became a Member of ance when they change or lose their tions for treating a particular patient’s this Senate. Howard Baker was not a job. These are just two of the many case of everything from heart disease shy first-termer. We sat around in staff ways where David’s work has enriched to cancer. Other new measures can de- seats in the back of the Chamber and the lives of millions of Americans. In- tect genes that can spare women with waited until he and TED KENNEDY, then deed, the bill we pass today dealing breast cancer the need to undergo another young Senator, took on Ever- with genetic nondiscrimination is just chemotherapy and affect an individ- ett Dirksen and Sam Ervin on ‘‘one one more example of his imprint on ual’s chances of developing lung can- man, one vote.’’ The youngsters beat this Nation’s health care policy. cer. When science detects these genetic the oldsters on that vote. Mr. President, I spent 6 years on the sequences, doctors and patients can do He ran for leader twice, I think, in Senate floor, and I got to know Senate a great deal to preempt and prevent the first 6 years. In 1977, he changed staff really well, because sometimes the conditions they can cause. the name ‘‘Minority Leader’’ to ‘‘Re- they spend hours and sometimes days However, the information might also publican Leader’’ on the wall out here. getting ready for legislation that be used to harm. If people run a risk of He began to talk about the second-best comes to the Senate floor. David is losing jobs, promotions, or insurance view in Washington being in the lead- someone whom I got to know. When I policies on the basis of their genes, er’s office. And we knew he was think- many will avoid getting tested and saw him, I always knew Senator KEN- ing about trying for the first-best view learning about them. NEDY was nearby, or would be here in Washington, which is from the By acting now, we are averting wide- soon. Senator KENNEDY, of course, can spread discrimination before it hap- White House. speak for himself, but this man was in- When he accepted this post in Japan, pens—before health insurers are tempt- valuable to Senator KENNEDY, the com- at President Bush’s request, some peo- ed to use powerful new gene technology mittee, and, I believe, the Senate and ple said to me: Why in the world would to decide who gets coverage and who this country. Howard Baker do that, with all he has does not. As David leaves the Senate, we thank already done in his life? I was not one I urge my colleagues to support the him and his family for all of his sac- bit surprised that he did. Howard Genetics Information Non-Discrimina- rifices. He is the epitome of what a Baker has always had the bit in his tion Act. public servant should be. I wish him teeth. He has done everything he has Congess should be forward thinking well. I wish him the best of luck in his ever done with consummate skill. in the policies we set, instead of wait- He is the reason I am in public serv- retirement. ing until catastrophe looms. This is ice today. We once said there was a The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. not a political or partisan issue. It is a whole generation of us—former Sen- ALEXANDER). The majority leader. matter of civil rights. In the past, Congress has acted to ator Thompson, the late Howard f protect the civil rights of its citizens, Liebengood—a number of us who were GENETIC INFORMATION most notably through the landmark a generation of people inspired by How- NONDISCRIMINATION ACT 1964 Civil Rights Act, the Americans ard Baker. Now there is a second gen- Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, in a few with Disabilities Act, and the Health eration, including our majority leader. Insurance Portability and Account- There really would not be a two- moments, the Senate will pass the Ge- netic Information Nondiscrimination ability Act. party system in Tennessee without Today, we take another critical step Act. When this legislation becomes the Howard Baker. forward to protect individuals from the law of the land, it will prevent health We used to say the best thing about threat of discrimination based on their Howard was that when people saw him insurers from denying coverage to genes by building on those time-tested on TV, he always made Tennesseans healthy individuals, or charging higher laws. The Genetic Information Non- look good. We can now say that about premiums based on genetic informa- Discrimination Act is comprehensive, the country. When people see Howard tion. It will also prohibit employers reasonable and fair. It is both practical Baker around the world, he makes us from using genetic information when and forward-looking. Americans look even better. He rep- making hiring, firing, job placement, Once again, I want to recognize the resents the best of us. or job promotion decisions. leadership of Senator SNOWE and Sen- We welcome him home just in time I thanked them earlier this morning, ator ENZI and the broad bipartisan coa- for his 80th birthday on November 15, but once again I thank Senator OLYM- lition that has finally brought us to and just in time, I am quite confident, PIA SNOWE, the lead sponsor of this leg- this day. I look forward to working to prepare for another sparkling chap- islation, and one of its leading cham- with my colleagues in the House to ter in one of our country’s most distin- pions over the years, as well as Senator send this to the President’ desk for his guished public careers. MIKE ENZI, Senator KENNEDY, and Sen- signature. Mr. President, I yield the floor. ator JUDD GREGG. So many people have Mr. President, does the Senator from The PRESIDENT pro tempore. The been involved over the last 7 years on Massachusetts wish to say anything Democratic leader. this legislation. I am gratified we are quickly?

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