April 26, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE 7367 We are trying to move to some kind government grows. We have to do President, that name ‘‘Buffett’’ may of financially sound lockbox. In 2014, something to secure Social Security. ring a bell. Howard Buffett was the fa- Social Security begins to run in a def- Then, hopefully, when there is excess ther of Warren Buffett. Howard Buffett icit. Social Security started about 60 money, we can look for some kind of decided not to run for reelection. years ago, I think—in the 1930s. People tax relief. Again, Roman Hruska’s friends and paid 1 percent of $3,000—$30—into So- It has been a long time since we colleagues said, ‘‘Will you run for Con- cial Security. There were 31 people started on this. Quite frankly, I think gress?’’ Roman Hruska said, ‘‘Well, I working for every beneficiary. Of the sooner we make a change, the less will do that for a short period of time.’’ course, now that has changed. Now we abrupt that change will have to be. I Roman Hruska was overwhelmingly all pay 12.5 percent of our earnings up am hopeful we do get back. We started elected to the Congress in 1952. Two to $70,000 or more, moving up. There out this year wanting to do this. Now years later, the Senate seat opened are, I think, fewer than three people the President is reluctant to take any and, again, the same people asked working for each one drawing benefits. leadership. Some of the leaders in the Roman Hruska to serve. He ran for the In the near future, it will be fewer than Congress were saying we ought to set it Senate in 1954 and never looked back. two. That is the sort of dilemma with aside. I don’t agree. He retired from the Senate in 1976. which we are faced. Certainly, we need to focus on I recall my first exposure to Senator I suppose there are many consider- Kosovo, but it doesn’t mean we don’t Hruska as a young chief of staff to Con- ations to look at, but there are three do the other things that are before the gressman John Y. McCollister in the that are obvious. Senate. It is time to design a first-class early 1970s. I would come to the Senate One, you could reduce benefits. Not system that fulfills the needs of every- once or twice a week to get a delega- many are prepared to do that; even one—our older citizens, our younger tion letter signed by Senator Hruska though Social Security, of course, is citizens. We need a permanent fix, not and then Senator Curtis. Senator not a retirement program, it is a sup- just tinkering around the edges. People Hruska would see me occasionally plementary program. For a high per- have thought for years that Social Se- standing outside a hearing room and centage of people, that is, indeed, their curity was the holy grail of politics— would never fail to accord me not only largest income requirement. touch it and you are dead. I think it some recognition, which as we know Two, you could increase taxes. I has changed, because people under- around here does not always happen don’t think there is a great deal of ex- stand if it is not changed, Social Secu- with junior staffers, but he was beyond citement about that. I do not think it rity will be dead. gracious. He always had time for young is a great idea. Social Security taxes I hope we move forward. people, always had time to talk a little are the largest tax that most Ameri- f bit about what we thought and what cans pay. was on our minds. Three, increase the rate of return on SENATOR ROMAN L. HRUSKA I really came to cherish those times the money that is in the trust fund. Mr. HAGEL. Mr. President, I rise this when I had an opportunity to come That is one of the things we are talk- afternoon to recall a towering public over and see Senator Hruska. Senator ing about doing, trying to put together servant, Senator Roman L. Hruska, Hruska was often in meetings, I say to a personal account—not to take all of who spent 22 years of his life in this Senator HOLLINGS, with some of Sen- the 12 percent but to take, say, 3 or 4 body and who died yesterday at ator HOLLINGS’ favorite colleagues, percent out of the 12, about a third of Omaha, NE, at the age of 94. Senator such as Senator Goldwater, Senator the money. Let it be your account, Hruska served with my friend, the dis- Eastland, Senator Long. your personal account. If, unfortu- tinguished Senator from South Caro- As a young staffer, I would be invited nately, you were not able to live long lina. in to the outer ring of those distin- enough to get all of your money out of In a day when some might question guished United States Senators and it, it would go to your estate. the morality of public service, the ci- would stand and watch and listen. Sen- How is it invested? By private inves- vility of public service, the genuine- ator Hruska would never fail to intro- tors, similar to the Federal savings ness of public service, and the goodness duce me to his colleagues and make me program. Once a year, members get a of public service, they did not know feel not only welcome but a part of sheet of paper asking how they would Senator Roman Hruska. Senator Government, a part of what he was like this invested. The choice would be Hruska was one of 11 children, born in doing. in equities, bonds, or in a combination David City, NE, 94 years ago. His father The dignity that Senator Hruska of the two. So members would choose had emigrated from Czechoslovakia, brought to his service is something one of those options. It is invested for and moved his family to Omaha where well remembered by not just those of you—not invested, as the President has he felt they would have a better oppor- us who were privileged to have some suggested, where he takes trillions of tunity to get an education and a better relationship but all who served with dollars and has the Government invest opportunity for a better life. Senator Hruska. He made this body a it. Then the Government would basi- Senator Hruska’s father was a teach- better body. He made America strong- cally control the marketplace. None of er. Senator Hruska went on through er. He believed in things. us want that. public schools in Nebraska, attended a Senator Hruska did not believe in Personal ownership, it seems to me, number of graduate schools, the Uni- governance by way of calibration of the ensures that the Federal Government versity of Chicago, and obtained his polls. You knew where Senator Hruska can’t come back later and reduce your law degree in Nebraska. He started a was and why. He was always a gen- benefits. That is a way to secure those law practice in south Omaha. tleman—always a gentleman. He would dollars. They are not then in the Gov- When there became a vacancy on the debate the issues straight up. He won ernment ready to be spent for some Douglas County board of commis- most of the time; he lost his share. But other reason. sioners in Omaha, NE, his fellow citi- the relationships that Senator Hruska Depending on your view about the zens came to him and said, ‘‘Will you developed and the respect that under- size of government—and there is a le- serve for one term?’’ That one term pinned his service is rather uncommon. gitimate difference between those who began in 1944. We are all better for it. America is are more conservative and those who A year later, he became chairman of stronger for it. Nebraska loses a very are more liberal. There are always the Douglas County board of commis- wise counselor. America loses a great ways to spend more money. To control sioners, and until 1952 he served the public servant. the size of government, as has been our Greater Omaha area and the State of When I ran for the Senate in 1996, one goal over the last number of years, you Nebraska with great distinction. of the first people I went to see was can’t have a lot of surplus money lying In 1952, a House seat opened up. It Senator Hruska. The advice he gave me around or else it is simply spent and was the seat of Howard Buffett. Mr. was consistent with his service and his VerDate jul 14 2003 10:57 Sep 29, 2004 Jkt 069102 PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 0686 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR99\S26AP9.000 S26AP9 7368 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE April 26, 1999 life. He said, ‘‘Chuck, I would not feel We ought to be working together. It traits of a good public servant. He was competent to judge or give you counsel would be a happier day. But, unfortu- selfless, a man of integrity and char- on the issues of our day, but I will tell nately, here we go again. The down- acter, and someone who was committed you this: Play it straight, say it town crowd thinks they can embellish to helping others. straight, respect your colleagues and a computer glitch problem into a re- I had the pleasure of serving with respect yourself, but most important, form of the State tort laws with re- Roman during his entire service in the respect the institution of the U.S.