Spencer Abraham

Mr. ABRAHAM

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, today I rise to pay tribute to the memory of an outstanding leader, a philanthropist who knew no limits, and a distinguished public servant whose integrity and decency made him a role-model to all who knew him. A few weeks ago, we in the State of Michigan mourned the passing of Ambassador David Hermelin. I suppose it is a little presumptuous to suggest that only the State of Michigan beams with pride in our association with Ambassador Hermelin, for the organizations that he led, the political leaders he counseled, and the communities to which he dedicated his life, literally span the globe. Against that backdrop, I will submit for the Record excerpts of eulogies--as they were reported in the Detroit Jewish News--by Rabbi Irwin Groner of Congregation Shaarey Zedek in Michigan, Brian Hermelin, Jon Gundersen, deputy chief of the American Embassy in Norway, and U.S. Agriculture Secretary Daniel Glickman. But before I submit these eulogies, I would just like to take a moment to reflect on the first time I really had a chance to get to know Ambassador Hermelin and the impact he had on me. It was shortly after President Clinton had nominated him to serve as our nation's top diplomatic representative in Norway. As protocol dictates, David contacted his U.S. Senators to seek our support. And while David Hermelin and I did not always see eye-to-eye on the domestic political issues of the day, we agreed to meet to discuss his confirmation process. While I had heard many things about David before that meeting--about all the charitable causes he had led, about his close relationships with top government leaders in the United States and Israel, about his successful business career--I never could have expected to be drawn to the orbit of David's warmth, energy, kindness and wisdom, in the way that I was. From the moment we met that afternoon in my office, we forged a friendship, that developed further during our interactions through his Senate confirmation process, when I was proud to testify on his behalf and urge my Republican colleagues on the Foreign Relations Committee to waste no time in ushering this fine man's nomination through the Senate. And our friendship even deepened further over time. For even though he and I came from opposite sides of the political aisle, I found myself seeking his advice and counsel from time to time. Sometimes it was his thought provoking perspective on developments in this Middle East, or the insights he had gained the being an active participant in U.S. foreign policy as Ambassador to Norway. Other times it was his advocacy for both the Detroit and American Jewish communities, or his tireless philanthropic efforts in Michigan. Whatever the topic, no matter when we met, it was impossible to not benefit in some way from David Hermelin's wisdom, or his contagious energy and passion for life. I feel blessed that I knew David Hermelin for the short time that I did. I cannot begin to even imagine the scope and depth of impact he had on the people closest to him. So my heartfelt sympathies and condolences go out to his dedicated and compassionate wife, Doreen, and his devoted, caring, and decent children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews, many of whom I have had the pleasure of getting to know as well. In closing, Mr. President, I would like to refer to the description of James Madison, another great American, by one of his biographers, in which Madison was summed up this way: ``When you called on him, he was always home.'' Well, I think that's how David Hermelin could be described as well by everyone he touched. No matter who it was that called on his help and on his leadership--the Jewish community, numerous charitable causes, the State of Michigan, the United States Government, the people of Norway, the State of Israel and most importantly, his family--whenever you called on David Hermelin, he always took your call, and he was always ready to lend a hand. I am better for having known David Hermelin. He was not only an outstanding leader and generous giver in every way possible, but he was also the kind of individual everyone would want as a neighbor. He will be deeply missed. I ask that the above mentioned excerpts be printed in the Record. The material follows: Excerpts from the Detroit Jewish News David B. Hermelin, Saying Goodbye a beloved leader gets an emotional farewell at Shaarey Zedek David Hermelin was remembered by more than 2,500 people whose lives he touched at his Nov. 24 funeral. it was held in Southfield at Congregation Shaarey Zedek--the synagogue he had served as president. Afterwards, some 150 cars formed a procession for the interment at Clover Hill Park Cemetery in Birmingham. Mr. Hermelin, of Bingham Farms, died of brain cancer Nov. 22, 2000 at age 63. Delivering the eulogy was his friend of 41 years, Shaarey Zedek Rabbi Irwin Groner. Also speaking were Jon Gundersen, deputy chief of the American Embassy in Oslo, Norway, where Mr. Hermelin served as ambassador; U.S. Agriculture Secretary Daniel Glickman; and Mr. Hermelin's son, Brian. Speaking first, Gundersen said he has just conveyed to Mr. Hermelin's wife, Doreen, messages from the royal family of Norway, from the U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, from the Norwegian ambassador and consul general, from the prime minister of Norway and from the foreign minister. ``I've just arrived from Norway, and it seems the entire nation sends to David and Doreen their greatest condolences,'' Gundersen said. ``David and Doreen represented the very best of America and what we stand for. Faith, honesty, openness, tolerance, love. David, your embassy family and indeed an entire nation will miss you. You will be in our hearts forever.'' Glickman, like President Bill Clinton, has known the Hermelins for many years. He shared a letter the president sent to Mrs. Hermelin, which read, in part: ``David loved life. And he made sure that everyone around him shared that love. I will always cherish his friendship and support and remember with gratitude his exceptional service as our ambassador to Norway. ``He left the world a better place than he found it. And no one could ask for a finer legacy ``Hillary and I are keeping you and your family in our thoughts and prayers.'' Brian Hermelin then gave an emotional, personal tribute to his father. ``The thing about us that made us feel the most special was that he was our dad,'' Brian said. ``Just being able to be with him at the intimate family settings allowed the full bright glow of one of God's brightest lights to shine on us and provided a comfort and security which is irreplaceable.'' Brian added, ``He just knew how much fun it was to be alive. And he was sure if you were with him, you would know how much fun life could be, too., ``We took such pride in his accomplishments with him,'' Brian said. ``We were all equally amazed at how far and how much he accomplished because we know how he saw himself, just a regular kid from Pasadena [Avenue in Detroit]. He made it all seem so within our reach--the accomplishments, the friends, the admiration, the fun. Just go out there with that positive, can-do attitude and you can have all that, too.'' Rabbi Groner mourned his friend, whose influence was felt from the sanctuary of the synagogue to the far reaches of the world stage. ``When a true leader goes, can he be replaced?'' the rabbi asked. ``Woe is the army that has lost its captain. ``We will miss him. He will miss his hearty welcome, he warm laugh, his quick wit, his words of encouragement, his shared exuberance. ``When David came into a room, his luminous presence was immediately felt,'' Rabbi Groner added. ``He was so vital, so filled with energy, so magnetic that he seemed indestructible. ``Once you came to know David, your life changed. You laughed more, you felt more, you cared more, you gave more. ``To have known David was to have warmed your hands at the central fire of life. ``For David Hermelin, service, benevolence, mitzvot was the very essence of his life,'' said the rabbi. ``David gave us a great and blessed gift. He taught us how to dream a glorious dream.'' Mr. Hermelin is survived by his wife, Doreen; son and daughter-in-law Brian and Jennifer Hermelin; daughters and sons-in-law Marcie and Rob Orley, Karen Hermelin Borman and Mark Borman, Julie Hermelin Frank and Mitchell Frank, Francine Hermelin Levite and Adam Levite; and grandchildren Matthew, Alex, Jason and Olivia Orley, Max and Isabel Hermelin, Asa Levite and Madeline Borman. Also suriving are sisters and brother-in-law Henrietta Hermelin Weinberg, Lois Shiffman and Terran and Roger Leemis; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Eugene and Suzanne Curtis, Reggie and Dr. Robert Fisher and Mitchell Curtis; and mother- in-law Anna Curtis.

Mr. ABRAHAM

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, I thank my colleagues for this opportunity, and I yield the floor.

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, as I leave the service of the Senate, I would like to take a moment and recognize the service of my dedicated staff over these last six years. Pay in a Congressional office is not great, Mr. President, the hours are incredibly long, and often times the work they do goes unheralded. But still these staffers dedicate their time and effort to helping the people of Michigan and advancing their interests. I would like to take this opportunity, on behalf of the people of the State of Michigan, to thank them all for their dedicated and tireless service. Mr. President, at this point I would like to enter into the Record a list of those people that have served on my staff, both here in Washington and back in Michigan, as a way of thanking them.

Mr. ABRAHAM

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, I will comment briefly on a matter of relevance both personally to me and to my State. Since the election, as a consequence of my defeat, I have heard from a number of people from the Arab American community, both in Michigan and across the United States. As a Lebanese American myself, I have been very proud to be, at least for the last several years, the only Arab American Member of this Chamber. A number of folks from that community expressed their disappointment in the results of the campaign. I take the floor today to thank so many people who have been in touch, but also to make several points that I hope will be heard by members of the community, to be taken into account as they consider the results of this election, as well as the future. First, I note that in recent years I believe the Arab American community has become a key part of the American political process. The participation of the community has continued to increase both in my State of Michigan as well as across the country. Not only are people voting in greater numbers as a percentage of the community, and for many taking the first step of participating in the elections, but their activism in Michigan and other States has grown considerably. I take great pride in seeing that happen. In addition, we have seen a number of Arab Americans rise to leadership positions at the local level of government all the way up to statewide offices. In the Congress itself we have several Members of Arab heritage on the House side who were elected in the most recent campaigns. Much of this progress, I think, has translated into progress on issues of importance to the Arab American community in the last 6 years. I have been proud during my term in the Senate to have worked on behalf of a number of important issues relevant to the community. One has been to see the travel ban to Lebanon lifted in 1997, which has opened more opportunities for better relations between the United States and Lebanon, and also for more commercial activity between the two countries. This Chamber passed a resolution decrying intolerance toward people of Islamic faith in this country, a much needed statement, I think, for the Congress to make so we can be on record consistently as opposing intolerance toward people of any religious faith. We have supported important programs that have affected the Middle East. One that we have worked on in our office with Senator Feinstein and others is the Seeds of Peace Program, which I believe will have a long-term and positive impact on the relationships between countries in the Middle East, including Lebanon, Israel, Jordan, Egypt, Yemen, as well as the Palestinians. I think the potential for the future is even greater. I think it is very likely in the area of public policy that the people from the Arab American community will rise and play an ever active role and a greater role, as they have done in other fields of endeavor. In America's business community, we have many Arab American leaders today who are heading up important companies from one end of the country to the other. In sports and entertainment and the arts, we likewise have seen Arab Americans excel. In education, the same is true. Indeed, the level of educational attainment by young people of Arab American background continues to be one of the most important components of the Arab American ethnic communities' contribution to the United States. I am very proud of my heritage. I have talked to many other Members of this Chamber about my background over the years. I am glad to have helped in a small way--to have played a role in moving forward some of the policy objectives I mentioned a few minutes ago. I hope, to some extent, that has helped encourage others in their own communities, States, or even perhaps at the Federal level to do so, as well. Recently in Dearborn, MI, home to the largest concentration of Arab Americans in the United States, I was approached by a woman who had a young son in the seventh grade, saying how happy he was to know a Senator shared his Arab American heritage. I hope that in my brief career in the Senate maybe there are others who have similarly sparked an interest in government because they happen to be part of that same community to which I belong. My message is to praise the community, especially, but also to say to any who have harbored a sense of disappointment with the results of the election, I hope that disappointment will not be long standing. It certainly isn't the case for myself. I encourage people in the community to continue to play an active role in politics. Obviously, our political process inevitably produces success and failure from election to election. For people new to the process, sometimes they misunderstand and treat a setback as something that should discourage future involvement. I hope that across the Arab American community, and especially for those who first got active in the political process with this election, that they will continue to play an active role, even increase their involvement, and hopefully encourage others to do likewise. That would be invaluable to the community, and certainly from my point of view, it would be the preferable outcome. My grandparents came a century ago from Lebanon, where they left behind everything to risk their fortunes on America. As is the case with people not just from the Arab American community but so many other immigrant communities, they came here with very little in the way of material possessions, but they came with a great deal of desire and energy and the hope that by working hard and playing by the rules they could make a contribution. As I have said to the others on this floor in the past, they did not necessarily come here assuming they would have a grandson who would be in the Senate, but they wanted to live in a country where that was possible. Indeed, that is what our country always will be. And I think it always will. I am proud to have had the opportunity to fulfill, probably in the utmost way, the hopes that were brought here by my grandparents when they arrived. I think, as I look back on my service in the Senate, perhaps more than anything else, will be the source of pride that I take with me as I leave the Chamber today. Mr. President, I yield the floor.

Mr. ABRAHAM

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, if I might, I thank the Senator from Massachusetts for his kind remarks. I had occasion a couple of days ago to speak to the Senate. At that time I expressed publicly my thanks to him. He was not in the Chamber at the time, so I reiterate it here. We worked, I think, in a very constructive way on a number of issues as members of the Subcommittee on Immigration and on a variety of other issues he has mentioned here as well. I thank him for his remarks today.

Mr. ABRAHAM

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, today I rise to comment on a development that took place in my State this week. It was with great sadness that I heard of the phasing out of the Oldsmobile line of cars within the General Motors family. Over the last 105 years, Oldsmobile has been a Lansing, MI, and a State institution and, obviously, a national and international one as well. It was started 105 years ago when Ransom Eli Olds of Lansing, MI, teamed with Frank Clark, the son of a small carriage shop operator, to achieve what many believed impossible. They successfully produced a self-contained gasoline-powered carriage, and with it Oldsmobile was officially born in 1897. Throughout its history, Oldsmobile has enjoyed a number of firsts: the first assembly line; and with the production of the curved dash, the first mass producer of gasoline cars; in 1905, two Oldsmobiles finished the very first transcontinental race from New York to Portland, OR, in 45 days; in 1940, models featured the Hydra-Matic drive, making this lineup the first vehicles with fully automatic transmissions; in 1966, Oldsmobile introduced the Toronado, the first modern-day front-wheel drive car; in 1974, that Toronado became the first American car to offer a driver's side airbag. Millions of Americans have come to love their Oldsmobiles. An Olds convertible was the standard for transporting a Homecoming queen or a float parade when I was growing up. And an Oldsmobile sedan was the epitome of the middle-class family dream. All of this was made possible by the hard work and the commitment to affordable quality that was the hallmark of Oldsmobile in that division of General Motors. On a personal level, I have a special stake in all of this, as well. Not only did I grow up in Lansing, MI, the home of Oldsmobile, but for almost 20 years my dad worked on the line at the Oldsmobile main assembly plant there. It is where he got his start, where my family came to truly appreciate how much the automobile industry means, not just to families such as ours but to our State, and especially how much the Oldsmobile meant to Michigan--Lansing, in particular. I am sad, therefore, to see the Oldsmobile go, as we have known it, but I am confident General Motors will continue to make quality, safe automobiles for generations to come. As we bring down the curtain on the Oldsmobile, I rise today to offer my praise to that company, to those who started it, and their families and descendents who still remain in the Lansing area and in Michigan; also, to all those workers who, as my father, worked over the years for that Oldsmobile division of General Motors. I think each and every one of them took to their jobs a great satisfaction, a commitment to hard work, and a tremendous pride in the craftsmanship that went into making the automobile for many generations one of this country's favorite lines of vehicles. I yield the floor and I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, I inquire of the Chair, are we still in morning business?

Mr. ABRAHAM

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, I rise today to pay respect to a dear friend of mine who passed away recently. Salim Y. Sarafa helped start the Chaldean-Iraqi Association of Michigan, became its first president in 1954 and served three terms in that post. The association's first facility was built in 1979, and now includes the Southfield Manor and the Shenandoah Golf and Country Club. Salim served on the St. Michael's School Board and was vice-chairman of the Associated Food Dealers of Michigan. He also helped develop a school that taught students to read, write, and speak Arabic. He was active in the National Association of Arab-Americans, the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee and the Republican Party at the state and national levels. He was born in Telkaif, Iraq, in 1921. He earned an education degree from the University of Baghdad and became a high school teacher in 1942. He went on to teach in Kut in southern Iraq for four years before being promoted to assistant principal of a school near Baghdad. He left teaching to become director general of the Iraqi Department of Public Works. Salim came to the United States in 1951. While living with the George Jonna family, he worked in their store, Union Pacific Market, until he opened his own store in 1953. He met and married Margarett George that same year. In 1957, he and four partners opened Big Dipper Market, Detroit's largest independent supermarket at the time. He also was involved in a construction company, convenience store and wholesale business over the years. He got into the real estate business in 1968 and remained active until retiring in 1995. He is survived by three sons, Joe, Michael, and Mark; two daughters, Judy Jonna and Doreen Mangrum; and ten granchildren. His wife Margarett died in 1998. Salim and Margarett Sarafa lived their lives dedicated to the American way while preserving the core values of the Chaldean culture. They were able to raise their family and start their business in the land of the free while never forgetting the people who were not blessed with the same chance. I am so very proud to call them my friends.

Mr. ABRAHAM

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, I seek unanimous consent to have the members of my staff be allowed the privilege of the floor for the brief period of time that I make some remarks here related to my tenure in the Senate. The staff members are: Adam Condo, David Carney, Meagan Vargas, Tom Glegola, Vance Poole, Bob Carey, Katja Bullock, Carrie Cabelka, Alex Hageli, Tyler White, Rachael Bohlander, Kevin Kolevar, Joe McMonigle, Katie Packer, Cesar Conda, Joe Davis, Margaret Murphy, Jessica Moore, Sue Wadel, Majida Dandy, Lillian Smith, Julie Teer, Jim Pitts, Michael Ivanenko, Chase Hutto, Stuart Anderson, Lee Lieberman Otis, and Randa Fahmy Hudome.

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Mr. ABRAHAM

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, it is rare in this Chamber for incumbent Senators who have lost on election day to still have the privilege of addressing the Senate again, at least in their capacity of finishing out their terms. For me, if there is a silver lining behind this extended session of which we are a part, it is because it gives me a chance to thank people--friends, supporters, staff, colleagues, and others--who have made it possible for me, a grandson of immigrants, to serve and succeed here. I begin today by making some comments and thanking people who have made a difference. First, I thank my Senate colleagues with whom I have worked over the last 6 years. I especially express my gratitude for the majority leaders under whom I have served--Senator Bob Dole and Senator Trent Lott--for their confidence in me, for making me part of their circle of key advisers, for their support on both legislative and political matters and, most importantly, for their friendship. I extend the same heartfelt thanks to the other members of our leadership teams over the last 6 years: To Senator Don Nickles for whom I served as deputy whip for 4 years; to our conference chairman, Thad Cochran, who served when I first arrived here, and Senator Connie Mack; to our Senate campaign committee chairman, Mitch McConnell, and the late Senator Paul Coverdell; to the Chairman of the Republican Policy Committee Senator Larry Craig; to our new Conference Secretary Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison, and so many others who have provided me with guidance and leadership during the time I have been here. I also take special note of the people with whom I have served as a member of their committees: To our Commerce Committee chairman, John McCain, who has been a great friend and supporter and through whose help I have been able to pass significant legislation that came from our Commerce Committee agenda. I thank our Judiciary Committee chairman, Orrin Hatch, who helped me get on his committee my very first year here and whose support on that committee helped me to achieve a number of personal objectives with respect to legislative goals and who worked closely with me and his staff worked closely with my staff as we fought a number of very important battles in the Senate. I thank my good friend Senator Pete Domenici, who chairs the Budget Committee on which I sat for 6 years. When I came to the Senate, I met with Senator Domenici. At the time, I was selected for that committee, and we talked about our goals and hopes that some day we might advance a balanced budget to complete and see the Nation balance its budget. Many people thought we would never achieve that in our lifetime, and yet 3 short years after I arrived on the committee, and under Pete Domenici's great leadership, that objective was realized. I thank the chairman of the Small Business Committee, Kit Bond, whose friendship has helped me in legislative battles of recent years. I have only been on that committee 2 years, but his leadership also has been important to my success in the Chamber. I extend my thanks to all of my colleagues. There are many close friends who are part of this Chamber, people with whom my family and I have become close in the last 6 years and others who have already departed the Chamber but with whom we remain close. Senator Chuck Hagel from Nebraska is here with me today. I especially thank him for his great friendship and support. Senators Jeff Sessions, Susan Collins, Judd Gregg and Mike DeWine have also done me the honor of helping me in my legislative efforts as well as being my friends over these last six years, and for that I want to thank them. And finally for my Republican colleagues, I want to thank all the other members of my freshman class, the folks with whom I came in 1995, and who helped so substantially change the direction of this country: Senator Santorum, Senator Inhofe, Senator Thompson, Senator Frist, Senator Ashcroft, Senator Kyl, Senator Snowe, Senator Grams, and as I mentioned before, Senator DeWine. I reach across the aisle and thank the many colleagues on the Democratic side with whom I have worked on so many bipartisan issues in the last 6 years: To Carl Levin, our senior Senator from Michigan with whom I have worked very closely on many issues of importance to our State; To Ted Kennedy, my ranking member on the Senate Immigration Subcommittee which I chaired. We have been very successful in passing a number of pieces of legislation through the bipartisan cooperation we have achieved in that subcommittee; To Joe Lieberman, who has been the lead cosponsor of my American Community Renewal Act, and other progrowth initiatives; To Ron Wyden, my partner in so many high-technology initiatives; To Russ Feingold, Bob Graham, and others who have worked closely with me. I also thank the many friends and supporters and mentors who have helped me to arrive in the Senate and in a lengthy political career in my State of Michigan. There are many people who are part of that success. It would be impossible to name all of them. I want to single out, though, four people who played particularly important roles: Former Michigan Senator Bob Griffin whose campaigns and staffs I worked on many years ago and a role model for me in that he was the last Republican Senator from my State and a man whose integrity and leadership in the Senate were well recognized. He served ultimately as whip on the Republican side. His guidance and friendship from the time I was in college has meant a great deal to my political success and my personal success as well. To our great Governor John Engler, who has been a political friend and colleague in Michigan politics since 1971. Without his support and help, I would not have been successful in my campaign for the Senate or other roles I played in Michigan politics. To former Congressman Guy Vander Jagt with whom I served as cochairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee in 1991 and 1992 when I made my first appearance on the legislative side of Washington working on Capitol Hill for the first time. And especially to a great friend, former Vice President Dan Quayle on whose staff I served as deputy chief of staff in 1990 and 1991, my first assignment in Washington in Government service at the Federal level. I thank all of those individuals, and the others I have not had a chance today to name, for having helped me get to this role and being effective in it. There are today on the floor a great number of people who have worked on my Senate staff. I am proud of them and proud to have them with me. They only reflect a percentage of the many folks who served in the State of Michigan and their country in the context of working on my staff. There are so many. I am going to try to name the ones I have listed, but I will submit the names of everybody for the Record. The people who served on my senior staff: Tony Antone, Cesar Conda, Kate Hinton, Randa Fahmy Hudome, Joe McMonigle, Katie Packer, Jim Pitts, Larry Purpuro, Laurie Bink Purpuro, and Sue Wadel. To those folks who served over the years on my press and communications staff: Joe Davis, Nina Delorenzo, Steve Hessler, Margaret Murphy, Julie Teer, Jessica Morris, and Dan Senor. To a terrific legislative staff, and people who have worked on my subcommittees: Stuart Anderson, Rachel Bohlander, Bob Carey, Ann Coulter, Chase Hutto, Elizabeth Kessler, Ray Kethledge, Kevin Kolevar, Brandi Laperriere, Brian Reardon, Gregg Willhauck; and Tyler White. To my administrative staff: Katja Bullock, Majida Dandy, Paul Erhardt, Jim Neill, Matt Suhr, and Lillian Smith. To the many people who have worked with us who are on our Michigan staff: In particular, I would note Greg Andrews, Joe Cella, Larry Dickerson, Sharon Eineman, Tom Frazier, Phil Hedges, Eunice Myles Jeffries, Stuart Larkins, Renee Meyers, John Petz, Elroy Sailor, Lillian Simon, and Billie Wimmer. And there are many others who have served and whose names I ask unanimous consent to have printed in the Record.

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, I also acknowledge that in addition to this great staff--and I do want to thank them here on the floor publicly for their great performance on my behalf and the many achievements I am going to talk about in a minute that we have been able to accomplish--I also note that none of us would have been able to get as much done as we did without the help of the tremendous staff that serves us in the Senate as a Chamber: The people who work the floor, our pages, the folks who work at the front here who handle the clerk roles, and the parliamentary roles, and so on. I thank them. I thank the people who serve on the leadership staffs of both parties who have been great friends and who have helped us to chart the very complicated parliamentary waters we have to so often navigate, the folks who work on the staffs of the committees on which I have served that have helped us to pass legislation, and to the other people who work in the Senate, from the Capitol Police, who help us in so many ways that go unnoted, to the folks in the libraries and the Congressional Research Service, and in the Cloakrooms. To all of those people, and others I have probably forgotten, I say thank you because it has really been a very enjoyable part of this job to work with such nice people, people who give 100 percent to this Chamber and to America, and often without any recognition at all. I hope that we will continue to always be served in this body by people of such great skill and talent. Finally, I thank the people of Michigan. They gave me and my family the chance to come to Washington to represent them in the Senate. I thank you for what I consider to be the most tremendous honor that any American can have bestowed upon them by their friends and neighbors in their State, and for their tremendous support throughout my 6 years in the Senate. I am very proud of the accomplishments I have achieved. I have worked very hard--I hope in most cases in an effective way--to help the people of Michigan, to make sure my constituents have had their voices heard in the Senate, and to make certain that the Federal Government is responsive to their needs. Speaking of accomplishments, although I spent only a relevantly brief time here in the Senate, I am very proud of what my staff and I have been able to accomplish for the people of Michigan and for the country. In 1994, a group of freshmen were elected here. Eleven of us came in to basically create a new majority. In 1995, I came to the Senate as part of a historic class of Republican Senators --the class that gave Republicans control of Congress for the first time in decades. I believe we were sent to Washington to accomplish a very clear agenda: to balance the Federal budget, to reduce the tax burden, to reform the welfare system, and to make Washington more accountable. I am proud to say, as I look back on our 6 years, that I believe we have delivered on those promises. We balanced the budget in 1998--and we have kept it balanced every year since. We have done it this past year without using one penny of the Social Security trust fund surplus to get the job done. We reformed the welfare system, reducing the welfare rolls by over a third. We provided parents with a $500-per-child tax credit and investors a cut in the capital gains tax. And we made Congress more accountable by requiring Members to live by the same rules and regulations and mandates we impose on the rest of the country. I am proud of those achievements, which I think, of course, are achievements of this body as a whole. I am also proud of some of the things which I have been able to accomplish during the last 6 years. I am very proud of the fact that, including today, I have never missed a single rollcall vote on the floor of the Senate. I have just cast, I think, my 2,002nd consecutive rollcall vote. In my view, voting in the Senate is the single most important duty that we can, as Senators, perform on behalf of our constituents. It is what the people of our States elect us to do. I am glad I have been here every single day for the people of Michigan to perform that responsibility. I am also proud of the fact that in a fairly short period of time I have been able to author 22 pieces of legislation that have been signed into law. I am proud of that legislative record. As a member of the Judiciary Committee, I took a special interest in drug and crime issues. My first bill to become law prevented the U.S. Sentencing Commission from reducing prison sentences for crack-cocaine offenders. Had that bill not passed, the sentences would have been automatically reduced. Later, with my staff, we wrote the Prison Conditions Litigation Reform Act, which helped reduce prisoner lawsuits and return control of our prisons from judges back to local authorities. And just a few months ago, the President signed into law the Samantha Reid Date-Rape Drug Prohibition Act. Samantha Reid was a Rockwood, MI, teenager who died after drinking a can of Mountain Dew she did not know had been laced with the deadly date rape drug GHB. Our law amends the Controlled Substances Act by adding GHB to the list of Schedule 1 controlled substances, which also includes heroin and cocaine. As a member of both the Judiciary and Commerce Committees, I focused on a wide range of high-technology issues that I believe are critical to the continued growth and prosperity of this country. My American Competitiveness and Workforce Improvement Act increased the number of skilled professional visas to help with critical labor shortages, especially in the entrepreneurial high-tech sector. The law also funds 10,000 new college scholarships annually for low- income students for studies in math, engineering, and computer science, and job training for unemployed Americans through the Jobs Partnership Act. I was also the author of two new laws dealing with electronic commerce: the Government Paperwork Elimination Act and the Electronic Signatures and Global and National Commerce Act. The first law set forth a timetable for Federal agencies to accept electronically signed and transmitted records and forms from businesses and individuals. The second law ensured that contracts agreed to over the Internet using digital signatures would have the same legal validity as contracts agreed to in the paper world using pen and ink signatures. Both of these laws have laid the groundwork, I think, for continued growth and expansion of electronic commerce in the years to come. Other laws which I have been involved with--I am especially proud of the passage, this year, of the Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act and the College Scholarship Fraud Prevention Act; and in the previous year, the Child Passenger Protection Act. I am especially proud of having been the Senate sponsor of legislation that conferred the Congressional Gold Medal on one of my constituents, Mrs. Rosa Parks. One area that I spent a great deal of time working on in this Chamber, as many know, is the area of immigration. As a grandson of immigrants, I am especially proud of the role that I tried to play in changing the tone of the debate over immigration in this Chamber. In the mid-1990s, my party--the Republican Party--in my judgment, seemed to have lost its way on immigration. It had strayed from the inclusive, proimmigration philosophy of President Ronald Reagan toward the more protectionist and nativist views of a vocal minority within the Republican ranks. In 1997, I helped lead a bipartisan group of Senators--from Phil Gramm, Mike DeWine, and Sam Brownback, to Russ Feingold, Joe Lieberman, Paul Wellstone, and others--to defeat a misguided effort to slash legal immigration to this country. I believe, with all of my heart, that America should remain--as President Reagan said--the ``Shining City on the Hill,'' welcoming those who play by the rules and who contribute to society. I would say, despite the ugly campaign that was run in my State against me by some of these anti-immigrant hate groups, I am absolutely confident that the bipartisan coalition for legal immigration that was built in this Chamber will remain strong long after I have left the Senate. I am also proud of what I have been able to deliver to the people of the State of Michigan on issues important to our State. I am very proud of what I have been able to do with respect to increasing transportation funding; stopping an effort to move to Washington control of the Great Lakes, and increasing environmental funding for the Great Lakes; restoring Medicare reimbursements for Michigan hospitals; and protecting our auto workers' jobs with respect to issues that threaten the auto industry. I intend to continue to fight--perhaps not in the elective political arena or in public life specifically, but in whatever roles that I might be able to play--for tax and regulatory policies that strengthen American competitiveness and economic growth, to ensure strong national security, tough laws against criminals, and to have immigration policy that respects America's great traditions, having schools that are second to none, training for 21st-century jobs, community renewal efforts to empower the poor, and a transportation and infrastructure system that makes us prepared to be competitive in the 21st century. As I close, I have a few moments upon which I will reflect. When one comes to the end of a 6-year period here, there are a lot of memories. It is probably possible for one to speak long into the night about the various things one recalls. I do remember being sworn in here that first day just a few steps in front of me by Vice President Gore, holding our family Bible and very nervously taking the oath of office because it was such an important moment in my life. I remember the first day I sat in the President's chair presiding over the Senate. I considered it to be quite an important honor to be given that duty. Then by the second and third day that I performed it, I realized exactly how that responsibility was viewed by the other Members of this Chamber. This week I asked once again to have the chance to preside because I wanted to never forget just exactly how meaningful it is to serve in this Chamber. I remember passing our first bill with regard to sentencing and seeing it signed into law. I remember standing at this desk and casting the very first vote on the impeachment trial that we had in January of 1999 with respect to the impeachment of President Clinton, an unbelievably historic moment to have been a part. And of course I will never forget today, the chance to be here with colleagues and staff and friends speaking one last time in the Senate. Indeed, it is these moments, the chance to stand up and to make one's case for one's State, for one's beliefs, that will stay with me probably more than any other. In closing, I will just make a few short observations. First, this institution has been served by great people. All too often we tend to take for granted the truly extraordinary political leaders who work here every day. I personally consider it a great honor and privilege to serve with people who will long be recognized, probably for the entire history of our country, as giants in this Chamber--leaders such as Senator Bob Dole, our President pro tempore Strom Thurmond, retiring Member Daniel Patrick Moynihan, and of course the great Senator from West Virginia Robert Byrd--two on each side of the aisle whose contributions to their Nation and to this Chamber will never be forgotten, and two on each side of the aisle whose leadership I hope all of us will be able to in some ways emulate in our careers. I know there will be others who are serving here and with whom I have served who someday will be looked upon the same way, as history records their accomplishments. The second observation I have is for those sitting in the gallery, watching and paying attention to the action of the Senate. Sometimes the media and others tend to focus too much on the areas in which we disagree in this Chamber. Indeed, we do have our disagreements. That is why we have a democratic system that gives each side an opportunity to fight for their causes. But as the Presiding Officer knows, in the committees and usually on the floor of this Chamber, we work together on a bipartisan basis to get things done for the American people. More often than not, things pass here unanimously. They do so quietly. They do so by the unanimous- consent agreements that don't get reported very often. Indeed, much of America's business is accomplished without rancor and strife, without divisive debates. At the same time, the Founding Fathers created the Senate as the saucer to cool the passions of the day. I have observed that passion for philosophy, at least for ideas, reigns here in the Senate. I can remember during the last 6 years from the balanced budget amendment debates, when I first got here, to the debates over Bosnia and other foreign affairs issues, to the impeachment trial and so on, while we in the Senate obviously have a reputation for being a deliberative body, we also are a body in which the passions of the country are best reflected in the debates we have. I hope that will always be the tradition as well. Indeed, I think the Senate really does reflect democracy at its finest. Over 150 years ago, De Tocqueville observed: I confess that in America I saw more than America; I saw the image of democracy itself, with its inclinations, its character, its prejudices, and its passions, in order to learn what we have to fear or hope from its progress. Some say this America, this image of democracy, no longer exists. But I say that it does exist, right here in this great Chamber. I will miss the Senate. I will miss the institution, and I will miss the people. Being a Senator has been my dream job. I hope that during my 6 years here I have contributed in some small way to the rich history of what has been and forever will be called ``the world's greatest deliberative body in the world's greatest democracy.'' It is a long distance from being the grandson of immigrants to this floor. I know when my grandparents came here, they never dreamt that their grandson or anyone in the family would end up as a Member of the U.S. Senate, but they came to America because they wanted to live in a place in which something such as that could happen. This is the one country where something such as that not only can happen in the family of the Abrahams, but in many other families happened all the time. It is the greatest thing about America. I am proud and believe, as I leave the Chamber, that I have helped contribute in my own small way during these 6 years to making sure that America always remains that country. I thank everyone I have mentioned, but I especially thank my family, some of whom are here today, my wife Jane and my daughters Betsy and Julie, without whom none of this would have been possible for me. Their support in every way and their love and affection have made the difference in my life. As I leave the Senate, I will only say that I hope all Americans will in their own way find a way to appreciate the greatness of this democracy. I hope all of my colleagues will continue to fight to make sure that that tradition, that Nation which my grandparents and so many others fought for, so many others strove to come to be part of, will always be available to those who seek freedom and liberty and opportunity and that that dream will be forever part of our great country. I yield the floor.

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. ABRAHAM

Mr. ABRAHAM. On a second matter, this language uses the phrase ``resource improvement'' as one principle in encouraging the states to develop a common conservation standard. This phrase is intended to embody the concept of improvement of the quality of the natural resource, not the development of the resource. Is that the understanding of the chairman and ranking member?

Mr. ABRAHAM. I thank the chairman, ranking member, and my colleague from Michigan. Mr. President, Senator Levin has been a leader in the effort to protect the Great Lakes on a wide variety of fronts. Clearly today's work will not completely guarantee the protection of this great resource, but I believe it is a big step in the right direction. I want to thank Senator Levin for his help in this matter, particularly for his work to eliminate the likelihood of unintended consequences from this legislation. I look forward to working with him in the future as we fight to protect this great resource. the ten- and fifteen-mile bayous flood control project

Mr. ABRAHAM

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize the Honorable Clayton E. Preisel, who is retiring on December 31, 2000, after an extraordinary career spanning over 50 years. During this time, he has served in the Marine Corps, been a teacher and school administrator, and, for the past 18 years, presided over the Lapeer County Probate Court. Whatever the forum, Judge Preisel has been a leader and an inspiration to those around him. Judge Preisel was born on January 29, 1927. He graduated from Imlay City High School in 1945, and departed for the Marines in July of that same year. He served until August of 1946, and then returned to the State of Michigan to attend Michigan State University. He graduated from MSU in 1951 with a degree in Agriculture. After graduation, Judge Preisel moved to Carson City, Michigan, and began teaching. After four years, he returned home to Imlay City, where he continued his teaching career. He taught in Imlay City until 1969, and spent the final two years of his tenure there as both a teacher and a school administrator. During this time, Judge Preisel also doubled as a student, obtaining a Master's of Science degree in 1956, and, in 1968, receiving a Jurist Doctorate degree from the Detroit College of Law. Upon receiving his law degree, Judge Preisel entered into private practice, where he stayed until 1982, when he was elected to serve as Lapeer County Probate Judge. He has held this position for the past 18 years, and during his time on the bench has become respected not only for his knowledge of the law but also for his sensical approach to its application. Individuals leave Judge Preisel's courtroom with the knowledge that they have been treated fairly, which in my mind is the most worthy thing that can be said of a Judge. Judge Preisel has always found time to partake in community service. He was a member of the Imlay School Board from 1969-1983. He has also been involved in 4-H, the Lions Club, the Community Foundation, United Way, Kids In New Directions (KIND), Big Brothers-Big Sisters, and the Lapeer County Bar Association. Judge Preisel's retirement will allow him to spend more time with his family. He and his wife, Beulah Joann Anderson, who celebrated their 50th Anniversary on September 9th, 2000, have four children (Kathleen, Janet, Karen and James), and five grandchildren (Heather, Jason, Alysha, Katelyn and Steven). I applaud Judge Preisel for his extraordinary service to Lapeer County and the State of Michigan. His leadership in all phases of his career has been exceptional and will be dearly missed. On behalf of the entire United States Senate, I congratulate and thank the Honorable Clayton E. Preisel on a wonderful and successful career, and wish him the best of luck in retirement.

Mr. ABRAHAM

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, at the Hispanic College Funds Annual Scholarship Awards Banquet earlier this month, Ms. Yalile Ramirez, recipient of the Hispanic College Fund Award for 2000-2001, gave a speech regarding the upliftment of the Hispanic-American community which I found to be extremely insightful. I rise today not only to insert her remarks into the Congressional Record, but also to salute an extraordinary young woman with a bright future ahead of her. Ms. Ramirez was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. She is currently a senior at Michigan State University, where she is pursuing a double Bachelor's degree in International Relations and Finance. In May of this year, she graduated from the University's James Madison College of International Relations, so she is now focusing her efforts on her financial studies. In addition to receiving the Hispanic College Fund Award, Ms. Ramirez has received the Bill Gates Millennium Scholar Award. She made the Dean's List in 1998, 1999 and 2000, and in 1997 was presented with the National Dean's List Award. Ms. Ramirez is a member of the Women in Business Student Association, the Phi Beta Delta National Honor Society, the American Advertising Federation: Research Team Leader, and the Phi Sigma Pi Co-Ed National Honors Fraternity. She is also a Mentor Program Coordinator, and spends her remaining free time with aerobics, running and volunteering. I applaud Ms. Ramirez on her many achievements both on and off the campus of Michigan State University. She is not only a dedicated student but also a dedicated member of society, concerned with a great deal more than her own success. As is clearly illustrated in her remarks, she cares deeply about the upliftment of America's Latino population, and believes that this upliftment can best occur through economic empowerment--attaining positions of leadership within the business community. In the not too distant future, I look forward to seeing Ms. Yalile Ramirez become one of these leaders. With that having been said, I ask to print her remarks of October 5, 2000, in the Record. The remarks follow: Remarks by Ms. Yalile Remirez at the Hispanic College Fund, Inc., Annual Scholarship Awards Banquet

Mr. ABRAHAM

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize Dr. James Hendricks, who is retiring this year from a career in education which spanned 43 years, and included 33 years of dedicated service to Northern Michigan University in Marquette, Michigan. For the past 22 years, Dr. Hendricks has served as Director of the School of Education there, and in this capacity he has illustrated to fellow professors and students alike that, while there is no single formula for successful education, there is a single foundation--caring deeply for each and every student in the classroom. Dr. Hendricks grew up on a farm in rural Indiana. As a child, his interests were extremely atypical. He loved the opera and classical music, and often chose to read a book during recess while his classmates played games. His experiences at school were to help him later in life, as he gained a sensitivity towards children with different interests, and developed educational strategies with the goal of ``just and inclusive classrooms.'' Dr. Hendricks graduated from the University of Indiana, where he studied English, Philosophy, History and Spanish, in 1957. Following his graduation, he turned down a job at his local bank to teach elementary school in Southport, Indiana. He immediately knew that he had made the right decision, and it did not take long for him to fall in love with teaching. His goal during those years was to help ``all children find a happiness in being in that classroom.'' Recognizing a need to further his own education, Dr. Hendricks returned to the University of Indiana after three years of teaching in Southport. In 1962, he received his Master's Degree in History and Education. He then spent three years in Bloomington as both a graduate assistant and research fellow before coming to Marquette to serve as an Assistant Professor at Northern Michigan from 1965-67. In 1968, he returned to the University of Indiana, and received his Doctoral Degree in History and the Philosophy of Education. Following this, he accepted a position as Assistant Professor in the Department of Education at Portland State University, and during his time there helped the university set up its educational doctoral program. In 1969, Dr. Hendricks returned to Marquette and the faculty of Northern Michigan University. During Dr. Hendricks' tenure at Northern Michigan, the Education Department has been rejuvenated. Admission standards for students have been elevated and the curriculum has been deepened. From the time that they decide they want to be teachers, students are required to gain hands-on experience in classrooms throughout Marquette County, where they learn from proven teachers, as well as from students. In addition, veteran elementary and secondary school teachers have joined the University's faculty in an effort to assist student teachers. All of this equates to students graduating the Education Department who are experienced and knowledgeable enough to immediately handle the pressure and responsibility of having their own classroom. Dr. Hendricks' good works within the community were surpassed only by those of his wife, Sandra. Mrs. Hendricks greatly impacted the City of Marquette with her volunteerism, while at the same time remaining a devoted mother to the couple's three children. Before her death in 1998, she spent time baking brownies for cancer patients at Beacon House in Marquette, and then brightening their days by hand delivering the goods and staying to chat with the patients. She loved Christmas and each year sponsored the Alternative Gifts Fair, which benefitted Third World artists. The event still takes place each December at St. Paul's Episcopal Church. Mr. President, I applaud Dr. Hendricks on an extraordinary career in education. The key to his success has been nothing more than a strong desire to see his Department and his students succeed to the utmost of their potential. Because of this desire, the Northern Michigan University Education Department not only has a profound impact on the quality of education offered to students in the Upper Peninsula, but throughout the entire State of Michigan. On behalf of the United States Senate, I thank Dr. James Hendricks for the many beneficial things he accomplished during his career, and wish him the best of luck in retirement.

Mr. ABRAHAM

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, on the morning of November 11, 1975, the Mariners' Church of Detroit sat empty save for its Reverend, Richard Ingalls, who prayed alone in the sanctuary, ringing the church bell 29 times as he did so. Rev. Ingalls rang the bell in tribute to the crew of the Edmund Fitzgerald, who had lost their lives the previous evening when the legendary ship sank during one of the fiercest storms Lake Superior has ever produced. November 10, 2000, marks the 25th Anniversary of this tragic event, and I rise today not only in recognition of this anniversary, but also in memory and in honor of those 29 brave men, as well as the thousands of other mariners who have lost their lives on the Great Lakes. Mr. President, few states have as rich or as successful a maritime tradition as does the State of Michigan. Michiganians initiated the iron ore trade 150 years ago, and men and women of the State continue to be leaders in Great Lakes trade. Virtually every region in the Nation benefits from this shipping. More than 70 percent of the Nation's steelmaking capacity is located in the Great Lakes basin. Coal from as far away as Montana and Wyoming moves across the Lakes on a daily basis. This year alone, ships bearing the United States flag will haul more than 125 million tons of cargo across the Great Lakes. Amidst this success, it is unfortunately all too easy to overlook the tragic losses that have occurred throughout the maritime history of the Great Lakes. Over 6,000 shipwrecks have occurred on the Great Lakes, and over 30,000 lives have been lost. Many of these shipwrecks have occurred in November, the Month of Storms on the Great Lakes. In November of 1913, 12 ships were lost and 254 people killed during the Great Storm. In November of 1958, 33 men died when the Carl D. Bradley sank on Lake Michigan. And in November of 1966, the Daniel J. Morrell sank in Lake Huron, killing 28 members of her crew. The wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald, though, remains the most remembered tragedy in Great Lakes maritime lore. Built in River Rouge, Michigan in 1957 and 1958, the Edmund Fitzgerald, at 729 feet long, was the largest ship on the Great Lakes until 1971. She was nicknamed ``The Pride of the American Side,'' and was the first ship to carry one million tons of ore through the Soo Locks in one year. The Edmund Fitzgerald also set the record for a single trip tonnage, carrying over 27 tons of ore on one excursion. Unfortunately, the ship is best remembered for what happened to her on the night of November 10, 1975. This is in part because it remains unclear precisely what forces caused the Edmund Fitzgerald to sink that evening. The boat departed from Superior, Wisconsin, headed for Detroit, on the afternoon of November 9th, and was joined shortly thereafter by the Arthur M. Anderson. The two boats quickly ran into wicked seas, and Captain McSorley of the Edmund Fitzgerald and Captain Cooper of the Arthur M. Anderson agreed to take the northerly course, where they would be protected by the highlands of the Canadian shore, across Lake Superior. By the morning of November 10th, gale warnings had been increased to storm warnings, and by early evening the two boats were facing 25-30 foot waves, brought about by nearly 100 mile per hour winds. The Edmund Fitzgerald experienced difficulties throughout the day, and in a communication with Cpt. Cooper, Cpt. McSorley reported that he had ``a fence rail down, two vents lost or damaged, and a list.'' The two captains agreed to seek protection and safety in Whitefish Bay, located just off the coast of Michigan's Upper Peninsula. At 7:10 p.m., as the ships neared Whitefish Point, Cpt. McSorley, in a conversation with Cpt. Cooper, said this of he and his crew: ``We are holding our own.'' Approximately five minutes later, for reasons still unknown, the Edmund Fitzgerald, without so much as a cry for help, sank to the floor of Lake Superior. She remains there today, 535 feet below the surface of the great lake, and only 17 miles from the relative safety of Whitefish Point. Mr. President, proper closure does not exist in a situation like that of the wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald. The event lingers on not only in the memories of the families of crew members but in the memories of all Michiganians. In recognition of the 25th Anniversary of the sinking, the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum at Whitefish Point will hold a ceremony during which the ship's original bell, recovered on July 4, 1995, will be rung 29 times for each member of her crew, and a 30th time for the many other men and women who have lost their lives on the Great Lakes. And, on November 12, 2000, for the 25th time, the Rev. Ingalls will ring the bell of the Mariners' Church of Detroit in tribute to the men of the Edmund Fitzgerald. What this clearly illustrates, Mr. President, is that the spirit of these men still lives on in Michiganians, and particularly in those involved in the maritime industry. Perhaps, then, in a situation where closure is so difficult to find, recognition, at least to some degree, can be an adequate substitute. To know that the lives of these men have not been forgotten but are still cherished, lives unfortunately cut short but with spirits that remain, spirits that continue to live on in all of our lives.

Mr. ABRAHAM

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, during the 106th Congress, the Detroit Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation lost two of its most dedicated agents to battles with cancer. Both were respected not only for their professional accomplishments, but also for the manner in which they conducted themselves outside of their work, as each contributed considerably to the Detroit community. I rise today in honor and in memory of Special Agent Tom Lapish, one of these two men. Special Agent Lapish entered on duty with the FBI in 1976. After a brief stay in Kansas City, he was assigned to the Detroit Field Office. In Detroit, he developed an expertise in white collar crime investigations, and was regarded as one of the Bureau's top agents in that arena. With a background in accounting, he thrived on the protracted, intricate nature of investigating complex fraud matters, and was formally commended for his investigative accomplishments on several occasions. Not surprisingly, Special Agent Lapish was known for his attention to detail. He was also known for his high ethical standards. He stood for the ideals of the FBI motto--Fidelity, Bravery and Integrity--at all times. Even as his illness made him weak, he would contemplate going to the office to work on cases he had been assigned. In addition, he was very active within his church, helping to promote the Christian lifestyle which he believed so deeply in. Special Agent Lapish was also an extremely gifted athlete, and his passion for soccer became legendary within the Detroit community. He served as the coach for nearly 30 soccer teams, and in this capacity mentored hundreds of young individuals. His impact on them was seen at his memorial service, which was crowded with soccer players paying final respects to their favorite coach. It can also physically be seen in the Detroit area, where a soccer field was posthumously named in his honor. Special Agent Lapish passed away on May 18, 2000 at the age of 50. He is survived by his wife, Mary, and two sons, Matthew and Andrew. The Federal Bureau of Investigation works hard to ensure that its agents set a strong moral example for the people they are entrusted to protect. There is no question that Special Agent Lapish was a leader in this regard. Dedicated to his Nation, his agency, his family and his faith, he was a role model in the Detroit community, and he will be deeply missed.

Mr. ABRAHAM

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, during the 106th Congress, the Detroit Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation lost two of its most dedicated agents to battles with cancer. Both were respected not only for their professional accomplishments, but also for the manner in which they conducted themselves outside of their work, as each contributed considerably to the Detroit community. I rise today in honor and in memory of Special Agent David J. Wilson, one of these two men. Before joining the Federal Bureau of Investigation in 1980, Special Agent Wilson served the Nation as a military police officer, earning the National Defense, Marksman and Sharpshooter service medals. Upon joining the FBI, he quickly earned top honors in his Academy Class for academics, physical fitness and marksmanship. Special Agent Wilson spent the majority of his FBI career working in Detroit. He specialized in drug and white collar crime matters, and was highly regarded for his investigative skills. Indeed, he was a pioneer in the investigation of health care fraud, and his undercover work in the Detroit area yielded numerous successful prosecutions which saved and recovered millions of dollars for the State of Michigan in fraudulent medical billings. They also helped to prevent the illegal diversion of controlled substances by health care professionals. Special Agent Wilson received many commendations, including two national awards, on account of his investigative prowess. In 1997, he was appointed to the position of Polygrapher for the Detroit Field Office, a position he held with great pride. The City of Detroit was in many ways a perfect fit for Special Agent Wilson. He developed a unique interest in its history and architecture. An accomplished vocalist himself, he had a passion for music, and particularly for the ``Motown'' sound. He also had an appreciation for fine arts and for the theater, both of which were nurtured in Detroit. And, as an avid basketball player and fan, he was able to cheer on the Detroit Pistons during the greatest years that organization has known. Special Agent Wilson passed away on August 29, 1999 at the age of 47. He is survived by his wife, Patricia, and two sons, Lerone and Paul. The Federal Bureau of Investigation works hard to ensure that its agents set a strong moral example for the people they are entrusted to protect. There is no question that Special Agent Wilson was a leader in this regard. Dedicated to his Nation, his agency and his family, he was a role model in the Detroit community, and he will be deeply missed.

Mr. ABRAHAM

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, November 11, 2000 is a very special day on the campus of Central Michigan University in Mount Pleasant, MI. The day has been proclaimed Mr. Leonard E. and Mrs. Louise A. Plachta Day, in honor of the former President and First Lady of the University. I rise today to recognize this occasion and to pay tribute to the magnificent couple being honored. The couple arrived in Mt. Pleasant in 1972 when Mr. Plachta took a job as Professor of Accounting. He served as Assistant Dean of CMU's College of Business Administration from 1977 to 1979, when he took over the position of Dean. In January of 1992, he was appointed to serve as President of the University, and he served in this position until his retirement in July of 2000. Mr. Plachta's 8-year tenure as President stands as one of the most productive stints in the history of the University. His financial restructuring of CMU has allowed it to remain one of the most affordable public universities in the State of Michigan. He initiated a number of programs to give students real-world experience to help prepare them for future employment, including developing a state-of- the-art Career Services Center and expanding internship opportunities for students. He drew national attention for the Degree Partners Program, which is a guaranteed four-year degree agreement with students designed to save them money as well as get skilled professionals into the job market quickly. He also initiated one of the first leadership scholar programs in the country, a four-year educational protocol designed to help students develop ethical leadership skills they can apply in their professions. Mr. Plachta oversaw significant upgrading of classrooms and facilities during his tenure. This included new, highly technological music and science buildings; new and renovated athletic facilities; and a pending Library and Information Services Center that will incorporate technology to link students with academic resources from around the world. He also oversaw a complete reorganization of CMU's academic programs in order to increase interdepartmental cooperation and draw attention to the University's strengths. This reorganization included a new College of Communication and Fine Arts, a new College of Health Professions, redefined science programs through a new College of Science and Technology, and a revamped College of Business Administration, College of Education and Human Services, and College of Humanities and Social and Behavioral Sciences. One of the greatest accomplishments of his tenure, though, has been the leadership role CMU has taken in terms of the chartering of public school academies, charter schools. More than 17,000 K-12 students, approximately 50 percent of whom are minorities or at risk children, are enrolled in 59 CMU-licensed schools throughout the State of Michigan, with families on waiting lists at nearly every school. In addition, the national Charter Schools Development and Performance Institute, housed at CMU, had its grand opening earlier this year, on May 1, 2000. Mrs. Plachta has also greatly contributed to the CMU community. For twelve years, she worked as a member of the clerical staff. She provided superior guidance and caring support to nontraditional students as the nontraditional student services liaison, which is a volunteer position. Her knowledge in this position came honestly, as she earned a master's degree herself as a nontraditional student. And, as First Lady, she has been a much-loved ambassador for CMU and an outstanding member of the Mount Pleasant community, volunteering with numerous organizations and strongly supporting adult literacy programs. Central Michigan University stands where it does today, poised for success in the 21st Century, in large part due to the efforts of Mr. and Mrs. Plachta. They have worked together to bring about positive change not only for the University, but also for the State of Michigan, on many different fronts, and I thank them for their extraordinary efforts. On behalf of the entire United States Senate, I congratulate Mr. Leonard E. and Louise A. Plachta on having a day designated in their honor, and I hope that they enjoy every minute of it.

Mr. ABRAHAM

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, in 1982, the United States Department of Education initiated its Blue Ribbon Schools Program. In each year since, the Department has recognized schools throughout the country which excel in all areas of academic leadership, teaching and teacher development, and school curriculum. In other words, Blue Ribbon Schools are the finest public and private secondary schools our Nation has to offer. They are the schools that set the standard for which others strive. I am very proud to report that nine of the 198 Blue Ribbon Schools named by Secretary Richard W. Riley for 1999-2000 are located in the State of Michigan, and I rise today to recognize Donald L. Bemis Junior High School in Sterling Heights, Michigan, one of these nine schools. The mission of Donald L. Bemis Junior High is to educate its students in the development of knowledge, problem solving, and acceptance of others. Curriculum places primary emphasis on basic skills to promote essential knowledge and challenge students to achieve at the highest levels they are capable of attaining. Students are taught tolerance as conflict resolution strategies have been integrated into this curriculum. In addition, character building is taught and modeled within the school climate. The whole of this curriculum is designed to provide students with the building blocks they need to construct positive ideals which they can carry with them for the rest of their lives. Technology has recently begun to play a large role in the program as well. Each classroom at Bemis is equipped with a television and VCR, allowing students to be a part of a worldwide telecommunications system and providing teachers with audio-visual communication throughout the entire school. There are at least two computers in each classroom, which are hooked up to two building servers as well as the Internet. Bemis also has three computer laboratories, from which teachers and students can easily access personal files which have been set up for them. There is no doubt that technology is revolutionizing the way that students are taught throughout our Nation. There is also no doubt that Bemis Junior High has been on the forefront of employing it for positive purposes. Perhaps the greatest key to the success of Bemis Junior High though has been the collaborative decision making process which has been developed by parents, teachers and students. This process involved an overall dedication to the Bemis Junior High community, and relies upon keeping lines of communication open through parental contacts, open houses, parent-teacher conferences, the Parent Sounding Board, and the Student Council. Also present and a part of this process is the School Improvement Team, made up of staff and students focusing upon issues to enhance student achievement. All of these efforts lead to a well informed school community, which has been the most important aspect in the development of Bemis Junior High. Mr. President, I applaud the students, parents, faculty and administration of Bemis Junior High, for I believe this is an award which speaks more to the effort of a united community than it does to the work of a few individuals. With that having been said, I would like to recognize Mrs. Joyce A. Spade, Principal of Bemis Junior High, whose dedication to making her school one of the finest in our Nation has been instrumental in creating this community. On behalf of the entire United States Senate, I congratulate Donald L. Bemis Junior High School on being named a Blue Ribbon School for 1999-2000, and wish the school continued success in the future.