Zell Miller

Mr. MILLER

Mr. MILLER. Mr. President, I am honored to rise today to speak of our dear friend and colleague, Paul Coverdell. We were all shocked and saddened last July when Paul died so unexpectedly. Georgia had lost one of its greatest public servants--a soft-spoken workhorse who served the people first and politics second. In a public career spanning three decades--from the Georgia Senate to the Peace Corps to the U.S. Senate--Paul served with dignity and earned everybody's respect along the way. Immediately upon his death, folks in Washington and in Georgia began to think how we could remember this great Georgian in a worthy and enduring way. Senator Lott, our majority leader and one of Paul's greatest admirers, appointed a four-member committee of Senators to sort through the many ideas for memorializing Senator Coverdell. There were two Republicans--Phil Gramm of Texas and Mike DeWine of Ohio--and two Democrats--Minority Whip Harry Reid of Nevada and myself. We quickly agreed that there should be two memorials for Senator Coverdell--one in Washington and one in Georgia. In December, in a letter to party leaders Senator Lott and Minority Leader Tom Daschle, we outlined the two memorials we thought were most fitting for Senator Coverdell. In Georgia, we have chosen to honor Paul's commitment to education, research and agriculture at the State's flagship university with The Paul D. Coverdell Building for Biomedical and Health Sciences. This state-of-the-art science center will let scientists from different fields collaborate on improving the food supply, cleaning up the environment and finding cures for disease. This will be a joint project with the Federal Government, the State of Georgia and the university. We will be asking Congress to allocate $10 million for the building. Georgia Governor Roy Barnes will ask the Legislature for a $10 million appropriation. And the university will raise the remaining $20 million for the building. I was so glad that Senator Coverdell's widow, Nancy, joined us in announcing this memorial last month. It is my hope that the scientists who gather in this center under Senator Coverdell's name will make great discoveries to improve the quality of life in Georgia and around the world. In Washington, we have chosen to honor Senator Coverdell's legacy at the Peace Corps, where he served as director from 1989 to 1991. Paul's appointment to the Peace Corps was met with great skepticism at first. But he quickly gained respect by demanding professionalism and by shifting the agency's focus so that more money was spent actually getting volunteers where they were needed. When the Berlin Wall came down, Paul seized the opportunity to move the Peace Corps into Eastern Europe to promote freedom and democracy. This move not only broadened the agency's mission, but also increased its prestige around the world. Senator Coverdell also established the widely acclaimed World Wise Schools Program. Under this program, Peace Corps volunteers who have returned to the United States visit schools to give students their impressions and lessons from their overseas service. To honor Paul's legacy at the Peace Corps, we are recommending that the Peace Corps headquarters offices in Washington be named the ``Paul D. Coverdell Peace Corps Headquarters.'' We also are recommending the designation of the Peace Corps' World Wise Schools Programs as the ``Paul D. Coverdell World Wise Schools Programs.'' Paul's dignity and decency inspired countless young people to serve their fellow man in far-away places. It is our hope that we can honor his legacy at the Peace Corps in this lasting way. Mr. President, I hope that my colleagues will join me in supporting this memorial for our friend Senator Paul Coverdell, and I yield the floor.

Mr. MILLER

Mr. MILLER. Mr. President, I am pleased to be an original cosponsor of S. 355, the Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Coin Act. The bill would instruct the U.S. Treasury to mint coins to commemorate the many contributions of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The proceeds from the sale of the proposed commemorative coin will be used by the Library of Congress to purchase and maintain historical materials related to the legacy of Dr. King and America's Civil Rights era for future generations. The coin will be silver and will be minted under the Act for only a 1-year period beginning on January 1, 2003. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was an extraordinary leader whose march for justice stretched far beyond the red clay hills of our beloved Georgia. His was a long, tumultuous journey and his vision of equality is one that touched the lives of so many people around this country, including my own. I will continue to do all I can to assure that we preserve his legacy for generations to come. It is my hope that this commemorative coin will become a collector's treasure and that its popularity will help us preserve the timeless and poignant story of Dr. King and the civil rights movement for our children. Dr. King spoke these words in his final sermon on the day before he died in 1968: Let us rise up tonight with a greater readiness. Let us stand with a greater determination. And let us move on in these powerful days, these days of challenge, to make America what it ought to be. I hope that every American who holds one of these commemorative coins in their hands will remember Dr. King's powerful message.

Mr. MILLER

Mr. MILLER. Mr. President, I am pleased to be an original cosponsor of S. 355, the Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Coin Act. The bill would instruct the U.S. Treasury to mint coins to commemorate the many contributions of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The proceeds from the sale of the proposed commemorative coin will be used by the Library of Congress to purchase and maintain historical materials related to the legacy of Dr. King and America's Civil Rights era for future generations. The coin will be silver and will be minted under the Act for only a 1-year period beginning on January 1, 2003. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was an extraordinary leader whose march for justice stretched far beyond the red clay hills of our beloved Georgia. His was a long, tumultuous journey and his vision of equality is one that touched the lives of so many people around this country, including my own. I will continue to do all I can to assure that we preserve his legacy for generations to come. It is my hope that this commemorative coin will become a collector's treasure and that its popularity will help us preserve the timeless and poignant story of Dr. King and the civil rights movement for our children. Dr. King spoke these words in his final sermon on the day before he died in 1968: Let us rise up tonight with a greater readiness. Let us stand with a greater determination. And let us move on in these powerful days, these days of challenge, to make America what it ought to be. I hope that every American who holds one of these commemorative coins in their hands will remember Dr. King's powerful message.

Mr. MILLER

Mr. MILLER. Mr. President, today I add my support to the Teacher Liability Protection Act, a bill first introduced by my predecessor Senator Paul Coverdell. Like him, and like my colleagues with whom I introduce this bill today, I firmly believe in the promise that the education of our children provides. An important part of fulfilling that promise is ensuring that our classrooms are a secure place in which to learn. And, as a result, teachers and principals are called upon every day to maintain order in our schools. In doing so, they should not be subject to frivolous lawsuits. Nor should the fear of such litigation prevent educators from acting reasonably and quickly in this regard. The bill we introduce today seeks to eliminate that fear and to reassure educators that they can and should perform this necessary part of their job without hesitation. The bill provides limited immunity for teachers, principals, and other education professionals for any reasonable actions they take in an effort to discipline students or maintain order in the classroom. In addition, it limits the availability of punitive damages and damages for non-economic loss in those suits that do proceed. I also think that it is important to discuss what this bill does not do. It does not prevent proper accountability for teachers and principals who act intentionally, or even recklessly. Nor does it protect them if they violate state or federal law. Finally, this bill recognizes the authority of states on this issue by allowing states the ability to opt out of its provisions and leaving untouched any state law that provides greater immunity from liability. In sum, this bill provides an important and necessary baseline of protection for teachers and principals who are on the front line of our national struggle to improve education, and to fulfill the promise of our children's future. I believe this Congress has a unique opportunity to improve education in our country. I hope that my colleagues will give this bill careful consideration, and support it as an important part of that effort.

Mr. MILLER

Mr. MILLER. Mr. President, today I add my support to the Teacher Liability Protection Act, a bill first introduced by my predecessor Senator Paul Coverdell. Like him, and like my colleagues with whom I introduce this bill today, I firmly believe in the promise that the education of our children provides. An important part of fulfilling that promise is ensuring that our classrooms are a secure place in which to learn. And, as a result, teachers and principals are called upon every day to maintain order in our schools. In doing so, they should not be subject to frivolous lawsuits. Nor should the fear of such litigation prevent educators from acting reasonably and quickly in this regard. The bill we introduce today seeks to eliminate that fear and to reassure educators that they can and should perform this necessary part of their job without hesitation. The bill provides limited immunity for teachers, principals, and other education professionals for any reasonable actions they take in an effort to discipline students or maintain order in the classroom. In addition, it limits the availability of punitive damages and damages for non-economic loss in those suits that do proceed. I also think that it is important to discuss what this bill does not do. It does not prevent proper accountability for teachers and principals who act intentionally, or even recklessly. Nor does it protect them if they violate state or federal law. Finally, this bill recognizes the authority of states on this issue by allowing states the ability to opt out of its provisions and leaving untouched any state law that provides greater immunity from liability. In sum, this bill provides an important and necessary baseline of protection for teachers and principals who are on the front line of our national struggle to improve education, and to fulfill the promise of our children's future. I believe this Congress has a unique opportunity to improve education in our country. I hope that my colleagues will give this bill careful consideration, and support it as an important part of that effort.

Mr. MILLER

Mr. MILLER. Mr. President, history gives us many examples of men and women who went above and beyond the call of duty to serve our great country. In our military, there have always been men and women who were not satisfied with maintaining the status quo, but who, instead, strove to make our armed forces the world's finest and the most powerful. One such individual was the late Colonel Robert F. Sink, commander of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment in Toccoa, Georgia. The 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment was constituted on July 1, 1942 in the Army of the United States, activated July 20, 1942 at Camp General Robert Toombs at Toccoa, Georgia, attached to the 101st Airborne Division on June 1, 1943 and assigned to the 101st Airborne Division on March 1, 1945. The camp located at Currahee Mountain in Toccoa was soon renamed Camp Toccoa and was chosen because of its rugged terrain. The 506th Regiment selected the symbol of the Currahee Mountain as its Coat of Arms and ``Currahee'' became its battle cry. It was here, in Toccoa, that Col. Sink initiated his rigorous training program called ``Muscle College'' and set many of the standards for the paratrooper basic training program of the 101st Airborne Division. Because of Col. Sink's efforts, the 506th Parachute Infantry established records never before reached by any military unit in the world. Furthermore, Airborne infantrymen around the nation recognized the ``Currahee trained'' men from Camp Toccoa as a cut above their peers in strength and performance. Col. Sink led his 506th Regiment into combat on D-Day at Normandy, then to Holland, Bastogne, France, Germany, and all the way to Hitler's ``Eagle Nest.'' By the end of World War II, the 506th had received several coveted awards and decorations. The courageous service of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment was due, in no small measure, to the tireless efforts of Colonel Robert F. Sink, a true American hero. In honor of this great man, the Currahee Mountain Road, which changed the boys of the famous ``Currahee'' Regiment into men, will be fittingly renamed the ``Col. Robert F. Sink Memorial Trail.'' I hope my colleagues will join with me today in honoring this great man and his groundbreaking work on behalf of our nation's security. For those under Colonel Sink's tutelage who will travel back to Toccoa for this important reunion and celebration, I wish you the best and thank you for your service. Finally, special thanks should be extended to State Representative Mary Jeanette Jamieson for her work on this project. It was a pleasure to be involved in such a worthy effort.

Mr. MILLER

Mr. MILLER. I, too, would like to offer a few comments relative to the Brunswick Harbor deepening project. Although I have been a member of the Senate for only a short while, I certainly understand the importance of this project and I fully support the inclusion of funds to keep it on schedule. Brunswick handles cargoes important to the region such as grain, gypsum, limestone, perlite, potash, oats, wood pulp, and motor vehicles. As the region has grown, so has the size of the vessels calling on the Port. I am very concerned that if we further delay the deepening project, we run the risk of hindering economic growth. This concern is underscored by the fact that the number of operational delays has increased by 36 percent since 1984. I believe that it is essential to stay the course and keep the project on schedule, and I join my colleague in urging the inclusion of $255,000 to support the administrative tasks which must be completed this year.

Mr. MILLER

Mr. MILLER. Mr. President, to the distinguished Members of the Senate, first let me say how much I appreciate those very generous welcoming remarks. I do not rise this morning to tell you more about myself or to introduce myself to you because there will be time enough for that later. I rise instead to add my voice to the remarkable chorus that has echoed forth from this floor to the marble floors under Georgia's Capitol dome, a chorus of praise for Paul Coverdell. The pain and the love that the majority leader showed as he made that terrible announcement on the Senate floor touched many hearts in Georgia. The eloquence of Senator Moynihan's tribute still rings in our ears. And the personal tribute from Senator Gramm, a native son of Georgia, I found especially moving. When he spoke of Paul as a man with a thin body, a squeaky voice, but the heart of a lion, heads were nodding and eyes were misting up from the Potomac River to the Chattahoochee River. Then this morning, I sat in the gallery and listened to the outpouring of love and praise you had for Senator Coverdell. On behalf of the people of Georgia, I thank you. I thank you for your words and your tears and your testimony to one of Georgia's finest sons. You who served with Paul knew him well. I served with Paul and knew him well also. I served with him when he was an up-and-coming State Senator and I was the Senate President--Paul, a Republican; I, a Democrat. Yet Paul impressed me with his ability and his integrity and his bipartisan commitment to serving the people first and politics second that I named him as one of the first Republican committee chairmen since Reconstruction in our heavily Democratic State senate. In that job and in that State senate, Paul flourished. He reached across party lines to build coalitions to reform education, improve our schools, and open up our government to the people. Later, as the Director of the Peace Corps, Paul's dignity and decency inspired countless young people to serve their fellow man; and then his service in this Senate, where in less than 8 years he rose to be one of the most influential, respected, and beloved Members of this august body. Now, when I think of Paul Coverdell, I am reminded of St. Paul's letter to Timothy. It is as if it were written by Senator Paul rather than St. Paul: I have fought a good fight. I have finished my course. I have kept the faith. Today it is up to us to take up that fight, to continue that course, to keep that faith. You are, of course, aware of Paul's tireless work here in this body on behalf of the schoolchildren of this country. Yet his work here was just an extension of his lifelong commitment to education. We served together as trustees on the board of that tiny college, Young Harris College, in the tiny village that is my hometown. Paul Coverdell had faith in education, and I intend to keep that faith. In Georgia, Paul was a leader early on of a reform movement that believed that sunlight was the best disinfectant. So working together across party lines, we opened up the Senate Chambers and the smoke- filled rooms and gave government back to our people. Paul Coverdell had a faith in open, honest government, and I will keep that faith. In the Peace Corps and in the Senate, Paul was convinced that as the beacon of freedom for all the world, America could not hide her light under a bushel. And so he worked to keep America strong, to keep America engaged in the world, to ensure that she is always an ally to be trusted and an adversary to be feared. Paul Coverdell had limitless faith in America, and I intend to keep that faith. In addition to what he accomplished, Paul will always be remembered for how he accomplished it. He was as committed a Republican as I am a dedicated Democrat. Yet he was always looking for ways to get things done across party lines. He did so not by abandoning his principles but by heeding and listening to the proverb: A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. I am a different man from Paul Coverdell. I have rarely been accused of giving soft answers and, in my day, I suppose I have uttered more of my share of grievous words that have stirred up anger. But I also have the commitment to getting things done for my State and our Nation, a commitment to work with anyone, regardless of party, who shares that commitment. Paul Coverdell had a powerful faith in bipartisan progress, and I intend to keep that faith. Let me repeat to this Senate the pledge I made to my Governor and to the people of Georgia when I accepted this mission. I will serve no single political party but, rather, 7.5 million Georgians, and every day I serve I will do my best to do so in the same spirit of dignity, integrity, and bipartisan cooperation that were the hallmarks of Paul Coverdell's career. Thank you. [Applause.]