Larry Pressler

Mr. PRESSLER

Mr. PRESSLER. I join the Senator in urging such a study.

Mr. PRESSLER. I look forward to a continued cooperative relationship between the two committees as well as with the bill author and cosponsors.

Mr. PRESSLER. Yes, I expect the Coast Guard to include each of those items in its reporting requirements, and to include a careful assessment of those matters in its report to Congress so that Congress can make decisions regarding the impact of this exemption and the need for revision of the law.

Mr. PRESSLER. As Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation that has jurisdiction of the U.S. Coast Guard, I would expect the Coast Guard to actively seek alternatives applicable to other regions, routinely identify those alternatives to ballast exchange for vessels which use the safety exemption, and encourage their use prior to discharging unexchanged water in the port of call.

Mr. PRESSLER

Mr. PRESSLER. Mr. President, I rise to support adoption of H.R. 4283, the National Invasive Species Act of 1996. Mr. President, this bill addresses a nationwide problem-- nonindigenous species invading new habitats. This has tremendous impacts not only on natives species in the aquatic environment but, in some areas, our communities as well. This bill would control nonindigenous species by establishing a voluntary national ballast water management program, and funding for research and implementation. Earlier this year, Senator Glenn had introduced S. 1660, a similar bill to that of the House. Under an earlier unanimous-consent agreement, S. 1660 was referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. Following action in that committee, the bill would have been referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation since the Commerce Committee shares jurisdiction on this issue. Likewise, H.R. 3217, a bill introduced by Congressman LaTourette was adopted by the House, sent to the Senate and referred to the Environment and Public Works Committee. This bill, if acted upon, would have also been referred to the Committee Committee. Mr. President, while this procedure is somewhat different than our normal order for legislation, Senator Abraham, a member of the Commerce Committee, has been very interested in addressing this issue. I am pleased that we are able to accommodate his desires by adopting this bill today. The bill that the House adopted addresses a concern of the Commerce Committee on vessel safety that the shipping industry has raised. It would simply allow vessels to continue to discharge their ballast water in a harbor if during their voyage they could not exchange their ballast water on the high seas due to safety concerns. This provision and the bill itself has the support of the shipping industry, port authorities and the U.S. Coast Guard. In closing, Mr. President, I urge my colleagues to support the adoption of H.R. 4283.

Mr. PRESSLER

Mr. PRESSLER. Mr. President, I would like to pay tribute to my friend and colleague, Senator Sheila Frahm, for her outstanding service to the people of Kansas. As a former Kansas State Senator and Lieutenant Governor, Sheila Frahm has served her country and State with pride. Senator Frahm has a long and distinguished record of public service. She served as a member of the Kansas Board of Education, a Kansas State Senator, and was Kansas' first woman Senate Majority Leader. She also was the first woman in Kansas history to be elected Lieutenant Governor. As Lieutenant Governor, Sheila Frahm served as a member of the Governor's Cabinet and as Secretary of Administration, running the day-to-day operations of the Kansas State government. Mr. President, in a matter of weeks, Sheila Frahm's life changed drastically. She gracefully moved into the Senate seat of one of the living legends of American political history, Bob Dole. Senator Frahm has demonstrated time and time again that she can rise to any occasion. She did so yet again here in the Senate. As a member of the Committee on Armed Services and the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, Senator Frahm played a vital role in moving legislation during the final months of the 104th Congress. Senator Frahm also came to the Senate at a time to help pass historic legislation, including workfare, health care and illegal immigration reform. In a few short months she has voted to pass the kind of legislation many of her colleagues have waited years to address. Sheila Frahm has earned the respect and admiration of her colleagues, her staff, and her constituents. We will soon bid farewell to our colleague from Kansas--Senator Frahm. My wife Harriet and I wish Senator Frahm, her husband Kenneth, and their three daughters, the very best. I am proud to have served in the 104th Congress with Senator Frahm. Her valuable contributions to the Senate will not be forgotten.

Mr. PRESSLER

Mr. PRESSLER. Mr. President, I would like to take a moment today to pay tribute to a great South Dakotan--Gust Larson of Midland. Gust is a ``salt of the Earth'' individual whose feet are planted firmly in the real world. Gust is truly one of South Dakota's unsung heroes. He deserves to be recognized for his leadership in helping to preserve rail service across South Dakota. I was privileged to work with Gust Larson several years ago on this issue. My association with Gust consists of some of the most productive and enjoyable work I have done as a United States Senator for South Dakota. I first met Gust in the early 1980's when the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad [C&NW] filed for abandonment of the only east-west rail line across South Dakota. Gust owned the local grain elevator in Midland, a small town in the middle of western South Dakota with less than 300 residents. When the C&NW announced its abandonment plans, Midland and other communities along the rail line were devastated, as were all the farmers and ranchers who depended on the railroad to ship their grain to market. The prospects for blocking the abandonment looked bleak at the time. Back then, rail consolidation was the norm throughout the Nation. All across the country, one rail line after another was being abandoned. Thus, given the climate of the times, few people held out much hope when the C&NW announced its intent to abandon the 164-mile line from Rapid City to Fort Pierre. Some people even said there was no point in fighting the abandonment because the railroads always got their way with the Interstate Commerce Commission [ICC]. Gust Larson was not one of those people. Gust is a fighter, and he was not about to give up his and his fellow South Dakotans only rail link to the outside world without a fight. Gust knew the rail line would certainly be abandoned if nothing was done. He could not stand by and lose the only rail link to the grain market terminals to the east and down south to the Gulf of Mexico. Loss of this line would result in higher costs for western South Dakota grain producers in shipping their grain to market. I shared Gust's concerns. The so-called political experts at the time advised me to keep a low profile. They urged me not to get involved. Fighting the abandonment was seen as a lost cause. Well, I grew up believing that lost causes sometimes were the ones worth fighting for. And, like Gust, I would not stand idly by and let the C&NW abandon this important line. So, ignoring the advice of the naysayers, I joined Gust Larson's lost cause to save the rail line. A shippers group called the Western South Dakota Railway Users Association was formed, and Gust agreed to serve as chairman. Some scoffed and said we were tilting at windmills in challenging a huge corporation like C&NW with all its financial resources and attorneys. Skeptics pointed out that the C&NW had filed several other abandonment petitions across the country, and all of them had been approved by the ICC. Why would our line be any different? Despite these tremendous odds, we decided to take on the railroad. Gust and his fellow rail users held countless telephone conversations and meetings with my office to formulate strategy and develop a plan of action. Frankly, I suspect that C&NW corporate officials who handled abandonment petitions on a regular basis didn't take Gust Larson and his small band of rail users very seriously. After all, the C&NW was successful in other abandonment requests, and all certainly involved the usual protests from people like Gust Larson. Well, the C&NW attorneys and executives were in for a surprise. They had never encountered someone like Gust Larson before. I requested that the ICC send an administrative law judge to hold a formal field hearing in South Dakota. At the ICC hearing in Philip in September of 1983, Gust Larson and others emphasized to ICC Administrative Law Judge Edward McGrail the importance of preserving this important rail line. Much to the surprise of the naysayers and the C&NW, Judge McGrail issued a ruling against the railroad's abandonment request. As expected, the C&NW appealed Judge McGrail's decision to the ICC. After intensive efforts, we convinced the Commission to let stand the judge's decision. Although Gust and the rest of us were very pleased by the Commission's action, we knew the battle was not over. We knew the C&NW could come back and file a new abandonment request, which would mean the battle would start all over again. If the C&NW truly was not interested in operating the line, it could refuse to perform much-needed maintenance work on the line. This would lead to a gradual deterioration of the line's condition and ultimately a degradation of service. The only real solution was to find someone interested in operating the rail line. This obviously was no easy task. We made a full-court press to identify potential buyers. After countless meetings and phone calls, we were able to convince a group of investors who were willing to take their chances on the future of this line. The Dakota, Minnesota, and Eastern Railroad [DM&E] was formed and an agreement was worked out with the C&NW to purchase the C&NW east- west rail line across the entire state of South Dakota and into Minnesota. Since its inception, the D&ME has invested millions of dollars in maintenance and track repair and has demonstrated its commitment to improving rail service for South Dakota shippers. Today, many people may not realize how close western South Dakota came to losing its rail service to the east. Had Gust not stepped up to the plate to lead the local shippers group, who knows what might have happened? Gust Larson is the pride of South Dakota. His effort to save the rail line is reminiscent of the legendary stories of tough, rugged fighters who turned a vast prairie into a state of enormous promise and opportunity. Generations from now, Gust Larson's story also will be legendary. He has made a lasting contribution to his community, his State and his country. It was one of the great privileges of my life to work with Gust. It is an honor to know Gust Larson. It is an even greater honor to call him my friend. I salute him. Thanks to the help of Gust Larson, the rumble of trains can still be felt and heard across western South Dakota.

Mr. PRESSLER

Mr. PRESSLER. Mr. President, I would like to take a moment to pay tribute to my good friend from Illinois, Paul Simon. Senator Simon will leave the Senate very soon, and I must confess that I will miss him. He is an outstanding legislator, and skillful writer, and most important, a kind friend to me and my wife Harriet. Throughout his life, Senator Simon has found success as a writer and editor. He is a prolific writer, and the author of many books, including perhaps the most comprehensive biography of Abraham Lincoln as a young legislator. The connection between these two Illinois favorite sons past and present doesn't end there. Both Abraham Lincoln and Paul Simon began their political careers in the Illinois legislature, and both at about the same time in their lives. Both built a reputation of honesty and forthrightness. Both sported bow ties. Where the careers diverged is somewhat ironic. Senator Simon holds the very Senate seat unsuccessfully sought by Abraham Lincoln in his famous battle with Stephen Douglas in 1858. Yet, Abraham Lincoln of course won the presidency in 1860, an office Senator Simon unsuccessfully sought in 1988. Certainly, there's much more to Senator Simon's career than his similarities with our Nation's greatest President. Much more. Senator Simon has been his party's most outspoken crusader for a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution. I am proud to have been an original cosponsor of his balanced budget amendment. He worked very, very hard to get his amendment passed. We came so close last year--just one vote short. He can be very certain that we will work hard to resume the fight next year. I am confident that we will pass a balanced budget amendment. And when we do, and when the required number of States ratify the amendment, this Nation will owe a big thank you to our friend from Illinois. The fight for a balanced budget amendment symbolizes the kind of commitment and determination Senator Simon possesses as a legislator. I always enjoyed being on the same side of an issue with my friend from Illinois. I knew my chances of success were much improved if he was involved in any legislative effort I participated in. Conversely, I knew I had my work cut out for me when we were on opposite sides of an issue. Senator Simon was a champion of many causes--literacy, college student loans, limitations on television violence, just to name a few. We both served together as members of the Foreign Relations and Judiciary Committees. On Foreign Relations, he took a strong interest in the African continent. Indeed, in 1993, I sought his advice and perspectives before I made my trip to Africa to promote South Dakota agriculture. There are so many things that can be said about Senator Paul Simon. He is an extraordinary man who has led an extraordinary life. What I will miss most however is his warmth and his kindness. If the Senate had an unofficial ambassador of goodwill, it was the senior Senator from Illinois. Senator Simon regularly held open meetings in his office and had time for everyone who came to visit. That's the kind of Senator, the kind of man Paul Simon is. Senator Simon is an extraordinary individual, and a good friend. Harriet and I wish he and his lovely wife Jeanne nothing but the best.

Mr. PRESSLER

Mr. PRESSLER. Mr. President, today I pay tribute to my friend and colleague, Senator Nancy Kassebaum, on her retirement from the U.S. Senate. It is not easy for me to bid her farewell. I sincerely will miss her presence in this body. Nancy and I have served together since 1979, when we both came to this body. Since then, we have shared and fought for the same traditional midwestern ideals and values. Working together, we have succeeded in ensuring that our States get their fair share of Federal funding. She understands the unique needs of rural America. Few have shown her deep commitment to the interests of Kansas and the midwest. It has been a great privilege for me to work with Senator Kassebaum. She has been an inspiration to me and countless others. Her hard work and dedication to this body and to the people she represents in Kansas are unprecedented. During our years together on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, I developed a deep respect for Nancy's convictions and her commitment to aiding people in lesser-developed areas of the world. As both Chair and ranking member of the Subcommittee on African Affairs, Senator Kassebaum has shown compassion, tempered with pragmatism, in dealing with the unique issues of war-torn, famine-ravaged sub-Saharan Africa. Her expertise on issues affecting this area of the globe is unequaled in the Senate. Senator Kassebaum's expertise does not end there. She also knows the United Nations inside and out. She has dedicated much of her time to reforming the waste, fraud, and abuse that is rampant within the UN. Frankly, she spearheaded increased congressional oversight of the UN. The Kassebaum Amendment withheld 20 percent of regular budget assessments beginning in fiscal year 1987, in an effort to make UN budget voting proportional to country assessments. A host of UN accounting and budgetary assessment reforms have followed in the wake of this amendment. Senator Kassebaum also is a champion of education. She has worked tirelessly to secure increased funding for student financial aid and to reorganize the Jobs Corps program. As Chair of the Labor and Human Resources Committee, Senator Kassebaum also must be given credit for shepherding the Republican workfare plan through Congress. Because of her steadfast determination, we finally passed real welfare reform-- reform that will end the failed ``free lunch'' approach to welfare and will bring aid to those who need it most. She is a tough, commonsense reformer, whose tenacity and calm resolve will never be forgotten nor easily replaced. Finally, perhaps her crowning achievement of this Congress was passage this year of commonsense health care reform. Thanks to the Senator from Kansas, working Americans need not fear the loss of their health insurance policies when they change jobs or because of a pre- existing condition. Thanks to the Senator from Kansas, the self- employed will be able to deduct a greater portion of their health insurance costs from their Federal tax liability. These represent real and positive health care reforms. As the 104th Congress draws to a close, I wish my friend, Nancy Kassebaum, the very best as she embarks on new interests in her home state of Kansas and elsewhere. Her career in Washington has been distinguished. Her public service to her State and Nation are unrivaled in terms of results. Senator Nancy Kassebaum will be remembered as a first-class public official. I wish her all the best now and in the many years to come.

Mr. PRESSLER

Mr. PRESSLER. Mr. President, I would like to take a moment to pay tribute to my friend from Colorado, Senator Hank Brown. He and his lovely wife Nan have been good friends to me and Harriet. Hank Brown is both worthy ally and worthy adversary. Over the years, I have worked with my friend from Colorado on several issues of mutual interest. I remember well the battles we have fought together and the times when we honorably have disagreed. I remember one disagreement in particular. During my efforts in support of our South Dakota honey program, Senator Brown was relentless to end Federal funding for the program. Yet, in his effort to end honey price supports, he still was willing to listen to my side. He even took the time to sit down to visit with honey producers from South Dakota. He listened to their concerns. I always will be grateful for that. That is not the only time Senator Brown and I have agreed to disagree. More than once, we have sparred over nuclear nonproliferation issues in South Asia. Senator Brown and I travelled to South Asia together and debated this topic quite extensively. While he and I disagree on the best course of action our Nation should take to slow weapons-building programs in South Asia, I do not question for a second his efforts to promote peace in this unstable region of the world. As fellow Vietnam veteran, Senator Brown and I have shared a special personal involvement in preserving and protecting the interests of our veterans. He has done an outstanding job as a member of the Veterans Affairs Committee. He has dedicated hours of service to making certain that veterans programs meet each and every need of those who served bravely in our Armed Forces. Finally, Senator Brown has been a tenacious advocate in congressional efforts to balance the bloated Federal budget. He has been a prominent member of the Senate Budget Committee, and knows the vital importance of ending years of wasteful Government spending. He understands how necessary it is for us to put the Government's fiscal house in order. Hank Brown has risen to the fiscal challenges placed before him on the Budget Committee and has fought hard to protect Americans' hard-earned incomes. I will miss my friend and colleague from Colorado--his hard work, his good humor, and his friendship. During his term in office, Hank Brown has demonstrated a sincere devotion to the people of his home State of Colorado. He is a hard-working, commonsense public servant, dedicated to the people he represents. We in the Senate will miss his willingness to listen to differing views and to work together to cut through Government gridlock. I wish my friend Hank and his wife Nan all the best.

Mr. PRESSLER

Mr. PRESSLER. Mr. President, I want to take a moment to pay tribute to one of my colleagues and Senate classmates who is leaving the Senate very soon--my friend from New Jersey, Senator Bill Bradley. Senator Bradley entered the Senate the same year I did--1979. The roads Bill and I traveled to get to the Senate had some similarities, but mainly vast differences. My journey to the Senate weaved through my hometown of Humboldt to Oxford to Harvard Yard and, ultimately, to the House of Representatives. Bill Bradley's began in Crystal City, MO, where his father was a banker. Bill Bradley also was a Rhodes Scholar, but before that, he went to Princeton University, where he re-wrote both the NCAA and the Ivy League recordbooks as a basketball player. Bill Bradley's exploits on the hardwood at Princeton are the stuff of sports legend. I remember well his senior season, when he led the Princeton Tigers to the NCAA Final Four. Though the Tigers came up short, he set a tournament scoring record and was named the tournament's most valuable player. Of course, Bill Bradley continued to be a standout basketball player on a professional level for 10 years with the New York Knicks. He helped the New York Knicks win the NBA world championship. Not long after he retired from professional basketball, Senator Bradley sought to be a standout in the political world. Yet again, he succeeded. Senator Bradley must be feeling a strange sense of deja vous to hear many of his colleagues on both sides of the aisle calling for a simpler tax code. In 1982, our friend from New Jersey put forward his ``Fair Tax'' plan. He continued to advocate a restructuring of the tax code, and in 1986, his tenacious efforts paid off. The 1986 tax plan represented the most radical restructuring of the tax code in more than a generation. It is safe to say that this would not have occurred without Senator Bradley's legislative and leadership skills. It was Senator Bradley that who as the bridge between the competing House and Senate tax proposals, with the final plan bearing a great deal of similarity to Senator Bradley's 1982 plan. The 1986 tax reform plan demonstrated that when Senator Bradley takes on an issue, he does so with firm determination. My friend from New Jersey and I have worked together on a number of issues and we have been on opposite sides on many others. He has taken strong stands on the environment, civil rights, and health care. When Bill Bradley speaks on any issue, whether I agree or disagree with him, his words are well thought and his arguments are well formulated. There is no question that he is a man of ideas, a man committed to examining the major problems of our Nation, proposing solutions, and working to get them accomplished. That is the stuff of leadership. Senator Bradley has become a key player in our Nation's political dialogue. Indeed, he is a person to whom many of us in the Senate like to go to for his thoughts and his perspectives on any issue, ranging from the tax code to the NBA playoffs. That is why we should all be pleased that, although Bill Bradley may leave the Senate, he has made clear he intends to remain on the public stage. I have enjoyed serving in the Senate with my friend from New Jersey. I particularly enjoyed serving with him these past two years on the Finance Committee. I will miss him. I certainly hope he takes advantage of the privileges afforded to former members and visits the Senate as often as possible. I wish him nothing but the very best as he embarks on the next chapter of what is already a legendary life and career. One can call Senator Bradley many things--basketball player, Rhodes scholar, tax reformer, and United States Senator. I am proud to call Bill Bradley my friend.

Mr. PRESSLER

Mr. PRESSLER. Mr. President, as the 104th Congress draws to a close, I would like to take a moment to bid farewell to my many good friends who today will cast their final votes in the United States Senate. Prominent among these departing leaders is the great Senator from Georgia--Senator Sam Nunn. As a fellow farmer, I have an inherent respect for Senator Nunn. His leadership and tenacity--so often demonstrated from his desk across the aisle--have time and again earned him the admiration of the members of this body and his constituents. His years of service to his country and state will be remembered forever. Senator Nunn has dedicated much of his life to ensuring that United States defense capabilities remain the strongest in the world. A native of the area in Georgia where General Sherman's troops once rallied, his patriotism may be attributed in part to a long bloodline of military and Congressional service. In his roles as Chairman and Ranking Member of the Armed Services Committee, he consistently has fought to make certain our country has the most advanced military weaponry in the world. His efforts have helped ready our country to meet nearly any military challenge. Mr. President, as I look across the room, I am reminded that another Georgian soon will be assigned the desk that Senator Nunn has occupied for nearly one-quarter of a century. Without a doubt, his desk will be difficult to fill, but I am sure Senator Nunn, in his wisdom and knowledge of this body, will do everything possible to guide Georgia's new Senator. As we prepare to leave our Nation's Capital and return to our respective districts, my wife Harriet and I wish Sam Nunn and his lovely wife Colleen, the very best for the future. Something tells me that the Senator from Georgia will continue to be a central figure in formulating our national security and foreign policies. It would be a mistake not to tap into Sam Nunn's knowledge, experience and leadership. God bless Sam Nunn as he embarks on interesting new challenges.

Mr. PRESSLER

Mr. PRESSLER. Mr. President, the Senate soon will bid farewell to one of its most legendary Members--the senior Senator from Rhode Island, Claiborne Pell. I have had the distinct privilege of working with Senator Pell over the years on issues ranging from college student loans to United Nations reform. Senator Claiborne Pell entered the Senate in 1960. His stature in Rhode Island politics perhaps was best summarized by the Almanac of American Politics, which called him an ``iron fist in a velvet glove.'' His political strength perhaps was no better demonstrated than when he was first elected to the Senate. In the Democratic primary for the Senate seat, he defeated the current sitting Governor at that time, as well as a former Governor and Senator. My good friend and soon to be Senior Senator from Rhode Island, John Chafee--a former State chief executive himself--knows well the formidable political strength of his colleague, having once tried to unseat Senator Pell in 1972, only to come up short. At the beginning of this Congress, I gave up my seat on the Foreign Relations Committee so that I could serve my State of South Dakota on the Finance Committee. It is safe to say I miss being on that Committee, in part because I enjoyed so much working with my friend from Rhode Island. His stewardship of that Committee as Chairman for 8 years was masterful. He chaired the Committee with quiet but firm strength. Perhaps his greatest legislative achievement during that time was the State Department Authorization bill that became law in 1994. As the ranking member of the International Operations Subcommittee, I worked closely with then Chairman Pell and the Subcommittee Chair, Senator Kerry of Massachusetts, to produce a sound, bipartisan bill. This legislation made significant strides to streamline the State Department bureaucracy. It also set us on a course to reform the United Nations, and made significant improvements in our Nation's nonproliferation laws. Senator Pell's inspirational commitment to world peace is exceeded only by his strong dedication to the cause of education in this country. In 1972, Senator Pell shepherded to passage legislation that established the Basic Education Opportunity Grants Program--a college aid program for economically disadvantaged college students. Today, we know them as Pell Grants. Nearly 25 years after their creation, Pell Grants represent a beacon of hope for young people who desire to attend college but lack the resources to attend. This Congress has shown its firm commitment to the Pell Grant program. Indeed, Pell Grants are now at their highest level in the program's history. The people of Rhode Island have numerous reasons to be proud of their senior senator. His entire life has been devoted to public service-- from membership in the Coast Guard to membership in the U.S. Senate. As we all know, our dear friend faces his greatest challenge to date-- battling Parkinson's disease. Since he made this announcement last year, my wife Harriet and I have had Senator Pell in our prayers. He will continue to be. We will miss the compassionate leadership of Senator Claiborne Pell. Most important, we will miss his friendship. Claiborne Pell can leave the Senate knowing that he has given our Nation a legislative legacy of the highest order, one that will be unrivaled for years to come. I wish my friend from Rhode Island the very best for many years to come.

Mr. PRESSLER

Mr. PRESSLER. Mr. President, the Senate soon will be voting on the motion to overrule the decision of the Chair with respect to the ruling that section 1223 of the conference report pending before the Senate violates rule 28 of the Senate by exceeding the scope of the authority of the conference committee. As chairman not only of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation which is the committee of jurisdiction in the Senate, but also as chairman of the conference committee that produced this report, I rise to ask my colleagues to overturn the ruling of the Chair in this matter. Do I do so because I believe the provision was, in fact, within the scope of the conference? No, Mr. President, I admit this section, added by an amendment offered by the distinguished Senator from South Carolina, and the ranking member of the Commerce Committee, Senator Hollings, was not contained in the legislation as initially passed by either the House or the Senate. I am also fully aware that Rule 28.2 of the Standing Rules of the Senate clearly states a conference committee ``shall not insert in their report matter not committed to them by either House.'' However, Mr. President, those on the opposite side of the issue know full well that this is done with some frequency when a particular situation necessitates such action. Those Members also know that as a result, sections in many, if not most of the conference reports considered in this body would be subject to this same point of order. Do we raise such points of order? No, Mr. President, we do not. Why? Because all Members know full well that this is how we conduct our business and have done so throughout our history. Indeed, in this very conference report, if we are to fully and fairly adopt the line of reasoning that section 1223 exceeds the scope of the conference, we need to look at several other sections of the report added by the conference committee I chaired that were in neither the House nor Senate passed versions of the underlying legislation. Let me give a few examples. Section 302 of the conference report directs the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to certify companies providing security screening and to improve the training and testing of security screeners through development of uniform performance standards. Mr. President, this provision appears in neither the House nor the Senate bill. It was added in conference after it was made as one of the recommendations of Vice President Gore's Commission on Aviation Security, of which I am proud to be a member. It was included by the conferees because it was determined to be important enough for this Nation's airline security that Congress should not wait until next year to enact the recommendation. For similar security reasons, the conference included Section 305(b) giving the FAA Administrator authority to deploy Government purchased explosive detection devices. Mr. President, I would point out that this provision was considered by the conferees at the request of the administration. Both the administration and members of the conference knew it was an important part of efforts to improve aviation security in this country. I have to admit, Mr. President, as such not much thought was given to whether it was technically within the authority of the conference committee to act. As final examples I would cite section 503 concerning studies of minimum standards for pilot qualifications and of pay for training and section 1220 concerning structures interfering with air commerce. Again, neither was in the House or Senate bills. Again, the conference acted because it was important that Congress deal with the matters. Mr. President, no Member has risen to raise a rule 28 point of order against these provisions. Why? Because none has become so unfairly politicized as section 1223. Indeed, the fact that the Senator from Massachusetts has raised the scope issue only against this one section of the report seems to indicate he may be less interested in the sanctity of the Senate rules than he is in making a political statement. I certainly will not waste the Senate's time by rehashing the arguments made over the last 3 days. Lord knows we have wasted far too much time already on this point. I will simply summarize what I have already said. This is not about unfairly granting a special interest provision to a single large corporation. Interestingly, none of the Members that have raised that point on the floor of the Senate over the last 3 days served on the ICC conference last December that started all this. Thus, they simply are not in a position to know the facts. Who does know the facts, Mr. President? Those of us who actually served on the ICC conference. Those of us who were actually in the room. Those of us who actually wrote the conference agreement. I was there, Mr. President. I know what did and did not happen and what was and was not agreed to. The Senator from South Carolina was there, Mr. President. He too, knows what we were about. We made a mistake. We inadvertently changed a section of Federal law we never voted to change. That is why Senator Hollings offered this amendment in conference and why we included section 1223 in the conference report. We needed to correct our mistake. It starts there and it ends there Mr. President. We were doing nothing more or less than fixing an unfair situation we created in another bill. Finally, Mr. President, those supporting the ruling of the Chair warn us that we are setting a very dangerous precedent if we overrule the Chair on this point of order. We are warned this will only be the beginning. That soon we will be faced with conference reports changing civil rights laws and making major revisions to health care. Mr. President, I prefer to give my colleagues more credit than that. Obviously, if, for example, a conference committee on a Commerce Committee bill like this one produces a report that rewrites our civil rights laws a point of order surely will be raised. Just as obviously, such a point of order would likely be sustained by a huge majority of the Members of this body. But that is not what we are talking about. What we are voting on today is whether to allow this Conference Committee to fix an honest mistake. It is that simple. I urge my colleagues to vote to overturn the ruling of the Chair. Mr. President, let me also take just a moment to thank those individuals who have been so instrumental to the passage of this critical legislation. As has already been said, this process has taken the better part of the last 2 years. It would not have been possible without a great deal of dedication and hard work on the part of many of my colleagues and some very talented staff work. My good friend from Arizona, Senator McCain, has been a driving force behind this legislation. Senator McCain skillfully managed this legislation and his outstanding work and leadership helped make this significant legislative accomplishment possible. I also want to commend my good friend from Alaska, Senator Stevens, whose legislative skill and leadership contributed greatly to this legislation. Senator Stevens' dedication to improving aviation safety and improving the treatment of families of aviation disaster victims is exemplary. Let me also commend and thank my good friend from South Carolina, the ranking member of the Commerce Committee Senator Hollings, who provided important leadership on this bipartisan legislation. Also, let me acknowledge the efforts of Senator Ford, the ranking member of the Aviation Subcommittee. Mr. President, I would be remiss if I failed to acknowledge the outstanding contribution staff from the Commerce Committee and personal offices made in this process. For the past 2 years, staff has worked literally thousands of hours on this legislation. From the Commerce Committee, I wish to commend the outstanding efforts of Paddy Link, Tom Hohenthaner, Mike Reynolds, and Mike Korens from the majority staff and Kevin Curtin and Sam Whitehorn from the minority staff. I also want to commend the outstanding efforts of Chris Paul of Senator McCain's staff, Mitch Rose and Earl Comstock of Senator Stevens' staff, Amy Henderson of Senator Hutchison's staff and Tom Zoeller of Senator Ford's staff. I thank them all for all the professionalism, dedication and hard work during both good times and bad. I think the final bill embodies the true spirit of bipartisan compromise and cooperation that is the mark of excellence in the legislative process. All involved should be proud.

Mr. PRESSLER

Mr. PRESSLER. I agree with the Senator. The information you request should have been included within the charter of the blue ribbon commission that will be looking into these matters under this legislation. After this legislation is enacted, I will talk to the Secretary of Transportation to make sure that the Senator's request is satisfied and that the data he requests is assembled and timely made available to all of us. I appreciate his bringing this oversight to our attention.

Mr. PRESSLER

Mr. PRESSLER. Mr. President, for the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, I report favorably one nomination list in the Coast Guard, which was printed in full in the Congressional Record on September 27, 1996, and ask unanimous consent, to save the expense of reprinting on the Executive Calendar, that this nomination lie at the Secretary's desk for the information of Senators

Mr. PRESSLER

Mr. PRESSLER. Mr. President, as chairman of the conference on H.R. 3539, the Federal Aviation Authorization Act of l996, I rise in support of this critically important aviation safety and security legislation. Despite some unwarranted, partisan exchanges in the past few days-- unwarranted because this is in no way a partisan issue--this is bipartisan legislation which enjoys strong support on both sides of the aisle. When we vote on final passage later this week, I believe this legislation quite deservedly will enjoy overwhelming support. There are many Senators from both parties who had a hand in crafting this legislation. Today, I wish to express my personal thanks to some of my colleagues. My good friend from Arizona, Senator McCain, has been a driving force behind this legislation. As chairman of the Aviation Subcommittee, Senator McCain set the lofty goal of meaningful reform of the FAA. Through Senator McCain's tireless efforts, this legislation puts in place a mechanism to ensure the FAA is on firm footing to meet our aviation needs well into the new century. Senator McCain's great vision in aviation policy can be seen throughout this conference report. I also want to commend my good friend from Alaska, Senator Stevens, who is really the unsung hero of this legislation. When we reached an impasse as to how best to address the question of long-term FAA financing reform, it was Senator Stevens' thoughtful suggestion of an independent task force study that broke the deadlock. Those who have watched the debate on this conference report over the past week have seen firsthand Senator Stevens' passion for aviation safety and improving the treatment of families of aviation disaster victims. Let me also commend and thank my good friend from South Carolina, the ranking member of the Commerce Committee, Senator Hollings, who provided important leadership on this conference report. Also, let me acknowledge the leadership of Senator Ford, the ranking member of the Aviation Subcommittee. H.R. 3539 is a bipartisan, omnibus aviation safety and security bill. It reauthorizes the airport improvement program [AIP] and thereby ensures airports across the Nation will continue to receive Federal funding for safety-related repairs and other improvements. It reforms the FAA in a way which hopefully will reduce bureaucracy, increase responsiveness, and enhance the efficiency of that agency. The conference report also contains numerous provisions which will improve aviation safety, enhance aviation security and provide long overdue assistance to the families of victims of aviation disasters. Mr. President, as I have said repeatedly in this body over the past few days, we have a responsibility to the American traveling public to pass this legislation before we adjourn. For instance, this legislation provides statutory authority to deploy explosive detection devices at our Nation's airports as recommended by the White House Commission on Aviation Safety and Security on which I serve. Even though yesterday the Congress approved funding to purchase these explosive detection devices, without passage of this conference report the Federal Government will not have statutory authority to deploy them. Such a scenario is completely unacceptable. The American public expects the level of security at our airports to be improved immediately. We must respond before the Senate adjourns. Mr. President, I wish to speak for a few minutes about what this legislation means to my home State of South Dakota. In South Dakota, air service is critical to economic development. For example, the decision whether to open a new factory in a small city or where to locate a new business often turns on the availability of good air service. That was never more evident to me than when a company recently visited Rapid City, SD to consider relocating there. This move would create more than 100 new jobs. One of the very first questions they asked my staff concerned air service between Rapid City and a major hub airport. In South Dakota, air service and economic development go hand in hand. Mr. President, this legislation is a great air service victory for South Dakota. First, the legislation doubles the size of the Essential Air Service [EAS] program to $50 million. What does that mean? It means the cities of Brookings, Mitchell, and Yankton in my State will be ensured of a continued air service link to our national air service network. In addition to helping to protect existing EAS service in Brookings, Mitchell, and Yankton, I am hopeful that a $50 million EAS program will result in increased air service for these cities. A $50 million EAS Program is great news for the economy of South Dakota. Second, the legislation ensures small airports such as those in South Dakota finally receive their full and fair share of AIP entitlement funds. Adequately maintained airports are critical to air service. They also are critical to air safety. Under the new AIP formula I helped develop in this conference report, South Dakota airports are big winners. For instance, AIP entitlement funds will increase at least $225,000 annually for the Sioux Falls Regional Airport, $170,000 for the Rapid City Airport, and $100,000 each for the Aberdeen, Regional Airport and the Pierre Regional Airport. Hopefully, improved airport facilities resulting from this formula adjustment will help stimulate increased air service in Sioux Falls, Rapid City, Aberdeen and Pierre. Again, such a result would be great news for economic development in those cities and our State. The new formula ensures they receive their fair share of Federal dollars. Mr. President, this conference report should have passed the Senate last week. Regrettably, a few Senators have been using procedural maneuvers to hold up this vitally important aviation safety and security legislation over one provision they find objectionable. During debate, I have listened to those Senators mischaracterize this provision as some type of conspiracy by the Republican leadership. That baseless assertion could not be further from the truth. As the distinguished ranking member of the Commerce Committee, Senator Hollings forcefully pointed out during yesterday's debate, the provision in dispute is a provision that Senator Hollings, a senior Democratic Member of this body, offered. Moreover, there is nothing partisan about the Hollings amendment. In fact, it was supported by all five Senate conferees including Senator Hollings and Senator Ford, two of the most respected Democratic Members of this body. Yesterday during debate on the Hollings amendment, I heard several Members of the group blocking this legislation make blanket statements that the Hollings amendment is not truly a technical correction. With all due respect to those Members, I authored the ICC Termination Act. I know what we intended to do in that legislation. Therefore, I can unequivocally say they are dead wrong. In the ICC legislation, the Senate never intended to strip Federal Express or any person of rights without the benefit of a hearing, debate or even discussion. That point is made crystal clear by section 10501 which reads ``the enactment of the ICC Termination Act of 1995 shall neither expand nor contract coverage of the employees and employers by the Railway Labor Act.'' Mr. President, fairness dictates we correct that inadvertent error. That is precisely what the Hollings amendment does. It is exactly why I supported it in conference. It is why I continue to support it strongly. This historic piece of aviation legislation reflects the outstanding work Congress does when it proceeds on a bipartisan basis. We should meet our responsibility to the American traveling public by passing it as soon as possible. Lets get the job done for the American public. I urge that the Senate immediately pass the conference report to accompany H.R. 3539.

Mr. PRESSLER

Mr. PRESSLER. Mr. President, we near the close of the 104th Congress will adjourn. Adjournment also will bring to a close the distinguished Senate career of Wyoming's senior Senator, the honorable Al Simpson. I am confident that Senate historians will see Al Simpson the way his colleagues already see him: as one of the truly great Senators of his era. I will miss Al Simpson--his leadership, his guidance, his wit, and most of all, his friendship. Al Simpson and I entered the Senate at the same time--in 1979. At that time, he already had accumulated some Senate experience as the son of another legendary Wyoming Senator, Milward Simpson. A story is told that Abraham Lincoln once began a meeting of his closest advisors by reading to them a piece from the humorist Artemus Ward. Lincoln seemed to be the only one who enjoyed the piece and found himself the only one laughing. Lincoln was said to have chastised his colleagues: ``Why don't you laugh? With the fearful strain that is upon me night and day, if I did not laugh I should die, and you need this medicine as much as I do.'' All of my colleagues would agree that the medicine of humor is best dispensed by our senior colleague from Wyoming. Perhaps not since Abraham Lincoln has Washington had a better practitioner in the art of medicinal humor. It has become a fond and regular experience to come to the floor for a vote, or visit the cloakrooms and see a small group of Senators listening delightfully to the yarns spun by our friend from Wyoming. When Senator Simpson formally addresses the Senate, we can count on his statements to be both informative and entertaining. I will miss Al Simpson's good nature and quick wit. The full measure of Al Simpson is more than good humor. He is a man of enormous intellect and profound leadership. Al Simpson is sharp--as sharp as a tack, and as tough as a good piece of saddle leather, as he would probably say. But to see how tough Al Simpson is, and to understand his deep belief in the cause of public service, one need only take a look at the issues he has championed. Senator Simpson's extraordinary career no doubt will be remembered for his efforts on three very challenging issues--immigration, veterans affairs and entitlement reform. Each of those issues is vitally important, but frankly each can be thankless tasks. It is appropriate that the 104th Congress will conclude with the passage of a comprehensive bill to address the serious problem of illegal immigration. This is the third major immigration bill shepherded in large measure by our friend from Wyoming. That is quite a record of legislative achievement given the volatile emotions that underlie this issue and the diverse interests involved. It's even more amazing when one considers that Senator Simpson hails from a great State not known for being a magnet for illegal immigrants. The tremendous leadership he has demonstrated on this issue is a testament to Senator Simpson's commitment to pursue what's in our Nation's interest, and to pursue such issues vigorously. The same vigor is shown in Senator Simpson's commitment to our Nation's veterans. The Senator from Wyoming, like myself, is a veteran of the U.S. Army. Few have the level of understanding, the strong sense of compassion and fairness, that Al Simpson has displayed toward our veterans. As chairman of the Veterans Affairs Committee during a time of tremendous budgetary constraints, Al Simpson has made sure that this Nation maintains its commitment to the brave veterans who answered the call and made sacrifices for their country. All men and women who once adorned a military uniform to defend our country, as well as this Senate, and this Nation will miss this true friend of the American veteran. Finally, Senator Al Simpson is a man of great vision--a man who believes that Congress has a duty to anticipate and prevent future problems. He's right. No example demonstrates this belief more than his almost lonely effort to address the lurking problem of Federal entitlements, from Social Security to Medicare. Along with our friend from Nebraska, Senator Kerrey, Senator Simpson chaired the Bipartisan Commission on Entitlement and Tax Reform. This commission found ominous signs that indicate now is the time to begin the process of reforming our Social Security and Medicare systems. It's no secret that both systems are incredibly important to our senior citizens. No doubt, this Nation owes a great debt of gratitude to Al Simpson for embarking this Senate, this Congress, and this Nation on what we all hope is the road toward true reform of Federal entitlements. Now our dear friend from Wyoming soon will be speaking not from the Senate floor but from a Harvard lecture hall. The Senate's loss is certainly Harvard's gain. No doubt the fortunate young people who attend Professor Simpson's class will be entertained and informed. I hope the academic world will appreciate one basic fact: Al Simpson tells it like it is. For that, he has my admiration. I will miss my Senate classmate. My wife Harriet and I always have enjoyed Senator Simpson and his wife Ann. They are great friends, and we look forward to seeing them should our travels take us to Cambridge or their's to Washington or South Dakota. I hope my friend from Wyoming doesn't mind if I drop in on his class on occasion, not just to gain the benefit of his thoughtful insights, but to hear again his homespun stories and receive yet another dose of his tremendous good humor. I wish Al and Ann Simpson the very, very best.

Mr. PRESSLER

Mr. PRESSLER. Mr. President, I would like to take a moment to commend the Asian Development Bank [ADB] for its role in the growth and continuing prosperity in Asian and Pacific developing countries. Further, I urge the ADB to involve our Nation's small business community in efforts to further prosperity in this part of the world. The economic and social evolution underway in Asia has taken place at an incredible rate over the past decade. The ADB is playing an important role in this development, providing funds to improve and strengthen Asia's infrastructure. As my colleagues know, the Asian Development Bank was founded in 1966 to function as an international development finance institution for the Asian and Pacific region. Headquartered in Manila, in the Philippines, the ADB had 56 member countries--40 within the Asian and Pacific region and 16 from outside the region--as of March 31, 1996. The ADB is engaged in promoting the economic and social progress of the Asian and Pacific region. Development banks in the world today with similar roles include the Inter-American Development Bank, the World Bank, and the African Development Bank. Specifically, the ADB extends low interest loans to fund special projects in Asian and Pacific developing countries. The ADB finances infrastructure projects such as power plants, roads, bridges, and other ventures which have a strong impact on the designated area. This kind of financial support is critical to further the dynamic growth of Asian economies--growth that presents tremendous opportunities for U.S. businesses. Established businesses in the United States, such as AT&T and Price Waterhouse, as well as smaller agricultural firms, such as Seminole Fertilizer Corp., benefit greatly from the exponential growth and progress of Asia. I encourage the ADB to seek opportunities for greater participation by U.S. small businesses as part of its future projects. The ADB assists private enterprises in undertaking financially viable projects which also have significant economic development merit and catalyzing the flow of domestic and external resources to such projects. For example, the bank allocated over $3.3 billion to develop telecommunications services in Asia's poorest areas and will invest almost $1 billion on telecommunications networks in India alone. The ADB also provides loans, equity investments, and technical assistance, and also cofinances projects with bilateral and multilateral agencies as well as export credit and commercial sources. As of June 30, 1995, the bank had approved $51.9 billion in loans for 1,236 projects in 34 countries and $3.9 billion for 3,539 technical assistance grants. As a donor member, the United States has contributed to the Asian Development Fund [ADF], which is the ADB's window for concessional lending to its borrowing member countries. Each year, ADB extends loans to fund projects and activities in Asian and Pacific developing countries, and provides several billion U.S. dollars worth of contracts to procure goods and consulting services. In 1995, the United States ranked first among donor member countries in total procurement, with a donor amount of $333 million dollars. The ADF, which is crucial to the bank's ability to grant loans, is the ADB's main soft-loan program. This soft-loan program lets donor countries apply for grants at a generous interest-free level, which makes it feasible for many poor countries to apply and receive loans to improve their environment, transportation, infrastructure, and communications. A country that requests an interest-free loan from the ADF must fulfill requirements set by the ADB. The ADB stresses that the member countries have good governance which will permit a successful management of the development process, which encourages economic and political stability in the region. As a development partner, the ADB has a clear and direct interest in the capacity of borrowing governments to fulfill their economic role by implementing the associated policies. The success of the ADB's project investments depends on the efficacy of the institutional framework in development member countries [DMC]. In addition, governments are expected to perform certain key functions, including maintaining macroeconomic stability; developing infrastructure; providing public goods; preventing market failures; and promoting equity. Without macroeconomic stability, business prospects are uncertain and investment risks are high. Further, the bank advises the developing countries regarding human rights, social and environmental policies, and other areas before accepting the country for a grant. Mr. President, the replenishment of the ADF has been a ongoing problem. At present, ADF is expected to run out of money by year-end. In that respect, the ADB, along with other development banks, have been trying to arrange financing through private financial institutions. Multilateral agencies, such as ADB, likely will shift more funding to socially-oriented projects in the future, and have vast projects financed by private financial institutions. The ADB has confronted and overcome many challenges, thanks to the efforts of its leadership. I would like to commend the diligent efforts of Ambassador Yang of the Asian Development Bank. Former California Savings and Loan Commissioner Linda Tsao Yang of Davis, CA, is the U.S. ambassador on the 12 member board of executive directors of the ADB. Ms. Yang has operated her own financial consulting firm since stepping down from the State S&L post in 1982. Her expertise during these challenging times is certainly welcome at the ADB. I may not always agree with the bank's direction on a specific issue, but the overall direction of the ADB has been positive. Ambassador Yang is aggressively pursuing creative roles for the ADB to play in a manner which advances our Nation's commercial interests in that part of the world. Thanks in part to these creative efforts, the Asian continent is an exciting and promising region of the world for the residents and for those playing a part in its development.

Mr. PRESSLER

Mr. PRESSLER. Mr. President, I rise to speak on legislation that the senior Senator from North Dakota is introducing today that will provide for the distribution of a judgment to the Sisseton-Wahpeton Sioux Tribe and lineal descendants of tribe members. This issue has been in litigation for many years and has been previously dealt with by Congress. Still, the issue remains unresolved. I want to see this matter taken care of to the satisfaction of all parties involved, once and for all. I believe the legislation the Senator from North Dakota is sponsoring is an essential first step in getting the job done. While perhaps not the ultimate resolution of the issue, the legislation should be carefully considered by Congress. All parties involved deserve a chance to be heard. As I believe thoughtful, bipartisan consideration of this bill will help push this issue off dead center and rolling toward resolution, I have decided to cosponsor this legislation. I urge my colleagues to give it serious consideration when the measure appears before them in committee and on the Senate floor.

Mr. PRESSLER

Mr. PRESSLER. Mr. President, I rise to speak on legislation that the senior Senator from North Dakota is introducing today that will provide for the distribution of a judgment to the Sisseton-Wahpeton Sioux Tribe and lineal descendants of tribe members. This issue has been in litigation for many years and has been previously dealt with by Congress. Still, the issue remains unresolved. I want to see this matter taken care of to the satisfaction of all parties involved, once and for all. I believe the legislation the Senator from North Dakota is sponsoring is an essential first step in getting the job done. While perhaps not the ultimate resolution of the issue, the legislation should be carefully considered by Congress. All parties involved deserve a chance to be heard. As I believe thoughtful, bipartisan consideration of this bill will help push this issue off dead center and rolling toward resolution, I have decided to cosponsor this legislation. I urge my colleagues to give it serious consideration when the measure appears before them in committee and on the Senate floor.

Mr. PRESSLER

Mr. PRESSLER. Mr. President, I am honored to salute one of Oregon's and our nation's finest legislators and statesmen, my colleague Senator Mark Hatfield, who will soon retire from the U.S. Senate. Mark Hatfield is one of the Senate's all-time great leaders. His career has been marked by a voting record based upon consistency and a deep commitment to high principles. The Senator from Oregon will leave behind a very distinguished history of public service to his State and country. As a young serviceman in the Navy, Mark Hatfield was one of the first Americans to see Hiroshima after the atomic bomb was dropped. When he returned home, he became a political science professor and university dean at his alma mater, Willamette University. In 1951, Mark Hatfield was elected to the Oregon House of Representatives where he quickly moved up through the ranks and then was appointed Oregon's secretary of state. Soon after, he was elected Governor of Oregon for two terms. Throughout his career of more than four decades in state and national politics, Mark Hatfield never lost an election. In 1966, he was elected to the U.S. Senate. During two periods as chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator Hatfield exemplified the perseverance and diligence of an experienced legislator. In his role as chairman, he succeeded in the challenging task of matching the more local needs of his colleagues with the national need to reduce our budget deficits. In the past 2 years, he has kept his committee on track to achieve a balanced budget by the year 2002. For that alone, all Americans should be grateful. My friend from Oregon has been one of our most articulate champions for arms control and nuclear nonproliferation. These are special issues for me as well. He has stood by me as I've worked to reduce the spread of nuclear weapons in South Asia. He deserves to feel great pride in his untiring efforts to achieve a moratorium on nuclear testing. Mark Hatfield also will be remembered as a strong voice for economic growth and development. He has pushed to allow more roads and responsible logging practices in Federal forests. He has fought to protect Columbia River salmon and has demonstrated much concern for the interests of Oregon's Indian tribes. Senator Hatfield's determination to stand by his principles, even in the face of severe partisan pressure, has been admired by all his colleagues. Mark Hatfield has always been a consensus builder on bills that have become bogged down in partisan politics. For example, he voiced his strong concerns about the safe drinking water legislation and the need to establish reasonable standards for contaminants. In this effort he kept in mind the many concerned States and cities that fear the onerous financial burdens the Federal bureaucracy too often impose. I applaud my colleague for his many valiant bipartisan efforts. The Senate soon will bid farewell to our friend from Oregon, Mark Hatfield. His colleagues and constituents can look back on his career with great respect and gratitude. Mr. President, as the 104th Congress draws to a close, I wish Senator Hatfield all the best in his future endeavors. My wife, Harriet, and I wish Senator Hatfield and his lovely wife Antoinette continued happiness, joy, and more quality time with their grandchildren. I am proud to have served in the Senate with Mark Hatfield. I am even more proud to call Mark and Antoinette Hatfield my good friends.

Mr. PRESSLER

Mr. PRESSLER. Mr. President, today I pay tribute to a friend and fellow midwestern Senator--Jim Exon. Senator Exon and I entered the Senate together in 1978. I have enjoyed working with him on issues important to our states: South Dakota and Nebraska. We are not just fellow Senators, but fellow South Dakotans. He was born in Geddes, South Dakota, and once a South Dakotan, always a South Dakotan. When he retires at the end of the 104th Congress, I will miss him personally, as well as his dedication to rural America. I have a great deal of respect for Senator Exon. He has served his fellow Nebraskans well. As ranking member of the Senate Budget Committee, he has been a driving force to get a balanced budget amendment passed in Congress. He understands well the importance of balancing the Federal budget. He knows that Federal spending must be reined in and that we owe it to our children to control our Government's ``out-of-control'' spending habits. He has a vision for our economic future--a vision that embraces the interests of rural America. Senator Exon and I have served together for many years on the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee. He has worked hard on the Commerce Committee, as he has on the Armed Services and Budget Committees. As our Nation evolves into the information age, Jim Exon has worked diligently to ensure that the information superhighway maintains high decency standards and that telecommunications reform includes the interests of rural states. Additionally, Jim Exon has worked to keep our transportation network safe. Whether the issue is high speed rail safety or the transportation of hazardous materials, Jim Exon has been committed to improving our current transportation infrastructure. Jim Exon's expertise on commerce and budget issues will not be easily replaced in Congress following his retirement. His care and concern for the people of Nebraska and the midwest will be missed. I will not forget Jim's dedication and commitment to his State and nation. As a World War II veteran, he has brought a level of patriotism, pride, and tenacity to this congressional body that cannot be matched. As I bid my friend farewell, I am saddened by his departure, but am happy for him as he embarks on a new facet of his life. I wish Jim and his wife, Patricia Ann, all the best in their post-Senate days. Their presence in Washington will be missed, but never forgotten.

Mr. PRESSLER

Mr. PRESSLER. Mr. President, I rise to pay tribute to my dear friend and colleague, Senator William Cohen of Maine. Upon his retirement from this body, Senator Cohen will leave behind a legacy of camaraderie, hard work, and dedication to the people of Maine and the United States. His spirit of cooperation will be missed by his friends, constituents and colleagues. Mr. President, it is fitting that Senator Cohen announced his retirement in the chambers of the Bangor City Council--the place where he began his three decades of public service to the people of Maine. In 1969, he proved to be a gifted leader during his tenure as Bangor City Councilor. In 1971, he was elected mayor. In his role as a local public official, Senator Cohen realized quickly the necessity for strong leadership and representation at the national level. In response, he walked over 600 miles across the State of Maine and knocked on thousands of doors in his campaign for the U.S. House of Representatives. In 1972, his grassroots effort paid off and he was elected to Congress. It was in the House that my colleague first made his mark as an advocate of a stalwart national defense, effective intelligence system, and the highest ethical standards for Members of Congress and intelligence agency employees. As a member of the Armed Services Committee, he consistently has sought to keep our national security a top priority. He fought to ensure that America's defense readiness did not fall by the wayside in the face of budgetary constraints. He has been a true guardian of our Nation's security. His efforts have earned the gratitude and respect of all Members of this body and the people of Maine and our Nation. A legislator, author, father, husband, and attorney, Bill Cohen often is referred to as a ``Renaissance Man.'' Over the years, he has shared his literary talents through books such as ``Of Sons and Seasons,'' ``Murder in the Senate,'' and ``A Baker's Nickel.'' His poetry first impressed us 20 years ago during a congressional prayer breakfast when he read several of his poems aloud. He acquired many of his literary fans then and has kept us entertained and inspired ever since. Since then, his literary gift has provided us a fascinating glimpse into his thoughtful and insightful mind. He is a multi-talented leader whose knowledge and genius are certain to guide him through a fulfilling post-Senatorial career. My friend from Maine has said that writing takes solitude--a rare commodity in the busy life he now leads. As he moves on from this hurried lifestyle, I wish him years of solitude, peace, and happiness with his children and wife Janet. Godspeed to my dear friend from Maine.

Mr. PRESSLER

Mr. PRESSLER. Mr. President, I would like to bid fond farewell and Godspeed to one of my good friends and colleagues, Bennett Johnston, the senior senator from Louisiana. Senator Johnston soon will retire from the Senate, leaving behind a record of major legislative achievements. His dedication and perseverance will be missed by all of us who remain, as well as his constituents in Louisiana. Bennett Johnston's career of public service began with his enlistment in the Army in 1956. He served in the Louisiana State Legislature--4 years each in the House and Senate--before he was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1972. Mr. President, during his four terms in the Senate, Bennett Johnston always championed his state's interests. He fought diligently for Federal funding that transformed a pothole-filled road through Louisiana into frequently traveled Interstate 49. This vital transportation artery will be a fitting reminder to all Louisianians of Bennett Johnston's commitment to them. He also led the way for a new Red River navigation system, ports and levees, research facilities, wildlife refuges and parks. His roles as chairman and ranking member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources made Senator Johnston a national figure. Perhaps his most significant legislative achievement was the National Energy Security Act--a comprehensive bill that established him as a master of energy policy. This bill was passed in the wake of the Persian Gulf War, and it has reduced our country's dependence on foreign oil. According to Marribell S. Ayres, executive director of the National Independent Energy Producers, the way Bennett Johnston handled the bill reminded her of the old saying, ``talent is when opportunity meets preparation.'' The bill was a masterful achievement in legislating and he always will be remembered for that accomplishment. I will miss Bennett Johnston's thoughtfulness and fairness on issues relating to our national resources, such as mining and timber issues. He has been a fair advocate for the concept of multiple use of Federal lands. He knows that multiple use is responsible use. Mr. President, Bennett Johnston put it best when he announced in January 1995 that he would not run for re-election: There are rhythms and tides and seasons in life. I have been fortunate in my life to sense the rhythm and sail it full tide, and now I believe that season for a new beginning approaches. With that thought in mind, I wish my friend from Louisiana and his wonderful wife, Mary, the best of luck as they set sail from the Senate on what surely will be yet another rewarding journey in an already exciting, fulfilling lifetime voyage of public service.