[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 144 (Thursday, October 6, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: October 6, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                TRIBUTE TO THE HONORABLE WILLIAM D. FORD

                                 ______


                               speech of

                          HON. XAVIER BECERRA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, October 4, 1994

  Mr. BECERRA. Mr. Speaker, in my first term I have had the honor and 
pleasure to serve on the Education and Labor Committee. In this time, I 
have had the opportunity to witness and learn from the tireless efforts 
of the Chairman of the committee, William D. Ford, whom I rise today to 
salute.
  Chairman Ford has, in his 30 year career in Congress, distinguished 
himself as an astute and tenacious leader on education and labor 
legislation.He has left his imprint on virtually every major piece of 
legislation passed in the fields of education and labor since the 
Johnson administration. In his very first year of service on the 
Education and Labor Committee, he was involved in the enactment of 
groundbreaking legislation, including the Head Start Program, the 
Higher Education Act, and the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.
  The son of working class parents in the industrial sector, Chairman 
Ford has shown unparalleled dedication to labor issues. From striker 
replacement, to workplace safety issues, he has consistently championed 
the rights of working Americans.
  Throughout his career, Chairman Ford fought diligently for the rights 
and protection of migrant workers, passing legislation dealing with 
migrant crew leader reform. Under his watch, the National 
Labor Relations Act was amended to include our 5 million uncovered 
health industry workers, ERISA was passed, and plant closing 
notification was signed into law.

  He is equally dedicated to education issues. A self-described ``blue-
collar kid,'' Chairman Ford attended an automotive trade school before 
completing college and law school with assistance from the GI bill. 
Partly as a result of his own educational background, Chairman Ford 
took an active role and was instrumental in increasing financial aid 
eligibility for trade school students by removing requirements that 
participating institutions must be nonprofit. These actions reflect 
Chairman Ford's belief that all students are deserving of adequate 
education and training to prepare them for a productive future.
  More recently, he led the effort to dramatically reform the Federal 
Student Loan Program through the enactment of President Clinton's 
Direct Loan Program last year. Clearly, Representative Ford is driven 
by a steadfast belief that students should have ample opportunity to 
excel, never allowing academic excellence to be hampered by financial 
constraints.
  In the 103d Congress, Chairman Ford has steered legislative measures 
through the Education and Labor Committee which comprise the most 
significant legislative victories of the Clinton administration, 
including the Family and Medical Leave Act, Goals 2000, National 
Community Service, School-to-Work, and, in the final days of the 
Congress and of his tenure, the reauthorization of the Elementary and 
Secondary Education Act.
  While elements of the ESEA were not without detractors, one would be 
hard-pressed to find someone who would speak against the bill as a 
whole--it was Chairman Ford's task to pull all of these different 
viewpoints together to achieve passage of the bill. The ESEA 
conference--which I was fortunate to be part of--was an incredible 
learning experience and while I sometimes did not agree with some of my 
colleagues, I left the conference with a great admiration for the 
chairman's ability to forge consensus.
  When the Congress reconvenes next year, it will be without one of its 
most eloquent and dedicated education leaders. The determination and 
intellect he brought to every legislative challenge will be missed. I 
salute him and thank him for his efforts on behalf of labor and 
education and, more personally, I must acknowledge my appreciation at 
having had the opportunity to serve with the chairman and participate 
in the development of so many significant pieces of legislation in the 
Education and Labor Committee. I wish him all the best for the future--
he will be missed.

                          ____________________