[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 30 (Wednesday, February 15, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2755-S2756]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                         A DIAMOND ANNIVERSARY

  Mr. BYRD. Mr. President, one of the vital crusades in American 
history was the women's sufferage movement--a giant step that, in 
extending voting power to American women, vitalized our entire 
democracy as few changes in our political system have.
  A complement to the extension of voting rights to women was the 
founding, seventy-five years ago, of the League of Women Voters of the 
United States, a non-partisan organization of more than 1,100 chapters 
and in excess of 150,000 members and supporters nationwide. In my own 
State, West Virginians can be particularly proud that the current 
National President of the League of Women Voters of the United States 
is Mrs. Becky Cain, St. Albans, West Virginia. She is a woman who has 
served with great distinction during her two-year term.
  As I suggested, today marks the seventy-fifth anniversary of the 
League--its ``Diamond'' Anniversary, as it were. Certainly, throughout 
those seventy-five years, the League of Women Voters has more than 
proved and reproved its value to our democratic way of life in its 
unflagging efforts to educate voters, to encourage the exercise of our 
precious franchise, to elevate political debate, and to urge improved 
quality among the men and women who seek public office.
  Mr. President, as we witness the birth pangs of democratic practice 
around the world--as we observe nations and groups of people within 
nations struggling to learn and to revere democratic institutions, and 
to respect honest differences of opinion within their electorates--we 
can be thankful that America has come so far in little more than two 
centuries in balancing and preserving those instruments of political 
and electoral life that have provided us with a long heritage of the 
peaceful transfer of political power and mutual respect among people 
with differing political values. In no small part, we owe to the League 
of Women Voters a large measure of our gratitude for enshrining that 
tradition of civility in our national electoral life. I believe that 
for that legacy of peaceful change and spirited debate in lieu of armed 
conflict, we stand indebted to efforts of groups such as the League of 
Women Voters--groups devoted to the peaceful and serious practice of 
democracy.
  Mr. President, I salute the League of Women Voters, and I know that I 
speak for all of our colleagues on the League's anniversary in 
expressing my appreciation to the League for its record of the 
enhancement and celebration of our Constitutional rights, privileges, 
and ordinances.
                    TRIBUTE TO THE HON. CAL ANDERSON

  Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to a former 
colleague, a great legislator and a courageous and loyal friend, 
Washington State Senator Cal Anderson.
  I worked with Cal Anderson when I served in the Washington State 
Senate. He is known throughout my home State as an outstanding 
legislator. His reputation is one of hard work, of holding true to his 
beliefs but compromising for the greater good, and of reaching 
conclusions that work for everyone. Cal is a true believer, as I am, in 
good government.
  I was honored to work with him on open record policies in my home 
State. I was astounded by his ability to be inclusive, to bring 
everyone into the debate. Cal made sure that our bill was not just 
legislation that was good to look at but legislation that was good for 
people.
  Cal is a Vietnam veteran. He earned two Bronze Stars and four Army 
Commendation medals for meritorious service in that conflict. He is 
courageous, Mr. President, and he is honest. He has touched so many 
lives across this country--his very presence in our State legislature 
shows young people that no matter who they are or where they come from, 
everybody has a great deal to offer their communities and our country. 
His very presence tells us that America will be great when we let 
everybody participate and be an equal voice in our national dialog.
  Cal Anderson is one of the highest ranking openly gay elected 
officials in this country. He continues to break down stereotypes and 
ignorance. And, he is a champion and a role model for all people. 
Nobody in the State legislature thought of Cal as the ``gay 
legislator''; we thought of him as an extraordinary man who just 
happened to be gay.
  And, this week, Mr. President, with his characteristic honesty and 
integrity, Cal Anderson told us he has AIDS. He has been diagnosed with 
non-Hodgkins lymphoma and is undergoing chemotherapy. I called him 
today, and was not surprised to find him in his senate office in 
Olympia. He has a lot of work to do, and is determined to get it done.
  Mr. President, Cal Anderson's honestly should inspire all of us who 
shape public policy to take this epidemic seriously. In my own State, 
more than 5,500 men, women, and children have been diagnosed with AIDS. 
More than 1,100 cases have been reported over the previous year. Cases 
are growing in rural areas, and cases are growing among women.
  A few weeks ago, we learned the sad news that AIDS is now the leading 
cause of death of Americans between 
[[Page S2756]] the ages of 25 and 44. I fear that everyone in America 
will soon know someone who is infected with HIV. My friends and 
neighbors in Washington do now: his name is Senator Cal Anderson.
  Mr. President, let me conclude by thanking Cal for everything he does 
for my home State, and by wishing him and his partner, Eric, only the 
best with his therapy and in the future.


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