[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 67 (Tuesday, April 25, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5627-S5631]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                    TRIBUTE TO SENATOR JOHN STENNIS

  Mr. BYRD. Mr. President once again, the silver cord has been loosened 
and the golden bowl has been broken: ``Then shall the dust return to 
the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave 
it.'' These words from Ecclesiastes--spoken probably ten centuries 
before the birth of Christ--bare the indelible stamp of permanency. 
Somewhere, every day, every hour, every minute, they are brought home 
to someone, and in their train, follow the inevitable pain and sorrow 
and tears, that we all must bear when loved ones and friends depart 
from us in this earthly life. The angel of death is no respecter of 
persons, and each of us will one day hear the beating of his wings--

     Leaves have their time to fall,
     And flowers to wither at the north wind's breath,
     And stars to set--but all,
     Thou hast all seasons for thine own, O Death!

  Mr. President, it was with sorrow that I heard the sad news over the 
past weekend that our former colleague and friend, John Cornelius 
Stennis, had passed away at the age of 93. When I came to the United 
States Senate in January 1959, John Stennis was a Member of this body, 
and we served together 30 years--until he retired at the close of the 
100th Congress in 1989. So, it is with sadness that I pay tribute to 
the memory of this departed colleague today. As we grow older, we are 
obliged to bid farewell to some friend almost every day, and thus does 
the circle gradually, and all too rapidly, diminish; for--

     There is no union here of hearts
     That finds not here an end.

  Mr. President, John Stennis was a man who achieved greatly in life. 
For 41 years and 2 months, he represented a great and patriotic 
constituency in this Chamber, where some of the greatest men of the 
Republic have served and aspired to serve, and that achievement alone 
would mark him as a man among men. When we add to this the fact that he 
served as a member of the Mississippi State House of Representatives 
for 4 years, as district prosecuting attorney from 1932 to 1937, and as 
a circuit judge from 1937 to 1947, we begin to realize what a wonderful 
career we are remembering today--60 years in the public service--in 
elective positions, where neighbors and friends, who are often more 
critical than strangers, are the electors! What more could be said by 
way of eulogy? Volumes could be written and less said. Yet, that is the 
record of our former colleague and friend, who, in the merciful 
dispensations of an all-wise Providence, has now passed on to the other 
side.
  John Cornelius Stennis was born near DeKalb, Kemper County, 
Mississippi, on August 3, 1901. He attended the county schools; 
graduated from the Mississippi State College in 1923, and graduated 
from the University of Virginia Law School in 1928. He was admitted to 
the bar in 1928 and commenced practice in his home town of DeKalb. I 
had the honor of serving on the Arms Services Committee and on the 
Appropriations Committee with Senator Stennis, of both of which 
committees he had served as chairman before his voluntary retirement at 
the close of the 100th Congress.
  John Stennis was an honest man, and he was a good man, as good men go 
in this life--plain and modest. He was amiable, courteous, and 
courtly--a southern Christian gentleman, in every sense of the word. He 
was intellectually honest, a man of great moral rectitude, simple in 
his habits, and completely devoid of hypocrisy. He was a Senator who 
loved the Senate and who was dedicated to its traditions. He was 
conscious at all times, of the great trust confided in him by the 
people he represented, and he carried in his heart a great reverence 
for this institution and for the Constitution of our country. His was a 
steady hand, an upright character. He was a man of justice and fairness 
to all. He was unassuming in his manner, sincere and firm in his 
convictions. Devoid of envy, he was ambitious only to serve the cause 
of justice and humanity, and being of, for, and from the people, he 
gave his life to their service. In him, the great people of Mississippi 
had an ever faithful friend and servant.
  Mr. President, John Stennis was not a large man physically. He was 
actually rather slight. But he was a giant. The breadth of his 
character was huge, and the steel of his courage was formidable. 
Nothing defeated him--not the bruises of the legislative 
battlefield; not the frightful attack by thugs in the 
street, who almost caused his death, near his home; not the death of 
his beloved wife; not the loss of his leg to cancer.
  Nothing defeated him. Nothing held him down for long. He always got 
up again and went on. He struggled, but he prevailed and endured. And 
he did it all with a quiet, unassuming dignity.
  He was courtly--ever the gentleman. I called him a Senator's Senator. 
He represented everything fine about the Senate and everything fine 
about the human spirit. He was the cream of all things decent that one 
looks for in a leader and in a man.
  Had he lived in another age he would have been just as great, as 
respected, as beloved, and as revered as he has been in his own time. 
He would have enhanced any company in any situation in any age.
  But most of all, the indomitable fortitude stands out. There is a 
courage 
[[Page S5628]] possessed by some men which is extraordinary--far beyond 
what most individuals can ever muster in even their best and bravest 
moments. It is rarely accompanied by bombast and breast beating. It is 
carried with a quiet and calm demeanor. No outward show is necessary. 
In his case, the kindly visage gave no clue to the inner steel. He bore 
his duties and his crises, his joys and his sorrows, with equal 
dignity.
  But it was awesome actually to watch. How many times have I come to 
this Chamber for a vote, bone-weary, and at some dreadful hour in the 
morning, and seen him sitting straight as an arrow at his desk! There 
he would be, 17 years my senior, frail, missing one leg, with a 
pleasant greeting for all, in spite of the hour. In this age of clock-
watching, and quality-of-life advocation, that kind of dedication may 
seem an anachronism. But John Stennis was dedication and duty 
epitomized in the human flesh. He showed us by his example. He never 
lectured, never said, ``Do as I do.'' He just lived an exemplary life, 
and that was enough to teach all who were fortunate enough to be around 
to learn. He taught us how to be Senators, he taught us how to bear 
sadness and brutality without bitterness or surrender or despair. He 
did so by just being what he was.
  Mr. President, all that even the greatest of scientists can do is to 
try to interpret and apply the laws, the immutable laws, the eternal 
laws of God. Scientists cannot create matter and they cannot create 
life. They can mold and develop and shape and use them, but they cannot 
call them into being. They are compelled to admit the truth of the old 
nursery rhyme, which I am sure the Presiding Officer and the other 
distinguished Senator from Oklahoma will remember along with me:

     Nor you, nor I, nor nobody knows,
     how oats, peas, beans, and barley grows.

  But the Scriptures tell us of the laws of God, and reveal to us the 
Source from whence this Earth, the universe, and all of us who dwell 
here--for a split second, as it were--between two eternities: ``In the 
beginning, God created the heaven and the earth.'' The Scriptures also 
reveal to us that God created man from the dust of the ground, and 
``breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a 
living soul.'' God then gave Adam a helpmate, Eve, and from those 
ancient parents, we have all descended, and from them, we have all 
inherited death. Only a Milton could so incisively provide a fitting 
epilogue to man's fall from grace.

     They, looking back,
     all the eastern side beheld of Paradise,
     so late their happy seat,
     waved over by that flaming brand; the gate
     with dreadful faces thronged and fiery arms.
     Some natural tears they dropped,
     but wiped them soon;
     the world was all before them where to choose
     their place of rest, and Providence their guide.
     They, hand in hand, with wondering steps and slow,
     through Eden took their solitary way.

  As so, it is our inevitable lot to die. But the Scriptures also tell 
us that we may live again in that long lost paradise from whence our 
parents came. There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name appears in 
extra-Biblical texts as early as 2000 years before Christ. His name was 
Job, and from his patient, suffering lips came the age-old question, 
``If a man die, shall he live again?'', and later from his lips came 
the answer to his own question: ``Oh, that my words were written and 
engraved with an iron pen upon a ledge of rock forever, for I know that 
my Redeemer liveth and some day He shall stand upon the earth; and 
though after my skin worms destroy this Body, yet, in my flesh shall I 
see God; whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and 
not another.''
  Mr. President, many years ago I read a story of an old Anglo-Saxon 
king who had his barons at a great banquet. They were eating their 
venison and quaffing their ale. It was a bitter night outside. The 
storm raged. The snow was falling thick and fast. Suddenly, into the 
rude chamber in which they were gathered, there flew through some crack 
or crevice in the roof a little bird. Blinded by the light and 
perplexed, it flew wildly here and there and beat itself against the 
rude beams. Finally, it found another crevice and out it went again 
into the night. The king, advanced in years, spoke to his barons and 
said,

     That bird is like a life;
     it comes from out of the night.
     It flits and flies around a little while,
     blinded by the light,
     and then it goes back out into the night again.

  Mr. President, as we witness the passing of a great and good man like 
John Stennis, we may well take appraisal of our own public and private 
merits and remember that we, too, only flit about for a little while, 
our voices resound in this Chamber for a few days or months or years, 
and then we are gone. These things are evanescent. Real substantial 
qualities of honesty, integrity, gentleness, modesty, and generosity 
will make the life of John Stennis remembered when much of what we say 
and do here in this Chamber shall have passed away and perished. John 
Stennis is gone,

     . . . with your skysail set
     For ports beyond the margin of the stars . . .

  And those of us who had the honor and privilege of serving with him 
may say of him:

     His life was gentle,
     and the elements so mixed in him
     that Nature might stand up and say to all the world,
     ``This was a man.''

  To the family and friends of John Cornelius Stennis, my wife Erma and 
I extend our deepest sympathy.

     I saw the sun sink in the golden west,
     No angry cloud obscured its latest ray.
     Around the couch on which it sank to rest
     Shone all the splendor of a summer day.
     And long, though lost to view, that radiant light,
     Reflected from the sky, delayed the night.

     Thus, when a good man's life comes to a close,
     No doubts arise to cloud his soul with gloom.
     But faith triumphant on each feature glows,
     And benedictions fill the sacred room.
     And long do men his virtues wide proclaim,
     While generations rise to bless his name.
  Mr. President, I yield the floor.
  Mr. NICKLES addressed the Chair.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Oklahoma.
  Mr. NICKLES. Mr. President, I wish to compliment my friend and 
colleague, Senator Byrd, for the tribute to our colleague, Senator 
Stennis, who served in this body so ably, so well, for so long. His 
service of 41 years--only the Senator from West Virginia would know who 
has exceeded that besides Senator Hayden, I guess--but he had a 
remarkable tenure in the Senate.
  I had the pleasure of serving with Senator Stennis. He was a person 
that had enormous credibility and reputation prior to my coming to the 
Senate going back for many years. He was even referred to in the Senate 
as a person known as the ethical watch guard of the Senate, and 
certainly a Southern gentleman in every single way. He was a real asset 
to this body, certainly to the State of Mississippi and to our country, 
as well. We shall all miss him, but not forget the contributions that 
he made to his State and country.
  I compliment my colleague from West Virginia for a beautiful tribute 
to a wonderful colleague and Senator.
  Mr. BYRD. Mr. President, I thank my friend.
  Mr. PELL. Mr. President, today the Senate formally adds its voice of 
condemnation and outrage of the mindless and heartless massacre carried 
out in Oklahoma City last week. I join my colleagues in stating in 
absolute and unequivocable terms that such acts will never be tolerated 
in this country and that we resolve to do all in our power to make sure 
that the perpetrators of this heinous crime are found and brought to 
justice. In our society, the rule of law reigns over the rule of terror 
and it follows that swift and assured retribution must await those who 
harbor the thought that such acts can somehow alter that equation. The 
victims deserve no less; the criminals can expect no more.
  As this tragic event causes us to pause and reflect upon a myriad of 
questions as to how and why such an event could occur, I urge us all to 
exercise the temperance and reason which are the characteristics of a 
civilized society. This most uncivil and unhuman of acts cannot be 
explained simply or logically by rational thought. In the rush to 
pinpoint blame and cause, already occurring it seems in the public 
discourse about this incident, too often we overstep the mark and 
compound the harm already suffered. For the moment, let us attend to 
the most immediate tasks at hand, that of the continued efforts to 
search for survivors, to 
[[Page S5629]] care for the wounded, to comfort the families and 
friends who have lost loved ones, and to apprehend and punish those 
responsible. That is more than enough for now and it will keep us busy 
for days to come. Then we will have the time for reflection on the 
broader, though not any less important, questions as to what we may be 
able to do to thwart such acts in the future.
  My heart goes out to those families and friends grievously affected 
by this unthinkable tragedy. The losses they have suffered are 
immeasurable and I join the entire country in expressing the 
consolation and sympathy. I also salute the heroic efforts being made 
to deal with this event and in particular commend the Oklahoma City 
Police, Fire, and Emergency Medical Departments, President Clinton, 
Attorney General Reno, the Justice Department, the FBI, FEMA, and all 
others for their excellent work in dealing with this incident. I pledge 
whatever assistance I may be able to give and will work to do what I 
can to diminish the chances of such an event from occurring in the 
future.
  Mr. McCAIN. Mr. President, I rise to support Senate Resolution 110 
and join with my colleagues in denouncing the violent attack on Federal 
workers and their children last week in Oklahoma City.
  Our world is full of daily tragedies, so much so, that each of us 
runs the risk of growing numb to the pain. But this violence struck 
close to home in many ways. Those murdered by the cowardly terrorists 
who planned and carried out this bombing appeared to be targeted 
because they worked for the U.S. Government, or were the children of 
these workers. I urge the administration to employ the strongest 
efforts under law and our Constitution to bring the killers to justice.
  These killings also struck home in another way for me. In my current 
role as chairman, and previously as vice chairman of the Committee on 
Indian Affairs in the Senate, I have seen firsthand the squalid housing 
conditions that plague many Indian and native American communities. I 
have also noted the many fine efforts of dedicated Federal employees 
who try to counteract these conditions with funds and authorities that 
are all-too-often inadequate to address the overwhelming need.
  Among those killed in this bombing were a number of Federal employees 
who have dedicated their lives to improving Indian and Alaska native 
housing conditions. Killed in the blast, or still missing or 
unaccounted for as of yesterday, are 10 individuals who have played 
very prominent roles in supporting the development of housing 
opportunities in Indian communities. While I do not give up hope that 
those missing or unaccounted for will still be located alive, I do wish 
to take this opportunity to describe what I know about 10 of these 
employees.
  These 10 people have worked for the Office of Native American 
Programs [ONAP] within the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban 
Development [HUD], or for the HUD Area Counsel's Office on Indian 
housing issues. Under Secretary Cisneros' leadership, HUD recently had 
announced a substantial streamlining of its administrative structures 
so that it could dramatically bolster its efforts to improve housing 
conditions in Indian communities. These employees were part of the new 
thinking underway at HUD, and I, and many tribal leaders, will sorely 
miss each one of these HUD workers and their dedicated efforts.
  Most Americans would be shocked if they saw the housing conditions 
that Indian and Alaska Native families must endure day in and day out. 
Approximately 90,000 Indian families are homeless or underhoused. One 
out of every five Indian homes lacks complete plumbing facilities. 
According to 1990 census figures, 18 percent of all American Indian 
households on reservations are ``severely crowded.'' The comparable 
figure for non-Indians is 2 percent. Likewise, while 33 percent of all 
reservation households are considered crowded, the comparable figure 
for all households nationally is 5 percent. The typical Indian home on 
a reservation has 4.4 rooms, nearly a whole room less than the national 
median of 5.3 rooms.
  These are the conditions that the 10 Oklahoma HUD workers who are 
confirmed dead or missing sought to improve. I am outraged that their 
constructive efforts are cut short by the destructive acts of cowardly 
terrorists.
  HUD officials have informed me that ONAP maintained a staff of 26 in 
Oklahoma City. Another 10 Oklahoma City HUD employees, including the 
Office of Area Counsel, provided support to the native American 
programs. I know from the reports of Indian tribes in Oklahoma, Kansas, 
Louisiana, and Texas that ONAP staff had developed a very cooperative 
and productive relationship with the native American communities there. 
I am told that the Oklahoma HUD staff have been exemplary in their 
professional respect for the rich cultural traditions of their 
counterparts among tribal Government staff. It was not unusual to see 
ONAP staff at pow-wows and other native American events on the 
weekends, joining with those they served in celebration of the beauty 
and enduring cultures of these communities.
  The bombing exacted an extremely heavy toll on ONAP personnel. As of 
yesterday, two staff members were confirmed as casualties, George 
Howard and Lanny Scroggins. Three additional staff members were still 
unaccounted for--Jules Valdez, Don Burns, and Dave Burkett. From the 
Area Counsel's Office, Clarence Wilson, Mike Weaver, Kim Clark, and Lee 
Sells remain unaccounted for. Susan Ferrell, the lead attorney for 
native American programs and one of HUD's top Indian law attorneys, has 
been confirmed as a casualty.
  Mr. President, these staff were some of HUD's best. They were 
dedicated, loyal, hardworking, and personally committed to the goal of 
providing decent, safe, and sanitary housing and community development 
for this Nation's native American communities. Their contributions over 
the years have been extremely important to HUD's vital work in Indian 
country. Their loss at the hand of these senseless killers means the 
tribes and Indian families they served in that region will pay a high 
personal cost. Equally high will be the price paid by the dedicated 
colleagues left behind in HUD's ONAP and Area Counsel's Office. Many of 
these survivors carry physical injuries from the blast, some quite 
serious. All of them carry emotional scars that understandably run 
quite deep. I hope these survivors can find courage for these days.
  The bombing was the act of cowards. I condemn it in the strongest of 
possible terms. I mourn the loss it has caused to the family members of 
its victims, to its survivors who now must live with this great pain, 
and to HUD's Indian offices and the Indian tribes who must now piece 
back together a program that has always struggled against nearly 
insurmountable odds.
  Mr. FEINGOLD. Mr. President, like every Member of this body and 
millions of people around the globe, I deplore in the strongest 
possible terms the senseless murders of the innocent children and 
adults in Oklahoma City. This was an atrocity and a barbaric act 
against humanity that truly shocks the conscience. I have joined in 
voting for the resolution presented by the majority leader and the 
minority leader because I wholeheartedly agree with virtually every 
statement made in the resolution.
  Congress must condemn, in the strongest possible terms, the heinous 
bombing attack against innocent children and adults.
  Congress should sent its heartfelt condolences to the families, 
friends, and loved ones of those whose lives were taken away and 
injured by this abhorrent and cowardly act; and express its hopes for 
the rapid and complete recovery of those wounded in the bombing.
  Congress should commend the rapid actions taken by the President to 
provide assistance to the victims and apprehend the perpetrators of 
this horrible crime. I also believe that we should be sure that Federal 
laws aimed at combating acts of terrorism are comprehensive and 
effective in preventing and punishing these acts.
  At the same time, I must express one reservation concerning one 
provision of the resolution that indicates cogresssional support for 
the President and the Attorney General's position that Federal 
prosecutors will seek the maximum penalty authorized by law, including 
the death penalty, for those responsible. I am opposed to the death 
penalty, but I recognize that current 
[[Page S5630]] federal law provides for the death penalty in cases such 
as Oklahoma City.
  I understand the feelings which lead people to call out for 
imposition of the death penalty in heinous cases, such as this. 
However, I do not believe that it is generally the Senate's role to 
make a statement on what specific type of penalty the prosecutors 
should seek in any particular case, whether it be the death penalty of 
life imprisonment or whatever. Congress should not endeavor to step 
across the line which separates the judicial functions of the United 
States to attempt to direct prosecutors in the discharge of their 
functions. The law currently provides for the death penalty in this 
case and regardless of whether I support or oppose these provisions in 
existing law, it is for the Federal prosecutors, not Congress, to 
determine what penalty should be sought and ultimately, it is for a 
jury of Americans to make the final judgment as to guilt and punishment 
for those who are brought to trial in this case.
  Ms. MIKULSKI. Mr. President, I rise today to ask my colleagues to 
continue mourning the brave and innocent men, women, and children who 
lost their lives this past Wednesday in Oklahoma City.
  As I speak, I know that search and rescue workers continue to dig 
toward the bottom of the Alfred Murrah Federal Building where the 
bodies of more Federal workers lay. These public servants paid the 
ultimate price in the service of their country.
  Mr. President, most of the victims of this tragedy were men and women 
of our Federal Government. These people put their lives on the line 
just by being associated with the U.S. Government. These were common, 
decent human beings that were trying to make their Government work 
better. I urge my colleagues to always remember the countless, nameless 
Federal workers who work long, hard hours, committed to making our 
system of government work for the better who put their lives on the 
line for the U.S. Government.
  It was also an American community--working women and men with 
families providing for their children, who were affected by this 
horrible tragedy. The past week, this American community has come 
together as a shining example of why America is so strong. Local police 
and firefighters, Federal law enforcement agents of the FBI, ATF, 
Secret Service, and Federal Emergency Management Agency personnel show 
us what Americans want from their public servants: efficiency, 
competence, cooperation. Americans rallying to overcome a crisis that 
threatens their stability. This is the American spirit.
  I urge my colleagues to keep the victims and their families in your 
thoughts and honor them with your prayers. Thank you, Mr. President, 
and I yield the floor.
  Mr. FORD. Mr. President, I rise today to join my colleagues in 
expressing our outrage at the senseless, brutal murders and injuries 
sustained by defenseless citizens and children in Oklahoma City last 
week.
  We all know that Oklahoma City, and indeed our Nation, will never be 
the same again. We all know that we will never have all the answers as 
to why something this tragic can happen. But one thing we can know is 
that we will not rest until the perpetrators of this heinous act are 
brought to justice.
  The resolution we will approve overwhelmingly today is just the first 
step Congress will take in attempting to address this tragedy. We will 
work with the administration to pass legislation expanding the FBI's 
powers to combat such acts of terrorism. We will work to do all we can 
to see that no one has to go through this experience again.
  Mr. President, there are not words to express the sorrow we feel for 
the families who have lost loved ones. No one can prepare themselves 
for a tragedy of this magnitude. No one can prepare themselves to see 
innocent infants robbed of their futures. And no one can prepare 
themselves for the grief and loss we know those personally affected by 
this tragedy will experience for the rest of their lives.
  One thing we can do is reach out to them, offer our prayers, our 
comfort and support. As the President recently said, ``you have lost so 
much, but you have not lost everything. And you certainly have not lost 
America, for we will stand with you for as many tomorrows as it 
takes.''
  In closing, Mr. President, I want to personally express my sincere 
thanks and appreciation for the tireless efforts of this 
administration, the Oklahoma officials, the rescuers, investigators, 
police officers, and firemen, our clergy, and so many thousands of 
others who have given of themselves in this tragedy. They are all 
heroes and their work will never be forgotten, just as we as a nation 
will never forget April 19, 1995.
              militia groups and the oklahoma city bombing

  Mr. BAUCUS. Mr. President, 2 weeks from today, we mark the 50th 
anniversary of the Nazi surrender in World War II. And just a week ago, 
we witnessed an event that should remind us all of just what we were 
fighting.
  I am speaking, of course, of the bombing in Oklahoma City. Our 
sympathy and solidarity go out to the victims of this terrible crime 
and their families. And we learn that 50 years after the war, the 
battle against hate is not over.
  We Montanans like to call our State the ``last, best place.'' We take 
pride in our low crime rate and our civil society. And we like to think 
we are immune to the crime and violence that so sadly affects our 
country.
  But we are not immune. Our easy-going ways now seem to attract some 
of the worst elements in our country. We find that anti-Semites, right-
wing extremists, and terrorists believe they can find a home in our 
State.


                      the militia and the freemen

  In the aftermath of the Oklahoma City bombing, you may have heard 
about the so-called Militia of Montana. Let me tell you something about 
this group and its friends.
  The Militia of Montana was founded by a few people associated with 
the neo-Nazi Aryan Nations group. Their literature and videos talk 
about international conspiracies, shadow governments, and banking 
elites--code words that anyone familiar with the history of anti-
Semitism recognizes immediately.
  Associated with the militia leaders is the even more extreme Freemen 
movement. This group says in public that the income tax is illegal and 
the Federal Government is a conspiracy. In private, it says people who 
are not white are beasts; the Bible was written for the white race.
  With these organizations come hate, lawlessness, and terror.
  The Federal Government and Federal officials are targets. Jews are 
targets. We had a swastika painted on a house in Big Timber last month. 
A Jewish child taunted in Helena. Militia members have gone so far as 
to distribute hate literature--Nazi-style pamphlets called ``Strength 
of a Hero'' and ``Warrior Song''--in the Montana Legislature.
  Women are targets. In the past year, fanatical opponents of abortion 
rights bombed a clinic in Kalispell and burned the Blue Mountain 
Women's Clinic in Missoula to the ground.
  And law enforcement is a target. Just a few weeks ago, seven armed 
militia members threatened the marshal in the small town of Darby with 
guns after he had pulled over one of them for driving in a car whose 
license plates expired 3 years ago. On the other side of the State, 
Freemen have posted bounties for law enforcement officials, saying they 
were to be executed by hanging.
  Thoughtless politicians and radio broadcasters encourage this by 
loose talk of revolution, and intemperate attacks on Federal 
bureaucrats--which is to say, our neighbors who work for USDA, the 
Forest Service, and law enforcement. Some have even brought militia 
proposals before the Montana Legislature.
  The results of this toleration for hate are obvious. In March, an 
eastern Montana county attorney wrote me to say:

       The more the federal and local law enforcement agencies 
     behave with a ``hands-off'' attitude, the more bold and 
     daring these groups become.

  And a constituent from Ravalli County writes, just 9 days before the 
bombing:

       You see Freemen with guns in the post office, grocery store 
     and gas stations. If it gets to any one of them that a person 
     doesn't like the ``Freemen,'' they will call or confront a 
     person face to face. They tell people that we are all going 
     to ``die like the Jews.''
                    [[Page S5631]] no place for hate

  The situation is serious. But if we face up to it, we can solve it 
before it gets worse.
  The ringleaders of the hate groups are few in number. Garfield County 
Attorney Nick Murnion has studied them closely. He believes the Freemen 
and militia have no more than 25 to 30 core members around the State.
  The hard-core leaders, in many cases, are common criminals. They 
refuse to pay their taxes and will not live by the laws. Those who have 
broken the laws should be arrested, tried and put in jail. And we can 
do it if we give law enforcement the support it requires.
  But dealing with the rank and file is a responsibility of the entire 
community. Most militia members are not Nazis or potential terrorists--
merely loud, deluded people who are an embarrassment but not a threat. 
And all of us need to show them that hate has no place under Montana's 
big sky, and no place in America.
  Hate groups, threats of violence and racism must be met in the open. 
They grow and spread in darkness and silence but they vanish in the 
sunlight. The entire American family must show them that they are not 
welcome.


                     the billings menorah movement

  And that will work. I know, because I have seen it work. When the 
vast majority of ordinary, decent people stand together, the small 
number of haters and extremists are always defeated.
  In November 1993, a group of skinheads came to a Jewish house in 
Billings, MT, and threw a bottle through the glass door. A few days 
later they put a brick through the window of another Jewish house, with 
a 5-year-old boy in the room. Then they smashed the windows of Catholic 
High School, which had a ``Happy Hanukah'' sign on its marquee.
  Events like these can isolate their victims. They can silence people 
of good will and open broader campaigns of hate and violence. But that 
did not happen. Instead, Billings rallied with the Jewish community.
  The Billings Gazette printed up thousands of paper menorahs. People 
all over town pasted them in their windows as a sign of solidarity. 
Billings held the largest Martin Luther King Day march ever in our 
State. And the skinheads left town.
  As good people again speak out, that will happen with the militias 
and Freemen too. They must know they are not welcome in our churches, 
our grocery stores, our towns. We must stand with law enforcement as 
they track down clinic bombers and arrest radical tax protesters. And 
when the American family stands together against the hate groups, as 
Billings stood against the skinheads, they will vanish.
  Mr. President, nothing will undo the pain in Oklahoma City. But the 
suffering of the bombing victims and their families need not be in 
vain.
  Let us reflect on this horrible event.
  Let us remember the sacrifice our fathers made across the seas 50 
years ago.
  And let us rededicate ourselves to ending hate here at home in 
America.


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