[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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