[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 205 (Wednesday, December 20, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Pages S19014-S19015]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             HOWARD H. BAKER, JR., UNITED STATES COURTHOUSE

  Mr. SANTORUM. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the 
Committee on Environment and Public Works be immediately discharged 
from further consideration of H.R. 2547, and that the Senate proceed to 
its immediate consideration.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report.
  The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:.

       A bill (H.R. 2547) to designate the United States 
     courthouse located at 800 Market Street in Knoxville, 
     Tennessee, as the ``Howard H. Baker, Jr., United States 
     Courthouse.''

  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection to the immediate 
consideration of the bill?
  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the bill.
  Mr. THOMPSON. Madam President, I am pleased to support this bill 
which will designate the new United States Federal Courthouse in 
Knoxville, TN as the Howard H. Baker, Jr. United States Courthouse. I 
think it is fitting that this newly purchased courthouse be named for 
one of the most distinguished members ever to grace this body, a true 
gentleman who served his Nation for nearly 20 years as Senator from 
Tennessee, Senate Majority Leader, and, finally, White House Chief of 
Staff.
  Senator Howard Baker begin his career as an attorney in Huntsville 
and nearby Knoxville, TN, after his graduation from the University of 
Tennessee School of Law. In 1966, he was elected to the United States 
Senate. Here, he established a lasting reputation as an outstanding 
lawmaker. Because of his broad appeal in our home state, the people of 
Tennessee chose to reelect him in 1972 and again in 1978.
  In 1973, I had the opportunity to work under Senator Baker as he 
served as Vice Chairman of the Senate Watergate Committee. His 
leadership on this investigatory committee proved to be an asset as he 
helped this investigation during one of the most difficult time in our 
Nation's history.
  From 1977 to 1981, Senator Baker served as Republican Leader of the 
Senate. In 1981, he became first Republican in more than 25 years to be 
elected Senate Majority Leader, a post he held until his retirement in 
January of 1985. During all of his Senate service, Senator Baker was 
known for his fair and impartial treatment of members from both sides 
of the aisle. He was also known in the Senate as someone who could 
bring both sides of an issue together, especially when political 
partisanship was intense.
  In 1987, Senator Baker again answered his country's call, returning 
to public service as Chief of Staff to President Reagan. His tenure 
came at a difficult time for the Reagan Administration, during the 
Iran-Contra controversy. Senator Baker helped to steer the 
Administration through this trying situation, uncovering the relevant 
details of the controversy and helping to convey them to the public.
  My friend, Howard Baker, who recently celebrated his 70th birthday, 
has retired from public service but continues to work on the behalf of 
many worthwhile causes. Over the years, he has received a number of 
awards and honors including The Presidential Medal or Freedom and the 
Jefferson Award  for  Greatest  Public Service Performed by an Elected 
or Appointed Official. In addition,  he has been presented a number of 
honorary degrees from several institutions of higher education, 
including: Bradley, Centre College, Dartmouth, Georgetown, Pepperdine, 
and Yale.
  As Senator Baker has served his country and Tennessee admirably and 
well for nearly two decades, and it is my hope that the U.S. Senate 
will see fit to observe this service by naming the U.S. Courthouse in 
Knoxville in his honor.
  Mr. FRIST. Madam President, I rise today in support of the bill 
offered by Senator Thompson and myself, which would designate the U.S. 
Courthouse located at 800 Market Street in Knoxville, Tennessee, as the 
``Howard H. Baker, Jr. United States Courthouse.''
  In 1966, Senator Baker became the first Republican ever popularly 
elected to the U.S. Senate from Tennessee, and he won reelection by 
wide margins in 1972 and 1978. Senator Baker first won national 
recognition in 1973 as the Vice Chairman of the Senate Watergate 
Committee. He was the keynote speaker at the Republican National 
Convention in 1976, and a candidate for the Republican Presidential 
nomination in 1980.
  He served in the Senate from 1967 until January 1985, and concluded 
his Senate career by serving two terms as 

[[Page S19015]]
Minority Leader (1977-1981) and two terms as Majority Leader (1981-
1985).
  I came to know Howard Baker when I was making my decision to run for 
the U.S. Senate. He listened carefully, gave me excellent counsel, and 
helped steer me and my wife Karyn in the right direction as we made our 
decision. Like so many of my colleagues here in the Senate, I continue 
to rely on his advice, and am proud to call him my friend.
  Madam President, the Howard Baker Courthouse will stand as a 
wonderful tribute to a dedicated and distinguished senator, Howard 
Baker. I urge my colleagues to support this piece of legislation.
  Mr. SANTORUM. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the bill 
be deemed read a third time, passed, the motion to reconsider be laid 
upon the table, and that any statements relating to the bill be placed 
at the appropriate place in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  So the bill (H.R. 2547) was deemed read a third time and passed.

                          ____________________