[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 129 (Wednesday, September 18, 1996)]
[House]
[Pages H10550-H10552]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               MARK O. HATFIELD UNITED STATES COURTHOUSE

  Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
Senate bill (S. 1636) to designate the U.S. Courthouse under 
construction at 1030 Southwest 3rd Avenue, Portland, OR, as the Mark O. 
Hatfield United States Courthouse, and for other purposes.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                                S. 1636

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. DESIGNATION OF MARK O. HATFIELD UNITED STATES 
                   COURTHOUSE.

       The United States Courthouse under construction at 1030 
     Southwest 3rd Avenue in Portland, Oregon, shall be known and 
     designated as the ``Mark O. Hatfield United States 
     Courthouse''.

     SEC. 2. REFERENCES.

       Any reference in a law, map, regulation, document, paper, 
     or other record of the United States to the courthouse 
     referred to in section 1 shall be deemed to be a reference to 
     the ``Mark O. Hatfield United States Courthouse''.

     SEC. 3. EXTENSION OF FDR MEMORIAL MEMBER TERMS.

       The first section of the Act entitled ``An Act to establish 
     a commission to formulate plans for a memorial to Franklin 
     Delano Roosevelt'', approved August 11, 1955 (69 Stat. 694) 
     is amended by adding at the end thereof the following: ``A 
     Commissioner who ceases to be a Member of the Senate or the 
     House of Representatives may, with the approval of the 
     appointing authority, continue to serve as a Commissioner for 
     a period of up to one year after he or she ceases to be a 
     Member of the Senate or the House of Representatives.''.

     SEC. 4. EFFECTIVE DATE.

       This Act shall take effect on January 3, 1997.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Bereuter). Pursuant to the rule, the 
gentleman from Pennsylvania [Mr. Shuster] and the gentleman from Ohio 
[Mr. Traficant] each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Pennsylvania [Mr. Shuster].
  Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, this legislation designates the U.S. Courthouse under 
construction in Portland, OR as the Mark O. Hatfield United States 
Courthouse.
  I strongly support this legislation in honor of an outstanding U.S. 
Senator who is retiring at end of the 104th Congress. Senator Hatfield 
served his country during World War II in the U.S. Navy where he 
commanded landing crafts at both Iwo Jima and Okinawa. Following the 
war, Senator Hatfield attended Stanford University. He became associate 
professor and dean of students at Willamette University.
  He began his political career in 1950 serving in the State 
legislature, then as Oregon's Governor, and finally he has diligently 
served as a U.S. Senator for 30 years. Senator Hatfield is well known 
for his impeccable character and integrity.
  He has gained respect from both sides of the aisle for his 
leadership, and he has brought people together for what he believed to 
be right rather than what was popular at the time. This legislation is 
a fitting tribute to an outstanding public servant. I urge my 
colleagues to support the legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. TRAFICANT. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to 
the distinguished gentleman from Minnesota [Mr. Oberstar].
  Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Speaker, I join in supporting this legislation, a 
fitting and appropriate tribute to one of the most decent people ever 
to serve in the U.S. Senate, Mark Hatfield. A student, practitioner of 
the legislative art and science, a teacher of public service throughout 
his public life, a person whose personal life has mirrored his public 
life of integrity, honesty and decency, he has championed conservation 
and environmental causes, supported and protected our national forests 
and parks.
  He has called for reform in our health care system. Years ago I 
remember him very distinctly as an advocate for nuclear arms control. 
There are few people who cross our paths in public life who have, who 
display that kind of broad concern, genuine, deep humanitarian, felt 
concern and exemplify it in their public practice and in their personal 
life.
  To name a building in honor of such a Member reflects credit not only 
on him, on the people of Oregon who elected him, but on the entire U.S. 
Congress.
  Mr. TRAFICANT. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to 
the gentleman from Oregon, Mr. Blumenauer, who replaced Ron Wyden, now 
serving in the U.S. Senate. He is a dynamic young man.
  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me 
the time.
  Before us today is a measure that means a great deal to us in Oregon, 
naming the new courthouse after Senator Hatfield. I know it is not 
going to be the last memorial as tribute to Oregon's senior Senator but 
in many ways it will be the most fitting. I wholeheartedly support this 
measure.
  In Oregon we have had a tradition of accepting unique elected 
officials to Congress and the U.S. Senate, men and women who have been 
known to take their stand, demonstrating a pioneering spirit which we 
think defines Oregon today.
  For more than a generation, Mark Hatfield has been a living exemplar 
of that tradition. Whether the topic under discussion was the war in 
Vietnam, when he was the only Governor in the United States who was 
willing to stand up and raise questions about our policy, to being the 
only member of his party who was willing to stand up and raise 
questions about the wisdom of a balanced budget amendment, he has 
proven time and time again his courage, his independence, and I would 
say, his vision.
  He is a man of vision, insight, compassion, and consensus, as the 
chairman mentioned. The word ``mentor'' is overused today, and it would 
be presumptuous on my part to suggest that Senator Hatfield was my 
mentor, but he was an inspiration. He has been a friend, and I have 
been honored to have had an opportunity to be a part of the Oregon 
delegation, to be a colleague with him at least for these few months. 
We, in Oregon, are a little apprehensive to lose such a trusted leader, 
but we are hopeful that his legacy for a generation of people in 
Oregon, inspired by his example to enter government service, will be 
found walking through the doors of this courthouse. I hope that their 
decisions will be marked by the wisdom and courage of this great 
Oregonian, this great Senator, this great American.
  Mr. TRAFICANT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  It is an honor to support the bill and to acknowledge the career of 
Mark Hatfield, the many accomplishments.
  Mr. Speaker, S. 1636 is a bill to designate the courthouse under 
construction in Portland,

[[Page H10551]]

OR, as the ``Mark O. Hatfield United States Courthouse.'' It is an 
honor to support this bill and to acknowledge the career, the life, and 
the accomplishments of the senior Senator from Oregon.
  Senator Hatfield consistently has been in the forefront of 
significant environmental legislation. His accomplishments include 
passage of the Oregon Wilderness Act of 1984, and the landmark Oregon 
Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1988.
  His contributions to the dialog regarding nuclear disarmament lead, 
in 1992, to signing the nuclear test ban.
  Senator Hatfield is a prolific author, veteran of World War II, and a 
devoted father. His faith, compassion, and concern for his fellow 
beings is legendary.
  He, and his wisdom, good humor, and gentlemanly behavior, will be 
missed by all. I join Mr. Oberstar and Mr. Gilchrest in bipartisan 
support for S. 1636, and urge its passage.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Before we vote on this legislation, which I strongly support, I would 
like to say that our staff on both sides of the aisle, on our Committee 
on Transportation and Infrastructure, is absolutely performing an 
outstanding job not only on all of the bills which we are moving today 
but throughout this Congress. Indeed, I want to pay special recognition 
to Jack Schenendorf, the chief of staff, who is one of the most 
capable, well-intentioned, intelligent, experienced, sensitive chiefs 
of staff that we have had the privilege and pleasure of working with in 
the years that I have been in the Congress.
  In fact, he follows in the footsteps of the legendary chief counsel, 
Dick Sullivan. Dick Sullivan is at home seriously ill, I understand. I 
think that much of the bipartisanship that we enjoy on our committee, 
much of the effectiveness of the committee, is very directly related to 
the foundation that Dick Sullivan helped lay when he was the chief 
counsel of this committee. I know we all certainly wish Dick Sullivan 
our very, very best. I think it is appropriate to acknowledge that he, 
indeed, has been a legendary chief counsel to this committee.
  Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?
  Mr. SHUSTER. I yield to the gentleman from Minnesota.
  Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding to me. 
I very much appreciate his recognition of the staff on both sides. 
Certainly Jack Schenendorf has provided leadership and vigorous 
initiative, as Dave Heymsfeld has done on our side and have worked 
together to iron out differences that maybe sometimes Members could not 
resolve. They have found creative ways.
  I do want to express my appreciation for the chairman's recognition 
of Dick Sullivan. I talked with Dick last Friday. Though his voice was 
weak, his spirit is certainly strong. I know all of us join in our 
prayers for his recovery in a bout with cancer and with ongoing 
chemotherapy. He certainly did set a standard, as the chairman said, 
for excellence in staff performance.
  Mr. TRAFICANT. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?
  Mr. SHUSTER. I yield to the gentleman from Ohio.
  Mr. TRAFICANT. Mr. Speaker, I would like to associate myself with the 
remarks relative to Dick Sullivan on behalf of all the speakers here. I 
also commend the staff and I hope that Dick finds success in his 
struggle. His work with our committee is legendary, and we all wish him 
the very best.
  Mr. GILCHREST. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. S. 1636 is an act to designate 
the U.S. courthouse under construction in Portland, OR. as the Mark O. 
Hatfield United States Courthouse. This designation is a fitting 
tribute to the senior Senator from the State of Oregon, who is retiring 
after serving 30 years in the U.S. Senate. Senator Hatfield has 
provided thoughtful leadership and pragmatic philosophy to whatever 
office he has held, be that university president, State representative, 
Governor, or Senator.
  Senator Hatfield is a native of Oregon, and was educated in Oregon 
schools. Following service in the Navy during World War II, where he 
commanded landing craft at Iowa Jima and Okinawa, he returned to 
civilian life. He became an educator and university dean of students at 
Willamette University. He began his political career in 1950 in the 
Oregon legislature. After two terms in the Oregon house and 2 years in 
the Oregon senate, he was elected secretary of state for Oregon, and in 
1958 was elected Governor and served two terms. In 1966, Senator 
Hatfield was elected to the U.S. Senate, where he has served with 
distinction until his retirement this year. His 30-year service is the 
longest service of any Senator from Oregon.
  I am pleased that our colleagues, Mr. Bunn and Mr. Cooley, 
cosponsored a companion bill, H.R. 3134, and I am pleased that a Member 
of the committee, Mr. DeFazio was principal sponsor of that bill.
  I support the bill and I urge my colleagues to pass the bill.
  One final note on this bill. When the other body passed S. 1636, a 
floor amendment was added to extend the membership of retiring Members 
of Congress on the Franklin D. Roosevelt Memorial Commission. This 
Commission was created in 1955, and Senator Hatfield has been a member 
of this Commission for 25 years. The Senate amendment would allow 
Senator Hatfield to continue his service on this Commission for the 
dedication of the FDR Memorial in May 1997. The Commission will cease 
to exist after the Memorial opens.
  Ms. FURSE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 1636, which 
will name a Federal courthouse in downtown Portland for Mark O. 
Hatfield. This building lies in the heart of my district, but more 
importantly, Senator Hatfield has been my close friend and valued ally 
for 16 years now.
  Senator Hatfield's commitment to justice issues through the years 
makes it fitting that this new courthouse be named for him. The 
achievements for justice we have accomplished together through the 
years include the founding of the Oregon Peace Institute, restoration 
of tribal status for several Oregon Indian tribes and bringing 
increased awareness to Oregonians regarding issues of global harmony.
  Mark Hatfield takes principled stands opposing such items as bloated 
military budgets and the death penalty. He is one of the Senate's 
bridge builders, one who helps forge policies that move us forward on 
so many issues that are important to our constituents.
  Oregon has been deeply blessed by the service of Mark Hatfield. As I 
bid him farewell from the institution of Congress, I feel immeasurable 
appreciation for his many contributions, great fondness for him 
personally, and a degree of sadness for all of us. Senator Hatfield has 
been a great statesman, a champion for Oregon in every way, a peace 
activist and a true gentleman.
  My friendship with Senator Hatfield began 16 years ago when he and I 
worked on Oregon tribal concerns. Since then, I have continued to work 
with him closely on issues of peace and justice.
  Senator Hatfield has served the State of Oregon in elected office 
since 1951--45 years now. He has served as State representative, State 
senator, Oregon secretary of state, Governor and now U.S. Senator, 
never losing an election. He has served the State in countless other 
ways and his courageous leadership on a wide range of issues has truly 
made the world a better place.
  Among Senator Hatfield's contributions I admire most are his service 
on the founding board of the Oregon Peace Institute and his early 
opposition to our involvement in the Vietnam war. He was a champion of 
peace when it was not a fashionable issue, when it was dangerous 
politically. Mark Hatfield voted against the resolution supporting the 
Gulf of Tonkin Resolution at the 1964 National Governor's Association. 
As Appropriations Committee chairman during the Reagan-era defense 
buildup, Senator Hatfield worked arduously, and with some success, in 
preventing the increases.
  Mark Hatfield and I have worked together for years in the nuclear 
weapons freeze movement and I believe he has worked harder than anyone 
to stop nuclear testing. His success in that quest provided momentum 
vital to this month's successful adoption of a comprehensive nuclear 
test ban by the Nuclear Nations. I am confident that with the 
groundwork laid by Senator Hatfield, we will eventually rid the world 
of the scourge of nuclear weapons.
  Mark Hatfield has been my colleague, my adviser, and most of all, my 
friend in this place called Capitol Hill. I look forward to continuing 
all of that when he returns permanently to Oregon, the home we both 
love.
  I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 1636.
  Mr. DeFazio. Mr. Speaker, it is my great pleasure that the House is, 
today, considering S. 1636, legislation designating the Mark O. 
Hatfield Courthouse in Portland, OR. Senator Wyden and I introduced 
companion legislation earlier this year, with the full and enthusiastic 
support of the entire Oregon delegation. Passage of this legislation is 
just a small way of expressing our debt of gratitude to Senator 
Hatfield for his lengthy career of public service to the State of 
Oregon and the Nation.
  The State of Oregon has been graced by the representation and 
leadership of mark Hatfield for over 60 years. When Senator Hatfield 
retires at the end of this year, it will represent a tremendous loss to 
the State. He

[[Page H10552]]

stands among the giants of Oregon politics. Very few others have 
rivaled his dedication and service. Senator Hatfield served in World 
War II, as a college professor, as a State representative, as a State 
senator, as Oregon secretary of state, Oregon's Governor for 8 years 
and finally as a U.S. Senator for the past 30 years.
  What's more, Mark Hatfield's service to the Nation has been equally 
impressive and few here in Congress have matched the Senator's 
character and integrity. No matter how unpopular his stand, Senator 
Hatfield's allegiance has always been to his principles first and 
foremost. He has gained respect on both sides of the isle for his 
thoughtful leadership and pragmatic philosophy. For Mark, his career 
has been about bringing people together and doing what is right instead 
of what's popular.
  For a building that will exemplify integrity and service to Oregon 
and the United States, I can think of no better individual to name it 
after than Senator Mark O. Hatfield.
  Again, I'm very pleased that the House is adopting this measure 
today.
  Mr. BUNN of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this 
opportunity to thank chairman Shuster and chairman Gilchrest for 
bringing this important piece of legislation to the floor. This 
legislation is important, it is important to Americans, to those of us 
in the Congress, and most of all, to my fellow Oregonians. It is 
important because it honors a man who has served the State of Oregon as 
well as his country for all of his adult life. I am proud to support 
Senate bill 1636, a bill that will designate the Mark O. Hatfield 
Courthouse in Portland.
  Mr. Speaker, it is said that the difference between a statesman and a 
politician is that a politician thinks of the next election while the 
statesman thinks of the next generation. Senator Hatfield has been a 
true statesman of Oregon in every sense of the word. Generations of 
Oregonians, including my own children, will benefit from the hard work 
and dedication to Oregon by Senator Hatfield.
  As we designate this courthouse to Senator Hatfield, generations of 
Oregonians will be reminded of the long and distinguished career of 
Senator Hatfield. From his days as a State senator, to his days as 
Oregon's youngest Governor, and finally to his career in the U.S. 
Senate, the courthouse will serve to remind all Oregonians of a man 
they can be proud of.
  Mr. Speaker, it has been my honor to have the opportunity to serve 
with Senator Hatfield in the 104th Congress. As a member of the House 
Appropriations Committee I have had ample opportunity to watch Senator 
Hatfield bring both sides of the aisle together in order to do what is 
right for America. Although I have not always agreed with the positions 
of Senator Hatfield, I know that they have always been well thought out 
and what he believed best for Oregonians. Let me finish by wishing 
Senator Hatfield and his wife Antoinette all the best in his 
retirement. And on behalf of the people of Oregon, offer him a well 
deserved thank you for all of his years of service.
  Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Pennsylvania [Mr. Shuster], that the House suspend the 
rules and pass the Senate bill, S. 1636.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the Senate bill was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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