[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 136 (Friday, September 27, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S11483]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          SENATOR BILL BRADLEY

  Mr. LAUTENBERG. Mr. President, I rise to pay tribute to my friend, 
colleague, and the senior Senator from New Jersey, Bill Bradley, as he 
leaves the U.S. Senate. I have served with Bill Bradley for nearly 14 
years, my entire tenure in this body, and it is difficult to imagine 
what it will be like without him. Although we have different styles, 
rhythms, and backgrounds, we formed an effective team which fought 
together for our State's and our Nation's interests.

  Throughout his life, Bill Bradley has achieved remarkable success as 
a scholar, an athlete, an author and an outstanding public official. 
And whether he was helping his team to championships at Princeton 
University, the Olympic arena, or the floor of Madison Square Garden, 
or helping to pass landmark legislation on the floor of the Senate, 
Bill Bradley always strives for the best. He has performed always as a 
rising star, and I know that this is not his apex.
  Mr. President, in the Senate, Bill Bradley concentrated on a few 
areas and helped to translate his own vision into public policy. As a 
member of the Finance Committee, he continually fought for fair tax 
policy, honest budgeting, and economic policies that enhance growth. He 
is widely known as the author of the fair tax, which was the foundation 
of the Tax Reform Act of 1986.
  Bill also knew that the single best economic advantage is a good 
education. So he designed a new way to help pay for college. His self-
reliance loans give all students, regardless of income, the chance to 
borrow money from the Federal Government.
  He has been a strong voice against gun violence and crime in our 
communities and a creative thinker in developing opportunities for 
urban youth. His efforts are reflected in the enactment of community 
banking and urban enterprise zone legislation, educational reforms and 
community policing programs.
  But what many of us will remember most is Bill's passion when it 
comes to issues involving equality. Bill established himself as a 
serious and badly needed voice in the national dialog on racism, 
pluralism, and discrimination. He has challenged every American to 
confront the festering sore of racism. In his keynote at the 1992 
Democratic convention, he warned that ``We will advance together, or 
each of us will be diminished.''
  One of his most powerful moments in the Senate, and one which I will 
never forget, was his denunciation of the horrifying beating of Rodney 
King. I will always remember Bill standing at his podium, pounding it 
56 times with a bunch of pencils. His blows were meant to represent the 
beating administered by the police to Rodney King. The sound, 
resonating through the Senate Chamber, was a powerful reminder of just 
how far we need to go on the road to equality.
  In the international arena, Bill Bradley was so energetic and 
committed that he traveled to the former Soviet Union for a weekend--to 
try to facilitate understanding between the superpowers, and to foster 
peaceful co-existence through economic cooperation.
  With all of his achievements, Bill's chief goal in the Senate was to 
further the interests of New Jersey. He has written that he once 
received a special gift, a collection of every variety of rock found in 
our Garden State. I, too, think that it is the perfect gift, because 
what could better symbolize a man whose commitment to New Jersey's 
interests and her people was always rock solid?

  His hard-working schedule would, on occasion, take Bill to New Jersey 
twice in a single day, in order to fulfill his obligations to meet with 
constituents, to help solve a problem, to deliver a talk to students, 
or to simply stay on top of the Garden State's needs. And his famous 
New Jersey beach walks, which he took during every one of the past 18 
years, are symbolic of Bill's constant presence and consistent 
commitment to our State.
  Bill has written that he prefers moving to standing still, well I 
know that wherever his journey takes him, his ultimate destination will 
be success, and all of us will benefit from his efforts. To my friend, 
colleague, and fellow New Jerseyan, I thank you for the contributions 
you have made, and for those yet to come. I offer my wish for continued 
success and happiness.
  Mr. HEFLIN addressed the Chair.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Alabama.

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