[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 140 (Wednesday, October 2, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Pages S12197-S12198]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                FRANKLIN DELANO ROOSEVELT HISTORY MONTH

 Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, one of Franklin Roosevelt's most 
famous speeches is commonly referred to as the ``four freedoms'' 
speech. He said:

       We look forward to a world founded upon four essential 
     human freedoms. The first is freedom of speech and 
     expression--everywhere in the world. The second is freedom of 
     every person to worship God in his own way--everywhere in the 
     world. The third is freedom from want--everywhere in the 
     world. The fourth is freedom from fear--everywhere in the 
     world.

  These optimistic words were spoken less than 1 year before the 
Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. It was an anxious time for America. 
The United States was very reluctant to get involved in another war, 
but the spread of Hitler's empire across Europe and into northern 
Africa demanded a call to action. The U.S. Army was so unprepared for 
any conflict that it was training with broomsticks for machine guns and 
sacks of flour for mortar fire.
  In the wake of Pearl Harbor, the country was in shock and fearful of 
attack. Guns were placed on top of Washington, DC, buildings and Army 
units in American cities were put on alert to be on the lookout for 
enemy planes. However, President Roosevelt's confidence in the face of 
adversity was contagious. He called on the country to put down 
everything and concentrate on beating the enemy. Millions of men 
enlisted to defend freedom. Roosevelt mobilized the country to make 
weapons of war at levels that many critics called unrealistic. Women 
flocked into the workplace at unprecedented levels to fill the labor 
shortage. On the homefront, everything from Sunday automobile drives to 
meat and butter were sacrificed to provide for the men on the front 
lines. The greatest sacrifice among the many sacrifices which America 
gave for the war effort was the loss of many lives among a generation 
of the country's finest young men and women.
  Roosevelt kept the country updated on the war effort through his 
fireside chats. They were so popular that stores ran out of world maps 
because so many citizens were following along with the President at 
home. The President had a unique ability to convey to the American 
people the seriousness and grave nature of the situation that America 
found itself in, while at the same time showing unqualified confidence 
in the American people to get the job done.

  One cannot properly speak of Franklin Roosevelt without considerable

[[Page S12198]]

mention of his wife Eleanor. When President Roosevelt was struck with 
polio, Eleanor Roosevelt represented him in places that he could not 
reach. She toured the country and reported back to her husband on what 
she had heard. She was one of his closest and most trusted advisers.
  While not an adviser, the Roosevelt's dog, Fala, provided 
companionship for the President in very difficult times. It was 
reported that the President was rarely seen without the dog trailing 
close behind. Even the Roosevelt dog was not immune from political 
attacks, however. Following one such attack, Roosevelt remarked, 
``Well, of course, I don't resent attacks, and my family doesn't resent 
attacks, but Fala does resent them--his Scotch soul was furious. * * * 
He has not been the same dog since.''
  Roosevelt was elected President in 1932 at the depth of the Great 
Depression and he died while serving as President in April 1945, 
shortly before the surrender of Germany in World War II. During those 
years, the world underwent a tidal change, which touched the lives of 
everyone then and since. It is the ultimate testament to President 
Roosevelt that he was reelected an unprecedented three times during 
such a turbulent era, proving both his effectiveness and immense 
popularity.
  In fighting the Depression, he was able to use the Federal Government 
as an effective tool in getting people working again. Through the U.S. 
victory in World War II, Roosevelt positioned the United States in a 
leadership position in world affairs that has lasted for over 50 years. 
We continue to reap the benefits of his leadership today.
  Yesterday, October 1, 1996, marked the first day of Franklin Delano 
Roosevelt History Month. During the next month, the life and times of 
Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt will be celebrated across the country 
through symposia, exhibitions, and documentaries. I encourage everyone 
to take part in observing the contributions FDR made to our 
Nation.

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