[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 18 (Wednesday, February 12, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E244]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO ELLIOTT P. LAWS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JANE HARMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 12, 1997

  Ms. HARMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Elliott P. Laws, who 
is stepping down from his position as EPA's Assistant Administrator for 
Solid Waste and Emergency Response at the end of this week.
  In my view, no member of the Clinton administration has been more 
effective in serving the American people. Like many, Elliott possesses 
the necessary intelligence, creativity, and patience. But what has made 
Elliott truly special is that he is a caring and compassionate person--
qualities which pervade every aspect of his work.
  With his vast experience not only in the Federal Government, but also 
in the private sector and at the State level, it is no wonder that 
Elliott has not tolerated business as usual at the EPA. Elliott 
embodies the notion of reinventing government.
  For more than 2 years, Elliott and I have worked together to help 
constituents of mine who have the misfortune of living between two 
Superfund sites--a former DDT manufacturing plant and toxic waste pits. 
Before Elliott got involved, EPA seemed content to stick with the old 
way of doing business and planned to temporarily move residents, remove 
toxic DDT from their homes, and then return them to their 
neighborhood--notwithstanding the waste pits which loomed nearby.
  Once I called on Elliott for help, he made it clear that the old way 
was not acceptable, and that an innovative solution had to be found. To 
begin with, Elliott came to California to meet with residents in their 
own backyards to learn the scope of the problem from them. Elliott used 
his persuasiveness to get local residents and potential responsible 
parties to sit down with a mediator to discuss ways to permanently 
relocate those at the site. Months and months of hard work by everyone 
involved has apparently paid off and a buyout plan will hopefully be 
ratified in the next few weeks. Residents will be permanently 
relocated, and can finally move on with their lives.
  Mr. Speaker, the Federal Government needs more public servants like 
Elliott Laws. I wish him well in all of his future endeavors.

                          ____________________