[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 27 (Wednesday, March 5, 1997)]
[House]
[Pages H735-H736]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
COMMENDING HON. WARREN CHRISTOPHER FOR EXEMPLARY SERVICE
Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and concur in
the Senate concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 4) commending and
thanking the Honorable Warren Christopher for his exemplary service as
Secretary of State.
The Clerk read as follows:
S. Con. Res. 4
Whereas Secretary Warren Christopher served as Secretary of
State from 1993 until 1997, and maintained the tradition of
that Office by representing the international interests of
the United States with great dignity, grace, and ability;
Whereas Secretary Christopher, during his tenure as
Secretary of State, engaged in more international travel than
any other Secretary of State in United States history,
reflecting his indefatigable commitment to advancing peace
and justice, protecting and promoting United States
interests, and preserving United States leadership in
international affairs;
Whereas Secretary Christopher has played a key leadership
role in United States foreign policy achievements, including
ending the war in Bosnia, restoring an elected government in
Haiti, and advancing peace in the Middle East;
Whereas Secretary Christopher served with distinction as
Deputy Secretary of State from 1977 until 1981 and, among his
accomplishments as Deputy Secretary, is credited with
skillfully negotiating the release of American hostages in
Iran;
Whereas Secretary Christopher has had a distinguished
career in law and public service in California;
Whereas Secretary Christopher, born in Scranton, North
Dakota, is one of North Dakota's most distinguished native
sons and has always displayed the quiet strength and work
ethic associated with the people of the Great Plains;
Whereas in 1997 Secretary Christopher leaves his position
as the 63d Secretary of State; and
Whereas Secretary Christopher has earned the respect and
admiration of Congress and the American people: Now,
therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives
concurring), That Congress commends and thanks the Honorable
Warren Christopher for his exemplary diplomatic service, and
for his skillful and indefatigable efforts to advance peace
and justice around the world.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New
York [Mr. Gilman] and the gentleman from Indiana [Mr. Hamilton] each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New York [Mr. Gilman].
Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
(Mr. GILMAN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. HOUGHTON. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?
Mr. GILMAN. I yield to the gentleman from New York.
Mr. HOUGHTON. Mr. Speaker, my remarks will be very brief, and they
specifically hone in on an extraordinary citizen of this country,
Warren Christopher. Warren Christopher has held one of the most
important jobs that any administration can offer, the Secretary of
State. There are two words which symbolize this great man: One is
integrity; the other is judgment.
Mr. Speaker, Warren Christopher has done us proud.
Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. HAMILTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume,
and I rise in support of the resolution.
I want to thank the gentleman from New York [Mr. Gilman], the
chairman of the committee, for bringing forward this resolution.
Senate Concurrent Resolution 4 commends and thanks the honorable
Warren Christopher for his exemplary diplomatic service. The Senate
approved this resolution, as I understand it, by voice vote on January
22. It was reported by the Committee on International Relations on
February 5.
I also want to express my appreciation to the gentleman from North
Dakota [Mr. Pomeroy], who has worked hard on a companion resolution in
the House, praising one of North Dakota's finest sons, and on the
persistent efforts of the gentleman from North Dakota [Mr. Pomeroy] to
see that this resolution was taken up by the House. I also want to
thank Chairman Gilman for moving the resolution through the committee
several weeks ago and for his efforts to see that the House considers
it.
This is, of course, an excellent resolution. It allows us to publicly
recognize the extraordinary public service of Warren Christopher.
Secretary Christopher has represented the international interests of
the United States with great dignity, grace, and ability. During his
tenure in office, Secretary Christopher had an indefatigable commitment
to advancing peace and justice, protecting and promoting U.S.
interests, and preserving the U.S. leadership in international affairs.
There have been many tough foreign policy decisions to make over the
past 4 years.
To my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, I understand that each
of us may have our differences with the administration and its foreign
policy, but I think all of us have an interest in ensuring that
individuals of the caliber, character, and integrity of Secretary
Christopher continue to be attracted to the high calling of public
service.
It is altogether fitting that we commend this remarkable man and his
extraordinary service to this country. I urge adoption of the
resolution.
Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from
North Dakota [Mr. Pomeroy].
Mr. POMEROY. I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time.
Mr. Speaker, I rise to join with my colleagues in paying tribute to
the service of Warren Christopher as Secretary of State. I thank the
gentleman from New York [Mr. Gilman], the chairman of the committee,
and the gentleman from Indiana [Mr. Hamilton], the ranking member, for
bringing this resolution to the floor today.
Not all my colleagues may be aware that Secretary Christopher hails
from my State, the great State of North Dakota. He was born in
Scranton, ND, a town of less than 300 people in southwestern North
Dakota. Although his
[[Page H736]]
family moved to California when Secretary Christopher was still a young
man, we in North Dakota like to think that we had a part in instilling
in him the values he displayed so consistently throughout his public
career: honesty, humility, loyalty, and hard work. He is without
question one of our State's most distinguished sons, and it gives me
great pride to join with my colleagues in recognizing Secretary
Christopher's public service.
Secretary Christopher's service to our Nation began during World War
II as an ensign in the Naval Reserve assigned to the Pacific theater.
Following the war, Secretary Christopher attended law school at
Stanford University, after which he served as law clerk to Supreme
Court Justice William O. Douglas. Warren Christopher later established
a very successful private law career in Los Angeles from which he took
leave to serve as Deputy Attorney General under President Johnson, then
Deputy Secretary of State under President Carter.
In the role of Deputy Secretary, Warren Christopher negotiated the
release of 52 hostages from Iran. For his work, President Carter
awarded Secretary Christopher with the Medal of Freedom, the Nation's
highest civilian award. As the 63d Secretary of State, Warren
Christopher provided calm and capable leadership during one of the most
significant transition periods in American foreign policy.
Among the Secretary's many accomplishments, I believe two deserve
special recognition. First, Secretary Christopher helped bring an end
to the brutal war in Bosnia. In the fall of 1995 when the parties to
the Dayton talks were ready to call it quits and break off
negotiations, Secretary Christopher's steely determination kept the
sides together through an all-night session until an eventual agreement
was reached. Only time will tell if lasting reconciliation and
Democratic institutions will take hold in Bosnia, but the fact is that
Bosnian children are not dying today under mortar fire and sniper fire,
in large part due to Secretary Christopher's tireless efforts.
History may prove that the Secretary's most enduring legacy will be
his efforts on behalf of peace in the Middle East. During his 4 years
in office, Secretary Christopher made at least 24 trips to the Middle
East. He was personally very well suited to the terribly difficult task
of brokering a peace accord. He deliberately minimized his personal
profile while persisting with a determined, intelligent, and evenhanded
approach at facilitating the region's leaders' courageous path to
peace.
While implementation of the peace process is not yet complete,
Secretary Christopher deserves substantial credit for the extraordinary
progress that was made during his years as our Secretary of State.
Beneath Secretary Christopher's ever composed demeanor was an intense
commitment to advancing peace and U.S. interests around the world. His
tireless efforts are evidenced by the travel record he set in
office: 758,152 miles. That is equivalent to more than 30 trips around
the world. This selfless public servant has done his native State of
North Dakota and his country proud.
I urge my colleagues to support the resolution commending the good
work of Warren Christopher during his years as our Secretary of State.
Mr. CAPPS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the superior service that my
constituent, I am very proud to be able to say that, former Secretary
of State Warren Christopher has provided this country. Mr. Christopher
is well known to most of us as a former Secretary of State. It should
also be pointed out that he served as the Deputy Attorney General from
1967 to 1969, and the Deputy Secretary of State from 1977 to 1981. He
was sworn in as the 63d Secretary of State on January 20, 1993. Under
his leadership the State Department has worked to promote the security
and prosperity of all Americans.
During his tenure, U.S. diplomatic leadership moved us closer to
forging a circle of peace in the Middle East, produced a reduction in
the nuclear threat, worked to integrate environmental issues into the
core of our foreign policy, made strides to adapt NATO, and
strengthened the partnership between the United States and Japan.
More important than these singular accomplishments is that for 4
years Mr. Christopher worked untiringly and consistently to represent
us with grace and skill, traveling more miles than any previous
Secretary of State. His dedication and his professional expertise are
unquestionable. Now he has successfully passed off the torch to a
shining star, Secretary Madeleine Albright.
Mr. Christopher, I am addressing you directly: Thank you for your
dedicated service, and I want to also say welcome home. I hope to see
you soon on beautiful Padaro Lane, or on Santa Barbara Street in the
community that both of us love.
Announcement by the Speaker Pro Tempore
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Members are reminded that they should
address their remarks to the Chair and not to individuals directly.
Mr. CAPPS. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I
yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I thank the gentleman from California for his supportive remarks, and
I am pleased to bring this resolution before the House today pursuant
to the direction of our Committee on International Relations.
Mr. Speaker, this resolution was adopted by unanimous vote in the
Senate on January 22 as Secretary Christopher's distinguished tenure
was expiring. I have had the pleasure of working with Secretary
Christopher as ranking Republican and later as chairman of our
Committee on International Relations during the past 4 years, and first
knew him earlier in both our careers when he served in the Carter
administration.
There is no question in my mind that Warren Christopher deserves our
commendation for his outstanding, long record of significant service to
our Nation. As Deputy Secretary in the Carter administration and then
later as Secretary in the Clinton administration, Warren Christopher
served his Nation in two administrations ably and meritoriously.
He has enormous respect for his colleagues in the State Department,
and they returned that respect fully. A distinguished attorney, Warren
Christopher favored a quiet approach to solving problems, keeping his
eye on the ball, and, as one editorialist put it, he approached his job
with ``discretion approaching squareness.''
Over the years we had some policy differences, but this is not the
time to dwell on any of them. Rather, we celebrate today Warren
Christopher's many achievements and join with the Senate in applauding
them in this formal manner.
I appreciate the efforts of the gentleman from Indiana [Mr. Hamilton]
and the gentleman from North Dakota [Mr. Pomeroy] in helping to provide
the impetus for consideration of this resolution today.
Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back
the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from New York [Mr. Gilman] that the House suspend the rules
and concur in the Senate concurrent resolution, Senate Concurrent
Resolution 4.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor
thereof) the rules were suspended and the Senate concurrent resolution
was concurred in.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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