[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 76 (Thursday, June 5, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S5345]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. LAUTENBERG (for himself, Mr. DeWine, Mr. Glenn, and Mr. 
        Hatch):
  S. 833. A bill to designate the Federal building courthouse at Public 
Square and Superior Avenue in Cleveland, Ohio, as the ``Howard M. 
Metzenbaum United States Courthouse''; to the Committee on Environment 
and Public Works.


 the howard m. metzenbaum united states courthouse designation act of 
                                  1997

  Mr. LAUTENBERG. Mr. President, I rise today to congratulate my dear 
friend and former colleague, Howard Metzenbaum, on the occasion of his 
80th birthday. In his honor, I am introducing a bill that would 
designate the Federal Building Courthouse in Cleveland, OH, as the 
``Howard M. Metzenbaum United States Courthouse.'' I am joined by 
Ohio's two Senators, Senator Glenn and Senator DeWine.
  Mr. President, I propose naming a courthouse after Howard because a 
courthouse is a symbol of justice where all people can come and be 
treated equally under the law. Howard Metzenbaum deserves this honor 
because he was a dedicated public servant, who served his home State of 
Ohio for 18 years in the U.S. Senate. Howard's sense of fairness and 
equality for all Americans led one of his former colleagues to suggest 
that Howard would have made an exceptional U.S. Supreme Court Justice 
when he retired from the Senate in 1994.
  Mr. President, naming a courthouse after Howard is only a small 
gesture in attempting to remember a man so committed to justice and 
fairness. Howard's contributions to the Senate are extraordinary, so we 
should commemorate his unique contribution by celebrating his 80th 
year, his 18 years in the United States Senate, and also the special 
character he brought to our body.
  I pay tribute today to a man who always stood up for what he believed 
was right, fighting hard to preserve opportunity for those yet to come. 
As a Senator, Howard had a broad range of interests and he pursued them 
with dogged perseverance, sincerity, and clarity.
  Howard and I worked on many issues together during our time in the 
Senate. Individual rights and environmental preservation were major 
concerns. He poured his energy into clean air protection, nuclear 
regulation, cleaning up superfund sites, and recycling. Howard provided 
strong leadership on antitrust issues as Chairman of the Subcommittee 
on Antitrust, Monopolies and Business Rights on the Judiciary 
Committee.
  He was a persistent gun control advocate, taking the lead on many 
antigun initiatives in the Senate. He was one of the lead sponsors of 
the Brady bill handgun purchase waiting period, as well as the bans on 
assault weapons and plastic explosives.
  But Howard's true passions lay with America's underprivileged and 
needy communities, which never had a bolder champion. His work on 
behalf of the poor, the disabled, and the elderly reflect his 
remarkable compassion for those members of society who face challenges 
that many of us cannot fully appreciate. He tirelessly defended their 
interests and fought for their protection. He was dedicated to 
eradicating discrimination, ensuring adequate health care to those in 
need, and boosting public education. It has been said many times, but 
for good reason, that Howard brought not only his conscience to the 
Senate, but also the courage to act on his convictions.
  Howard remains a good friend to me, but he was also a mentor and a 
teacher during his years in the Senate. He gave me good advice and 
plenty of it. And, I might add, he continues to do so today, which I 
welcome. But more than that, his dedication to the office of United 
States Senator is an example by which to live. He stood tall for the 
little people.
  Some will affectionately remember Howard as determined, 
argumentative, and even ``irascible.'' I cannot deny that those words 
come to my mind every now and then, when describing Howard. He was 
always at his best then, and for good reason. I heard it said by one 
Senator, and not a good friend: ``If there wasn't a Metzenbaum here, 
we'd have to invent one to keep us alert.''
  I have missed working with Howard Metzenbaum in this great 
institution, a place that has been truly enhanced by his presence. I 
salute him on celebrating his 80th year.
  I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill appear at the 
appropriate place in the Record.
  There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                 S. 833

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

     SECTION 1. DESIGNATION OF HOWARD M. METZENBAUM UNITED STATES 
                   COURTHOUSE.

       The Federal building courthouse at Public Square and 
     Superior Avenue in Cleveland, Ohio, shall be known and 
     designated as the ``Howard M. Metzenbaum United States 
     Courthouse''.

     SEC. 2. REFERENCES.

       Any reference in a law, map, regulation, document, paper, 
     or other record of the United States to the Federal building 
     courthouse referred to in section 1 shall be deemed to be a 
     reference to the ``Howard M. Metzenbaum United States 
     Courthouse''.
                                 ______