[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 107 (Friday, July 25, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S8158]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             HOWARD M. METZENBAUM UNITED STATES COURTHOUSE

  The Senate proceeded to consider the bill (S. 833) to designate the 
Federal building courthouse at Public Square and Superior Avenue in 
Cleveland, OH, as the ``Howard M. Metzenbaum United States 
Courthouse.''
  Mr. LAUTENBERG. Mr. President, I am very pleased that today the 
Senate will recognize the contributions of my dear friend and former 
colleague, Howard Metzenbaum, by approving this bill designating the 
Federal Building Courthouse in Cleveland, OH as the ``Howard M. 
Metzenbaum United States Courthouse.'' Ohio's two Senators, Senator 
Glenn and Senator DeWine, were original cosponsors of this legislation, 
along with Senator Hatch, when I introduced on June 5, 1997.
  Mr. President, I proposed 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, and 
we commemorate his unique contribution by passing this bill in 
celebration of his 80th year, his 18 years in the U.S. 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 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 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.
  The bill (S. 833) was ordered to be engrossed for a third reading, 
read the third time, and passed; 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''.

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