[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 132 (Monday, September 29, 1997)]
[House]
[Page H8091]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             HOWARD M. METZENBAUM UNITED STATES COURTHOUSE

  Mr. KIM. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the Senate 
bill (S. 833) to designate the Federal building courthouse at Public 
Square and Superior Avenue in Cleveland, Ohio, as the ``Howard M. 
Metzenbaum United States Courthouse.''
  The Clerk read 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''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
California [Mr. Kim] and the gentleman from Ohio [Mr. Traficant], each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California [Mr. Kim].
  Mr. KIM. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  S. 833 designates the U.S. courthouse located at Public Square in 
Cleveland, OH, as the Howard Metzenbaum United States Courthouse.
  Senator Metzenbaum was born in Cleveland, OH, in 1917. He began his 
political career in 1942 by his successful bid to the Ohio House of 
Representatives, becoming the youngest person elected to the State 
legislature at that time.
  In 1950, Senator Metzenbaum retired from public office to return to 
his private practice and business interests, most notably his parking 
lot network. After several years pursuing his business interests, 
Senator Metzenbaum returned to political office in 1973 by an 
appointment to the U.S. Senate to fill the unexpired term of William 
Saxbe, who had been appointed Attorney General. After the general 
election in 1974, he was elected to a full term in 1976.
  Senator Metzenbaum served on the Energy and Natural Resources, the 
Judiciary Committee, and the Select Committee on Indian Affairs, and 
later on the Labor and Human Resources Committee and the Committee on 
the Budget. He was a tireless advocate on causes for the American 
worker and was active in numerous judicial nominations. He retired at 
the end of the 103d Congress.
  This is a fitting tribute to a dedicated public servant. I urge my 
colleagues to support this act.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. TRAFICANT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  I, too, want to join the two Senators from Ohio, Senators Glenn and 
DeWine, as well as Senator Lautenberg, in supporting this bill to name 
the Federal courthouse in Cleveland in honor of former Senator Howard 
Metzenbaum.
  My involvement is a little different. I worked many times to help 
elect Howard Metzenbaum to the U.S. Senate, and I am very proud to have 
announced that here and to have worked with him and to help him carry 
our State of Ohio.
  His service to the U.S. Senate has now spanned 18 years. It was 
marked by devotion to diligence, dedication, fairness, and equality for 
all Americans. Senator Metzenbaum was an absolute zealot on behalf of 
the rights of the American people. Right now he is probably so upset 
over the revelation of the Internal Revenue Service, I know full well 
he is urging the Congress to pass my bill, H.R. 367, to change the 
burden of proof in a civil tax case and to stop these crazy seizures 
without judicial control. Senator Metzenbaum would be banging away, as 
I am, on that issue.
  As Members know, he was very concerned about the flippant use of guns 
in our society, and he led the charge in trying to, in fact, place 
greater penalties on those who violate the law using a handgun. For 
that, he has brought to the consciousness of the American people that 
great issue and is largely responsible for a moderating approach to 
that whole phenomenon. He has championed this Nation's underprivileged, 
and he has championed the cause of so many poor and defenseless people 
in our society. It is absolutely fitting that we name this courthouse 
in his name and honor.
  I am proud to join forces with the gentleman from California [Mr. 
Kim] and thank him once again for his fair effort in bringing forward 
some of these naming bills that reflect both sides of the aisle. 
Senator Metzenbaum has earned it. He deserves it. It will be a pleasure 
to walk into that courthouse bearing the name of Senator Howard 
Metzenbaum.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. KIM. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from California [Mr. Kim] that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the Senate bill, S. 833.
  The question was taken.
  Mr. CRAPO. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a 
quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not 
present.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 5 of rule I and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.
  The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.

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