[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 8 (Monday, February 9, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S505]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO FRANK STRUKEL

  Mr. WELLSTONE. Finally, Mr. President--I know other colleagues are on 
the floor. I just looked back and I saw Senator Kennedy from 
Massachusetts, who I think has been the best labor Senator maybe in the 
history of the country. Maybe along with Senator Metzenbaum.
  It was Saturday night, and I promised myself I would do this. I want 
to make this a part of the official Record of the U.S. Senate. Saturday 
night, on the Iron Range in Eveleth, MN, there was at a gathering to 
honor a man named Frank Strukel who has been one great labor organizer. 
He is struggling with ALS, which is commonly called Lou Gehrig's 
disease. His friends from all over the State of Minnesota came to honor 
him. He should be honored.
  I see my colleagues--Senator Ashcroft, who happens to be a good 
friend, even though we do not always agree on issues. But one thing we 
do agree on is we respect people who work hard on things that they 
believe in. We respect people who live by the words they speak. Frank 
Strukel was that way. Frank Strukel is that way.
  I am hoping and praying he will somehow figure out a way to defeat 
this disease. He said that night he is going to be with us for a long 
time. I hope and pray that is the case. I promised him that I would say 
on the floor of the Senate that Frank Strukel has been one heck of a 
hell-raising labor organizer. And he has been just that.
  Mr. President, I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Sessions). Who yields time?
  Mr. ABRAHAM addressed the Chair.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Does the Senator from Missouri yield time or--
  Mr. ASHCROFT. Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The bill clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that I be able to 
speak as in morning business for up to 5 minutes.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mr. ABRAHAM. Thank you, Mr. President.
  Mr. HARKIN. Sorry? What was that request?
  Mr. ABRAHAM. To speak as in morning business for up to 5 minutes.
  Mr. HARKIN. Oh.

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