[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 35 (Wednesday, March 25, 1998)]
[House]
[Pages H1509-H1512]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentlewoman from Wyoming (Mrs. Cubin) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  (Mrs. CUBIN addressed the House. Her remarks will appear hereafter in 
the Extension of Remarks.)

                TRIBUTE TO FORMER CONGRESSMAN JIM HOWARD

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pallone) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, 10 years ago today, March 25, 1988, 
Congressman Jim Howard passed away. It was a very sad day for us, for 
his friends and colleagues, his family, and for the country, because he 
had given so much and was at the height of his career as chairman of 
the House Public Works and Transportation Committee.
  Mr. Speaker, I wanted to say these words tonight because I wanted to 
make sure that Jim and his tremendous legislative accomplishments are 
not forgotten. As his successor, representing most of his old district, 
I can point to many reminders back home of Jimmy's 24 years in 
Congress. There is the massive Jersey Shore beach restoration project, 
the rebuilding of Barnegat Inlet, the electrification of North Jersey 
Coast Rail Line, and Ocean County Community College.
  There is the veterans outpatient clinic in Brick Township, the 
National Marine Fisheries Lab at Sandy Hook, the Computer Sciences Hall 
at Monmouth University, and Interstate 195 in Central Jersey, all of 
which carry his name as a reminder of his outstanding service to his 
district and to his State.
  His contributions nationally were broad and lasting. As Chairman of 
the Surface Transportation Subcommittee from 1975 to 1981, he developed 
the ``Howard Plan'' which, for the first time, combined mass transit 
and highway legislation into one bill. It was an effort to give mass 
transit equal billing with highways and to better coordinate national 
transportation policy.
  As chairman of the Committee on Public Works from 1981 to 1988, he 
championed, with the bipartisan help of the committee's current 
chairman and ranking member, the critical needs of the Nation's 
crumbling infrastructure. He undertook a bruising, but successful 
battle to raise the Federal gas tax to pay for the roads and the 
bridges that were deteriorating at an alarming rate.
  He also championed highway safety, the 55-mile-per-hour speed limit, 
as well as anti-drunk driving and 21-year-old minimum drinking age laws 
that have saved many lives throughout the country. Perhaps most 
critical for his Jersey Shore district, he was an environmentalist who 
passed a tough clean water bill over a presidential veto. He set the 
timetable to end ocean dumping, developed a plan to end plastic 
floatables pollution and helped pass a comprehensive Superfund law.
  In many ways, particularly in the environmental area, I am trying to 
carry on with some of these initiatives, because they are ongoing in 
nature and require a constant vigilance; and I have great respect for 
Jimmy's legacy and for that of his family. His widow, Marlene, his 
daughters, Kathy, Lenore and Marie, who is here this evening and is 
also a staffer on the Committee on Resources, and four grandsons, 
Brian, Jamie, Anthony and Joseph.
  The love and support that Jim Howard received from his family was 
critical to his success in Congress and also at campaign time. He often 
talked about his first campaign in 1964, which was run from his kitchen 
table, using the entire family savings of about $5,000 at the time. His 
wife, Marlene, was the campaign manager, and my colleagues have to 
understand, this was a very risky venture for a grammar school teacher 
running in a district that had never gone Democratic for President and 
has not since that day in 1964 when Lyndon Johnson was elected and so 
was Jim Howard. His campaign slogan in 1964 was ``He cares about 
people, it's that simple.'' I think that really sums up why Jim was 
reelected each time against odds that often were overwhelming.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to include for the record two letters which 
I think paint a rich picture of the human side of Jim Howard, his 
wonderful sense of humor and his love of life. One of the letters is 
from Jimmy's daughter, Marie Howard Fabrizio, and the other is from 
Hayley Roberts Mullan of Belmar, New Jersey, which is the town in our 
congressional district where Jim grew up. Hayley has many childhood 
memories of her Congressman, which I would like to share and I include 
them for the Record at this time.
                                                   March 25, 1998.
     Congressman Frank Pallone,
     Cannon House Office Building, House of Representatives, 
         Washington, DC.
       Dear Frank: On behalf of my mother Marlene, my sisters 
     Kathy and Lenore, and all the Vetrano and Howard family, 
     thank you so much for taking the time to remember and honor 
     my father, Jim Howard, today on the tenth anniversary of his 
     passing. Our hearts are filled with appreciation for this 
     kind gesture.
       Dad served in the House of Representatives for 24 years and 
     he loved this House. He was a liberal Democrat from a fairly 
     conservative Republican district. First elected in 1964, he 
     remained in Congress until his death on this date in 1988. I 
     believe he was continuously reelected because he was 
     respected by Democrats and Republicans alike for his candor, 
     and willingness to listen to different opinions and learn 
     from them. I can remember several occasions when he came home 
     and told us that he was going to come out on one side or the 
     other of an extremely contentious issue and it would probably 
     mean he wouldn't be reelected. If we asked why he had to take 
     such a stand the answer was always the same--because it was 
     the right thing to do. Not to do so was a totally foreign 
     concept to him.
       In the mid 1960's when he had only been in Congress for a 
     short time, he came out against further U.S. involvement in 
     the Vietnam war. A position that didn't put a young 
     Congressman in a good light with the powerful Johnson White 
     House nor with his district which strongly supported the war 
     effort. It seems funny to think of it now, but his position 
     in favor of allowing 18 year olds to vote, was an incredibly 
     divisive issue at the time it was being considered. He told 
     me he could not rationalize how the government could draft 
     someone into combat but deny that person a say in who made 
     such decisions. Of course, few were thrilled when as Chairman 
     of the House Public Works and Transportation Committee, he 
     pushed so hard for the 55 mile an hour national speed limit. 
     He was most proud of that legislation because it was so 
     immediately responsible for a large decrease in highway 
     fatalities and incidents of paralysis, epilepsy and other 
     medical problems resulting from head trauma.

[[Page H1510]]

       My dad used to say that next to the clergy, he believed 
     public service was the next highest calling. He strongly 
     believed that government was not the enemy of the people but 
     rather an instrument to be used to make life better for those 
     living in the shadows of life, and to foster strength within 
     our union by embracing the diversity among all Americans.
       Clearly, he passed his love of Congress on to me. After 18 
     years of working here I can say I've been blessed with the 
     opportunity to work for three Members who, although diverse 
     in personality, remind me so much of the ideals I respected 
     most in my dad. Senator Bill Bradley for his forethought; 
     Congressman Mo Udall for his unfailing humor and ability to 
     bring warring sides together; and Congressman George Miller 
     for his keen intellect and unwavering courage to take on the 
     most unpopular of issues simply because it's ``the right 
     thing to do.''
       Everyone who knew my dad, knows that he got involved in 
     politics because of the vision of the Kennedys. When he met 
     Senator Jack Kennedy and listened to his vision for America--
     he was hooked. He remained true to that vision throughout his 
     entire life and proudly wore his PT 109 tie pin and carried a 
     Kennedy half dollar with him every day as reminders of where 
     he came from. Frank, I know in your campaign office you have 
     a rather large picture of my father with then Senator Bobby 
     Kennedy, but I'm not sure you know the story behind the big 
     smiles they have. The picture was taken during my dad's first 
     reelection bid in 1966. Senator Kennedy was recording a radio 
     spot which referred to my dad as being named the Outstanding 
     Freshman Congressman. After the recording, Senator Kennedy 
     said, ``Gee Jim, that's pretty nice. What group picked you?'' 
     to which my dad quickly responded, ``My staff. The vote was 
     6-to-4.''
       His quick wit may be what I miss most of all. He tried to 
     instill in his daughters the importance of being able to 
     laugh at our own human foibles. I remember my first day 
     working as an intern in a Congressional office. I must have 
     been 16 or 17 years old and was sent to deliver something in 
     the Senate. I was hopelessly lost when I suddenly saw several 
     men coming my way. Without thinking, I grabbed the arm of one 
     of the man and asked for his help. As I looked up--into 
     Senator Ted Kennedy's face--I was mortified. He was 
     actually being interviewed and my intrusion caused cameras 
     to click off and writers to stop writing. As the other men 
     laughed, the Senator couldn't have been nicer, and told me 
     the direction I needed to go. I felt like such a fool but 
     when I told the story to my dad, he laughted so hard that 
     in no time we were both roaring with laughter.
       My dad always felt so lucky to be here and never forgot 
     that under the many titles he amassed--Honorable, 
     Congressman, Chairman--he was just a young, Irish kid with a 
     head full of dreams given the opportunity of a lifetime to 
     come to Washington with his Italian wife from Asbury Park to 
     represent their beloved Jersey Shore.
       It's hard to believe that ten years has passed since I 
     heard his voice, squeezed his hand, or kissed his cheek. An 
     entire decade has passed since I heard him sing an Irish 
     song, tell me he loved me, or saw the twinkle in his eye that 
     was always followed by that crooked smile which indicated he 
     just saw something very funny in an otherwise serious 
     situation.
       How well I remember that sunny March day at St. Catherine's 
     when you served as a pallbearer for my dad. I know he was 
     your mentor and you worried about filling his shoes but with 
     the work you have done here, especially with regard to the 
     environment and shore protection, he would be proud of you.
       I try to keep my dad's torch alive inside of me by 
     remembering his teachings to me to never forget where I came 
     from, always remember that one person can make a difference 
     and everyone must try, and to always find the humor in life 
     and revel in it. You also keep his torch alive by continuing 
     to represent the interests of the Jersey Shore with respect 
     and enthusiasm.
       Again, thanks to you and your wonderful staff, Nancy Fatemi 
     for this most gracious of tributes to my dad's memory.
           Fondly,
     Marie Howard Fabrizio.
                                                                    ____

       Dear Congressman Pallone:
     There's a saying I adore, but I don't know whom to credit:
     ``The world is filled with music for those who would hear 
           it.''
       Jim Howard ``heard'' the music and he helped others follow 
     the rhythm. He was a family man--a man of integrity and 
     values. He played his politics from the heart. He worked 
     diligently for what he believed was right--even if it meant 
     hitting a few sour notes along the way. He could always take 
     a deep breath and continue his melody, usually without 
     skipping a beat.
       Jim many times was the conductor of Congress--heading 
     committees, establishing ideas to help the district and 
     country, yet never forgetting that without the ``musicians'' 
     his music wouldn't be heard. He knew that with the correct 
     accompaniment the music would be beautiful and sonorous.
       He also knew when it was time to slow down the beat--even 
     during a busy campaign. He would be out on the links teeing 
     off, or watching cartoons with a child, or getting a group of 
     people to hold hands and sway to the music of ``Sweet 
     Caroline''. He would also take time out of a busy day to stop 
     by a friend's house to show off the latest in technology 
     ``toys'' or he would stop by a hospital to visit a friend's 
     newborn baby.
       These are all things that I remember about Jim Howard. I 
     also remember at this funeral, during the 21-gun-salute the 
     realization that not only was I loosing someone important in 
     my life, but so was our country. I know his time on this 
     earth was cut short and there were many things he hadn't 
     finished yet. Hopefully, he's looking down on all of us and 
     giving us guidance to continue his work. And hopefully, for 
     him it's always sunny and he sinks every putt.
       He was a husband, father, grandfather, friend, teacher, 
     Congressman. Never once did he forget those who cared for him 
     or abuse his power in the government to hurt others. He 
     thought of others first and how his actions or works would 
     affect them. And luckily, for us, he helped a young 
     politician named Frank Pallone to continue his work. Another 
     man who doesn't forget what he's learned and helps to pass it 
     onto others. We've been a very lucky district indeed.
       My only misfortune is that I was not of age to cast my vote 
     for Jim Howard--I was seventeen when he passed away. But I 
     leaned many things from him about politics and life. Politics 
     didn't require ``dirty pool'' or opportunistic photo ops. 
     Politics needed heartfelt belief in what was correct and 
     proper. If you lived your life in that manner you didn't need 
     to worry about winning an election--the people knew a kind, 
     generous, and trustworthy person when they saw one. I am 
     definitely a better person today for having known him and his 
     legacy stays with me every day of my life.
       Jim was like a second grandfather to me and I loved him and 
     I miss him. But I know that one day I'll meet him again.
                                            Hayley Roberts Mullan.

  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?
  Mr. PALLONE. I yield to the gentleman from American Samoa.
  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I commend the gentleman for bringing 
this Special Order in recognition of our former Chairman of the 
Committee on Public Works, Mr. Howard. I do remember the gentleman 
working as a former staffer for the late Congressman Phil Burton.
  I had the privilege of meeting Mr. Howard, and if there is anything 
that I would identify and remember best about this great gentleman, not 
only as a Congressman, but as the Chairman of the Committee on Public 
Works, was the fact that he cares for the working man. And if there is 
anything that I could remember well in my association with the late 
Congressman, Phil Burton, was Jim Howard's concern about the needs of 
the working people here in America.
  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, reclaiming my time, I thank the gentleman 
for his remarks. I just want to say, Mr. Speaker, once again, that Jim 
Howard was my mentor. There are so many things that I try to emulate in 
his life, and I am very proud to be able to present this Special Order 
tonight, 10 years to the day of the anniversary of his death.
  Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, ten years ago today, Congress and the 
nation lost a true patriot. James J. Howard was a dear friend of mine 
and should be remembered as a tremendous public servant of the people 
of New Jersey, and of the entire country. For more than 20 years, the 
House knew Jim as a well-respected chairman who always put the health 
and safety of the American people above all else.
  Jim was a colleague and predecessor of mine: a dedicated, resourceful 
Chairman of the House Public Works and Transportation Committee for 
more than eight years. Throughout the 80's, Jim was the driving force 
behind the major improvements that were made to our nation's 
infrastructure.
  Jim fought for the principle that our infrastructure is one of the 
most crucial building blocks of our economy. He saw reliable highway 
systems, transit lines, air facilities, and water and sewage treatment 
capabilities, not as mundane subjects of public policy, but as a means 
to a better life for all. Better funding for highways and mass transit 
projects was secured because of Jim's work on the Surface 
Transportation Assistance Act of 1982. Work on the Airport and Airway 
Improvement Acts of 1982 and 1987 assured similar improvements for 
aviation.
  Jim believed that a solid infrastructure meant economic health and 
more jobs for his constituents and America. Because of Jim's vision, we 
appreciate this concept today, and his old Committee is proud to 
continue his work.
  Jim also knew that the goals he doggedly pursued had to be achieved 
at no risk to the people and to the environment. The 21-year minimum 
drinking age and speed limit laws for which he was responsible is clear 
evidence that safety of the American people was always among the 
foremost of his legislative concerns.
  Water pollution, waste dumps, sewage contamination--Jim battled to 
rid his district and

[[Page H1511]]

the country of these and other such threats to public safety. I have 
every confidence saying that many people are living today because of 
Jim's efforts, and I think that's something that should never be 
forgotten.
  Jim worked hard so that every American would have a better life. 
Looking back over the last 10 years, his legacy and enduring philosophy 
still drive the work of the Transportation Committee he so expertly 
piloted toward the 20th century.
  Jim, we miss you and we thank you for all that you did for this 
country.
  Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I rise to remember Jim Howard on the tenth 
anniversary of his death. Jim Howard was a great American and he was a 
proud Member of the House of Representatives. He embodied the idea of 
public service and his love for his country, his state and district, 
and for this institution is a memory none of us who knew him will ever 
forget. His dedication to the public good, to the betterment of life 
for every man, woman and child in this country is a testament to his 
love for his Nation.
  Mr. Speaker, today, in some circles, there is disdain for the kind of 
career legislator that was Jim Howard. He was an inside operator, a man 
who knew the rules, a man who knew how to get the job done. He 
fashioned a career from serving his constituents and his country and I, 
for one, think of his service to the United States as honorable and 
decent and well worth celebrating. Those who disparage public service 
should look closely at the record of achievement of a man like Jim 
Howard.
  As Chairman of the then Public Works and Transportation Committee, 
Jim Howard was responsible for creating a coordinated program of 
highway and mass transit transportation to serve our cities and our 
rural areas; he was a champion of energy conservation as well as public 
safety on our nation's highways. He understood the need for expanding 
and upgrading the nation's airports and air traffic control system, and 
was a prime mover in the deregulation of the airline industry. His 
legacy also includes the landmark 1987 Clean Water Act, which was 
passed by the Congress after a hard-fought, but fairly-won, battle and 
which became law in spite of a Presidential veto. He was a man who knew 
what he stood for and fought hard for it.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to have known Jim Howard. I appreciate the 
opportunity to salute him on this anniversary of his passing.
  Mrs. MINK of Hawaii. Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight to remember a former 
colleague, the late Congressman James Howard, Democrat who served his 
State of New Jersey, and his Third District from 1965 until he died on 
March 25, 1988 at the age of 60 years.
  Congressman Howard was first elected to the U.S. House in the fall of 
1964 and took office in January of 1965. Until his election this 
district had been basically Republican. I was elected that same year. 
We had an entering class of nearly 100 members.
  It was a historic Congress. Lyndon Baines Johnson was President. We 
enacted the first federal aid to education bill. We embarked on a War 
against Poverty. We made dramatic changes in the immigration laws. We 
provided help for young people going to college. We enacted Medicare. 
The list of achievements is long and impressive. It included things 
like Head Start, legal aid, aid to the elderly, new programs in housing 
and many others.
  Jimmy Howard as he was affectionately known as a stalwart leader in 
all these enactments. He stood for his people in the Third District. He 
was dedicated and creative. He was loyal and hardworking. I considered 
him to be one of my best friends. We formed caucuses to create greater 
opportunities for freshman to have a say in policy. We worked hard to 
reform the House Rules to make it more open and democratic. He stood 
tall for civil rights, for women's rights and for human rights.
  Jimmy Howard was a school teacher before he was elected to Congress. 
When he came to Congress he continued to use his background as a 
teacher and taught his colleagues about the importance of individual 
relationships and of the effectiveness of simple direct communication. 
He had a great wit and engaged the Congress in many provocative 
debates.
  In 1975 he became a subcommittee chair in the Public Works Committee. 
He rose to the Chair of the full Public Works Committee in January of 
1981.
  One of his more notable accomplishments was the consolidation of mass 
transit with the highway legislation.
  He was a very determined strategist and work ceaselessly to preserve 
the jurisdiction of his committees. He enacted the first 55 miles an 
hour speed limit on federal highways, which has probably saved the 
lives of thousands of people across the nation.
  Congressman Howard was a constant legislator always on the outlook 
for ways he could make the highways safer. He worked hard to fight 
against drunk drivers and to fight for greater safety for child 
passengers.
  In addition he is honored for his work to protect and preserve the 
environment. He fought against polluters and championed legislation to 
clean up toxic waste and keep dangerous chemicals out of our 
neighborhoods.
  I am pleased to take this moment to note the life and accomplishments 
of this great legislator, my friend and colleague, The Honorable James 
T. Howard.
  And in remembering Jimmy, I want to pay a special tribute and fond 
Aloha to his wife, Marlene and their children.
  Mr. KENNEDY of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 
memory of Representative Jim Howard from New Jersey. When Congressman 
Howard passed away suddenly ten years ago today, I was in my first term 
as a Member of Congress. I am grateful that I was able to meet Jim 
Howard, and to watch him at work. During his 23 years in Congress, Jim 
was one of the most able Members to serve in the House. When Jim served 
as Chairman of the House Public Works and Transportation Committee, he 
left his mark for us by passing important legislation improving our 
highways, mass transit, and aviation.
  I deeply admired the way Jim Howard balanced building roads while 
doing his best to clean up the environment. In the mid-80's, Jim Howard 
sponsored the Clean Water Act, Superfund Act, Groundwater Protection 
Act, and the Plastic Pollution and Research Act. These laws helped our 
nation to clean up estuaries, manage non-point pollution, and limit 
sludge dumping. In addition, Jim Howard worked with EPA to develop a 
plan to eliminate plastic pollution off the shores of New Jersey.
  While working to protect the environment, Jim Howard also worked to 
increase our fishing waters for our citizens to enjoy, by creating the 
200-mile fishing limit.
  At the same time, Jim Howard worked for highway safety. He was 
responsible for lowering the national speed limit to 55. This was the 
first law recognizing the relationship between speed and highway 
safety. Jim Howard also foresaw the problem with drunk driving. He 
wrote laws against drunk driving and raised the minimum drinking age to 
21. We cannot know how many lives were saved on the highways due to the 
efforts of Jim Howard. But we can only thank him.
  Mr. Speaker, I could go on and on in counting the many laws Jim 
Howard got passed in the Congress to protect our environment while 
expanding our transportation capabilities. It is poignant that we are 
remembering Jim Howard at this time. He did so much for transportation, 
and we are reflecting on his accomplishments just as the BESTA bill is 
about to come to the Floor.
  Mr. Speaker, in closing, I can only say that I am grateful that Jim 
Howard served in this House. He was one of our best Members, and was a 
good and gracious man.
  Mr. MOAKLEY. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from New 
Jersey, Mr. Pallone for reserving this time to pay tribute to the 
memory of a good friend, Jim Howard. It is only fitting that the timing 
of this event comes as the House is preparing to consider a major 
surface transportation bill next week.
  As a Representative from Boston, I will always be grateful to Jim 
Howard for his role in shepherding the original authorization of the 
Big Dig Project in Boston--the biggest public works project in the 
history of the United States--through the then Public Works and 
Transportation Committee. Jim's legacy is as strong today as it was 
when he left us ten years ago. Jim was known as a devoted 
representative to his constituents in the Third Congressional District, 
but Jim was also devoted to the citizens of the United States. As many 
of us know, Jim was responsible for the passage of the 55-mile-per-hour 
national speed limit. His efforts to focus the national attention on 
the issue of speed and safety and the perils of drunk driving and under 
age drinking undoubtedly saved thousands of lives. Jim was widely known 
as a transportation guy, but Jim also led the way on some of the most 
important environmental legislation to ever come out of the U.S. House 
of Representatives. Many a times that I sought Jim's help for clean-up 
money for Boston Harbor or additional money for a train station or for 
a particular highway project, Jim was always there. He appreciated the 
work of a legislator, he knew that if you tried hard enough you truly 
could make a difference in the daily lives of people.
  Jim was known as a fierce defender of the jurisdiction of his beloved 
Public Works Committee. As a member of the House Rules Committee, I 
witnessed first hand the many battles he had with the Appropriators 
whenever he thought they were treading on his committee's ability to 
legislate. And let me tell you nine times out of ten Jim would prevail. 
Jim knew the leglsiative process as well as any other Member I knew at 
the time and it was this knowledge that made Jim the special legislator 
that he was.
  I am eternally grateful for the friendship that Jim Howard accorded 
me while he was in

[[Page H1512]]

Congress. In 1977 I had the opportunity to travel to Egypt with Jim to 
meet with the leader of Egypt, Anwar Sadat. In my Congressional Office 
I still have the picture of Jim and myself in the traditional Arab 
headdress--I smile every time I see it. It brings back fond memories of 
my old pal.
  Again I thank the Gentleman from New Jersey, for reserving this time.
  Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I rise in tribute to the Honorable Jim 
Howard, former Member of the House of Representatives, and Chair of the 
then Committee on Public Works and Transportation, now the 
Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.
  My tribute to Jim's memory has to do with his chairmanship of the 
Public Works Committee, where he served from 1975 to 1988. This tribute 
comes from the fact that when I first began my tenure in the House in 
1976, as a twenty-seven year old freshman, I chose the Public Works 
Committee as the major committee I most wanted to join, and having done 
so I have remained on the Committee for nearly 22 years.
  Jim Howard's stewardship of that committee, and the strength and 
courage of his convictions concerning the importance of this nation's 
infrastructure, and of our duty to see that it was funded, will always 
be with me.
  As we are poised to vote on the reauthorization of the Federal 
Highway bill, known as BESTEA, in the coming days, I am reminded even 
more of the on-the-job training I received under Jim's leadership, 
which as served me so very well over the years.
  During Jim's chairmanship of the Committee, he guarded its 
jurisdiction with all of his being--which was considerable. It was Jim 
Howard who was responsible for the passage of the 55-mile per hour 
national speed limit, the first legislation to focus attention on the 
relationship between speed and safety.
  I was mindful of that fact when, in 1995 during floor consideration 
of the National Highway System Designation Act, as I tried in vain to 
preserve that 55-mile per hour speed limit. I wondered at the time 
whether Jim Howard was watching and listening as the speed limit was 
raised to ever more dangerous levels nationwide. I continue to believe 
that Jim was right, and that his 55-miles per hour limit that had stood 
the test of time as a mandate that prevented the deaths of many 
innocent victims around the country, should have remained in force.
  Chairman Jim Howard was a champion of all the issues over which his 
committee had jurisdiction, not just highways--from Clean Air to Clean 
Water, from Mass Transit to Airport and Airway Improvement, and from 
motor carrier safety to groundwater protection.
  As I mentioned above, in the next week when we again meet on the 
floor of the House to reauthorize the federal highway legislation, I 
will draw strength from remembering that Jim Howard did not shrink from 
a floor fight over legislation he believed was in the nation's 
interest.
  I know that he will be watching over us as we carry on with the 
legacy he left for all of us and for the nation by enacting BESTEA, 
again focusing attention on our country's infrastructure and 
environment.
  This special order tonight, and our action to enact BESTEA this week 
or next, will go far in assuring that Jim Howard's role as a National 
legislator is not forgotten.

                          ____________________