[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 120 (Friday, September 11, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S10248]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   TRIBUTE TO ZACHARY FISHER, THE 1998 PRESIDENTIAL MEDAL OF FREEDOM 
                               RECIPIENT

   Mr. CLELAND. Mr. President, I rise today to honor Zachary 
Fisher, who on Monday, September 14, 1998 will be presented the 
Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Bill Clinton at the Waldorf 
Astoria Hotel in New York City.
  The medal, which is the highest honor given to civilians by the 
President, is awarded annually to individuals who have made outstanding 
contributions to the security or national interest of the United States 
or to world peace, or those who have made a significant public or 
private accomplishment.
  Zach and his wife, Elizabeth, have always felt strongly about the 
young men and women who serve in the U.S. Armed Forces. During WW II 
Elizabeth served in the USO, entertaining thousands of troops while 
they were away from home. Zach, unable to serve because of a leg injury 
sustained in a construction accident, assisted the U.S. Coast Guard in 
the construction of coastal defenses.
  Although still active in his family's construction company, Fisher 
Brothers, he has devoted his time and energy to his country and 
bettering the lives of Americans. In 1978 he founded the Intrepid 
Museum Foundation, in an effort to save the historic and battle-scarred 
aircraft carrier Intrepid from scrapping. Through his efforts the 
vessel became the foundation of the Intrepid Sea Air Space Museum, 
which opened in New York City in 1982.
  Through the Zachary and Elizabeth Fisher Armed Services Foundation, 
Zach has pledged to do all he can in support of our nation's military 
and their families, and to offer new opportunities to our children, 
such as through the educational programs at Intrepid, and as part of 
the Fisher House Program, to build homes for families of hospitalized 
military personnel.
  His newest effort is the Fisher Center for Alzheimer's Research 
Foundation, founded in 1995 to fund research in, and work towards a 
cure for Alzheimer's disease. In partnership with David Rockefeller, 
Chairman of the Board of The Rockefeller University in New York, a new 
research center has been founded to help develop a cure for this 
debilitating disease.
  Zach is also involved in many other charitable causes, including the 
Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation, the Coast Guard Foundation, the 
Navy League, the Jewish Institute of National Security Affairs, the 
George C. Marshall Foundation, the Margaret Thatcher Foundation, the 
Reagan Presidential Library, the United Jewish Appeal, and many other 
organizations.
  In addition to this year's Presidential Citizens' Medal, Zach has 
received the 1995 Presidential Citizens Medal, presented by President 
Clinton, and the Volunteer Action Award, presented by President Ronald 
Reagan.
  Zachary Fisher truly exemplifies what it means to be a patriotic 
American, and continues to strengthen our Nation and improve the lives 
of many Americans. Mr. President, I ask that you join me and our 
colleagues in recognizing and honoring Zachary Fisher on many years of 
worth-while work and achievements which have culminated with the honor 
of receiving the 1998 Presidential Medal of Freedom. Zach Fisher is 
truly a remarkable man and a first-rate American deserving of such an 
honor.


                          FARM CRISIS PACKAGE

  Mr. DORGAN. Mr. President, I wonder if the majority leader will 
entertain an inquiry.
  At the conclusion of Senator Byrd's presentation, it is my intention 
to speak for a few moments on the agriculture crisis, and I would just 
like to inquire of the majority leader, who I know was supportive in 
July as we moved a $500 million indemnity piece out of the Senate 
dealing with the farm crisis, I would like to ask the majority leader 
if he has some interest and some intention of allowing us to work on a 
farm crisis package during the month of September.
  The reason I ask the question, I know that the Senator from 
Mississippi, the majority leader, is trying to fit a lot of things into 
a very short window here, but I think he knows that Members on this 
side and the other side coming from farm country are having to deal 
with an enormously difficult farm crisis. We hope very much that that 
will become part of the agenda in the month of September. I would just 
inquire of the Senator as to his intentions.
  Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I will respond to the Senator that I am 
aware of the difficulties in the farm community in a number of States 
because of weather problems but also because of a number of problems 
involving falling prices and trade problems. It would be my intent that 
we act in that area before we go out at the end of this session.
  I think it is important that we start on it quickly, in a bipartisan 
way. I am going to be working on that early next week.
  Mr. DORGAN. Mr. President, that is welcome news. I appreciate the 
cooperation of the majority leader. We obviously are facing collapsed 
farm prices and as tough a time in farm country as we have ever seen. I 
appreciate the response of the leader.

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