[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 151 (Wednesday, October 21, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Pages S12859-S12860]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              TRIBUTE TO RETIRING CONGRESSMAN DAN SCHAEFER

  Mr. CAMPBELL. Mr. President, today I pay tribute to may good friend 
and colleague from Colorado, Congressman Dan Schaefer.
  Congressman Dan Schaefer is retiring from the House of 
Representatives after 15 years of service to the people of Colorado's 
6th Congressional District and the United States. I would like to take 
this opportunity to share a few reflections on Dan Schaefer's many 
accomplishments as a Congressman.
  Not only did Congressman Dan Schaefer ably step into the void left 
when Congressman Jack Swigert died shortly after being elected, but he 
also successfully led the charge in Congress to have a statute 
depicting Jack Swigert as a young and daring astronaut of Apollo XIII 
fame added to Congress' statuary collection as Colorado's second and 
final contribution. With its wonderful combination of bronze and a 
colorful space suit, the statue is both visually striking and proud. 
The Jack Swigert statue is perhaps one of the most popular in the halls 
of Congress for visitors from all over the world. I know it is one of 
mine.
  Over the years Congressman Dan Schaefer has been a leader in the 
fight to balance our nation's budget. In fact, Dan Schaefer is the one 
who introduced H.J. Res. 1, a joint resolution calling for an amendment 
to the Constitution to provide for a balanced budget for the U.S. 
federal government and for greater accountability in the enactment of 
tax legislation in the 105th Congress. H.J. Res. 1 clearly merits the 
cosponsorships of the 229 of his colleagues in the House of 
Representatives who joined in support of Congressman Schaefer's 
resolution.
  I am an original cosponsor of S.J. Res. 1, the companion legislation 
in the Senate to H.J. Res. 1. While this worthy legislation fell just 
one vote short of passage in the Senate in the 105th Congress, this 
Congress also just passed the first balanced budget in many, many 
years. Dan Schaefer is retiring from Congress with its books balanced 
for the first time in generations. His role in achieving this important 
historic victory for the American people will be remembered.
  Congressman Dan Schaefer has also been a national leader in energy 
issues. In the 105th Congress he led the drive for Public Law 105-28, a 
law that amends and updates sections of the Department of Energy 
Organization Act. He has also been a ground breaker in the quest to 
deregulate American electricity. Even the exceeding complexities and 
deep vested interests involved in our nation's electricity markets and 
monopolies did not deter Dan Schaefer from introducing H.R. 655. This 
bill's goal was to give all American

[[Page S12860]]

consumers the right to choose among competitive providers of 
electricity in order to achieve lower prices and better service. His 
steadfast work on this complex issue has made valuable progress that 
can be built upon in years to come.
  Finally, as the Coach of the Republican Congressional Baseball Team, 
Dan Schaefer has established a winning record, batting 60% as the 
Republican team has won 3 out of 5 games under his leadership, 
including winning for the last two years, in 1997 and 1998. Dan has 
also been selected as the team's Most Valuable Player twice. It is 
clear that Congressman Schaefer's leadership will be missed both in the 
halls of Congress as well as on the Congressional baseball diamond.
  As he retires from the House, Congressman Dan Schaefer has a record 
of accomplishment to be proud of. He is the undisputed Dean of the 
Colorado delegation. He will be missed. I wish him well and best of 
luck in all of his future endeavors.

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