[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 28 (Tuesday, February 23, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E252]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                       BAKER SCHOOL OF GOVERNMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. JOHN J. DUNCAN, JR.

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 23, 1999

  Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, today, I have introduced legislation that 
would create four new schools of government across the Country. These 
schools would be dedicated to the study of public policy and 
government. This bill has a number of original cosponsors from both 
sides of the aisle.
  In the last Congress, this legislation passed the Senate by unanimous 
consent. Unfortunately, the House Calendar did not allow for the 
legislation to be brought to the floor. Each of these schools will be 
named after great Americans, members of both sides of the aisle, who 
have served the public in the United States Senate.
  While I admire and respect all of these gentlemen, I would like to 
primarily speak about one of them--Senator Howard Baker.
  Specifically, this legislation would create the Howard Baker School 
of Government at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville.
  I believe this legislation is a fitting tribute to Senator Baker's 
extraordinary career and public service.
  Senator Baker was a Member of the U.S. Senate for 18 years where he 
served as Minority Leader as well as the Majority Leader. He also 
served as President Reagan's Chief of Staff.
  The White House Chief of Staff has to be the person who tells others 
``no'' for the President. As a result, many people have left this job 
with unpopular reputations.
  However, Senator Baker left this job more popular than when he began 
it. I believe this is a real testament to the type of person he is.
  In fact, Senator Baker has often been called the Greatest Living 
Tennessean. I concur with these remarks. I would also add that he is 
one of the greatest statesmen in the history of the State of Tennessee.
  In addition, he has been recognized a great deal here in Washington. 
In fact, the Senate Majority Leader's office in the U.S. Capitol 
Building is named the Howard H. Baker, Jr. Room. This is a very fitting 
tribute to one of our Nation's greatest public servants.
  Mr. Speaker, I am honored to have introduced legislation to name a 
federal courthouse in Knoxville, Tennessee, after Senator Baker. This 
will serve as a reminder to Tennesseans of the great work of Howard H. 
Baker, Jr.
  Senator Baker has a wonderful, loving wife--Senator Nancy Kassebaum. 
I think they make a great team, and they both continue to work to 
ensure that this Country is a better place for our children to live.
  In spite of all the success Senator Baker achieved in the White 
House, the Senate, and now his private law practice, he has not lost 
his humility.
  He now lives in Tennessee where he can be close to the people he 
represented for so many years. He continues to work to help others. 
Despite his national recognition he speaks at very, very small events 
if it is a worthwhile cause.
  As I stated earlier, I have great admiration for all of the gentlemen 
honored in this bill. However, I think this is an especially fitting 
tribute to the Greatest Living Tennessean--Senator Howard Baker.
  I urge my Colleagues to support this legislation which will honor 
four great Americans and at the same time provide additional learning 
opportunities for our young people.

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