[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 138 (Wednesday, October 13, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Page S12562]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RUSSELL W. PETERSON HONORED WITH FIRST-EVER ``LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT 
                AWARD'' BY CREATIVE GRANDPARENTING, INC.

 Mr. BIDEN. Mr. President, I rise today to honor the lifetime 
achievements of a man with truly a lifetime of achievements.
  Russell W. Peterson served as Governor of Delaware from 1968-1972, 
restoring peace on the streets of Delaware's largest city in the wake 
of the tumultuous 1968 summer riots--as he overcame decades of 
resistance to implement a sweeping overhaul of State government. Russ 
Peterson is known to Delawareans as the father of the state's landmark 
Coastal Zone Act, just as he is renowned nationally as one of our 
country's leading environmentalists.
  I will go into more detail of his many accomplishments, however, the 
reason I pay tribute to him today is for his recognition--not only as a 
statesman, environmentalist and civil rights leader--but as a 
grandfather! Delaware's Creative Grandparenting, Inc. has awarded 
Russell W. Peterson its first-ever ``Lifetime Achievement Award.'' 
Peterson, a grandfather of 17 and father of four, deserves every 
accolade bestowed upon him.
  When Russ Peterson was elected Governor of Delaware in 1968, the 
National Guard patrolled the streets of Wilmington. As he promised, the 
day Peterson was sworn in as Governor, the National Guard was pulled 
from the streets. As a 27-year-old New Castle County Councilman first 
elected that same year in 1968, I assure you Governor Peterson's 
leadership and steady stewardship made a lasting impression upon me. I 
am proud to call him a friend.
  As Governor, he bucked resistance and reformed Delaware's arcane 
Commission form of Government into a Cabinet form of government. He 
convinced the General Assembly to streamline 112 Commissions into ten 
department leaders. It was nothing short of a revolution!
  His greatest accomplishment came in June, 1972, when he single-
handedly pushed through the landmark Coastal Zone Act, which forever 
prohibits development along Delaware's precious coastal zone. Yes, he's 
the man who proclaimed ``to hell with Shell,'' as he fought efforts by 
oil refineries to further develop on the Delaware River. The Coastal 
Zone Act shall forever stand as a monument to Russ Peterson in my 
State.
  Governor Peterson also signed Delaware's Fair Housing Act into law 
and appointed the first female to the Delaware bench--Family Court 
Judge Roxana C. Arsht. And in July, 1972, he signed into law a major 
revision of the Delaware Code, which is important for what was not 
included. The Whipping Post! From 1669-1952, more than 1,600 men were 
flogged at the whipping post. Delaware was the last State to eliminate 
this barbaric punishment, thanks to Russ Peterson.
  After leaving office in 1972, Russ served as an advisor to Presidents 
and held numerous prestigious environmental positions. He was named 
Vice-Chair of Governor Nelson Rockfeller's National Commission on 
Critical Choices of America. Then, he chaired President Ford's Council 
on Environmental Quality. In 1976, Peterson became President of New 
Directions, a world-wide citizens' lobby group. In 1978, he was tapped 
to be the director of the congressional Office of Technological 
Assessment. He secured his worldwide reputation as an environmentalist 
as the President of the National Audubon Society.
  Mr. President, I consider myself very fortunate to call him a friend. 
I am honored that just last week, Governor Peterson took the time to 
write me a handwritten note to say he was ``proud that you are my 
Senator.'' That sort of praise from such an accomplished man is 
humbling.
  Russ Peterson, my friend, you have a lot of living yet to do and more 
accomplishments yet to come. Today, though, we honor your lifetime of 
achievements.

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