[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 1 (Wednesday, January 3, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Page S11]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          SCOOP JACKSON'S DESK

  Mr. CLELAND. Mr. President, today we saw new Members of the Senate 
sworn in. It was a pleasure to see a dear personal friend, Maria 
Cantwell from the great State of Washington, sworn in as that State's 
junior Senator.
  When I was visiting with her in the fall, during the maximum 
climactic days of her campaign, we were talking about the Senate and 
great Senators from the State of Washington, and the name of Henry 
``Scoop'' Jackson came up. He has been one of my heroes. As a matter of 
fact, last year I was given the Scoop Jackson Award, and it was a great 
honor for me to receive it.
  Scoop Jackson was, of course, known for his stance for a strong 
military, a strong defense, and also a strong commitment to positive 
and progressive social policies. This made him a great statesman from 
the State of Washington.
  When Maria and I discussed this, I said: It is interesting; when I 
came to the Senate 4 years ago, I wound up with Scoop Jackson's desk. 
As a matter of fact, as my colleagues know, it is a tradition, after 
one has served here a while, that they carve their name in the desk 
when they leave.
  This honored desk has Scoop Jackson's name carved in it. It is my 
pleasure today to yield to the freshman Senator from the great State of 
Washington and, in the great tradition of Scoop Jackson, to yield to 
her this desk which will be transferred to her shortly. I wish her the 
very best and a long, lively term in the Senate, particularly in the 
tradition of Scoop Jackson.
  I welcome Senator Cantwell and yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from the State of Washington is 
recognized.
  Ms. CANTWELL. Mr. President, I thank my good friend, Senator Cleland 
of Georgia, for the honor and this gift of a very humble beginning for 
me in the Senate, to have the opportunity not only to work with him and 
my new colleagues but to be the recipient of such a warm welcome.
  Senator Jackson was obviously a landmark in our Capitol, as well as 
his years of dedication in our State. Senator Jackson arrived here in 
January of 1941--he was 28 years old--and started to represent the 
State of Washington, the Second Congressional District, and then later, 
for 31 years, served in the U.S. Senate.
  He was a great leader on foreign policy, on human rights, on arms 
control, and on the importance of our environment, with the Jackson-
Vanik amendment, with the National Environmental Protection Act, and a 
variety of other landmark environmental policies that were so important 
to the State of Washington but also to this country.
  It is an honor to accept this gift from Senator Cleland of the desk 
of Senator Scoop Jackson, a Senator who was known as one who worked 
across the aisle in a bipartisan fashion. In fact, one observer of 
public policy, George Will, called him one of the ``finest public 
servants I have known, who mastered the delicate balance of 
democracy.''
  Again, I thank the Senator from Georgia for this very kind gift and 
outreach on my very first day in the Senate in the hope that I will 
carry on the Northwest tradition that has been so important to our 
State.
  Mr. CLELAND. Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. BAYH. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mrs. Lincoln). Without objection, it is so 
ordered.

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