[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 108 (Monday, July 30, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Page S8400]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. WYDEN (for himself and Mr. Smith of Oregon):
  S. 1270. A bill to designate the United States courthouse to be 
constructed at 8th Avenue and Mill Street in Eugene. Oregon, as the 
``Wayne Lyman Morse United States Courthouse''; to the Committee on 
Environment and Public Works.
  Mr. WYDEN. Madam President, I rise today to introduce legislation to 
name the Federal courthouse being built in downtown Eugene, OR after 
one of Oregon's greatest heroes, my friend and mentor, Senator Wayne 
Morse. Naming the Eugene courthouse in the city that Wayne Morse loved 
and called home would be an appropriate way to honor the independence 
and integrity of our former Senate colleague.
  I find it especially fitting to be here today to honor one of the 
Senate's great independents. Without going into too much detail of the 
last few months of the Senate's history, the act of moving one's seat 
on the Senate floor is not a new concept, and Wayne Morse may have done 
it most famously.
  In January 1953, Senator Morse walked into this very Chamber carrying 
a folding chair that he would place in the center of the aisle, thereby 
removing himself from either major party as an Independent. Again in 
1956, he moved his chair to become a Democrat. He was subsequently 
overwhelmingly re-elected by the voters of Oregon. The independence 
displayed by Senator Morse throughout his 24-year service in the Senate 
was always rewarded by Oregonians who showed their continuing faith in 
his ability to truly represent their interests, no matter their party 
label.
  It would benefit us all to follow the principles Wayne Morse lived by 
in politics today. Senator Morse would have had little sympathy for the 
world of the sound byte. Wayne Morse did not just talk; he worked on 
the issues that our citizens care about most: education; resources; 
health care; and justice for all. To paraphrase an old saying, he was 
``unbought and unbossed.'' He, instead, set the bar for integrity and 
truly embodied the Oregon spirit. I can't imagine a better tribute to 
Senator Morse's independence and integrity than to name a United States 
courthouse to honor his legacy.
  Senator Morse never forgot where he came from. He could never wait to 
return to his house in Eugene, at 595 Crest Drive, an address I 
remember well because I worked as a campaign aide for two of his Senate 
Campaigns. It was during this time that he got me interested in working 
with the elderly and started me in public service, which ultimately led 
me here to the Senate floor. I was given the high honor of being 
elected to serve in the Senate seat he had held more than 30 years 
after he was last reelected by the people of Oregon.
  Known as the ``Tiger of the Senate'' for his eloquently outspoken and 
vigorously independent views, Senator Morse worked diligently on the 
behalf of the American family. He pushed the Senate to improve 
education and create a better future for American children by passing 
the New Frontier and Great Society bills, supporting federal aid to 
public schools and universities, and implementing scholarship programs 
for low-income students.
  It is, therefore, only right that the Federal courthouse that we will 
build in Eugene, OR be named after Senator Morse. This courthouse will 
represent his respect for the law, his love for that city, and the 
future he envisaged for the people of his home State. Naming this 
courthouse after Senator Wayne Morse will promote and honor the legacy 
of Oregon's illustrious, maverick leader.
  I am especially pleased to be joined by my colleague from Oregon, 
Senator Smith, in introducing this bipartisan legislation to designate 
the new Eugene Federal courthouse as the Wayne Lyman Morse Federal 
Courthouse. I urge all my colleagues to support this legislation.

                          ____________________