[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 168 (Thursday, December 6, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Pages S12552-S12553]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
By Mr. LUGAR (for himself, Mr. Helms, Mr. Hagel, and Mr.
Domenici):
S. 1778. A bill to designate the National Foreign Affairs Training
Center as the George P. Shultz National Foreign Affairs Training
Center; to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
Mr. LUGAR. Madam President, it is a great honor to rise today to
introduce legislation that would name the Department of State's Foreign
Affairs Training Center after former Secretary of State George P.
Shultz. I am pleased to be joined by Senators Helms, Hagel, and
Domenici in honoring this outstanding public servant.
Many of my most productive and enjoyable foreign policy experiences
were those involving George Shultz as Secretary of State. Secretary
Shultz celebrated the visits of foreign leaders to Washington by
inviting hundreds of people to a luncheon or dinner at the State
Department. If the guests were, for example, the President of Brazil,
Shultz would identify prominent Brazilian business leaders,
journalists, and scholars in the United States and a host of comparable
Americans with interests in Brazil. He sprinkled the invitation list
with members of the Reagan Administration and both houses of Congress.
On most occasions, I was invited and introduced to a host of new
friends deeply interested in international affairs.
When I became chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in
1985, the Secretary invited me to breakfast about once a month when
Congress was in session. He always had a list of Reagan Administration
legislative objectives for me to achieve and good suggestions on people
and resources needed to accomplish each task.
In a two year period, I chaired extensive hearings on the
Philippines, South Africa, and the prospects for democracy in Central
America. Though the recommendations of Secretary Shultz, I co-chaired
Presidential election observer efforts in Guatemala, El Salvador and
the Philippines. These experiences led to considerable post-election
interest and diplomacy, especially in the Philippines. These events and
the influence of Secretary Shultz played a large role in the context of
my book ``Letters to the Next President''.
In recent years, I have been a participant in the Asia Roundtable
meetings sponsored by Stanford University and inspired by the
leadership of George Shultz and his ability to bring statesmen from
each Asian country to his meetings. Similarly, he brings distinguished
leaders from all over the world to Stanford University Advisory
Committee meetings and I have been the beneficiary of those rich
experiences.
My continuing service in the United States Senate has received
constant support from Secretary Shultz. His letters and wise counsel
during conversations have made a significant difference in my
understanding of complex issues. From the years at the State Department
dinners to the present, he has introduced me to a legion of friends in
many countries, and
[[Page S12553]]
this network of friends and advisors has been invaluable.
Secretary Shultz decided to back President George W. Bush very early
in the Presidential Campaign of 2000 and has offered strong support to
President Bush's bold diplomacy and the importance of employing and
retaining the best foreign service personnel to achieve our
international goals. Naming the National Foreign Affairs Training
Center after George P. Shultz will be a fitting tribute to a great
public servant who continues to exemplify the hallmark qualities in
United States international leadership.
This bill has the full support of the Department of State. In fact,
it is at Secretary Powell's request that we are seeking to expedite its
consideration. Secretary Powell has invited former Secretary Shultz to
visit Washington in January. I understand that Secretary Powell hopes
to announce the dedication of the Foreign Affairs Training Center
during Shultz's stay in Washington. It is my hope that the Majority and
Minority Leader and the Members of the Senate will fine the opportunity
to move this important legislation in the near term. Congressman Hyde
and Lantos have offered the same legislation in the House and have
similar hopes for speedy passage.
______