[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 56 (Tuesday, May 7, 2002)]
[House]
[Pages H2117-H2120]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
ALFONSE M. D'AMATO UNITED STATES COURTHOUSE
Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 4006) to designate the United States courthouse located at
100 Federal Plaza in Central Islip, New York, as the ``Alfonse M.
D'Amato United States Courthouse.''
The Clerk read as follows:
H.R. 4006
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. DESIGNATION.
The United States courthouse located at 100 Federal Plaza
in Central Islip, New York, shall be known and designated as
the ``Alfonse M. D'Amato United States Courthouse''.
SEC. 2. REFERENCES.
Any reference in a law, map, regulation, document, paper,
or other record of the United States to the United States
courthouse referred to in section 1 shall be deemed to be a
reference to the ``Alfonse M. D'Amato United States
Courthouse''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Arkansas (Mr. Boozman) and the gentlewoman from the District of
Columbia (Ms. Norton) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Boozman).
Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, H.R. 4006 designates the United States courthouse
located at 100 Federal Plaza in Central Islip, New York, as the Alfonse
M. D'Amato United States Courthouse.
Al D'Amato was born in Brooklyn, New York on August 1, 1937 and he
has retained those New York roots ever since. A graduate of Chaminade
High School on Long Island, Senator D'Amato worked his way through
Syracuse University, earning an undergraduate degree in business
administration in 1959 and a law degree in 1962. Also, in 1962, Senator
D'Amato was admitted to the practice of law in the State of New York.
Throughout his adult life, Senator D'Amato has dedicated himself to
public service. He served as Administrator of Nassau County, New York
from 1965 until 1968; Tax Assessor for Hempstead, New York in 1969;
Town Supervisor of Hempstead, New York from 1971 until 1977; and as
Chairman of the Nassau County Board of Supervisors from 1977 until his
election to the United States Senate in 1980.
During his 18-year tenure in the United States Senate, Al D'Amato
supported middle class tax cuts, small business loans, increased trade,
and free and open markets for U.S. products abroad. As chairman of the
Senate Banking and Housing Committee, Senator D'Amato was a leading
advocate of legislation that would channel private sector funds into
inner cities and other economically distressed areas. The Senator also
realized the importance of investing America's assets by supporting
sound transportation policy and the creation of infrastructure not only
for New York, but also for the Nation.
Mr. Speaker, this naming is a fitting tribute to a dedicated public
servant. I support this legislation, and I encourage my colleagues to
do the same.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, H.R. 4006 is a bill to designate the new Federal
courthouse in Central Islip, New York in honor of former Senator
Alfonse D'Amato. Alfonse D'Amato was born in Brooklyn, New York in
1937. He graduated from Syracuse University and Syracuse Law School in
1961 and 1962 and was admitted to the New York Bar. From 1965 to 1968,
he served the public as the Public Administrator in Nassau County. His
public service also included positions as Town Supervisor, Tax
Assessor, and the Nassau County Board of Supervisors. In 1980, he was
elected to the United States Senate and served until 1998.
While in the Senate, Senator D'Amato was a tireless advocate for New
York and the State's vital interests. He championed inner city economic
redevelopment, transit funding, and small business programs. As a
member of the Senate Finance Committee, he worked on tax relief
initiatives for working and middle class families. He also championed
the fight to restore assets from Swiss banks to holocaust survivors and
victim heirs.
It is fitting and proper to honor this public servant with this
designation.
[[Page H2118]]
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the
gentleman from New York (Mr. King).
Mr. KING. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this
time.
I am proud to stand here today as the sponsor of this legislation to
name the Federal courthouse in Suffolk County, New York in honor of
Alfonse D'Amato.
The gentleman from Arkansas and the gentlewoman from the District of
Columbia have detailed the specific accomplishments of Senator D'Amato
from his days in Nassau County, in the town of Hempstead, to his 3
terms in the United States Senate culminating, of course, in his
service as chairman of the Senate Banking Committee. But Senator
D'Amato was much more than that. Senator D'Amato was the quintessential
New Yorker.
I had the privilege of knowing Al D'Amato and still knowing him for
more than 30 years. During that time I also had the privilege of
serving with him on the Hempstead Town Board when I was a Hempstead
Councilman and he was the presiding Supervisor, and then during my
first 6 years in the United States Congress that overlapped with
Senator D'Amato's time in the United States Senate.
I never knew a tougher advocate for the people of New York. I never
knew a person who was more loyal to his friends. I never knew a man who
was more willing to stand up and do what was right than Senator
D'Amato.
I think what was very interesting to me when I was going around
trying to get cosponsors for this bill, it was probably the easiest job
I ever had, not just Republicans, but from Democrats as well. We have
30 Members of the New York delegation that have signed on to this bill.
The reason for that is that they know that whether one is Republican or
Democrat, Senator D'Amato would fight for you and your behalf if what
you were doing was right and if your constituents needed it. That to me
is the real measure of the man, a man who is willing to cross party
lines and do whatever has to be done to get the job done.
It is interesting, for instance, that some of Senator D'Amato's
closest friends and allies were members of the Democratic Party. Mayor
Ed Koch of New York is a close personal friend and colleague of Senator
D'Amato. Senator Pat Moynihan, who was Senator D'Amato's colleague in
the Senate, is also a very close friend and a colleague and an advocate
for Senator D'Amato.
But the reality is that Senator D'Amato also had enemies, and you
never know when those enemies are going to come out from the woodwork
or out from under their rocks, but the reality is that they could never
face up to the fact that Senator D'Amato did not fit their image of
what a United States Senator should be. Senator D'Amato was a tough kid
from the neighborhood who fought his way up, who was not willing to
defer to his elders if that meant sacrificing the good for the common
man. He fought hard for what he believed in and, in doing that, he
broke some china, he crashed some furniture, but the bottom line was he
got the job done.
To me it is interesting to see how Senator D'Amato's enemies react
against him when I see the way he reacted against his political
opponents. For instance, when Senator D'Amato lost his election to
Senator Schumer in 1998, I was actually with Senator D'Amato the night
he lost. I can tell my colleagues that from that night until today,
Senator D'Amato has had nothing but the highest praise for Senator
Schumer. He never complained about the campaign, he never begrudged
Senator Schumer his victory, and he works with Senator Schumer and
Senator Clinton today doing what he can to help them do their job, to
serve the people of New York.
That really was to me the essence of Senator D'Amato, fighting for
New York, putting partisanship aside, and doing what was right.
I guess the best way to describe it is that like Frank Sinatra, Al
D'Amato did it his way. It was not always the way that appealed to the
elite or it was not always the way that appealed to the intelligentsia,
but it was the way that it appealed to real people, real people who
knew what he stood for, knew he stood for them, and knew that he
always, always put the people of the State of New York first.
So I am privileged to stand here today as an advocate for Senator
D'Amato as he was an advocate for so many millions of millions of
people during his years in public life.
Mr. Speaker, I urge the adoption of this resolution.
Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, it is a great pleasure to yield such time as
he may consume to the gentleman from New York (Mr. LaFalce).
(Mr. LaFALCE asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. LaFALCE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding me
this time.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 4006, a bill to
designate the courthouse in Central Islip, New York as the Alfonse M.
D'Amato United States Courthouse.
As a New Yorker, a former colleague, and a good friend of Al
D'Amato's, I am very proud to be a cosponsor of this bipartisan bill
and to join with the gentleman from New York (Mr. King) and with so
many of my colleagues in the New York delegation in honoring him for
his many contributions to both our State and our Nation.
It is a fitting tribute to Al D'Amato to name a courthouse in his
native Long Island after him. Senator D'Amato was known as a fighter
for the great State of New York. Some called him ``Battling Al'';
others called him ``Senator Pothole.'' Al D'Amato always wore such
monikers proudly, as badges of honor, and he deserved them, in the best
sense in which they were meant. His top priority was always to bring to
New York the public services and funding it needed, and no one was more
effective.
Throughout his career in public service, Al D'Amato fought for
economic and social justice, to help the little guy, the underdog, and
to fight for unpopular causes, often against long odds and powerful
forces, and sometimes within his own party.
For example, he was an early proponent of Federal funding of breast
cancer research. As Senator Pothole, he was relentless in assuring that
New York received a fair share of the Federal dollar for New York's
vast housing transportation and community development needs. As a
longtime member of the Helsinki Commission, he fought against religious
persecution, here and abroad. He was outspoken against discrimination
based on sexual orientation in the military. These positions were not
always popular, but Al D'Amato was not one to run away from a fight. To
the contrary, he was one who ran head-first into fights. The Alfonse
D'Amato United States Courthouse will serve as a testimonial to his
commitment and a tribute to his remarkable record of accomplishments.
He was also a New Yorker in every respect. He shared not only with
me, but with so many New Yorkers across the State, values and views
that transcended political parties, that transcended religious or
ethnic origins. His identification with and enthusiasm for worthy
causes and his penchant for representing the little guy and the
underdog, the taxpayer, the aging and infirm holocaust survivor, the
consumer, the elderly enabled him to get elected and reelected
statewide as a Republican in an overwhelmingly Democratic State.
I know firsthand about Al D'Amato's energetic style and his pragmatic
approach to solving public sector problems in a political arena.
Because of my own long tenure on the House Committee on Financial
Services, and formerly the Committee on Banking and Financial Services,
I was privileged to work very closely with him, especially from the
time of his appointment to the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and
Urban Affairs where he eventually rose to become ranking member in 1993
and then chairman in 1994, until his term ended in 1998. So I can speak
with personal experience of his accomplishments, and with great pride
in the fact that in so many of these worthy causes, we fought side by
side.
{time} 1445
Let me select just a few causes and accomplishments from his long and
successful career to demonstrate why Senator D'Amato deserves the honor
that will be bestowed upon him with the enactment of this bill:
[[Page H2119]]
Counterterrorism. As chairman of the Committee on Security and
Cooperation in Europe, Senator D'Amato authored the Libya Sanctions
Act, to combat efforts by renegade nations to finance international
terrorism through oil field development.
Consumer protection. Throughout his tenure, Al D'Amato worked
diligently to protect consumers. He deserves particular credit for his
efforts in passing the Home Ownership and Equity Protection Act of
1993, which is the foundation of our ongoing effort to curtail and
outlaw predatory lending practices. In addition, he used his
chairmanship in an ultimately unsuccessful effort to stop banks from
charging consumers for use of automated teller machines. But his
resolve certainly caused banks to restrain the high fees and charges
that had become all too prevalent in the marketplace.
Of course, he was the principal force in the Senate behind passage of
a law to allow consumers to cancel unnecessary and costly private
mortgage insurance.
Holocaust survivors. As chairman of the Senate Banking Committee, Al
courageously led the fight to restore to Holocaust survivors and their
heirs the assets they deposited in Swiss banks prior to World War II,
eventually resulting in the payment of over $1 billion in restitution
to survivors' groups.
Solvency of Federal deposit insurance funds. As Committee on Banking
and Financial Services chairman, Al spearheaded the successful effort
in 1995 to stabilize the Federal deposit insurance funds, the BIF and
the SAIF, at no cost to the Federal taxpayer, in the final chapter of
the huge savings and loan scandal. I was proud to have worked with him
in the House on this important effort.
Financial modernization. From his very first years in the Senate,
Senator D'Amato was interested in modernizing the laws governing the
various financial industries, from banks to credit unions. He was an
early advocate for interstate banking, and for his entire career fought
for the repeal of older laws which impeded competition and innovation
by financial service providers.
He worked tirelessly to ensure the safety and soundness of all
financial intermediaries, and to protect the Federal taxpayer against a
repeat of the savings and loan bailout of the late 1980s, which cost
taxpayers over $100 billion.
Mr. Speaker, during his service to New York and to the United States,
Senator D'Amato was an important and influential figure. His
achievements can justly be said to reach around the globe, to extend
from past generations to reach well into the future.
While he has now left public service, his indelible imprint will be
felt for some time. By placing his name on this important courthouse, a
uniquely American symbol of justice and fairness, the House tonight can
acknowledge the significant and important contributions Senator D'Amato
has made to our State and our country.
I urge the passage of H.R. 4006.
Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from
New York (Mrs. McCarthy).
Mrs. McCARTHY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for
yielding time to me.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this legislation that
recognizes the years of public service by former New York Senator Al
D'Amato.
As a freshman in Congress, I looked to many of my colleagues for
advice and guidance when it came to legislating. Senator D'Amato was an
invaluable source of knowledge that I relied upon whenever a question
or concern arose, by the way, which was quite often in my first 2
years.
Senator D'Amato was able to work with Democrats and Republicans
alike, which allowed him to pass legislation beneficial not only to New
York, but to the country as a whole.
One of the things about Senator D'Amato, he did work with both sides
of the aisle to get something done. I think that is important. We
sometimes lose that here. I experienced this firsthand when we worked
together on legislation addressing the alarming number of breast cancer
cases on Long Island. I was amazed over his ability to obtain so much
attention and exposure to a problem that impacts thousands of women
across the country. His support for a particular cause went beyond a
one-time press conference or a photo opportunity; it was genuine.
In a town where one is known for one's word, we always knew where we
stood with Senator D'Amato. His vigorous support for legislation was
equaled only to his rigorous opposition, which was always expressed in
a proud New York fashion.
Although Senator D'Amato no longer walks the halls of the Senate, he
continues to draw attention to problems confronting this country.
Renaming a courthouse in his honor is a fitting tribute to someone who
served New York as a public servant in the United States Congress for
18 years. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.
Again, I will stress, Senator Al D'Amato was a man of his word. I
think that is important. When one gives one's word and stays with it, I
think that is truly a real tribute to someone.
Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
Maryland (Mr. Hoyer).
Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding time to
me.
Mr. Speaker, I did not know this resolution or this bill was on the
floor, but the gentleman from New York (Mr. LaFalce) mentioned the
Helsinki Commission. I had the opportunity to co-chair the Helsinki
Commission. I chaired the House side while Senator D'Amato chaired the
Senate side of the Helsinki Commission for a number of years.
I rise simply to observe that Al D'Amato was, of course, a vigorous
partisan and proponent of his party, but at the same time, he was a
supporter of making sure that we did the business in the Senate and the
House in a way that did credit to America and to its principles.
I say that because he was the Chair of the Helsinki Commission when
the Senate was taken over by the Republicans in the 1980s;
specifically, in 1985 and 1986. There was a real effort, frankly, to
change a nonpartisan professional staff to a staff that reflected party
affiliation more than professional ability.
Senator D'Amato, as I said, was chair of the Commission. Because it
goes between the House and Senate, it was the Senate's opportunity.
Senator D'Amato, I know, received many suggestions about changes in
staff. The staff to this day remains a professional staff, unrelated to
partisan politics, serving not only this country's interests but the
interests of so many citizens around the world who look to the Helsinki
Commission to raise issues of human rights and political rights. For
that alone, I would have great respect for Senator D'Amato.
I wanted to make that observation, that he saved, frankly, the
Helsinki Commission's professional staff from being politicized at a
time when that could very well have happened.
I am pleased to rise in support of the legislation, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 4006,
which designates the new federal courthouse in Central Islip, New York
in honor of former New York Senator Alfonse D'Amato. Senator D'Amato's
career in public service spanned nearly three decades, starting in 1965
with his service as administrator of Nassau County, New York. In 1980,
he was elected to the first of three terms in the United States Senate.
While in the Senate, Mr. D'Amato served as Chairman of the Senate
Banking Committee and was a senior member of the Senate Finance
Committee and Senate Appropriations Committee.
A life-long New Yorker, Mr. D'Amato was born in Brooklyn, New York in
1937, and attended New York public schools on Long Island. He graduated
from Chaminade High School before working his way through Syracuse
University. He attended Syracuse Law School and was admitted to the bar
in 1962.
I first came to know Alphonse D'Amato in 1989 when we were both
appointed to serve on the Presidential Commission on Aviation Security
and Terrorism, commonly known as the Pan Am 103 Commission. Senator
D'Amato was a strong advocate for rigorous aviation security laws and
we worked hard on the Commission to ensure that we investigated the
cause of not only the Pan Am tragedy, but of other aviation incidents
as well. We made recommendations to significantly toughen our aviation
security policies and when it came time to pass legislation to
implement our
[[Page H2120]]
commission's recommendations, Mr. D'Amato took a leading role in the
United States Senate.
Senator D'Amato was also a tireless advocate for transit issues,
specifically, for ensuring that the people of New York had access to a
safe and effective public transportation system. We worked very closely
together to ensure that transit received its fair share in the
Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (``TEA 21''). As a
result, transit funding has grown from $4.3 billion in fiscal year 1997
to an expected $7.2 billion this year--a 67 percent increase!
Senator D'Amato was a vocal advocate for inner cities, particularly
economically distressed and underserved areas. He was also a forceful
advocate for human rights and an unwavering supporter of Israel.
I am pleased that we are honoring Senator D'Amato with this
designation of the new, state-of-the-art, federal courthouse in New
York. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 4006.
Ms. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4006, a
bill to name the federal courthouse in Central Islip, New York, as the
``Alfonse M. D'Amato United States Courthouse.''
For 18 years, Alfonse D'Amato represented the State of New York with
strength, determination, and caring. As Chairman of the Banking
Committee, he led the fight in the Senate to make it easier for
consumers to cancel unneeded, expensive mortgage insurance. He also
fought to help Holocaust survivors and victims recovery assets.
His esteemed nickname, ``Senator Pothole,'' was indicative of his
willingness to fix New York's problems--small and large, even the
literal potholes we New Yorkers have become accustomed to. He
recognized the need to invest in our nation's transportation
infrastructure.
Although the former Senator and I did not agree on many issues, I
applaud and admire his dedication to the great people of New York.
The Alfonse D'Amato Courthouse would be a lasting tribute to a man
whose public service lives on in New York.
Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Culberson). The question is on the
motion offered by the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Boozman) that the
House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 4006.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor
thereof) the rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________