[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 43 (Tuesday, March 18, 2003)]
[House]
[Pages H1919-H1920]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TED WEISS FEDERAL BUILDING

  Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 145) to designate the Federal building located at 290 
Broadway in New York, New York, as the ``Ted Weiss Federal Building''.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                                H.R. 145

     SECTION 1. DESIGNATION.

        The Federal building located at 290 Broadway in New York, 
     New York, shall be known and designated as the ``Ted Weiss 
     Federal Building''.

     SEC. 2. REFERENCES.

        Any reference in a law, map, regulation, document, paper, 
     or other record of the United States to the Federal building 
     referred to in section 1 shall be deemed to be a reference to 
     the ``Ted Weiss Federal Building''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Ohio (Mr. LaTourette) and the gentleman from New York (Mr. Nadler) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. LaTourette).
  Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 145 designates the Federal building located at 290 
Broadway in New York City as the Ted Weiss Federal Building. Ted Weiss 
was born in Gava, Hungary, in September of 1927. He and his family fled 
Eastern Europe to escape Nazi persecution on the last passenger ship to 
leave Hamburg, Germany, arriving in the United States in 1938.
  Ted Weiss graduated from Hoffman High School in South Amboy, New 
Jersey, in 1946. He served for 1 year in the United States Army. He 
then went on to earn a bachelor's and a law degree from Syracuse 
University, graduating in 1952. Ted Weiss became a naturalized citizen 
in 1953, the same year that he was admitted to the practice of law in 
New York.
  In 1955 Congressman Weiss became an assistant district attorney for 
New

[[Page H1920]]

York City and in 1962 was elected to the New York City Council where he 
was an influential advocate on a number of critical issues. After 15 
years of service as a councilman, he was elected to the United States 
House of Representatives in 1976 for the 95th Congress and was 
reelected to each of the succeeding seven Congresses. During his tenure 
in the House, Congressman Weiss diligently served as a leader on the 
House Banking Committee, as well as on the Committees on Foreign 
Affairs and Government Operations.
  He faithfully served this body and his adopted country until his 
untimely death in September of 1992. The naming of this Federal 
building in his honor is a fitting tribute to a respected former 
colleague.
  I want to commend our colleague and former committee member, the 
gentleman from New York (Mr. Nadler), for his persistence in bringing 
this legislation, not only this Congress, but in the past Congress. For 
reasons of schedule and other matters, it was not successfully 
negotiated through the other body. I hope by bringing it up today and 
moving it through the House in an expeditious fashion we can receive 
the same result in the Senate and get this fitting bill to the 
President of the United States for his signature so that this building 
may be appropriately named.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I wish to thank the gentleman from Alaska (Mr. Young); 
the ranking member, the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Oberstar); and 
the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. LaTourette), the subcommittee chairman; 
and the ranking member, the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia 
(Ms. Norton), for their bipartisan support and expeditious handling of 
this bill on behalf of our former colleague, Ted Weiss.
  Ted Weiss was my predecessor in this House. Ted Weiss first ran for 
Congress in 1966. I was a freshman in Columbia College, and I worked on 
that campaign. He ran on an anti-Vietnam War platform, and he was not 
successful. But whereas the previous candidate had lost to the 
incumbent by 2,500 votes, Ted Weiss lost by 61 votes. Two years later 
in 1976, Ted Weiss was elected to be Congress where we owe him a great 
debt of thanks for his dedication for increased funding for AIDS 
research. In fact, Ted Weiss was the sponsor of the very first funds 
for AIDS research in this House.
  He was a staunch supporter for the human rights movement, and he 
worked to ensure dignity and equality for Vietnam veterans. He was a 
great supporter of the rights and aid to Vietnam veterans. These were a 
few of the causes of which Ted was a tireless advocate and worker.
  He was born in Hungary, as was mentioned. He escaped with his family 
on the last ship out of Hungary before World War II. He settled in New 
Jersey. He graduated from South Amboy High School in 1946. After his 
service in the Army, he attended Syracuse University, earning both 
undergraduate and law degrees.
  In 1953 Ted entered public service as an assistant district attorney 
in New York City. He served as assistant D.A. for a number of years. As 
a matter of interest, he roomed with a friend of his while he was 
assistant district attorney. The friend went on to become the minority 
leader of the State Senate in later years.
  In 1961 Ted was elected to the New York City Council, being the first 
reformed Democratic member of the city council and served on the city 
council until his election to Congress in 1976.
  The Almanac of American Politics for many years when it talked about 
Ted's election to Congress mentioned that he had become so recognized 
as a tribune of the people that in an open, solidly Democratic seat he 
was unopposed for an open Democratic seat in the primary. He declared 
his candidacy and no one else ran. During his tenure in Congress, he 
was a staunch supporter of civil liberties. His legislative record was 
built around the service of the Government Operations Committee where 
he chaired the Subcommittee on Human Resources and Intergovernmental 
Relations.
  He was instrumental in establishing procedures for the timely planned 
conversion of surplus military bases to peacetime uses. He was the 
recipient of numerous awards and honors, including the NAACP's National 
Legislative Award.
  It is most fitting and proper that we honor Ted Weiss by designating 
the Federal building at 290 Broadway as the Ted Weiss Federal Building. 
It is in what was Congressman Weiss's district. It would be a fitting 
tribute to his memory and to the great service he rendered to the State 
of New York and to the United States.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge support for H.R. 145. I do hope this time the 
Senate will not be totally tied up in bureaucracy and we will manage to 
pass this bill in time. I know of no opposition to the bill. I again 
thank the other people who have helped with this, including the 
gentleman from Ohio (Mr. LaTourette). Mr. Speaker, I urge the passage 
of this bill unanimously.
  Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back 
the balance of my time.
  Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to join my colleagues in 
honoring Congressman Ted Weiss and encouraging them to support H.R. 145 
to name a federal building in his honor.
  Ted Weiss was often referred to as the conscience of the House for 
his idealism, independence and unwavering commitment to improving the 
quality of life for all Americans.
  He exemplified all the attributes of a great member of Congress--he 
championed the disadvantaged, stood up for his principles and used the 
oversight power of Congress to effect real improvement in health care 
and food safety.
  By naming a building in his honor, we will be recognizing his legacy.
  Congressman Weiss relished his position as a member of Congress, 
saying after his election that at last, he was ``where the clout is.''
  Even his strongest critics were impressed by his appetite for hard 
work, his intellectual honesty and his zest for thorough research.
  He was a staunch supporter of civil rights, criticizing the Reagan 
Administration for its handling of civil rights complaints against 
schools and colleges.
  An unrepentant liberal, Congressman Weiss was best known for his 
advocacy on health care issues and food safety.
  Millions of Americans benefitted from his dedication and keen desire 
to investigate problems presented to him.
  As Chairman of the Subcommittee on Intergovernmental Relations and 
Human Resources, Congress Weiss had jurisdiction over the Department of 
Health and Human Services.
  He used his position to advocate tougher testing of food additives, 
stricter government oversight of Federally financed scientific research 
and new regulations to allow AIDS medication to reach the marketplace 
quickly.
  He was the first to hold Congressional hearings to seriously question 
the safety of breast implants.
  Following the appearance of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome 
(AIDS) in the early 1980s, he became one of the most active members of 
Congress in seeking a strong federal response.
  His committee was the first to hold hearings on AIDS in 1983.
  Eventually he held more than 20 hearings to push the federal 
government to dedicate more funding and staff to combat the epidemic.
  Congressman Ted Weiss brought real humanity and a sense of decency to 
public office.
  He was a dedicated New Yorker who truly cared about the people he 
served.
  For all of the foregoing reasons, I am hopeful that we will recognize 
the achievements of Congressman Ted Weiss by naming 290 Broadway in his 
honor.
  Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Ohio (Mr. LaTourette) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 145.
  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.

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