[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 91 (Thursday, June 19, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Pages S8234-S8236]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. GRAHAM of Florida:
  S. 1289. A bill to name the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical 
Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota, after Paul Wellstone; to the 
Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
  Mr. GRAHAM. Mr. President, I rise today to give due recognition to a 
colleague whose tragic passing is still fresh in our thoughts. Senator 
Paul Wellstone served 12 honorable years in the Senate for the State of 
Minnesota before suddenly perishing with his dear wife, Sheila, their 
daughter, Marcia, three of his staffers, and two pilots in a plane 
crash last October.
  The bill I am proposing today seeks to rename the Department of 
Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Minneapolis, MN, after Paul 
Wellstone. His distinguished record of service for veterans clearly 
demands such distinction. Indeed last October, just weeks before the 
crash that took his life, Senator Wellstone proclaimed on the Senate 
floor, ``It has been a labor of love for me working with veterans.''
  Paul Wellstone served our Nation's veterans with passion and 
commitment as a distinguished member of the Senate Committee on 
Veterans' Affairs. His legacy includes the many veterans today whose 
lives have been turned around due to his unyielding service on their 
behalf, such as veterans who are or have been homeless; veterans who 
are now receiving treatment for their service-related disabilities from 
exposure to radiation from atomic and nuclear weapons testing; and 
veterans who suffer from symptoms associated with Persian Gulf War 
Syndrome.
  Year after year, Senator Wellstone rose in this very chamber to try 
to increase the VA health care budget. In 2000, the Senator was part of 
an effort to secure the largest one year increase ever for veterans' 
health care benefits. In 2001, Paul Wellstone successfully pushed 
through an amendment to the Budget Resolution that provided $17 billion 
over 10 years to boost health care funding for veterans. And just last 
June, Senator Wellstone fought to include $417 million for veterans' 
health care in the Supplemental Appropriations Bill for FY 2002.
  In recognition of his tireless advocacy, he was awarded a number of 
distinctions by various veterans' service organizations, including: the 
1995 Legislator of the Year Award from the Vietnam Veterans of America; 
the 1995 Patriot Award from the Paralyzed Veterans of America; the 
Congressional Leadership Award from the Forgotten 216th; the 1997 
Distinguished Citizen Award from the Minnesota Veterans of Foreign 
Wars; the 2002 Distinguished Science Award from the Disabled American 
Veterans; the 2002 Legislative Leadership Award from the National 
Coalition for Homeless Veterans; and the Vanguard Award for Legislative 
Achievement by the Non-Commissioned Officers Association.
  George Washington once remarked, ``The willingness with which our 
young people are likely to serve in any war,

[[Page S8235]]

no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they 
perceive the veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by 
their nation.'' Senator Wellstone knew this all too well and worked to 
make the Department of Veterans Affairs a more responsive organization.
  The Minneapolis VA Medical Center was a source of great pride for 
Paul. He once described the facility as having become ``the pride and 
joy of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and more important, of 
veterans throughout the region.'' The naming of the Paul Wellstone 
Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center will forever honor his 
commitment to our veterans by distinguishing the very institution that 
carries on his ``labor of love.'' Mr. President, this is only a small 
mark of the appreciation that we all owe to an individual who served 
veterans with such compassion and conviction.
  Finally, I thank Frederick ``Rock'' Rochelle--a past President of the 
St. Paul Chapter of the Vietnam Veterans of America--for working with 
me on this legislation to honor the memory of Paul Wellstone. I have 
compiled a list of statements made by friends and colleagues in 
remembrance of Senator Wellstone.
  I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill and the above 
mentioned list of statements be printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the bill and list of statements was ordered 
to be printed in the Record, as follows:

         Friends and Colleagues Remember Senator Paul Wellstone

       ``As a member of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, 
     Senator Wellstone was a tireless crusader for America's 
     veterans, an issue of paramount importance to him. I greatly 
     respected and admired him for his passion, his character and 
     his commitment for the causes in which he believed.''--
     Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony Principi
       ``His unwavering support year after year of adequate 
     funding for veterans health care, in particular, was 
     something we could always count on. Similarly, he championed 
     the cause of homeless veterans to ensure that they were not 
     forgotten and that their needs were addressed by the nation 
     they served. Though not a veteran himself, he brought energy 
     and commitment to issues important to veterans and their 
     families. He was a fighter and leading voice and, if ever 
     there was a true friend of America's veterans, Senator 
     Wellstone was it.''--W.G. ``Bill'' Kilgore, national 
     commander of AMVETS
       ``Senator Wellstone has been a strong and vocal supporter 
     of veterans' issues. His leadership will be missed, and all 
     veterans are grateful for his passionate support over the 
     years.''--Thomas H. Corey, national president of Vietnam 
     Veterans of America
       ``The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States are 
     stunned and saddened by the untimely death of Senator Paul 
     Wellstone and his family. When it came to advocacy on behalf 
     of America's veterans, he was second to none. He constantly 
     and consistently crusaded and championed for the many issues 
     that were of vital interest to our veteran population. He was 
     tenacious in his efforts to assure passage of legislation 
     that would provide for those veterans suffering from 
     radiation exposure, Gulf War illness and those in need of VA 
     health care. He will be sorely missed. Our veterans have lost 
     a true hero. Our hearts and prayers are with the Wellstone 
     family.''--Ray Sisk, Commander-in-Chief, Veterans of Foreign 
     Wars
       ``I always knew on Veterans Day that I would see the 
     senator on that day. We would always go out to the veterans 
     hospital. I would be there, and I never had any doubt that 
     when I got there Senator Wellstone would be there. He was a 
     great advocate for veterans and veteran causes and veterans 
     benefits.''--Former Minneosta Governor Jesse Ventura
       ``The last speech he gave on the Senate floor, I was there. 
     He said, `You can call me soft if you want, but I care about 
     veterans in this country.' That was Paul Wellstone. He is 
     someone that looked out for those who didn't have someone 
     representing them and he wasn't afraid. He traveled a road 
     that was less traveled, but he traveled that road with his 
     shoulders back.''--Sen. Harry Reid
       ``Paul Wellstone was one of the most courageous men I have 
     ever known. He was a distinguished member of the Senate 
     Veterans Affairs Committee, and he fought hard for those who 
     fought for our country.''--Former Sen. Max Cleland
       ``Paul and I shared many of the same passions in the 
     Senate. We fought together side by side in the fight to save 
     our steel industry and together we were committed to 
     providing our nation's veterans with the benefits they 
     deserve. That was his style. He took on the toughest battles, 
     the ones that required years of effort and diligence, and he 
     always made a difference.''--Sen. Jay Rockefeller
       ``Paul was a caring, persistent and passionate advocate for 
     veterans, children, the mentally ill, working families, and 
     all those who too often feel that no one in Washington hears 
     their voice. Paul Wellstone was their voice; he was their 
     champion.''--Sen. Daniel Akaka
       ``Senator Wellstone believed deeply in causes that 
     transcended political lines, partisanship and ideology. I had 
     the privilege of working with him on legislation to end 
     homelessness among our nation's veterans. In our battle to 
     see this legislation enacted, time and time again we were 
     called up on to confront our own parties and colleagues. Each 
     and every time Paul Wellstone proved that his first concern 
     was to help those less fortunate than himself, even if it put 
     his political career at risk.''--Rep. Christopher Smith
       ``Paul Wellstone was my closest friend in the Senate. He 
     was the most principled public servant I've ever known. Paul 
     truly had the courage of his convictions and his convictions 
     were based on the principles of hope, compassion, the Good 
     Samaritan, helping those left on the roadside of life. His 
     courage is an example for all.''--Sen. Tom Harkin
       ``Paul Wellstone was the soul of the Senate. He was one of 
     the most noble and courageous men I have ever known. He was a 
     gallant and passionate fighter, especially for the less 
     fortunate. I am grateful to have known Paul and Sheila as 
     dear and close friends.''--Sen. Tom Daschle
       ``He didn't look ahead to the next election; he looked 
     ahead to the next generation. The women of the Senate called 
     him our Galahad. He supported us and fought with us for child 
     care, access to health care, and better schools.''--Sen. 
     Barbara Mikulski
       ``In his public service and private friendship, Paul 
     Wellstone embodied the Hebrew ideal of `tikkun olam,' which 
     means `to repair the world.' He was one of the most 
     passionate and principled people I've ever known. I feel 
     privileged to have worked with him.''--Sen. Joe Lieberman
       ``Paul Wellstone had a passion for justice that was evident 
     to all of his colleagues. Throughout his life, Paul was a 
     fighter for the good cause. His passion for justice was only 
     matched by his charm, wit and kindness to his political 
     friends and foes alike.''--Sen. John McCain
       ``He was a man of enormous ability but most of all, he was 
     a caring person. He was really a special person, a very 
     unique man.''--Sen. Ted Kennedy
       ``He was a model and an inspiration to all of us who 
     followed in his footsteps. He was my close personal friend 
     and political ally for over 20 years. I will miss him 
     terribly.''--Sen. Mark Dayton
       ``As fellow members of the Senate health and education 
     committee, I saw firsthand how passionate Paul could be on 
     the issues that were important to him. Paul had a remarkable 
     ability to maintain good relations with colleagues with whom 
     he disagreed.''--Sen. Jeff Sessions
       ``Paul Wellstone was a passionate public servant who was 
     committed to helping average Americans. His enormous energy, 
     determination and passion made him one of our most respected 
     senators. America will miss a great senator, and I will miss 
     a good friend.''Sen. Bill Nelson.
       ``He unfailingly represented his views eloquently and 
     emphatically. Paul Wellstone was a courageous defender of his 
     beliefs.''--Former Sen. Jesse Helms
       ``He was the pied piper of modern politics--so many people 
     heard him and wanted to follow him in his fight. His loss is 
     monumental. I loved his passion, his spirit, and his zest for 
     making peoples' lives better. This is sad beyond any 
     words.''--Sen. John Kerry
       ``His only interest in power was to help the powerless. He 
     was a happy warrior in the tradition of another great 
     Minnesota senator, Hubert Humphrey. He loved people and he 
     loved campaigning.''--Sen. Patrick Leahy
       ``Paul Wellstone loved politics and never shied away from a 
     fight for what he believed. I admired that quality greatly. 
     We didn't always agree on issues, but we always walked away 
     from the debate as friends. We enjoyed and respected each 
     other. I'll miss him. This is a great loss.''--Sen. Chuck 
     Grassley
       ``Nothing was trivial to Paul and no person was 
     unimportant. He was a thoughtful, sensitive, and caring with 
     people as he was astute and serious about ideas.''--Sen. Herb 
     Kohl
       ``The people of Minnesota, America and the world have lost 
     a friend and a champion of working families, the poor, the 
     disenfranchised and the disabled. Paul's public life was a 
     profile in courage. He spoke, stood and voted on his 
     principles, even at the risk of his political career.''--
     Former President Bill Clinton
       ``He was a profoundly decent man, a man of principle, a man 
     of conscience. His passing is a loss not only for his family, 
     friends and constituents, but also for friends of the United 
     Nations.''--UN Secretary General Kofi Annan
       ``Paul Wellstone was a stand-up guy. He used the power of 
     his office for good. His memory will forever be a blessing to 
     all of us who knew him. And his work will continue to be a 
     blessing to countless thousands of people across the globe 
     who never met him, but whose lives will be forever bettered 
     by his work.''--Secretary of State Colin Powell
       ``He loved his job because it was the best way he could 
     serve the people of his state and his country. To cite one 
     example among many, Paul was by far the biggest and most 
     energetic champion of quality mental health coverage for all 
     Americans who need it. We worked with him closely on this 
     issue and on behalf of the mental health community has 
     passing leaves us with an irreplaceable loss.''--Former Vice 
     President Al Gore

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       ``Paul Wellstone was one of the most valiant public 
     servants I have ever known. He had a very good mind, but he 
     also had an honest mind. And he served what be believed in, 
     no matter what the challenge.''--Former President Walter 
     Mondale
       ``Many noted changes in his manner and method after years 
     in Washington, but not much changed at the core of the man. 
     He remained an idealist and an optimist. He laughed easily, 
     often at himself and his 5-foot-5 stature. He always 
     remembered to thank the cooks and servers at a banquet, and 
     to greet the guards at office doors. He remembered names with 
     a facility that reminded old-timers of Hubert Humphrey. 
     Indeed, Wellstone had Humphrey's zeal for politics, policy 
     and--most of all--people.''--Minneapolis Star Tribune.
                                  ____


                                S. 1289

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. DESIGNATION OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS 
                   MEDICAL CENTER, MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, AS PAUL 
                   WELLSTONE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS 
                   MEDICAL CENTER.

       The Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center located 
     in Minneapolis, Minnesota, shall after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act be known and designated as the ``Paul 
     Wellstone Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center''. 
     Any reference to such medical center in any law, regulation, 
     map, document, or other paper of the United States shall be 
     considered to be a reference to the Paul Wellstone Department 
     of Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
                                 ______