[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 33 (Tuesday, March 16, 2004)]
[House]
[Pages H1089-H1094]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF PRESIDENT FRANKLIN DELANO ROOSEVELT
Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules
and agree to the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 87) honoring the life and
legacy of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and recognizing his
contributions on the anniversary of the date of his birth.
The Clerk read as follows:
H.J. Res. 87
Whereas President Franklin Delano Roosevelt was born in
Hyde Park, New York, on January 30, 1882;
Whereas his commitment to public service followed the
example of his fifth cousin, the 26th President of the United
States, Theodore Roosevelt;
Whereas sixty years ago, President Roosevelt became the
only President of the United States elected to a fourth term
in office;
Whereas President Roosevelt fulfilled his promise to lead
the Nation through the Great Depression by creating a series
of New Deal programs that fundamentally changed the role of
Government;
Whereas President Roosevelt's leadership was instrumental
in extending freedom and democracy around the globe and
uniting the world confronted by tyranny and aggression;
Whereas President Roosevelt unified and mobilized the
American effort after the bombing of Pearl Harbor and World
War II, encouraging patriotism and volunteerism;
Whereas through his war time leadership, President
Roosevelt directed the Government into the most productive
partnership with private enterprise in the Nation's history
by appointing top businessmen to run the production agencies,
exempting business from antitrust laws, allowing business to
write off the full cost of investments, and guaranteeing a
substantial profit;
Whereas as a result of his leadership, the United States
was outproducing all the Axis and the Allied powers combined,
contributing nearly 300,000 planes, 100,000 tanks, 2 million
trucks, and 87,000 warships to the Allied cause;
Whereas 2004 is the 60th anniversary of D-Day, which
commemorates the largest air, land, and sea operation
undertaken before or since June 6, 1944;
Whereas in the spring of 2004, the National World War II
Memorial will be dedicated in Washington, DC, to encourage
Americans to celebrate and remember the contributions of
President Roosevelt and the courageous men and women which
were critical to the American war effort at home and American
military successes overseas;
Whereas President Roosevelt supported the effort to find a
cure for infantile paralysis (polio), by which he had been
paralyzed in 1921; in 1938, President Roosevelt founded the
National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis, a national
organization which raised funds to find a cure for polio; the
following year, comedian Eddie Cantor asked the Nation to
mail dimes to the White House to help the Foundation, and in
one month, the White House received 2.5 million dimes; Cantor
declared it ``A March of Dimes'' and, in 1979, the name
became the lasting moniker for the Foundation;
Whereas President Roosevelt established the polio
foundation hospital at Warm Springs, Georgia, for the
treatment of polio patients, which had a profound impact on
scores of young Americans;
Whereas in a broadcast launching the annual March of Dimes
Campaign, President Harry S. Truman declared ``The fight to
conquer infantile paralysis is an unfinished task of Franklin
Delano Roosevelt. It must and shall be carried to complete
victory.''; thanks to President Roosevelt and the March of
Dimes, polio is largely now a thing of the past in America
and worldwide eradication of polio is expected by 2005;
Whereas Americans who encountered and conquered polio have
benefited from the March of Dimes and from President
Roosevelt's example of courage;
Whereas Eleanor Roosevelt more than fulfilled her
traditional duties as First Lady;
Whereas she expanded the role, being voted the most admired
woman in America and even called ``the First Lady of the
Western World'' for her work on behalf of civil rights,
women's rights, and human rights; she carried on the beliefs
and ideals of her husband, serving as the foremost
spokesperson for human rights around the world as the first
chairperson of the U.N. Commission on Human Rights;
Whereas President Roosevelt is loved and admired by
millions of Americans and by countless others around the
world; and
Whereas a grateful Nation and world are better off because
of President Roosevelt's inimitable leadership: Now,
therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled, That the
Congress, on behalf of the American people, honors the life
and legacy of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and
recognizes his contributions on the anniversary of the date
of his birth.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from
Michigan (Mrs. Miller) and the gentlewoman from New York (Ms.
Slaughter) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Michigan (Mrs. Miller).
General Leave
Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that
all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and
extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.J. Res. 87.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentlewoman from Michigan?
There was no objection.
Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I
may consume.
Madam Speaker, I rise in support of House Joint Resolution 87
sponsored by my distinguished colleague, the gentlewoman from New York
(Ms. Slaughter).
This resolution offers the House a chance to remember Franklin Delano
Roosevelt's leadership over 120 years after his birth.
Madam Speaker, President Roosevelt who, of course, was known very
affectionately around the world as FDR, skillfully guided our great
Nation through the Great Depression and World War II during four terms
in the White House.
When he first took office in 1933 FDR pushed through Congress
legislation designed to stimulate the inactive American economy. FDR
called these measures a New Deal for the American people.
[[Page H1090]]
Some have suggested that the New Deal jump-started the economy by
stabilizing prices and triggering employers to hire in America work to
emerge from the Depression.
Madam Speaker, President Roosevelt also mobilized the American spirit
at home and energized the developing military forces abroad following
the bombing of Pearl Harbor. His grace during World War II certainly
encouraged patriotism, sacrifice from Americans everywhere, which
helped the United States prevail in the massive global conflict that he
was not able to see through.
President Roosevelt passed away as a result of cerebral hemorrhage
just weeks after beginning his fourth term, on April 12, 1945. In large
part because of President Roosevelt's vigilance the United States and
the allies went on to defeat the Nazis in Europe and force the Japanese
to surrender in the Pacific Theater later that year.
In a message to Congress in June of 1934, FDR stated that among the
top priorities of his administration would be the security of the men,
women, and children of the Nation first. The President stated that the
security of the home and the security of livelihood constitutes a right
that belongs to every individual. Securing America's future through
frightening times was perhaps FDR's greatest legacy. And for that
reason and many others, the House honors him today.
Madam Speaker, just as the Resolved clause of the resolution states,
I urge the Congress to honor the life and legacy of President Franklin
Delano Roosevelt. I commend the gentlewoman from New York (Ms.
Slaughter) for introducing House Joint Resolution 87 that honors one of
America's most legendary leaders in history.
Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. SLAUGHTER. Madam Speaker, I will reserve my remarks for the
Record and yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from
Missouri (Mr. Skelton), my colleague and cousin.
Mr. SKELTON. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from New York
(Ms. Slaughter), my cousin, for introducing this resolution. And I
appreciate the bipartisan support of the gentlewoman from Missouri
(Mrs. Emerson) who is presiding today, the gentleman from New York (Mr.
Sweeney), and the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. McGovern), all of
whom joined in becoming original cosponsors of the measure.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt was bigger than life when I was a
youngster, and properly so, because he did such a wonderful job in
leading America out of the worst Depression in our history and leading
the United States toward victory against the Japanese and the Germans.
Unfortunately, he died on April 12, 1945, and Missouri's Harry Truman,
as you know, the Vice President, became President on that day.
We all know his legacy as a leader, a political leader, a wartime
leader, and one who so many people looked up to for so long, the only
President elected to four terms as President of the United States.
Let me touch on another subject as to why Franklin Delano Roosevelt
is a true American hero. Should you come to my office in the Rayburn
Building you will see in a prominent place a portrait, a signed
portrait by the artist of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the unfinished
portrait that was being made when he collapsed and died at his cabin
known as the Little White House at Warm Springs, Georgia. Friends were
present at the time when he was stricken and died within a few hours.
President Roosevelt's life and legacy has played a meaningful role in
so many lives of untold citizens, far more than as President of the
United States in his political leadership or as his world leadership,
but it played a social role to those who contracted polio at a young
age. And most people who have been so stricken were of a young age.
President Roosevelt established the March of Dimes in 1938 which
caused Americans all across the country to send dimes to the White
House or create their own March of Dimes fund. I remember very well
being a Boy Scout, collecting the dimes on my main street in Lexington,
Missouri, for the March of Dimes established by Franklin Delano
Roosevelt.
And he established the foundation at Warm Springs, Georgia, not too
far from Columbus. This was an old resort and he changed it into the
most modern hospital for the treatment of those who had polio. I have
personal experience knowing of that. Warm Springs, Georgia became the
mecca for the research, for the treatment, and for surgery involving
those who had polio for so very, very long. And the March of Dimes that
he created helped establish research funding that could, and,
fortunately it did, for all intents and purposes, research that found a
cure or a prevention, I should say, to polio.
So, many young people, and I have had the opportunity to know them,
created lives that were meaningful which otherwise would not have been
possible, thanks to the Warm Springs Foundation established by Franklin
Delano Roosevelt. It is rather interesting, he called the patients down
there ``my kids.'' And as many Thanksgivings as he possibly could, he
would go down and have Thanksgiving dinner with his kids. And that
tradition lasted well past his passing from the scene.
The March of Dimes, the foundation at Warm Springs, Georgia, all of
that enables others to participate in public life, to take their place
as meaningful, hardworking citizens of the United States. But for
Franklin Delano Roosevelt, that would not have happened. So it is not
just during the Depression that he did such a masterful job in pulling
this country out, it was not just the war effort until he passed away
in April of 1945, but his contribution to treating and to helping find
the cure for the prevention of polio, that is what makes Franklin
Delano Roosevelt such an outstanding person in the history of our
country.
Ms. SLAUGHTER. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my
time.
Ms. SLAUGHTER. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to
the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. McGovern.)
(Mr. McGOVERN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks, and include extraneous material.)
Mr. McGOVERN. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from New York
(Ms. Slaughter) who has been so gracious to me on so many occasions for
yielding me this time.
Madam Speaker, first let me thank the gentlewoman from New York (Ms.
Slaughter) and the gentlewoman from Missouri (Mrs. Emerson), the
gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Skelton) and the gentleman from New York
(Mr. Sweeney) for introducing this resolution honoring President
Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
It is important for Members of this House to not only remember but to
acknowledge his many accomplishments and his unique place in our
history. The vast majority of Presidential scholars consider FDR to be
one of our country's greatest Presidents. As we all know, FDR assumed
the Presidency as this Nation confronted the Great Depression. His
inspirational words of hope helped Americans get through some of the
most difficult economic challenges in our history, and his bold
leadership and creative policies ultimately led us out of the Great
Depression.
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He showed us then, and I think we should all remember this now, that
government can be a force for good. It can be an instrument to empower
and to help people.
For example, Social Security is one of FDR's greatest legacies.
Today, Social Security provides half the income of 60 percent of our
senior citizens. It is a program that keeps countless seniors from
falling into poverty, the kind of devastating poverty that plagued so
many before FDR's efforts. As we honor Franklin Delano Roosevelt's
efforts today, we must recommit ourselves to protecting and
strengthening Social Security. It can be there for our children and our
grandchildren and our great-grandchildren.
After America was attacked at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, FDR
and the Greatest Generation rose to the defense of our country by
fighting against the Axis Powers. Millions of men and women were
mobilized for our war effort.
[[Page H1091]]
These Americans came from small towns, large cities, regardless of
race or class. They courageously defended our freedom. They sacrificed
much, and our country's eternally grateful for their service.
It is particularly fitting that we honor FDR now because 2004 is the
60th anniversary of D-Day. In honoring FDR, we honor the young soldiers
who stormed the beaches of France and turned the tide of World War II.
This is also the year that we will dedicate the World War II memorial
on the Washington Mall.
Madam Speaker, I attend veterans events in my district all the time,
and never is there a time when a World War II veteran does not come up
to me and tell me how honored he was to serve under Franklin Delano
Roosevelt. He was an extraordinary Commander in Chief.
Following FDR's death on April 12, 1945, plans were formulated to
honor FDR on the dime. The chief proponent of placing FDR's likeness on
the dime was then-U.S. Representative Clyde Doyle of California; and
Madam Speaker, at this point, I will insert the text of a letter
written by Representative Doyle to the U.S. Mint in the Congressional
Record
May 3, 1945.
Re To have the likeness of our late President Franklin Delano
Roosevelt placed on the dime.
Director, Bureau of the Mint,
Department of the Treasury,
Washington, DC.
My Dear Friend: A few days ago I received from you in
compliance with my request the listing of the relative place
in our currency circulation of the first three coins. I note
the dime is No. 3. Thank you for this information.
As we stated in asking you therefor, I had in mind that it
would be proper to have the likeness of our great President,
Franklin Delano Roosevelt, placed on the dime. I say
``proper'' for the following reasons, amongst others: First.
The dime was made famous over the world because of the
triumph by our great beloved President of great spirits,
heart, mind, and soul over physical infirmities and
handicaps. Second. It was made famous over the world because
of the March of Dimes which was sponsored by him in order
that the terrible disease of infantile paralysis might be
eliminated in the experience of all mankind. The millions of
dollars received has actually achieved a great deal in this
worthy objective. Third. Other coins of our great Nation have
had the likenesses of our great Presidents and citizens
placed upon them. Fourth. The circulation of the dime, while
No. 3 now in our Nation, is so rapidly increasing that it has
become almost the most popular coin in business. Fifth. The
dime has become a piece of money for which the average
American has real affection because of the identity thereof
with the March of Dimes.
The other most commonly used coins each have the head of a
great American past President, to wit: The penny, Abraham
Lincoln; the nickel, Thomas Jefferson; the quarter, George
Washington. It would be very appropriate to have the replica
of this great American on one side of the time and the
replica of the Goddess of Liberty on the other side.
I do not purpose to offer a bill on the floor of the House
in this regard, because I anticipate that a simpler and more
efficient process of doing this timely act would be by your
Department deciding so to do. If I am in error in this
important thought, I shall appreciate your advising in the
premise.
I will say, from the Eighteenth Congressional District of
California, which I have the honor to represent, there come
frequent and very large numbers of requests that this
development in honor of this great American take place as
promptly as possible.
If there is any reason why this cannot be done by you,
kindly call my attention thereto by reply mail.
I have the honor to be,
Sincerely yours,
Clyde Doyle,
Member of Congress.
____
Director, Bureau of the Mint,
Department of the Treasury,
Washington, DC.
Put a diamond on every dime.
My Dear Friend: You were good enough on May 1 to answer my
inquiry of a few days before with reference to the
circulation of the dime and other American coins. Thank you
for the information.
On May 3 I briefly wrote you on the subject of my earlier
phone communication to you. I see in my letter of May 3 that
I did not there include a sixth item, which I had intended to
do. So I do it now, and urge this sixth point to your
attention as to why the dime should have placed on one side
thereof, the likeness of our great President, Franklin Delano
Roosevelt. It is as follows:
Sixth. A diamond on every dime. If this statement seems at
all odd at first glance, I hope that upon reflection it will
occur to you that it is most significant and indicative of
the fact that the American people, by and large, thought of
him in his lifetime and always will, as a genuine diamond.
Genuine diamonds being what they are in fact and in the minds
of people, I submit the phrase I am using as psychological
strength and reason for putting into effect this suggestion.
Shortly after the death of our great leader, I had intended
to file a bill to effectuate the purpose of my suggestion to
you, but feeling it was a matter which should logically be
put into effect by our agreements between the proper
Government officials, rather than by congressional
legislation; and that it should be put into effect long
before congressional action might be concluded, I am going to
make remarks and put them in the Congressional Record in the
next day or two.
Another suggestion I have is that if you do put the
likeness of this diamond of democracy on the dime, then there
should be nationwide--yes, worldwide recognition of your
doing so. It might be that an extra March of Dimes campaign
be conducted to raise additional money for the infantile-
paralysis program, or conduct other or additional appropriate
national and even world recognition thereof.
I have the honor to be
Respectfully yours,
Clyde Doyle,
Member of Congress.
Mr. McGOVERN. Madam Speaker, as many people know, there is an effort
underway by some of our colleagues to diminish FDR's legacy by taking
his profile off the dime and replacing it with President Ronald
Reagan's profile. I am not opposed to honoring President Reagan, who
served our country with great distinction, but why in order to honor
President Reagan must we dishonor President Roosevelt?
I would like to explain to my colleagues the reasons why FDR is on
the dime. Having been paralyzed by infantile paralysis, polio, FDR was
a long-time supporter of efforts to eradicate the disease. In 1938, he
founded the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis, a national
organization which raised funds to find a cure for polio.
The following year, comedian Eddie Cantor asked the Nation to mail
dimes to the White House to help the foundation; and in one month, the
White House received $85,000 in dimes. Cantor declared it a March of
Dimes, and the name became the lasting moniker for the foundation.
The new FDR dime was issued on January 30, 1946, the date that would
have been FDR's 64th birthday. In a broadcast kicking off the annual
March of Dimes campaign on the same day, President Harry S. Truman
declared: ``The fight to conquer infantile paralysis is an unfinished
task of Franklin Delano Roosevelt. It must and shall be carried to
complete victory.''
Madam Speaker, at this point, I include in the Congressional Record
the March of Dimes statement against removing FDR's profile from the
dime.
March of Dimes Strongly Opposes Removal of FDR From the Dime
The profile of President Franklin D. Roosevelt was placed
on the dime in 1946 to memorialize his 4 term Presidency, his
fight to find a vaccine to prevent polio, and the volunteer
movement epitomized by the March of Dimes. For all these
reasons, the March of Dimes strongly opposes efforts to
remove FDR from the dime.
The Franklin D. Roosevelt dime commemorates a national
movement that resulted in the eradication of polio from the
United States and in the near future from the entire world.
The efforts funded through the ``March of Dimes'' campaign
initiated by Roosevelt provided care for the victims of polio
while aggressively working to develop vaccines against it.
This represented one of the first large-scale, nationwide
biomedical initiatives, led by a charitable organization. It
also helped make the volunteer movement an integral part of
the fabric of American life.
In January 1938, alarmed by decades of worsening polio
epidemics and the terrible toll the virus was taking on
America's young, President Roosevelt established the National
Foundation for Infantile Paralysis. The National Foundation
emphasized the nationwide significance and non-partisan
character of the polio crusade. FDR believed that people
could solve any problem if they worked together. Comedian
Eddie Cantor coined the phrase ``March of Dimes'' (playing on
the popular newsreel feature ``The March of Time''),
appealing to radio listeners all over the country to send
their dimes directly to the White House. The campaign proved
to be hugely successful with over 2.5 million dimes sent to
the White House the first year. The National Foundation
officially changed its name to the March of Dimes in 1979.
The FDR dime not only commemorates his presidency, but
represents the American spirit of working together to help
one another. The coin is symbolic of the struggle to end
polio through the ``March of Dimes'' campaign and the
worldwide eradication of polio is expected in 2005. The dime
is a vehicle in which to explain what the volunteer spirit in
America means, it would be a shame to lose that.
In response to the Reagan dime bill, I introduced H. Con. Res. 343,
which expresses Congress's support for the FDR
[[Page H1092]]
dime. It currently has 130 cosponsors. In fact, Nancy Reagan supports
leaving FDR on the dime. Mrs. Reagan said, ``While I can understand the
intentions of those seeking to place my husband's face on the dime, I
do not support this proposal, and I am certain Ronnie would not. When
our country chooses to honor a great President such as FDR by placing
his likeness on our currency, it would be wrong to replace him with
another. It is my hope that this proposed legislation will be
withdrawn.''
I, at this point, would insert into the Congressional Record an
editorial from the Gainesville Times on this issue.
Honor Reagan? Fine. Dishonor Roosevelt? No.
The latest lunacy to emanate from Congress needs to stop on
a dime: literally.
Rep. Mark Souder, a Republican from Indiana, is miffed
about the miniseries now airing on Showtime, a premium cable
channel operated by CBS, on former President Ronald Reagan
and his wife, Nancy. The miniseries portrays Reagan, who
suffers from Alzheimer's, as a doddering, rather pathetic
figure and his wife as a calculating, domineering
manipulator.
Therefore, according to Souder's logic, Reagan should
replace former President Franklin Delano Roosevelt on the
dime.
Souder and other conservatives, inside and outside
Congress, were outraged when CBS announced earlier this fall
that it would air ``The Reagans'' on network TV. CBS backed
off last month and sent the miniseries to Showtime, where it
plays to much smaller audiences. That hardly mollified Souder
and some of his colleagues in the House.
``It's what precipitated me introducing the bill . . . and
why it was a lot easier to get a lot of support,'' Souder
said of the miniseries, which he termed ``vile'' in a letter
to colleagues in support of his proposal.
Souder claims to have the support of 88 other House
Republicans for his ridiculous idea. More than a dozen of
them are from California, where the Reagans make their home
and where Reagan is a former governor.
In his effort to rewrite history and dishonor Roosevelt,
Souder trots out the ``L'' word in what's becoming a tiresome
exercise in partisan politics.
``I believe (Reagan) represents conservative values as we
would see them implemented through a president better than
anybody else we've had in American history,'' Souder said.
``He, to conservatives, represents kind of the reverse of
FDR, who is kind of the liberal icon. Ronald Reagan is the
conservative icon.''
We ``kind of'' miss Souder's point and why the obscure
congressman believes it's proper to replace Roosevelt on the
coin.
The presidencies of Roosevelt and Reagan occurred nearly 50
years apart under circumstances that were quite different.
While Reagan helped restore some resolve to American
foreign policy in the aftermath of the caution that resulted
from the disastrous Vietnam War and gets credit for cracking
the facade of communism, Roosevelt governed in much more dire
and challenging times.
In 1933, FDR inherited a nation that was reeling from the
Great Depression, which began four years earlier when the
stock market crashed and set into motion the most cataclysmic
economic emergency in the nation's history. From Wall Street
to Main Street, panic reigned. Tens of millions of Americans
watched their savings, jobs and fortunes vanish.
Roosevelt's innovative employment and economic programs,
and the sweeping changes that guaranteed the financial future
of older Americans with the creation of Social Security,
lifted the nation out of the Depression's nightmare.
During World War II, Roosevelt and British Prime Minister
Winston Churchill turned back the horror of Nazi Germany in
North Africa and Europe and the brutal occupation of most of
Asia by the Japanese in leading history's greatest and most
successful coalition in the name of freedom.
While Roosevelt and Churchill were hesitant to partner with
Soviet leader Josef Stalin and shortsightedly criticized for
doing so, they pragmatically understood the war against
Hitler could not be won without assisting the communists.
Roosevelt an icon? How else to describe a president so
popular and successful he was elected to four terms as
president?
We suspect that many of the Indiana voters represented by
Souder were helped to no small degree by the policies that
Roosevelt engineered until his death in 1945. Many of them
still are beneficiaries of Roosevelt's work.
Reagan deserves an important place in history. And he has
won recognition for his achievements in many ways. Ronald
Reagan National Airport and the building that houses the
Justice Department are named for the former president, as
well as countless schools, streets, roads and bridges across
America.
We respect the conservatism that Reagan personifies and the
conservative values that Souder desires so passionately to
honor. But removing Roosevelt from the dime is an illogical
and disrespectful way to do so.
Roosevelt and Reagan both were great men and leaders. Few
rise to the office of the president without the extraordinary
qualities that both possessed.
We would urge Souder and his colleagues to find a less
partisan and emotionally charged way to honor the
accomplishments of Ronald Reagan. He deserves better than the
outlandish scheme that Souder and his co-sponsors of the bill
offer.
Mr. Speaker, FDR was a true liberal. He was a believer in dynamic and
efficient government. He was not afraid to use government to lift
people out of poverty or to help our children, our seniors, our
farmers, our veterans, the unemployed, or those who have been forgotten
by society.
In his second inaugural address, he said: ``The test of our progress
is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much; it
is whether we provide enough for those who have too little.''
Mr. Speaker, I am proud to stand with my colleagues in honoring FDR.
He was a wonderful President, and our Nation and our world is better
for his service.
Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I
may consume.
I have no further speakers at this time and I support the adoption of
House Joint Resolution 87.
Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, will the gentlewoman yield?
Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. I yield to the gentleman from Missouri.
Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding.
I would like to, if I may, bring up a recollection. When I was a
teenager, I had the opportunity to go to the little White House at
Warms Spring, Georgia, and there displayed is a copy of the undelivered
address, now infamous undelivered speech, that Franklin Delano
Roosevelt was to give on the following day, April 13, by radio, Thomas
Jefferson's birthday.
Remember, those were very difficult times. We were involved in the
Second World War, and it was a very hard time for our country; but I
will never forget writing that speech down, and I copied it verbatim on
a tablet with pencil, the final words of that undelivered address. The
final words, ``Let us move forward, with strong and active faith,'' and
I think those words would be well-emblazoned on what we say and what we
do today. He added that the only limit to our realization of tomorrow
will be our doubts of today. Let us move forward with strong and active
faith.
So let us take a page not just from his life but take a page from
that undelivered address, apply it to the challenges, and we have
challenges of today, and move forward with strong and active faith.
Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from
Missouri (Mr. Skelton) for his eloquent recollections.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I strongly support H.J. Res. 87, which
commemorates the contributions of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt
on the anniversary of his birth.
As this legislation so eloquently states, FDR's leadership ``was
instrumental in extending freedom and democracy around the globe, and
uniting the world confronted by tyranny and aggression.''
Furthermore, he led the United States out of the Great Depression by
initiating programs that provided employment and social services to the
millions of people whose hopes had been dashed by joblessness and
severe economic conditions nationwide.
Mr. Speaker, I have a particular connection to FDR's legacy: As a
young man living in war-torn Europe, I wrote an essay about his
economic policies that helped secure a scholarship to the University of
Washington. I went on to earn a Ph.D. in economics and to teach the
subject at university level for 30 years. And when I later was honored
with the opportunity to become a Member of Congress, I was able to join
the House International Relations Committee to help build on the
alliances that FDR forged, and--through co-founding and guiding the
Congressional Human Rights Caucus--to further the principles for which
President Roosevelt stood.
That is why, Mr. Speaker, I raised my voice in protest to a
preposterous proposal late last year to replace the portrait of
Franklin Delano Roosevelt on the U.S. dime with a picture of Ronald
Reagan. We can't let partisan politics simply wipe out national
awareness of one of our greatest presidents. Our Nation and the world
gained so much from the work of this one extraordinary man.
This spring, the National World War II Memorial will open on the
Washington Mall. Along with the unique and moving memorial to FDR
nearby--a thought-provoking collection of
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sculptures and plaques, fountains and plantings, bordered by the
Potomac and the placid Tidal Basin--the new monument will serve to
remind Americans and visitors from around the globe of the
accomplishments of this legendary leader.
I am proud to contribute now to a congressional statement affirming
our appreciation for the life and legacy of Franklin Delano Roosevelt,
and I urge all of our colleagues to support H.J. Res. 87.
Mr. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the resolution
honoring the life and legacy of the 32nd President of the United
States, Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Unlikely to ever happen again,
Franklin Delano Roosevelt was elected to the Presidency for four terms.
Despite the health challenges of polio, his energy, wisdom, talent, and
compassion for the common man lifted our country from the Great
Depression and led our military against the Axis Powers of World War
II.
Following the example of his cousin President Theodore Roosevelt,
Roosevelt chose a political-life in service to the public. In 1910, he
first entered politics as a State Senator in New York. He went on to
serve as Assistant Secretary of the Navy, a Vice-Presidential candidate
to James Cox, and then Governor of New York. It was during his
governorship that he realized his political career could continue, even
with polio. During 1932, with million unemployed, most banks closed,
and a world questioning the realities of capitalism, Roosevelt was
elected to his first term as President. His determination to resolve
devastating economic problems led him to call a Special Session of
Congress during the first 100 days of his Presidency. Under his
leadership, Congress took up emergency legislation to end the banking
crisis and worked towards improving economic problems. Over the next 5
years, Congress passed New Deal legislation. As a country facing large
unemployment numbers, this President took bold steps through the Civil
Works Administration and the Work Projects Administration to get
Americans back to work. Furthermore, these programs led to the
improvement of roads and the construction of new schools and libraries.
Financial reforms were enacted to prevent future economic collapses.
Programs, such as Social Security and unemployment insurance, were
created to ensure that all Americans had enough money to survive in
times of need. The Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 brought a minimum
wage that guaranteed workers a wage that would keep workers out of
poverty. His leadership provided our country with a new way of thinking
that gave all citizens basic financial and economic stability. Later,
as Hitler's armies marched through Europe and after the bombing of
Pearl Harbor, FDR led our country into World War II. As commander-in-
chief for most of the war, he was largely responsible for the victory
of United States and Allied powers.
The accomplishments of Franklin Delano Roosevelt should be remembered
by this Congress. His leadership gave hope to many who faced several
years of economic hardships. Legislation passed during his Presidency
allowed citizens to regain confidence in the national financial
infrastructure. His New Deal programs, still leading political issues
today, were significant in finding people new jobs and economic
security. As commander-in-chief he successfully led our Nation into
victory in World War II. Historians continue to rank him with
Washington and Lincoln as one the top three President. Mr. Speaker, I
ask all of my colleagues to support this resolution and this
distinguished leader.
Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to rise in support of H.J.
Res. 87, a timely resolution that expresses Congress's admiration and
respect for the 20th century's greatest American leader.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt started his political career in New York
State by working vigorously for reform movements that would redefine
the role of government, and he never stopped. The programs that
epitomized the New Deal, had their genesis in Albany. As governor,
Roosevelt implemented many of the innovative, progressive policies he
would later introduce to the Nation as President. He expanded state
assistance to social services and state agencies and eased the
hardships on New York's agricultural industry by encouraging tax cuts
for small farmers. Upon the onset of the Great Depression, he
authorized the New York State Unemployment Relief Act and the Temporary
Emergency Relief Administration.
In 1928, Roosevelt won the Democratic nomination for Governor at the
Naval Armory in my home city of Rochester, New York. While serving as
Governor, his successes elevated him to national prominence, and in
1932, he was elected President of the United States for the first of an
unprecedented--and never to be repeated--four terms in office.
In 1932, the Nation was plunged into the Great Depression that
affected every American. Businesses failed; soup kitchens were set up
to feed the longer and longer lines of the unemployed. Banks failed,
mortgages were foreclosed and the Nation was filled with fear and
despair. Roosevelt began the most comprehensive and innovative programs
to put Americans back to work in our history. The Public Works
Administration alone funded over 34,000 projects that put people to
work building airports, highways, hospitals, schools, and universities.
His Works Progress Administration (WPA) hired artists to enhance the
projects and many of our most beautiful public buildings today were the
work of the WPA. These publicly funded arts initiatives put famous
artists such as Jackson Pollack, Milton Avery, and Stuart Davis to
work. As an interesting side note, the red, white, and blue WPA logo
remained on theater playbills and its initials were said to mean ``Work
Pays America.'' We cannot forget the Civilian Conservation Corps which
built national forests and did remedial work to restore and protect the
land.
Banking legislation protected deposits, and Social Security ensured
that the elderly would not be destitute. The Tennessee Valley Authority
brought electricity to parts of the country for the first time.
Veterans returning home were given free education under the GI bill and
bought homes with the VA low-rate mortgages. The middle class that
emerged as a result of the policies of the Roosevelt administration has
been the key to American economic stability, success, and innovation.
He understood the desire of able bodied and able minded Americans to
work and created jobs. He led America out of an economic depression not
merely by giving government handouts, but by creating jobs.
President Roosevelt showed his natural and inspiring leadership
throughout World War II. When the nations of Europe began falling to
the Nazis, one by one, the United States was hardly a military
superpower. If anything, we were poorly prepared and equipped. In 1939,
the U.S. Army had barely entered the new century; we still had cavalry
troops. In record time, the innovative partnership Franklin Roosevelt
established between government and private enterprise enabled American
industry to provide the U.S. military with a fleet of 300,000 planes,
100,000 tanks, and 87,000 warships to contribute in record time to the
Allied cause. When the war effort outgrew all available space in
Washington, Roosevelt's Department of Defense built the Pentagon in a
scant 16 months. Roosevelt's creative, visionary leadership enabled the
Allies to marshal the resources, troops and equipment to defeat the
Nazis and free most of Europe from their domination.
Franklin Roosevelt embraced the unique capabilities of very
individual and worked tirelessly to ensure that all Americans would be
able to earn a living and build this great Nation. As a result of
initiatives like the PWA, the WPA, and the CCC, the unemployed got
jobs, people were able to support their families, and this Nation was
able to grow and prosper. I hope that, as public servants, my
colleagues will join me in following in his example by supporting
honest policies that work to better the lives of American people.
Franklin Roosevelt had great regard for public service, and served
with a sense of responsibility and honor. His respect for the American
people and the value he placed on their well-being and security drove
everything he did. President Roosevelt came to embody strength, hope
and resolve during some of the most difficult days in our Nation's
history. From the economic distress of the Great Depression to the
horrifying attack on Pearl Harbor that caused the Nation to enter World
War II, Roosevelt's steadfast leadership ignited an economic engine and
calmed a frightened nation.
The legacy of his policies will certainly outlast my lifetime and
will continue to benefit my children and grandchildren for years to
come. We owe home an unpayable debt of gratitude.
Only those closest to him realized that he couldn't walk unaided. As
former Governor of New York, Mario Cuomo said ``Franklin Roosevelt
lifted himself from his wheelchair to lift this nation from its
knees.''
Franklin Delano Roosevelt left us with some of the most memorable
quotations of the century. He told us that, ``We have nothing to fear
but fear itself.'' He offered ``a new deal'' to the Nation, and so
perfectly encapsulated the American spirit by saying we would rather
``die on our feet than live on our knees.'' Of all his many wise and
eloquent pronouncements, however, I would leave you with this one:
The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the
abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide
enough for those who have too little.
I am honored to rise today to celebrate the extraordinary life and
contributions of Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I support the adoption of House
Joint Resolution 87 that honors President Franklin Delano Roosevelt,
and I yield back the balance of my time.
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The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Gilchrest). The question is on the
motion offered by the gentlewoman from Michigan (Mrs. Miller) that the
House suspend the rules and agree to the joint resolution, H.J. Res.
87.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of
those present have voted in the affirmative.
Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be
postponed.
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