[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 64 (Monday, May 10, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Page S5091]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. HATCH (for himself and Mr. Bennett):
   S. 2398. A bill to designate the Federal building located at 324 
Twenty-fifth Street in Ogden, Utah, as the James V. Hansen Building; to 
the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
  Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, I am introducing legislation along with 
Senator Bennett to designate the Federal building located at 324 
Twenty-fifth Street in Ogden, Utah, as the James V. Hansen Federal 
Building.
  I am pleased to introduce this measure today to honor my friend from 
Utah, former Congressman Jim Hansen. I am joined by my colleague 
Senator Bennett, who has also worked extensively with Congressman 
Hansen on issues important to the people of Utah.
  Congressman Hansen retired last year after serving in the United 
States House of Representatives, representing Utah's First 
Congressional District, for 22 years. Before his 11 terms in Congress, 
he served in the Utah State Legislature for 8 years, where he ascended 
to the role of speaker of the Utah House of Representatives. For 12 
years, he served on the Farmington City Council. He is a veteran of the 
Korean War and served in the United States Navy.
  Congressman Hansen has served the people of Utah with great 
distinction in the House of Representatives. He served as the Chairman 
of the House Resources Committee, as a senior member on the Armed 
Services Committee, and as a member of the House Ethics Committee,. He 
is one of the three founders of the Western Caucus and served as its 
chairman from 1988 to 1999.
  While serving as the Chairman of the Resources Committee, Congressman 
Hansen guided hundreds of difficult and complex bills through the 
legislative process. He sponsored numerous pieces of legislation to 
protect land in Utah and the Arizona Strip, and designate wilderness 
lands in Wyoming and Montana.
  Congressman Hansen proved to be an effective broker in the Congress, 
as he crafted numerous agreements that provided sensible policies to 
encourage multiple use of public lands, preservation of the 
environment, and sound economic principles. As the Resources Committee 
Chairman, Congressman Hansen facilitated compromises and negotiated 
many agreements among diverse parties.
  Congressman Hansen also rose to the role of the ranking member of the 
House Armed Services Committee. He was instrumental in helping preserve 
Hill Air Force Base through three rounds of base closures. While on the 
Committee, he led the effort to stop President Clinton's attempt to 
transfer work being conducted at Hill Air Force Base to California. He 
came to be known as an expert leader on defense issues, and he has a 
distinguished reputation for speaking with authority on intricate 
military topics.
  Congressman Hansen served longer than any member to date on the House 
Committee on Standards of Official Conduct. His colleagues in the House 
reappointed him three times, and in the third term he served as 
Chairman. When Hansen was a freshman in Congress, he worked with 
President Ronald Regan to establish the Presidential Commission on 
Drunk Driving. In the first year of the program, the number of deaths 
resulting from drunk driving declined by 4,700.
  Over the course of his life, Congressman Hansen has built a 
reputation as a decent, commonsense, hard-working public servant. He is 
respected by members on both sides of the aisle as a straightforward, 
rational lawmaker who works hard to reach sensible solutions.
  Mr. President, it is only fitting that the Federal building in Ogden 
bear Congressman Hansen's name. He devoted time, energy, and talent to 
improving the State of Utah. The name of Jim Hansen will bring a level 
of trust, a level of fairness, and a level of understanding to all who 
enter this building. His name will continue to be synonymous with 
excellence in public service in Utah.
  Congressman Hansen advocated what was best for his constituents and 
what was best for the Nation. I thank Congressman Hansen, and I wish 
him the best in the activities he chooses to pursue.
  Senator Bennett and I are pleased to introduce this companion 
legislation in the Senate. I note that Representative Cannon has 
introduced a companion bill which has been passed by the House of 
Representatives. I hope this measure will be approved by the Senate in 
short order.
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