[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 43 (Wednesday, April 13, 2005)]
[House]
[Pages H1907-H1910]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               ROBERT T. MATSUI UNITED STATES COURTHOUSE

  Mr. SHUSTER. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 787) to designate the United States courthouse located at 
501 I Street in Sacramento, California, as the ``Robert T. Matsui 
United States Courthouse''.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                                H.R. 787

       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 501 I Street in 
     Sacramento, California, shall be known and designated as the 
     ``Robert T. Matsui 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 ``Robert T. Matsui United States 
     Courthouse''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania (Mr. Shuster) and the gentleman from California (Mr. 
Honda) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Shuster).
  Mr. SHUSTER. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Madam Speaker, H.R. 787 introduced by the gentleman from California 
(Mr. Thompson), honors the late Bob Matsui, a distinguished and well-
liked Member of this body.
  A well-respected attorney and former city councilman, Bob Matsui 
served in this body for 26 years before his passing away on New Year's 
Day of this year.
  Since his passing, much has been said about our late colleague by 
Members that knew him better than I, many of whom are here today. So I 
will leave it to them to speak of his many and varied talents and 
abilities.
  This naming is a fitting tribute to an exceptionally fine person, a 
dedicated public servant, and a respected colleague.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. HONDA. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 787, a bill to name 
the courthouse in Sacramento in honor of our former colleague, Robert 
T. Matsui. This bill has broad bipartisan support from both his 
California colleagues and all of us who had the distinct privilege of 
serving with him.
  Congressman Matsui's legislative interests and accomplishments are 
legendary here in the House. Health care, welfare reform, tax issues, 
the environment, immigrant issues, and of course Social Security are 
just a few of the issues that Bob made his own.
  Bob was only 6 months old when, just months after the attack on Pearl 
Harbor, he and his family were interned at Tule Lake camp in 
California. His childhood experience in the internment camp shaped his 
future actions on behalf of those fighting for fairness. Bob understood 
the injustice of the internment and sympathized with other loyal 
Americans who suffered at the hands of the government in which they 
never lost faith.
  He embraced his heritage and channeled his energy into making 
positive changes for all Americans. From the time he worked as a member 
of the Sacramento City Council to serving as the vice mayor of 
Sacramento and finally as a U.S. Representative starting in 1978, Bob 
Matsui served as a constant reminder of what integrity and dedication 
can accomplish in public office.

                              {time}  1100

  Bob Matsui should ultimately be remembered for his civility, his 
dignity and his service to others. He was a selfless role model whose 
footprint will forever be imprinted on our Nation's history.
  Bob Matsui was intelligent and principled. As a skilled, respected 
politician and willing to reach across the aisle, his voice elevated 
any debate. His leadership style and his character served as a model 
for all of us.
  It is certainly fitting that the House honor his exceptional life, 
his public service with this very appropriate courthouse designation. I 
thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Lewis) and the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Thompson) for bringing up this measure in such an 
expeditious manner.
  Again, I strongly support H.R. 778 and urge my colleagues to join me 
in support of this bill.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SHUSTER. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
Wisconsin (Mr. Ryan).
  Mr. RYAN of Wisconsin. Madam Speaker, I appreciate the gentleman 
yielding me time.
  I just wanted to come and pay tribute to this legislation and speak 
in favor of this tribute to Bob Matsui, and it is very fitting 
legislation to designate this courthouse.
  I wanted to speak personally as a member of the Committee on Ways and 
Means, as a younger member of the Committee on Ways and Means, who had 
the opportunity to serve with Bob Matsui for 4 years. I have not served 
with Bob for the decades that many have in the past, but the Bob Matsui 
that I got to know in the Committee on Ways and Means was a very 
special man and person.
  Bob Matsui was intellectually on the top of his game and was one of 
the best intellectual debaters and sparring partners we had, especially 
when it came to the issue of Social Security.
  My favorite kind of people in the world and in this body are those 
who are passionate about their beliefs, whether or not we agree on 
those beliefs, and Bob Matsui had a great lesson for those of us 
younger Members and it was that you can be as strong and tough in 
debate when the microphone's on, but when it is turned off, you can be 
good human beings to one another.
  Bob Matsui was a very kind gentleman. I was half his age, about the 
age of his kids, and I always just felt that he gave me sort of a 
mentoring-ship kind of relationship and role. Because every time I had 
a conversation with Bob Matsui, he had this nice glint in his eye, and 
he was always a person offering a kind word of advice or a kind word of 
friendship. That is something that I do not think we have enough of in 
this institution. It is something that I thought was a great lesson on 
how to conduct yourself among your colleagues, especially across the 
aisle.

[[Page H1908]]

  So I am really sad to see Bob leave us here, but I think this is an 
extremely fitting tribute. I wish that more of us conducted ourselves 
in the way that he did, and I just want to lend my word of support to 
this fine legislation for just an outstanding and fine man who taught 
us a lot on how we can be civil with one another.
  Mr. HONDA. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman for his kind 
words.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. 
Thompson), my friend and colleague and the author.
  (Mr. THOMPSON of California asked and was given permission to revise 
and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, we are here today to honor a 
colleague who honorably served in the House for 26 years, our good 
friend, the late Robert T. Matsui.
  This bill to rename the U.S. courthouse in Sacramento after Bob is a 
small tribute to our friend who always rose above petty, partisan 
politics to do what was good and what was right for his district and 
for our country.
  Bob provided more than a voice for those who could not speak for 
themselves. He provided monumental victories and results, not by being 
the loudest but by always being the smartest and the most informed 
person in any debate.
  Bob's legacy of legislative victories directly improved the lives of 
millions of Americans spanning several generations. His victories 
included protection for single mothers with infants, stronger civil 
rights laws and protection of our Nation's most vulnerable seniors.
  He also played a key role in crafting fiscal policy for the past 26 
years, and before his very untimely death he was leading the effort to 
protect Social Security benefits for America's seniors.
  Bob left an indelible mark on national policy, but he never forgot 
the needs of his district. His district and the greater Sacramento 
region were always his number one priority.
  Today, we will vote to rename the U.S. courthouse in Sacramento after 
Bob Matsui. This courthouse is a symbol of Bob's commitment to his 
district. Here in Congress, he was able to secure $142 million that was 
used and needed to build that courthouse.
  The courthouse not only created 1,200 new jobs in the Sacramento 
area, but it was the anchor for redevelopment and revitalization of 
downtown Sacramento, California.
  It is more than fitting that we name this important building in honor 
of a very important figure in our history and our friend, Bob Matsui. I 
urge everyone to cast a vote for this bill.
  Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from 
Connecticut (Mrs. Johnson).
  Mrs. JOHNSON of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for 
the time.
  I rise to recognize the life and work of Bob Matsui and to support 
this legislation which will name the courthouse after him.
  Bob was truly a remarkable individual, intellectually very smart but, 
more importantly, humanly, deeply in touch with the challenges that 
America has faced over his many years of service here. He focused on 
the fundamentals. Often they were not sexy, often they did not attract 
a great deal of attention in the press, but, for example, he spent many 
years working with me and others on trying to build the R&D tax credit 
into our Tax Code in a way that would recognize the dependence of 
American companies on invention to maintain their position in an 
intensely competitive global economy.
  He understood the big issues and he understood the small steps that 
had to be taken for us to be successful in the macro arenas, whether 
the macro arena of economics, the macro arena of strengthening and 
supporting families struggling through difficult matters, the security 
of our retirees. On so many fronts, Bob Matsui was a thoughtful voice, 
profoundly in touch with the challenges our society faces today and 
over the many years of his long service.
  I salute him and I thank the gentleman for bringing forward this 
legislation to name a courthouse after him in his home base.
  Mr. HONDA. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Stark), the dean of the delegation.
  (Mr. STARK asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. STARK. Mr. Speaker, I rise just to comment. My colleagues will 
hear a lot of people talking about our friend Bob Matsui and his 
legislative accomplishments. I want to remind everybody that his name 
on this Federal courthouse will remind people that it was 6099 that 
interned Japanese Americans in the 1940s in violation of what we then 
thought were human and civil rights. As we proceed to violate people's 
human and civil rights under the PATRIOT Act, I think it will be 
appropriate that the Matsui courthouse will be the place where, 
hopefully, these rights will be corrected and restored to the American 
citizens and residents who deserve them.
  I think it is most fitting that this building is named for Robert 
Matsui.
  Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, we have no speakers at this time, and I 
continue to reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. HONDA. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New 
York (Mr. Rangel), my friend.
  (Mr. RANGEL asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this legislation, and I 
thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Thompson) and those others who 
thought about doing this for our friend Bob Matsui.
  So often we read about outstanding Americans who make great 
contributions to the country, and yet some of us have never heard of 
them. So I feel indeed so privileged and so honored of having served 
with one of those people. Notwithstanding how his country treated him, 
he decided to make his country treat other people so much better.
  Here is a person that served on the Committee on Ways and Means, 
which is a privilege to serve, but he enjoyed each and every minute of 
it. He was involved in every debate, whether it was fairness in taxes, 
Medicare, Social Security, providing assistance to those people who 
have less than most people in this country. His compassion was always 
mixed with a lot of humor, to make certain that people would take time 
out to listen to him when he was serious and at the same time to know 
that he was not a politician but was someone who was a patriot who 
loved this country.
  I really think that he has set an example for so many people who have 
reasons to be bitter but certainly can make a better contribution to 
life as Bob Matsui has made to his country, to his Congress and to his 
family.
  I thank God that I had the privilege to know and to be his friend.
  Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from 
Texas (Mr. Brady).
  Mr. BRADY of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I had the privilege of serving with 
Bob Matsui on the Subcommittee on Social Security, and it was a real 
privilege.
  You always hope that we will send to Congress men and women of just 
great decency, who love their country, love their community, love their 
family so dearly and are willing to give back to all that and do it in 
such a good, positive way. That is what Bob Matsui stood for and still 
stands for in my mind.
  There is a saying that you make a living by what you get; you make a 
life by what you give. By that measure, Bob Matsui had a very rich life 
because he gave back so much to this body. He gave back so much in his 
example to other Members like myself, and he truly gave back to his 
family and his Nation, and I consider it a privilege to have served 
with him.
  Mr. HONDA. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
Michigan (Mr. Levin).
  (Mr. LEVIN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, Bob Matsui was a pillar of his beloved 
Sacramento. He was a pillar of the congressional community. So it is 
truly fitting that the courthouse in his beloved city be named after 
him.
  I think today we should pause and ask what would be the best monument 
to Bob Matsui here in Washington, and I think it is clear and that is 
that we join together with his wife Doris, who is now a colleague, to 
try to carry out

[[Page H1909]]

his hopes, to fulfill his dream that everybody in this country counts, 
and when it comes to our work here, everybody should count equally.
  So I am pleased to join with my colleagues and this is another moment 
of emotion. We very much remember Bob.
  Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. HONDA. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from 
Washington (Mr. McDermott).
  Mr. McDERMOTT. Mr. Speaker, I had the opportunity in Seattle to help 
bring about the renaming of a courthouse there for a man who won the 
Congressional Medal of Honor, a Japanese American. He served in the 
422nd and died, and it is very fitting on the West Coast that we find 
another courthouse, and we put Bob Matsui's name up.
  He was also a hero. He was a Congressional Medal of Honor winner in 
the civilian society because he stood for the principle that we are all 
in this together, and we are not going to let the past stand in our way 
of moving forward.
  He was one who was reluctant to come forward on the whole issue of 
repayment to Japanese who suffered losses. He felt that once the war 
was over it was his job to help the community move forward and be one 
Nation, where we all stand together and look after everybody.
  The monument to Bob Matsui will be what we do with the PATRIOT Act in 
this House in a few weeks. It will be a statement about whether we 
learned the message that guys like Bob Matsui tried to teach us.
  Mr. HONDA. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from 
Georgia (Mr. Lewis).

                              {time}  1115

  Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise in support of 
H.R. 787, to designate the United States Courthouse located in 
Sacramento, California, as the Robert T. Matsui United States 
Courthouse.
  It is so fitting and appropriate that we honor Bob Matsui. In spite 
of what the American Government did to him and his family, this good 
and decent man never lost faith in America. He loved America. He loved 
the people of his district. He was a wonderful human being. Every day 
he tried to do his best to bring America together, to create one 
America, one family, one House, the American House.
  Mr. Speaker, with this legislation I think we are doing the right 
thing by honoring Bob Matsui.
  Mr. HONDA. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Ohio 
(Mrs. Jones).
  Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I say to the gentlewoman from 
California (Ms. Matsui), it gives me great pleasure to speak on the 
floor this morning with regard to Bob Matsui. As a former judge, I do 
not believe a better name could be placed upon a courthouse for someone 
who stood for justice and integrity and looking out for the little 
people.
  I am pleased to have an opportunity to be here this morning to 
support the legislation, and I bring something no other Member has 
brought to the gentleman from California yet: my sister and her husband 
are moving to Sacramento and are building a house. I am bringing the 
gentlewoman two more votes, and I will introduce them to the 
gentlewoman when I have an opportunity.
  Mr. HONDA. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Emanuel).
  Mr. EMANUEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this bill to name this 
courthouse the Robert Matsui Courthouse. I cannot think of anything 
more fitting, as others have said, the notion of a courthouse where 
justice is weighed and issued for a person who had injustice done to 
him and never lost his sense of right and justice. It would have been 
easy for Bob to be angry, but he always sought fairness both personally 
and professionally.
  I think it is quite fitting and it has a sense of poetic justice that 
we are naming a courthouse for a gentleman who was not treated fairly 
at one time by his country, but who always sought fairness and justice 
and equality throughout his life. It is fitting to remember him this 
way, someone who will always be part of our family here; and I thank 
the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Matsui) for allowing us to be part 
of his family.
  Mr. HONDA. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the 
gentlewoman from California (Ms. Matsui), the wife of Bob Matsui.
  Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this 
time.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to thank, first of 
all, the gentleman from California (Mr. Doolittle) and the gentleman 
from California (Mr. Thompson) for sponsoring this legislation. I know 
that Bob would have been so proud to know how much effort his two 
colleagues have put in to bring this bill to the floor to honor him.
  This courthouse, which symbolizes equal justice for all, was a major 
accomplishment for Bob personally, but also for the city of Sacramento. 
It is such an appropriate way to honor him and his many years in public 
service, for the city he loved, Sacramento, and the country he 
absolutely adored.
  I would also like to thank his other colleagues here, now my 
colleagues, for honoring him by speaking here today. I would like to 
thank all Members very much and on behalf of Brian, Amy, and my 
granddaughter, Anna, for this wonderful honor.
  Mr. HONDA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time to 
close.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank the leadership for this opportunity to honor Bob 
Matsui, who sought to make this country a more perfect place, and urge 
passage of the bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
  Mr. Speaker, it was an honor for me to manage this bill and to serve 
with Bob Matsui. I know my father and my entire family's thoughts and 
prayers go out to the Matsui family. As I said, he is a respected 
colleague, a fine gentleman, and this is a very fitting tribute. I urge 
my colleagues to support this bill.
  Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I'm pleased to rise today in support of H.R. 
787 and to say a few words for our late colleague, the Honorable Robert 
T. Matsui. When Bob passed away on January 1, 2005, we lost a friend, 
his constituents lost their most ardent supporter and America, as a 
whole, lost a dedicated statesman.
  Bob was well respected on both sides of the aisle. A brilliant man 
and an honest and fair politician, his leadership on the House Ways and 
Means Committee and his expertise and knowledge of Social Security will 
be sorely missed in the House for many years to come.
  Naming the federal courthouse in Sacramento is a fitting tribute for 
a man who did so much for that city. A member of the Sacramento City 
Council, Vice-Mayor and eventual Representative of the city in 
Congress, Bob served the city of Sacramento in every capacity he could. 
In Congress, Bob's efforts in securing funding for Sacramento were 
crucial in the revitalization of that city. Among the projects he was 
responsible for were the expansion of the city's light rail public 
transit system, and the courthouse that will soon bear his name. Both 
projects were crucial in creating new jobs and opportunities for the 
people of Sacramento.
  His passing is a great loss for all of us and I thank my colleagues 
on both sides of the aisle for their work in getting this legislation 
before the House so quickly, so that we can honor a man we all loved 
and respected. I urge all my colleagues to support this resolution.
  Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 787, a bill to 
designate the new United States courthouse located at 501 I Street in 
Sacramento, California in honor of our friend, my dear and treasured 
friend and colleague, Congressman Bob Matsui.
  Congressman Matsui's death this past January deprived this House of 
one of its most astute, most admired statesman. The headline in the 
``Sacramento Bee'' newspaper said it well: ``A Good and Decent Man.'' A 
lifelong Californian, Bob Matsui served the people of California's 5th 
District with dedication, commitment and compassion.
  I was able to witness Bob Matsui's commitment to his constituents 
first hand when he and I worked together to address flood control 
issues for his beloved Sacramento area.
  No other major metropolitan area faces as severe a flood risk as 
Sacramento. Congressman Matsui believed, as do I, that the capital city 
of the world's fifth largest economy deserved to know that it would not 
face severe threats from flooding.
  Following the high flows of 1986, when the levees almost failed, 
Congressman Matsui worked tirelessly to improve flood protection.

[[Page H1910]]

He examined every option. He worked to forge agreement to complete a 
dam at Auburn, California. It was to be a multipurpose dam, then a dry 
dam, and then ultimately, no dam, but assurance of adequate water 
supply for up-country users represented by Congressman John Doolittle. 
Because of Bob Matsui's persistence, original thinking, flexibility and 
collegiality, we were able to develop a comprehensive proposal that 
strengthens levees, makes use of the existing Folsom Dam, and preserves 
the beautiful American River Canyon.
  As this project comes to completion over the next few years, every 
Spring, when the snows melt and rains come, and the State Capitol in 
Sacramento stays dry, the people of California and the Nation will owe 
a debt of gratitude to Bob Matsui for his persistence and wisdom on 
behalf of flood control.
  Flood control is just one example of Bob Matsui's dedication and 
effectiveness. There are countless other examples.
  In his first congressional race in 1978, Congressman Matsui 
campaigned as an underdog who vowed to bring new statesmanship to 
public office. His campaign was enriched by literally hundreds of 
volunteers that helped him achieve victory. Bob Matsui did not 
disappoint his constituents. He brought not only statesmanship, but 
also dedication, competence, innovation, and integrity to public 
service.
  Elected to 14 consecutive terms in the House, Bob Matsui rose through 
the ranks to be a member of the Leadership team. Under his quiet 
demeanor lay a man of keen intellect who was a trusted friend and a 
formidable competitor.
  As a senior member of the Committee on Ways and Means, Congressman 
Matsui was substantially involved with all the complex policy issues 
placed before the Committee including international trade, health care, 
welfare reform, and tax issues.
  Congressman Matsui helped create the Research and Development Tax 
Credit in 1981 to fuel innovation in the American economy. In 1986, he 
spearheaded efforts that resulted in extensive reform of the tax code. 
His work on the Earned Income Tax Credit helped extend the tax credit 
for working poor families.
  Most recently, Congressman Matsui was preparing to lead the 
discussions regarding the future of social security and his desire to 
preserve social security for future generations. Bob Matsui truly 
understood the varied complexities of the social security program, and 
he was determined that any reform of social security would provide for 
its long-term solvency without compromising its fundamental purposes.
  Bob Matsui was intellectually curious and honest. He was fair minded 
and even handed. His legacy is one of compassion, commitment to do the 
right thing, hard work, and wisdom.
  Congressman Matsui is ably succeeded by his wife Doris Matsui. She 
has already done an admirable job of representing the people of 
California's 5th District and I am confident that she will continue to 
do so.
  It is most fitting and proper that the career of this truly 
outstanding member be honored with the designation of the new 
courthouse in his hometown of Sacramento, California as the ``Robert T. 
Matsui United States Courthouse.'' I urge the bill's passage.
  Mr. THOMAS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today as a cosponsor of this 
legislation, which will name the Federal courthouse in Sacramento after 
our former colleague and friend, the late Representative Bob Matsui.
  As many of you know, we both arrived in Washington in 1979 as newly 
elected Congressmen from opposite ends of California's vast Central 
Valley. For more than 20 years, we worked together on issues of 
importance to California, such as securing funding to combat drug 
trafficking and to gain a better understanding of the challenges posed 
by California's air quality. Through these efforts, as well as through 
his work on the Committee on Ways and Means, I saw first-hand Bob's 
commitment to, and strong advocacy of, his principles and how he served 
his constituents with honor and distinction.
  Naming a Federal courthouse, where our Nation's laws and constitution 
are used to dispense justice, is a fitting way to remember Bob. 
Notwithstanding his service as a Member of the U.S. Congress, he was 
one of the more than 120,000 persons of Japanese ancestry who, pursuant 
to Executive Order 9066, were forcibly removed from their homes by our 
government and detained during World War II. Undoubtedly, this 
experience had a profound impact upon his life and career.
  Accordingly, I now ask my colleagues to pass this legislation in 
honor Bob's service to his constituents and Nation.
  Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Simpson). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Shuster) that the House 
suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 787.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of 
those present have voted in the affirmative.
  Mr. HONDA. 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.

                          ____________________