[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 43 (Thursday, March 13, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2189-S2190]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       RELATING TO THE DEATH OF FORMER SENATOR HOWARD METZENBAUM

  Mr. REID. I now ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to S. 
Res. 485 relating to the death of former Senator Howard Metzenbaum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 485) relative to the death of Howard 
     Metzenbaum, former United States Senator from the State of 
     Ohio.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. REID. I ask unanimous consent that Senator Sherrod Brown be added 
as an original cosponsor of the resolution.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mr. FEINGOLD. Mr. President, Senator Howard Metzenbaum was a 
progressive visionary whose strong support for America's workers and 
consumers left a lasting mark on our Nation. His determination to stand 
for a more just America in the Senate was an inspiration to me and 
everyone with whom he served. His influence and the example he set 
still resound strongly in the Senate chamber today.
  I deeply appreciate how much support and guidance Senator Metzenbaum 
gave to me when I came to the Senate in 1993. He had a wonderful way of 
bringing progressives in Congress together, and I will always be very 
grateful for that.
  He was a force to be reckoned with on the Senate floor--earning the 
nickname ``Senator No'' through ingenious tactics to stop legislation 
that threatening to hurt American workers and consumers. He was known 
for never backing down from a Senate floor fight, and his opposition 
spelled trouble for almost any bill.
  America's workers had no better friend and ally in Congress than 
Senator Metzenbaum, who sponsored the law requiring 60 days advance 
notice for a plant closing. Whenever Congress acts to help those 
American workers struggling in a difficult economy, we are building on 
Senator Metzenbaum's legacy.
  He also took on Washington's most powerful interests in an 
unrelenting

[[Page S2190]]

push to stop the wasteful spending that destroys the public's trust in 
elected officials. In this way, former Senator Metzenbaum laid the 
ground work for those of us who continue the fight to rein in wasteful 
government spending. His later service as the chairman of the Consumer 
Federation of America was a testament to his strong commitment to 
consumer advocacy.
  Howard Metzenbaum was such a distinguished Member of this body, both 
because he served the people of Ohio so well, and because he set such 
an outstanding example of courage and commitment to those of us who had 
the privilege to serve with him. I join my colleagues, the State of 
Ohio, and the entire Nation in paying tribute to this great American.
  Mr. REID. I ask unanimous consent that the resolution and preamble be 
agreed to en bloc, and the motions to reconsider be laid on the table.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 485) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 485

        Whereas Howard Metzenbaum served the people of Ohio with 
     distinction for 8 years in the Ohio State Legislature;
        Whereas Howard Metzenbaum served the people of Ohio with 
     distinction for 18 years in the United States Senate;
        Resolved, That the Senate has heard with profound sorrow 
     and deep regret the announcement of the death of the 
     Honorable Howard Metzenbaum, former member of the United 
     States Senate.
        Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate communicate 
     these resolutions to the House of Representatives and 
     transmit an enrolled copy thereof to the family of the 
     deceased.
        Resolved, That when the Senate recesses today, it stand in 
     recess as a further mark of respect to the memory of the 
     Honorable Howard Metzenbaum.

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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