CONGRESSIONAL RECORD -- SENATE
August 16, 1967
Page 22852
Mr. MUSKIE. Mr. President, will the Senator from Montana yield?
The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. MONDALE in the chair). Does the Senator from Montana yield to the Senator from Maine?
Mr. MANSFIELD. I yield.
Mr. MUSKIE. As always, the distinguished majority leader makes a great deal of sense in helping us put this problem in its proper perspective, as well as many of the questions which have emerged out of the unrest in the cities this summer.
Mr. President, the problem of governing cities is certainly not a new one. I recall an anniversary celebration which took place in my city at the turn of the century in which the following statement was made:
Americans have succeeded nobly in founding States, but they have not yet learned to govern cities.
In the entire history of mankind, man has not found it possible to deal effectively with misery, unrest, and instability that are generated when masses of people are forced into close contact with each other.
In this summer's developments, there is an especial urgency with respect to solving problems caused by the misery which has been forced upon the deprived and the Negro citizens of our cities, but also upon those who have previously considered themselves safe, secure, and advanced in their progress under our system of government.
So, as this feeling of urgency develops, I think it is important for us, first of all, to recognize that law and order are a prerequisite to progress, not only for those who are already secure, but for those who seek dignity and progress. So while it is important for us to seek means to bring about law and order, at the same time, as the distinguished majority leader has pointed out, we ought not to permit ourselves to let these riots constitute an excuse for inaction with respect to needed programs which the President has suggested and which the majority leader has spelled out so succinctly.
We should be searching for new ideas and new solutions and new programs, but we ought not to overlook such opportunities are as available to us now.
Therefore, I am glad to join the majority leader in urging our colleagues to take this opportunity to consider the programs which the majority leader has listed. These are opportunities for us to do something about the urgent problems of the cities.
Mr. MANSFIELD. Mr. President, I wish to thank the distinguished Senator from Maine who, like me, does not come from an urban State, but who realizes, as do so many who come from sparsely settled areas, that these problems in the urban areas must be solved, because the population trend is in that direction, and it will increase, and as it increases, the problems will increase, unless we face up to them.
The Senator from Maine has been an outstanding advocate and leader in such matters as air pollution and water pollution. I believe his latest is lake clearance and pollution. And, because of him, and only because of him and his initiative, do we have the model cities program functioning at the moment.
Mr. HART. Mr. President, will the Senator yield?
Mr. MANSFIELD. I yield.
Mr. HART. Mr. President, I should like to express, as has the Senator from Maine, my appreciation to the majority leader for his eloquent appeal to the conscience of the Senate. He has said all that needs to be said, and far better than could I.
I just want to make one small point. Among the many things each Senator wishes himself possessed of is some magic as a bookkeeper. We all, and properly, ask ourselves the question:
Can we afford it, when a program of action is suggested? Some of us over the years have been tagged as big spenders, because we have supported and urged adoption of the programs such as those enumerated just now by the able majority leader.
I would like to appeal to the bookkeeping instincts of each of us. In 5 days, in Detroit, property of the value of several hundred millions of dollars was put to the torch or looted or pillaged. How do we want to spend our money? That way or in rebuilding the cities of America? Which is cheaper? One does not have to be a Ph. D. in economics to know the answer to that.
Each of the items the majority leader cited costs money, and they are more expensive than night sticks and riot guns. But history's verdict will be harsh on us if we try to persuade ourselves that we cannot afford it. We can afford it; and, as is often said, we cannot afford not to.
As far as rewarding the rioters is concerned, is it right to house people decently? Is it right that Government train and educate? Is it right that we insist on honesty in presenting consumer goods and credit terms? Is it right that we heal the suffering of people? Is it right we do the things the distinguished majority leader and the President of the United States urge? If it is, let us do it whether we are praised or blamed, whether fires mark our cities or silence marks the effort. If it is right, let us do it and with conviction.
For the eloquent appeal of the majority leader, I am grateful.
Mr. MANSFIELD. I wish to express my thanks to the Senator from Michigan, who, in his many years here, has been in the forefront in the fight to bring about a better life for people in the cities and urban areas and to bring about an alleviation of the difficulties with which so many of them have to live, in which he has displayed rare courage in seeking to represent his people and, I believe, the Nation, with the candor and integrity which are his hallmarks.
In conclusion, may I say that President Johnson is not to be faulted on the basis of the suggestions or proposals which he has made. I think, when one considers the fact that in these programs so many billions of dollars have been spent to alleviate evils and to try to meet possibilities which might arise during hot summers, and cold winters, and the other billions of dollars that have been spent on other programs, seeking to achieve the same end, we ought to keep in mind the fact that the President can only propose to the Congress, and Congress, in its wisdom, is the one which will have to dispose of those recommendations.
I urge, therefore, that the recommendations of the President, which have been listed in my remarks, and which are contained in the President's letter, may result in prompt and serious consideration by the appropriate committees, to the end that, before the session ends, we will be able to face up to our responsibilities in this respect, and give to the President's recommendations the serious consideration which is their due. I yield the floor.