September 19, 1972
Page 31284
THE FEDERAL AID HIGHWAY ACT
Mr. MUSKIE. Mr. President, this afternoon we concluded consideration of the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1972. The vote on final passage, a unanimous vote, is the best tribute to the distinguished chairman of the committee, the Senator from West Virginia (Mr. RANDOLPH).
We happened to disagree on one amendment today. In the vigor of that debate, I may not have adequately indicated my appreciation for the valuable work he has done on this legislation and also over the years. But this year, especially, he devoted long hours and days to the effort of redirecting a highway policy which would be in the direction of today's needs. So he is responsible, in a very personal way, for many improvements in that legislation. I wanted to make sure that the record indicated my appreciation for his great contribution. The fact that we disagreed about one amendment today does not in any way diminish my appreciation of his efforts.
I have come to know his work in the Committee on Public Works over a period of 14 years. We have served for that length of time together on that committee. We have not always agreed, of course, but we have agreed on so many occasions in dealing with innovative and creative legislation, that I could not let this occasion pass without making this reference to him.
Mr. RANDOLPH. Mr. President, I am especially grateful at this late hour in the evening, after the unanimous roll call vote on passage of the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1972 has been taken, that the distinguished Senator from Maine (Mr. MUSKIE) would speak the very generous words that he has just uttered.
I hold for the distinguished Senator from Maine the very fondest affection possible, one person for another. Perhaps more completely, I hold for him the admiration of one man for another.
When, in my case, I believe that with the very highest purpose and in good conscience and with deep conviction, the Senator from Maine joined the distinguished Senator from Kentucky (Mr. COOPER) in sponsoring the amendment which is now part of the Senate-passed bill, I shall always be especially mindful of this postscript to today's rather energetic and vigorous activities.
Our differences, as he indicated were on this one amendment, of course, although it was at the time a matter of importance to both of us in light of what we both want to do in the "tomorrows” – that is, to work together, as we will, for the advancement of transportation in many forms and concepts in this country, as an advancement of the quality of life for which the distinguished Senator from Maine has stood so stanchly. All of these must be continuing commitments that we will move forward and work toward in the years, I hope, that we will serve together in the Senate.
Mr. MUSKIE. I thank the distinguished Senator from West Virginia. I am sure that I do not need to assure him of my continued friendship. I look forward to a close and continuing association with him.
Mr. RANDOLPH. I thank the distinguished Senator.
Mr. ROBERT C. BYRD. Mr. President, I wish to add my compliments to those which have been expressed by the distinguished Senator from Maine (Mr. MUSKIE) with regard to the work done by my distinguished senior colleague from West Virginia (Mr. RANDOLPH), who is the chairman of the Committee on Public Works.
I think that every Senator is well aware of the deep dedication with which my colleague approaches his committee work. I commend him for the service he has performed, not only for the State of West Virginia but also for the people of the Nation, over a period of many years as chairman of this very important committee.
There is no State in the Union, no people anywhere in the Union, who have not been well served by this committee under the chairmanship of my senior colleague, Mr. RANDOLPH.
The Senate owes him a debt. The people of this Nation are in his debt. I know that I express the sentiments of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle when I say that Senator RANDOLPH has at all times given unstintingly of his time, his energy, and his great talents to the work of that committee.
I commend him on his floor managership of this bill. I also commend him on the marvelous knowledge which he always brings to bear on every piece of legislation that he manages on the floor of the Senate. That would involve countless measures which have been passed over the years.
Mr. RANDOLPH. Mr. President, will my good friend and colleague yield to me?
Mr. ROBERT C. BYRD. I yield.
Mr. RANDOLPH. Again I indicate my appreciation to my colleague (Mr. ROBERT C. BYRD), as I did to the distinguished Senator from Maine (Mr. MUSKIE). We, I think, in passing the bill unanimously this evening, once again impress on the people of this country the determination of the Senate to move forward in transportation programs to meet the needs of all people. That is what we want to do.
My contributions, I hope, are constructive. I know that what the Senator has said is beyond what I deserve, but I shall never forget his expressions at this hour this evening.
Mr. ROBERT C. BYRD. I also want to apologize on the part of the leadership for the inconvenience which may have been caused my colleague, the chairman of the Committee on Public Works, by virtue of the relatively late hour that the Senate was able to return to the consideration of the highway bill.
I say to the Senate that my colleague is always most, most cooperative, courteous, and understanding to the leadership with respect to measures which he has the responsibility of handling on the floor. And he is always most understanding. I just thank him on the part of the majority leader and myself.
He certainly helps to lighten our burdens, although at times like today it may have increased his own.