August 4, 1977
Page 26785
CLEAN WATER ACT OF 1977
Mr. ROBERT C. BYRD. Mr. President, I ordinarily would not take the Senate's time at this point, but I think we ought to commend the manager of the bill that has just been passed, the able Senator from Minnesota (Mr. ANDERSON) for his skill in successfully guiding the water pollution legislation to passage in the Senate today. I believe this is the first legislation that Mr. ANDERSON has floor managed, and I feel it is appropriate not only to commend him for this achievement, but to point out that he chaired several of the hearings on this important legislation.
In fact, Mr. ANDERSON has been deeply involved in this water pollution legislation since coming to the Senate in January of this year. He has demonstrated great competence in his understanding of this important legislative field, and I congratulate him for his work.
I also wish to congratulate the distinguished chairman of the Committee on Environment and Public Works, my friend and senior colleague from West Virginia (Mr. RANDOLPH) for his continuing efforts in bringing important conservation measures to the Senate floor. Moreover, Mr. President, the able Senator from Maine (Mr. MUSKIE) continues to show his dedication to the environment by his untiring efforts on this bill and in connection with the clean air
conference, while at the same time he has been conducting hearings on the second budget resolution.
I salute him for his dedicated efforts on behalf of the environmental health of the Nation.
Mr. President, my statement would not be complete, and I would certainly be remiss in my duty to my own conscience, if I did not recognize the extremely good work and the fine cooperation and dedication that has been shown, as always, by the very distinguished Senator from Vermont (Mr. STAFFORD) . He has demonstrated his usual exemplary skill in helping to floor manage that bill. From this side of the aisle, I salute him as I have saluted those on my side.
Mr. BAKER. Will the Senator yield for one moment?
Mr. ROBERT C. BYRD. I yield
Mr. BAKER. I would like to associate myself with the remarks of the distinguished majority leader, Mr. President, and particularly to congratulate our colleague (Mr. ANDERSON) for his first experience in managing a bill. This is a controversial bill and one which created substantial disagreements which were resolved on the floor of the Senate.
I commend Senator STAFFORD in particular for guiding the bill on this side of the aisle, those who offered amendments, those who succeeded and those which did not. I am pleased that the Senate has passed a piece of legislation which I believe does credit to it.
Mr. ROBERT C. BYRD. I thank the Senator.
Mr. President, I am yielding to my colleagues at the sufferance and patience of Mr. MAGNUSON, if he will allow me another minute.
Mr. MAGNUSON. I am very patient. [Laughter.]
Mr. ROBERT C. BYRD. I yield to my senior colleague, Mr. President.
Mr. RANDOLPH. Mr. President, I especially wish to underscore the commendation, which is merited, by the able majority leader of WENDELL ANDERSON and ROBERT STAFFORD, and, of course, all those persons who have been mentioned, other than myself, in connection with the matters which have been the concern of the Senate today.
I believe Senator BAKER would want tobe a part of what I am now saying, that it has been the policy within the Environment and Public Works Committee to bring into active leadership on the floor the younger members of our committee. I think this is a good practice. I think they appreciate it, and the Senate profits by their work.
Mr. BAKER. If the Senator will yield for a moment, Mr. President, the distinguished chairman is right. We owe a great deal to the chairman of the Environment and Public Works Committee for his diligence in championing successful efforts to pass good legislation. I would only conclude by saying in addition to my great admiration for him for many years, I would confess to being one of those younger members, but by now I have fully recovered.
(The following proceedings occurred earlier and are printed at this point in the RECORD by unanimous consent.)