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ALL 1959 CR REFERENCES BY CATEGORY
ECONOMY, COMMERCE, AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES
Department of Agriculture and land-grant colleges: centennial celebration (see S. Res. 66), 3291. Cosponsorship of a bill or a resolution is a common way for Senators to indicate their support for a proposal or an idea. Resolutions such as this one, celebrating a centennial event within government generally attract broad support in the form of cosponsorships, and provide a noncontroversial way of expressing general support for a worthy idea -- agriculture in this instance -- without endorsing a specific project or program. Fishing vessels: provide assistance in construction of (see bill S. 1374), 3813. 3813; March 11, 1959; Muskie is listed as an original cosponsor of a Saltonstall (R-MA) bill, S.1374, to authorize federal funding for construction assistance to fishing vessels. When a Senator is an "original cosponsor" of a bill, it reflects strong support for the proposal, may sometimes indicate co-authorship, and is often a way Senators choose to endorse projects that fall within the jurisdiction of Committees on which they do not serve. For example, this bill was referred to the Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce, on which Muskie did not serve. The fishing industry is critical to the State of Maine. Cosponsoring this bill at the time of its introduction is a stronger endorsement than merely voting for it when it reaches the Senate floor for debate and passage. Letter: cane and bushberry crop reports, to Senator Morse, from, 9563. 9563; June 2, 1959; During the debate over the 1960 Agriculture Department Appropriations bill, those debating cite letters written by various Senators to Appropriations Committee members, as a way of indicating that an issue has broad-based support in the Senate. In this instance, a letter Muskie signed with other Senators, was cited. The letter is about marketing reports on particular crops. There is no Muskie text at this location. Small Business Act: amend to require publication of Government procurement solicitation (see bill S. 2469), 13338, 14666. 13338: July 14, 1959; This index entry is an error. There is no Muskie and no Small Business issues on this page. This appears to be an oversight in which Muskie is confused with Mundt, who is shown speaking on this page. Karl Mundt was a Republican Senator from South Dakota.
ENERGY
Letter: oil imports, to the President, from, 10503. 10503; June 11, 1959; During the debate over the nomination of Lewis L. Strauss to be Secretary of Commerce, a letter from several Senators about the existing restrictions on the import of petroleum products into New England was made part of the record. Muskie was one of the co-signers of that letter. A policy that began under the Eisenhower Administration and remained in force until the oil shocks of the 1970s, restricted New England wholesalers from purchasing non-U.S. oil for resale in the New England market. It was designed to protect domestic oil producers against cheaper oil from Venezuela. It had the effect of raising New England prices, particularly for home heating oil, and was constantly opposed by virtually all New England Senators. Muskie devoted a substantial amount of time and energy to battling this import restriction.
ENVIRONMENT, PARKS, HISTORIC PRESERVATION, WILDLIFE
Interstate Highway System: extend time for approval of cost estimates (see bill S. 1826), 6959. 6959; April 29, 1959; Muskie is listed as an original cosponsor of a Randolph (D-WV)bill, S.1826, to increase the overall highway construction authorization from $2.2 billion to $2.5 billion, and to extend it by 3 years to help avert a potential funding shortfall. At this time, the National Defense Highway program was just two years old, and continuous efforts were needed to ensure that the funding for it remained sufficient to ensure its completion. The final miles of highway in the system were not completed for more than 25 years. Public lands: amend act relating to withdrawals from (see bill S. 2587), 18108. 18108; September 4, 1959; Muskie is added as cosponsor to a Bartlett/Gruening (D-AK) bill, S.2587, to require an Act of Congress for public lands withdrawals in excess of 5000 acres in the aggregate for any project or facility of any department or agency of the government. In the prior year, Congress enacted a law requiring Congressional approval of any Defense Department withdrawal of public lands which aggregated over 5000 acres. This bill sought to apply the requirement to all Executive Branch withdrawals of public lands. It was sponsored by the two Senators from Alaska, and reflects the fact that in Alaska almost 15 million acres had been withdrawn for parks and wildlife refuges by the Interior Department. The bill sought to give Congress a voice in such public lands issues in the future. Harpers Ferry National Monument: additional land acquisition, 18876. 18876; September 10, 1959; Randolph (D-WV) introduces a bill to acquire two parcels of land to expand the Harper's Ferry historic area. Muskie notes that the musket factory at Harper's Ferry was run by John Hall of Maine, and expresses support for the expansion of the historically protected area of Harper's Ferry. Senators very frequently associate their home states with national projects. Senators who wish to gain support for projects likewise seek to make their project as appealing as possible to a broad number of supporters. In this instance, Senator Randolph, of West Virginia, was seeking to expand a historic site and tourist attraction located in West Virginia.
HUMAN RESOURCES PROGRAMS
Education: Federal aid to States for (see bill S. 2), 790.
790; January 17, 1959; Muskie is listed as an original cosponsor of S.2, a Murray (D-MT) bill to authorize federal aid to the states for education. The numbering of the bill (S.2) denotes that it was the second bill to be introduced in this session of the Congress. Traditionally, the first five bills introduced in a Congress reflect the priorities of the majority party. Designation as S.2 meant that the Democratic majority of the time was anxious to move on the subject of federal aid to an area of traditionally local authority - elementary and secondary education. Unemployment: alleviate conditions in certain areas (see bill S. 722), 1171. 1171; January 27, 1959; Muskie is listed as an original cosponsor of a Douglas (D-IL) bill, S.722, to alleviate conditions of unemployment in certain high-unemployment areas. Although the passage of time has shown that the post-war years, particularly in the 1960s, were actually a time of greatly increasing economic growth and affluence in the country, the experience of those in office at this time was of a significant economic contraction (the Great Depression), and the difficulties of post-war adjustment, ranging from housing shortages to fears of massive unemployment following demobilization. In this period, the economic outlook for many parts of Maine and northern New England seemed precarious, and the unemployment rate in the region was consistently higher than the national average. As a result, Muskie's Senate career is characterized by an aggressive emphasis on employment and job creation. American Dental Association: congratulations on anniversary (see S. Con. Res 7),1259.
1259; January 28, 1959; Muskie is listed as a cosponsor of a Murray (D-MT) concurrent resolution, S.Con.Res. 7, to express the sense of the Congress that the American Dental Association be congratulated on the anniversary of its centennial. The fact that this resolution had 75 cosponsors reflects the fact that such "sense of the Congress" resolutions are a popular way to express generalized goodwill to an organized group, in this case an association whose members include 85 percent of doctors of dentistry in the country. Resolutions, unlike bills, generally do not require a Presidential signature to take effect. By the same token, the vast majority of resolutions do not establish laws. S. Con. Res. stands for Senate Concurrent Resolution, meaning a resolution which originated in the Senate and requires the agreement of the House of Representatives to take effect. The "effect" in this Resolution is to express the sense of the Congress, a traditional means by which Congress as a body extends its congratulations. Medical research: mobilize world leaders in (see S.J. Res. 41), 1495. 1495; February 2, 1959; Muskie is listed as an original cosponsor of a Hill (D-AL) resolution, S. J. Res. 41, to establish in the Department of Health, Education and Welfare, the National Advisory Council for International Medical Research and to establish in the Public Health Service the National Institute for International Medical Research in order to help mobilize the efforts of medical scientists, research workers, technologists, teachers and members of the health professions generally in the United States and abroad for assault upon disease, disability and the impairments of man and for the improvement of the health of man through international cooperation in research, research training and research planning. At the beginning of each new Congress, bills and resolutions are frequently re-introduced when there was no action on them in the prior Congress. This resolution is identical to a 1958 resolution, also by Hill. It was known as the Health and Peace Act, and built on an amendment included in the 1958 Mutual Security Act that "it is the policy of the United States to continue and to strengthen mutual efforts among the nations for research against diseases such as heart disease and cancer. In furtherance of this policy, the Congress invites the World Health Organization to initiate studies, looking toward the strengthening of research and related programs against those and other diseases common to mankind or unique to individual regions of the globe." The resolution is intended to implement this policy goal. Veterans: amend code relative to NSLI policies (see bill S. 1113), 2629. 2629; February 19, 1959; Muskie is listed as an original cosponsor of a Long (D-HI) bill, S.1113, to provide for the modification of policies governing the National Servicemen's Life Insurance program. Blind persons: establish commission to study problems related to (see bill S.2077), 9220. 9220; May 28, 1959; Muskie is listed as an original cosponsor of a Humphrey (D-MN) bill, S.2077, to establish a commission to study the problems faced by the blind. At this time (and still today) establishing commissions to explore problems was a popular way to generate the body of data and the base of support needed to expand programs or to extend the jurisdiction of the Congress. A commission, if supplied with sufficiently high-profile commissioners, can draw attention to an issue and spur a demand for further action. The creation of a commission can also be seen, more cynically, as a way to fulfil a demand for action without any commitment of funds. Steel strike: favoring action by President in settlement of (see S. Con. Res. 69), 15595. Resolutions, unlike bills, generally do not require a Presidential signature to take effect. By the same token, the vast majority of resolutions do not establish laws. S. Con. Res. stands for Senate Concurrent Resolution, meaning a resolution which originated in the Senate and requires the agreement of the House of Representatives to take effect. The "effect" in this Resolution is to express the sense of the Congress, a traditional means by which Congress as a body can express its opinion in a matter where it has no jurisdiction (or no inclination to act). American working men and women: tribute to (see S. Con. Res. 76), 18313. 18313; September 7, 1959; Muskie is listed as an original cosponsor of a Lyndon Johnson (D-TX) resolution, S.Con.Res. 76, expressing the sense of the Congress in paying tribute to the working men and women of America. Resolutions, unlike bills, generally do not require a Presidential signature to take effect. By the same token, the vast majority of resolutions do not establish laws. S. Con. Res. stands for Senate Concurrent Resolution, meaning a resolution which originated in the Senate and requires the agreement of the House of Representatives to take effect. The "effect" in this Resolution is to express the sense of the Congress, a traditional means by which Congress as a body can express an opinion. In this instance, Senator Lyndon Johnson was the Majority Leader of the Senate, and his sponsorship of a resolution such as this one indicates that Congress was preparing to make a political statement. Veterans: period for granting national service life insurance to certain (see bill S 2675), 18875. 18875; September 10, 1959; Muskie is listed as an original cosponsor of a Long (D-HI) bill, S.2675, to provide for a one-year extension of the period for granting National Service Life Insurance to certain veterans. In February, Senator Long had introduced a bill modifying the National Service Life Insurance program. This bill, a one-year extension, is likely the result of a response from the Administration to the original proposal. When bills are referred to Committees, they are immediately referred to the Executive Branch agency involved for comment and reaction. It is common for bills which have received Executive Branch review to be resubmitted in somewhat less ambitious form. During the entire post-war period, Congress was forced to act to make up for gaps in programs for veterans and servicemen as those who served in World War II and Korea became aware of programs whose eligibility periods had been fixed at an earlier time. It is a recurrent fact of most post-war periods that additional obligations to the veterans of the conflict become evident over time. Lighthouse Service pay bill, 19049. 19049; September 11, 1959; The Senate approves a House bill, H.R.5431, to provide an increase in the retired pay of certain members of the former Lighthouse Service. At this time, what used to be known as the Lighthouse Service had become part of the Coast Guard, with pay and retirement benefits comparable to the Coast Guard. Muskie noted that prior employees of the Lighthouse Service had not been covered by the shift to Coast Guard benefits. At the time, there were 655 Lighthouse Service retirees receiving retirement pay ranging from $600 to $2000 per annum. The bill provided that each of these receive an increase of $150 per year or 10 percent, whichever is greater. A substantial number of these persons had served in Maine coastal lighthouses during their careers. Higher education student loans: Federal insurance on (see bill S.2710), 19409. 19409; September 14, 1959; Muskie is listed as an original cosponsor of a Lyndon Johnson (D-TX) bill, S.2710, providing for federal insurance of loans extended for the purpose of higher education. At this time, the only substantial federal student-aid program in existence was the GI Bill, and most of those eligible for it had already taken advantage of it in the 14 years since the end of the war. The country faced a new generation of students seeking help in attending college. Federal school construction (S. 8) : to amend, 19688. 19688; September 14, 1959; Muskie is listed as a cosponsor of the Clark (D-PA) amendment to S.8, a bill to authorize federal funds for local school construction. At this time, as Americans moved from cities to suburbs, a growing emphasis on the infrastructure of education was apparent. New suburbs needed schools, older urban schools needed repairs (as they do today), and cities, counties and states looked to the federal government for funding help. Additionally, the full effects of the post-war Baby Boom population bulge were becoming apparent. Elementary and Secondary school enrollment stood at just over 23 million in 1950; ten years later, it was well over 36 million.
NATIONAL SECURITY/FOREIGN AFFAIRS
Ravensbrueck Lapins, 8458, 8459. Polish women subjected to Nazi medical experiments, 8458. 8458 - 8459; May 19, 1959; During a visit to the Senate by 35 Polish women who had been the subjects of Nazi medical and surgical experiments at Ravensbrueck Concentration Camp during the Second World War, and who were visiting the United States for medical treatment, Muskie spoke as the son of a Polish immigrant. He outlined the failure of the West German Government to compensate these women because they were citizens of a state (Soviet-occupied Poland) that West Germany did not then recognize, although German reparations to other concentration camp victims had been made by this time. These women were known as the "Ravensbruek Lapins," perhaps because they had been treated like experimental rabbits in a laboratory. "Lapin" is the French word for rabbit. To read the text of Muskie's statement, click here. Mutual security bill (S. 1451): to amend, 9954. 9954; June 5, 1959; Muskie is listed as a cosponsor of a Gruening (D-AK) amendment to S.1451, the Mutual Security Act. At this time, the actual sums spent on foreign assistance, including military assistance, were classified. The Executive Branch did not present a detailed budget and did not list particular projects to be funded. The goal of the Gruening amendment was to require the submission of a detailed budget, with line item funding requests for individual projects and programs, and covering the military assistance, defense support, technical cooperation and special assistance programs to the 60 countries that received U.S. foreign aid. At this time, the foreign aid budget was estimated to be $3.9 billion, a significant amount in the context of the period. Health and research activities: strengthen world cooperation (see S. Res. 129) 10735. 10735; June 15, 1959; Muskie is listed as a cosponsor of a Humphrey (D-MN) resolution, S.Res. 129, to express the sense of the Senate in support of the proposed International Health Year. At this time, American and Soviet leaders did not routinely meet. There were hopes of a Summit meeting in the next couple of years. The prior Summit, in 1955, was generally thought to have been a success, leading to limited exchanges and also helping move along the International Geophysical Year in 1957. The International Health Year idea was born of the success of the Geophysical Year, and of hopes that relatively noncontroversial events such as this could pave the way for a successful future Summit meeting. The Senate approved an International Health Year in August 1958 but the action was upstaged by a similar Soviet proposal in September. By December 1958 the U.N. General Assembly approved the International Health Year, but in May 1959, the World Health Organization decided to postpone it. Successful Soviet propaganda helped foment the notion that the International Health Year was a Soviet initiative, and Humphrey's re-introduction of his resolution was an effort to combat that propaganda. Earlier, in February 1959, Muskie also cosponsored S. J. Res. 41, a Hill resolution expressing the sense of the Congress that world leaders be mobilized in support of medical research. White Fleet of Aid and Mercy: establish (see S. Con. Res. 66),14270. 14270; July 27, 1959; Muskie is listed as an original cosponsor of a Humphrey (D-MN) resolution, S.Con.Res. 66, to establish the White Fleet of Aid and Mercy, a seaborne outreach effort to aid third world nations with health care and emergency assistance following natural disasters. The White Fleet idea gained substantial public support in the spring of 1959, with articles in Life magazine and the private development of Project Hope, which took a mothballed Navy hospital ship and was raising the funds to turn it into a floating medical center, with a hoped-for launch date of January, 1960. It was seen as a way of using mothballed ships and as a way of providing positive U.S. propaganda in third world countries at a time when Soviet propaganda was making successful inroads among their populations. Letter: Reginald H. Sturtevant, entitled "Get Understanding" relative to relationship of United States with other nations, A3836. A3836; May 7, 1959; Muskie inserts in the Congressional Record Appendix a speech by Reginald Sturtevant, an education advisor when Muskie was Maine Governor, about the importance of increasing international student exchanges.
GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS
Department of Science and Technology create (see bill S. 676), 1177. 1177; January 27, 1959; Muskie is listed as an original cosponsor of a Humphrey (D-MN) bill, S.676, to establish a Department of Science and Technology. Establishing new cabinet agencies and congressional committees was a frequent approach in these years. Muskie supported a broad variety of proposals such as this. Unemployment insurance: grants to States (see bill S. 791), 1316.
1316; January 29, 1959; Muskie is listed as an original cosponsor of a John F. Kennedy (D-MA)
bill, S.791, to provide authority for grants to the states for the purpose of providing
unemployment insurance. The bill was designed to preserve unemployment insurance as a joint
federal-state program, but to establish minimum standards for all states at a time when
unemployment benefits and their duration varied widely from one part of the country to another.
Commission on Unemployment Problems, establish (see bill S. 1631). 5485. 5485; April 8, 1959; Muskie, along with 67 others, is listed as an original cosponsor of a Lyndon Johnson (D-TX) bill, S.1631, to establish a Commission on Unemployment Problems. The recovery from the economic downturn of 1957-58 had not restored full employment; nationally, the unemployment rate of 6.5% was seen as unacceptable, and some areas of the country had unemployment rates double the national rate. Most sitting Senators at this time had a vivid memory of the unemployment rates of the Great Depression, so the goal of full employment enjoyed wide support. It was also broadly felt that the Eisenhower administration had run out of steam and was not engaged with unemployment issues. Commission on a Department of Science and Technology: establish (see bill S.1851), 7404. 7404; May 5, 1959; Muskie is listed as an original cosponsor of a Humphrey (D-MN) bill, S.1851, to authorize a Commission to study the creation of a Department of Science and Technology. Senator Humphrey also introduced a bill to create a cabinet department on Science and Technology in January, 1959. The addition of a "commission" bill indicates his interest in building support for the idea through the usual channel of a commission to study the question and demand action. Muskie, as the sponsor of the earlier bill, would have been asked by Humphrey to add his name to this bill as an indicator of continuing support for the underlying idea. Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations: establish (see bill S.2026),8733. Federal-State relations, 8734. 8733; May 21/1959; Notice only of the introduction of a Muskie bill, S.2026, to establish an Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations. 8734; May 21, 1959; Muskie's introductory remarks on S.2026, the bill to establish an Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations (ACIR). Muskie describes his view of federalism as one that means the interrelationships between the levels of government will change over time, as new issues arise and must be dealt with. The full text of the his remarks may be read here. Muskie came to the Senate from the Governorship of the State of Maine. As Governor, he was acutely aware of the difficulties in the federal-state relationship, and one of the principal areas to which he gave great attention in the Senate was the subject of federalism. He was one of the primary movers behind the idea of creating the Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations (ACIR), on which he served for many years, and frequently introduced legislation which embodied the recommendations of the Commission. National Economic Council for Security and Progress: establish (see bill S. 2080) 9804. 9804; June 4, 1959; Muskie is listed as a cosponsor of a Wiley (R-WI) bill, S.2080, to establish a National Economic Council for Security and Progress. There has always been interest in the Congress in modifying the way the Executive Branch operates. Frequently, this takes the form of creating agencies for the President to consult, on the general grounds that the President should have input on those subjects that Congress finds worthwhile. Congress has no power directly over White House staff, so its desire to have some control often takes the form of indirect efforts to affect the White House deliberative process by creating Councils and White House Offices for assorted purposes. Committee on Government Operations, 14039,14269. Most of the detailed work of the Senate is done in the Committees. In Committees, Senators hold hearings, meet with their committee colleagues to discuss changes in a bill, and decide upon the version of a bill that a majority of the Committee agrees should be sent to the full Senate for debate and passage. Committee Reports are the means by which the members of a Committee can communicate to the full Senate what a bill contains, what changes were made by the Committee, what amendments were considered and rejected, and whether the full Senate should pass the bill. A Committee Report is also an opportunity for opponents to voice their views and for the expression of minority views suggesting changes that a majority would not accept. Committee Reports are announced to the Senate, usually by the Senator who will be the floor manager of the bill in question. Des Plaines Refuge Area: land conveyance, 14594-15502, 15638, 15640, 15641, 15643, 15644,15649,15652.
15638 - 15653: August 12, 1959; Muskie defends the way the Government Operations
Committee reached its decision on this land. A couple of amendments by Senator Morse are
rejected on a voice vote and the bill is passed as reported by the Committee.
This was Muskie's first experience of being the floor manager of a piece of legislation. Joint Committee on a National Fuels Policy: create (see S. Con. Res. 73) 16869. 16869; August 25, 1959; Muskie is listed as a cosponsor of a Randolph (D-WV) resolution, S.Con.Res. 73, to create a Joint Committee on a National Fuels Policy. Concern over national energy sources has a lengthy history. Senator Randolph of West Virginia had a natural interest in the role of coal in the nation's energy supply, and sought a means of ensuring that coal would maintain its importance as the country moved to a greater reliance on oil. Resolution: Federal-State relations, by the Governors' Conference, San Juan, P.R., 18940. Intergovernmental Relations Commission, committee testimony by Meyer Kestnbaum, 18943. Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental relations: create, 8734: (see above); 18940-18946; 19305 Committee of conference, 19305. 18940-18946; September 10, 1959; The debate and passage of the bill creating the Advisory Council on Intergovernmental Relations (ACIR) includes exchanges between Ervin (D-NC) and Fulbright (D-AR) on the value of a government with a Democratic Congress and Republican president, along with Muskie's opening remarks on the value of the Advisory Commission overall. The bill is passed on a voice vote. The text of the Governors' Conference Resolution and testimony on the need for an Advisory Commission are also included with Muskie's remarks. 18943; September 10, 1959; The testimony by Meyer Kestnbaum, who headed the 1953 Commission on Intergovernmental Relations was also inserted as part of the debate. 19305: September 12, 1959; Muskie reports the House-Senate conference agreement on H.R. 6994, the companion House bill creating the Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations. The conference report is accepted by the Senate on a voice vote. The text of the conference report is reproduced. Mutual security appropriations (H.R. 8385): to amend, 19305. 19305; September 12, 1959; Muskie offers an amendment to authorize $100,000 for Advisory Council on Intergovernmental Relations (ACIR) to H.R.8385, the mutual security appropriations bill, if a separate authorizing ACIR bill is enacted. Muskie took this action on the same day as he reported a House-Senate conference on the authorizing bill for the ACIR, H.R. 6994. During the wrap-up of amendments to the mutual Security Appropriation bill, the Muskie amendment was agreed to by voice vote. This is the full relevant text of what transpired; Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations For expenses necessary for the Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations, $100,000 provided that this appropriation shall be effective only upon the enactment into law of H.R.6994. HAYDEN: Mr. President, I have conferred with the members of the Committee and we accept the amendment. MUSKIE: I thank the Senator from Arizona. PRESIDING OFFICER: The question is on agreeing to the amendment. The amendment was agreed to. This illustrates how an entirely unrelated amendment can be added to a bill. The House most often does not provide appropriations of funds for programs that have not yet been authorized by a law. In some cases, when the authorizing legislation is delayed, funding for the program is added to a Senate version of the appropriations measure to make sure that the money will be available as soon as the authorizing legislation is enacted and signed into law. This is usually only done when the reasons for delay are technical, not ideological, and when the certainty of final enactment is undisputed. Muskie came to the Senate from the Governorship of the State of Maine. As Governor, he was acutely aware of the problems encountered by states dealing with federal program guidelines and grants. One of the principal areas to which he gave great attention in the Senate was the subject of federalism. He was one of the primary movers behind the idea of creating the Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations (ACIR), on which he served for many years, and frequently introduced legislation which embodied the recommendations of the Commission.
CONSTITUTIONAL LAW, CIVIL RIGHTS, CIVIL LAW
Hawaiian statehood bill (see S. 50), 228. 228; January 9, 1959; Muskie is listed as an original cosponsor of the Murray (D-MT) bill, S.50, granting statehood to Hawaii. Article IV, Section 3 of the Constitution requires the consent of the Congress to the admission of new States to the Union. President and Vice President: amend Constitution relative to election of (see S.J Res. 86), 7620. 7620; May 7, 1959; Muskie is listed as a cosponsor of a Sparkman (D-AL) proposal, S. J. .Res. 86, to amend the Constitution to eliminate the Electoral College; provide for direct election within each state, and retain the electoral vote which would be cast as now. This was a popular way of splitting the difference between the direct-election issue and the small-state problem that the Electoral College is designed to overcome. The Electoral College provides each state with the same number of Electors as it had congressmen and Senators, thus giving an artificial numerical advantage to smaller states. Coolidge, Osvaldo R.: for relief (see bi S. 2164), 10591. 10591; June 12, 1959; Notice only of the introduction of a private bill, providing relief for Osvaldo R. Coolidge, by Muskie. Private bills are commonly used to deal with the idiosyncratic problems that can arise when conflicting requirements of the law affect an individual and the law provides no way to resolve the conflict, or such cases when compensation to a citizen from the government may be warranted but is not actually covered by any existing law. Most private bills arise from constituent casework, where the ability of a Senator's caseworker staff runs up against limits in the law or lack of legal authority covering the particular circumstances of a given case. Details of private bills are never published in the Congressional Record. The paperwork justifying a private bill is handled by the Committee of jurisdiction, usually the Judiciary Committee, which reviews the facts and law of the case and determines whether or not to report favorably on it. Private bills were more common in past years; the expansion of federal courts of adjudication and other arbitration mechanisms throughout government leaves fewer persons who have legitimate claims without redress. Additionally, past scandals in which individual Members of Congress were found to be selling their ability to introduce private bills have helped reduce the willingness of Members to introduce private bills. Electors of Federal officials: amend Constitution relative to qualifications of (se S.J. Res. 126), 16309. 16309; August 19, 1959; Muskie is listed as a cosponsor of a Holland (D-FL) resolution, S. J. Res. 126, to amend the Constitution with respect to electoral college qualifications. Muskie had a long-time interest in correcting the problems he saw with the structure and operation of the Electoral College, and cosponsored a variety of corrective proposals over the years. No amendment to the Electoral College was ever passed during his years in the Senate.
MISCELLANEOUS
Frost, Robert: extend birthday greetings to (see S. Res. 95), 5162. 5162; March 25, 1959; Muskie is listed as one of many cosponsors of S.Res. 95, a Senate resolution to offer congratulations on the birthday of Robert Frost, submitted by Prouty (R-VT) for himself and 60 colleagues and passed unanimously. Peary, Adm. Robert U.: North Pole discoverer, 5424. North Pole discovery: 50th anniversary, 5424. Admiral Peary memorial ceremony, by Robert E. Peary, Jr., 5424. Admiral Peary, Pole Discoverer, by Steve Riley in the Portland Telegram, 5425. Commodore Samuel Tucker: Peary's Arctic Trip, by Daniel Rapoport in the Portland Telegram, 5425. 5424; April 7, 1959; Muskie makes a statement on the 50th anniversary of the discovery of the North Pole, noting that Admiral Peary was raised in Maine from the age of 3. The Muskie statement includes the text of a speech by Robert E. Peary Jr. at Arlington National Cemetery, along with two news articles about the memorial ceremony from the Portland Telegram. It is a tradition of long standing for Senators to insert home-state news stories about local events or local ties to national events and anniversaries. Glory That Led But to the Grave; Tribute to the Late Commodore Samuel Tucker, by Earle W. Gage in the National Republic publication, A5780. A5780; July 6, 1959; In the Congressional Record Appendix, Muskie inserts an article from "The National Republic" about Commodore Samuel Tucker, of Bremen, Me., a Revolutionary War hero. It is a tradition of long standing for Senators to insert home-state news stories about local events or local ties to national events and anniversaries.
POLITICAL, CAMPAIGN REFORM
Jackson Day dinner, Springfield, Mo., by, 3469. 3469; March 5, 1959; Symington (D-M0) inserts Muskie's speech at the Jackson Day Dinner to the Springfield, Mo. Democrats in the Congressional Record Extensions of Remarks. The text of Muskie's speech can be read here. Jackson Day is a Democratic Party event frequently used as an occasion to celebrate the Party's achievements. It is named for President Jackson, generally considered the "father" of the Democratic Party, but is today known as Jefferson-Jackson Day, to include the other claimed "father" of the Democratic Party. Democratic elected officials frequently address dinners or rallies in other States to rally the faithful and spread the word. Jackson Day dinner, Tennessee Municipal League, by, 9380. 9380; May 28, 1959; Kefauver (D-TN) inserts Muskie's Jackson Day speech to the Tennessee Municipal League in the Congressional Record Extensions of Remarks. Muskie's remarks can be read here. Jackson Day is a Democratic Party event frequently used as an occasion to celebrate the Party's achievements. It is named for President Jackson, generally considered the "father" of the Democratic Party, but is today known as Jefferson-Jackson Day, to include the other claimed "father" of the Democratic Party. Democratic elected officials frequently address dinners or rallies in other States to rally the faithful and spread the word. Jackson Day dinner, Senator Symington, at Jefferson Jackson Day dinner, Rockland, Maine, 12757. 12757; July 6, 1959; Muskie inserts Senator Symington's Jackson Day address to Democrats at Rockland, Maine. Earlier in the year, in May 1959, Muskie had traveled to Missouri, Senator Symington's home state, to give a Jackson Day address to the Springfield, Mo. Democrats. Exchanging visits of this nature is a common practice. Jackson Day is a Democratic Party event frequently used as an occasion to celebrate the Party's achievements. It is named for President Jackson, generally considered the "father" of the Democratic Party, but is today known as Jefferson-Jackson Day, to include the other claimed "father" of the Democratic Party. Democratic elected officials frequently address dinners or rallies in other States to rally the faithful and spread the word.
SENATE RULES, PROCEDURES, ASSIGNMENTS, HOUSEKEEPING
Credentials, 5. 5; January 7, 1959; Letter from Harold I. Goss, Secretary of the State of Maine, advising of the September 8, 1958 election of Muskie to the Senate. Until 1960, the State of Maine held its federal elections in September. Because most other states held their elections in November, this gave rise to the saying, "As Maine goes, so goes the nation." In 1936, when the nation gave President Franklin Delano Roosevelt an overwhelming endorsement for a second term in office, northern New England voted differently, giving rise to the saying, "As Maine goes, so goes Vermont." Oath of office, 6 ; 6; January 7, 1959; Swearing-in Ceremony for all newly-elected Senators, including Muskie. Senators serve for six years and are sworn only upon election or re-election. The ceremony is held in the Senate Chamber. A newly-elected Senator is usually escorted to take the oath by his Senate colleague. When Muskie was sworn in in 1959, the senior Senator from the State of Maine was Margaret Chase Smith. Appointed on committee, 671. 671; January 14, 1959; A listing of all Democratic appointments to Senate Committees (Muskie is listed on Banking, Government Operations, Public Works) At the beginning of each two-year Congress, Senators are assigned to the Committees on which they will serve. While seniority and length of service on a Committee govern much of the selection process, vacancies on desirable committees are usually the subject of negotiation among Senators. Muskie often recounted the story of how he ended up on the Banking, Government Operations and Public Works Committees by annoying the powerful Senate Majority Leader, Lyndon B. Johnson of Texas. To read an account of this, as told in Muskie's book Journeys, click here. McGee, Gale W.: commendation, 2746. 2746; February 19, 1959; A brief Muskie comment on a McGee (D-NM) speech. The McGee speech concerns the new freshman class and what the public demands of it, particularly with respect to the danger of losing the initiative in the Cold War, losing U.S. scientific pre-eminence to the Soviets, and a general perception of a decline in U.S. prospects typical of the final two years of an eight-year presidential administration. At this time, when a newly-elected Senator first made a statement on the Senate floor (which is known as a Senator's maiden speech), it was an occasion for others to offer congratulations and commendations. Although this tradition survives in some respects, it has also suffered neglect in recent years. Standing Rules of the Senate: amend relative to selection of conference committees (see S. Res. 118). 7970 7970; May 12, 1959; Muskie is listed as a cosponsor of a Clark (D-PA) resolution, S.Res. 118, seeking to amend the Standing Rules of the Senate with respect to the selection of Senators to serve on committees of conference, which negotiate the differences between Senate-passed and House-passed bills. Because both Houses of Congress must agree on all elements of a bill before it can be placed before the President to be signed into law, temporary committees of conference are created to meet and iron out differences in the two versions of the bill as passed by each House. Service on a conference committee can be extremely significant to the final shape that a law takes. At this time, the Congress was largely run by Southern Democrats of the old school, deeply conservative and not willing to share power with younger colleagues. Repeated efforts were made to open up the conference committees, and Muskie always supported those efforts. Appointed conferee, 8931. 8931; May 22, 1959; Muskie is appointed a conferee on S.7, the Housing Act of 1959. Conferees on bills are almost always chosen from the Committee of jurisdiction from which the bill was reported. In this case, Muskie served on the Banking and Currency Committee, which had jurisdiction over housing programs (when this Committee was renamed the Banking and Housing Committee years later, this became more evident). Federal aid for housing was a highly controversial subject in these years, as the Eisenhower administration resisted Democratic efforts to expand federal housing programs. Commendations in the Senate, 15654. 15654; August 12, 1959; At the close of the debate on the debate on the Des Planes, Illinois land conveyance bill, Senators Paul Douglas (D-IL) and Mike Mansfield (D-MT) commend Muskie for his handling of the amendments and the bill.
These complimentary comments, which were offered by senior Senators to each other and their
newer colleagues at the close of most bill debates, contribute to the popular idea of the Senate as
a somewhat stuffy and old-fashioned institution. The elaborate courtesies in the Senate derive
from the rules originally adopted as a means of maintaining decorum and preventing outbreaks of
violence in the Chamber.
BUDGET, TAXES, FISCAL POLICY
Memorandum: bank merger bill, views of Senators Douglas, Clark, Proxmire, and Muskie, 8127. 8127; May 14, 1959; During the course of debate on S.1062, a bill to amend the Federal Depository Insurance Corporation, Senator Douglas inserts the Supplemental Views filed in the bill report which were signed by Muskie and others. Supplemental Views are filed by Committee Members who agree with the basic bill and do not oppose it, but who have additional comments to add or issues to explore which they feel the final version of the bill does not comprehend. Muskie himself does not speak. Bank merger bill (S. 1062): to amend, 8140. 8140; May 14, 1959; During debate over S.1602, the Bank Merger bill, Senator Sparkman (D-AL) offers an amendment to clarify the bill's language. Muskie is listed as one of the cosponsors of the Sparkman amendment. There is no Muskie text at this location. Internal Revenue Code: amend to prohibit deductions of certain business expenses (see bill S.2040), 8734. 8734; May 21, 1959; Muskie is listed as a cosponsor of two Clark (D-PA) bills, S.2039 and S.2040, which would amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 to prohibit the deduction from income of certain business expenses. S.2039 requires fuller reporting of expense deductions; S.2040 places a limit on the allowable deduction. Corporate and excise tax extensions (H.R. 7523): to amend, 11897. 11897; June 25, 1959; The Clark bills S.2039 and S.2040, of which Muskie is a cosponsor, are offered as amendments to the Tax Rate Extension Act of 1959, H.R.7523, to impose a $1000 "entertainment" deduction limit and to disallow deductions for all gifts, dues and non-U.S. travel as business expenses. The Clark amendment fails 34-44 (with 20 not voting). Muskie's name appears as a cosponsor of the Clark amendment, but Muskie himself is absent on official business at the Parliamentary Conference in Canada.
Distilled spirits destroyed by fire: tax refunds to States, 17113. Internal Revenue Code of 1954: amend relative to certain State tax refunds on distilled spirits and wine (see bill S 2604),17113. 17113; August 27, 1959; Notice only of Muskie introduction of S.2604, a bill to require federal refunds to the States of federal excise taxes paid on distilled spirits which have been destroyed by fire. Muskie's introductory statement, which can be read here, explains that when liquor is destroyed by fire or other disaster, those states which exercise their state monopoly over liquor sales nonetheless lose that portion of the federal excise tax they have already remitted to the U.S. Treasury. The bill would provide for a federal refund of half the federal liquor tax to such states (17 in all) when the loss amounts to more than $1000. The Record includes a table showing that state losses between 1955 and 1959 amounted to a total of $432,553.
TRADE, EXPORT SUBSIDIES, TARIFFS
Petroleum and petroleum products: rescind action imposing quotas on (see bill S. 1525), 5136. 5136; March 25, 1959; Muskie is listed as a cosponsor of a Proxmire (D-WI) bill, S.1525, to rescind the presidential order imposing quotas on the importation of petroleum and petroleum products. The imposition of import quotas to protect the domestic oil industry was claimed by the Eisenhower administration and its other supporters to be a national security issue, required by the exigencies of the Cold War. Because the policy was directed at New England and resulted in higher home heating oil prices in the region, Muskie never ceased his opposition to it. Wood molding imports, 16728. 16728; August 12, 1959; During debate on H.R.2411, a bill to amend the Tariff Act so as to permit the free importation of tourist literature, Senator Anderson (D-NM) added an amendment hiking tariffs on some wood moldings from Mexico; Senator Yarborough (D-TX) objected on the grounds that the amendment was directed at one particular mill in Juarez and carried the risk of disrupting other U.S.-Mexican trade. In rebutting this argument, Senator Anderson inserted in the Record the text of Muskie's testimony before the Finance Committee asserting that a mill in Maine was affected by these Mexican wood molding imports and that Anderson's amendment (S.913 in the Senate) should be approved. Muskie's testimony can be read here.
HOUSING, URBAN RENEWAL, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Urban renewal: amend laws relating to (see bill S. 193), 790. 790; January 17, 1959; Muskie is listed as a cosponsor of a Kennedy (D-MA)-Clark (D-PA) bill, S.193, to amend the laws relating to urban renewal projects. Housing projects, slum clearance, and urban renewal were all significantly important issues at this time, as the nation's housing stock was seen to be in need of substantial renewal and improvement. Federal Reserve Act: amend relative to real estate loans (see bill S. 1173, 1174), 2977. 2977; February 26, 1959; Notice of Muskie/Margaret Chase Smith (R-ME) bill introduction. Both bills amend Sec. 24 of the Federal Reserve Act. S.1173 exempts real estate loans guaranteed by the states from the terms of the Act; and S.1174 specifies that the limits on loan terms and amounts applied by the Act to national banks should not apply to State-guaranteed loans. FNMA mortgage exchange policy: not in national interest (see S. Res. 130), 10088. 10088; June 8, 1959; Muskie is listed as a cosponsor of a Clark (D-PA) resolution, S.Res. 130, expressing the sense of the Senate that the FNMA mortgage exchange policy is not in the national interest. Committee on Banking and Currency, 13156. 13156; July 13, 1959; Muskie gives notice of Senate report, Report No. 86-489 to S.1173, a bill limiting the application of federal loan limits to State-guaranteed real estate loans which he cosponsored with Sen Margaret Chase Smith, his Maine colleague. Most of the detailed work of the Senate is done in the Committees. In Committees, Senators hold hearings, meet with their committee colleagues to discuss changes in a bill, and decide upon the version of a bill that a majority of the Committee agrees should be sent to the full Senate for debate and passage. Committee Reports are the means by which the members of a Committee can communicate to the full Senate what a bill contains, what changes were made by the Committee, what amendments were considered and rejected, and whether the full Senate should pass the bill. A Committee Report is also an opportunity for opponents to voice their views and for the expression of minority views suggesting changes that a majority would not accept. Committee Reports are announced to the Senate, usually by the Senator who will be the floor manager of the bill in question. Housing improvements bill: veto message, 13469. 13469; July 15, 1959; Muskie statement on President Eisenhower's veto of the housing bill. Read the text of Muskie's statement here. Although by 1959 World War II had been over for 14 years, contemporaries in 1959 felt that the nation still suffered a housing stock shortage but more especially, a problem of substandard housing in too many cities and states. Against a background of steadily growing national prosperity, housing that lacked indoor plumbing and electricity was seen to be unfinished business from the pre-war Depression, and the broadly based support for slum clearance and modern amenities led to a demand for a greater federal effort to aid cities and states in housing construction. Eisenhower's veto of the Housing Act of 1959, in this context, was seen as a major challenge to the Democratic Party. |