To designate the Federal building located at 290 Broadway in New York, New York, as the "Ted Weiss Federal Building".

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I wish to thank the gentleman from Alaska (Mr. Young); the ranking member, the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Oberstar); and the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. LaTourette), the subcommittee chairman; and the ranking member, the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia (Ms. Norton), for their bipartisan support and expeditious handling of this bill on behalf of our former colleague, Ted Weiss.

Ted Weiss was my predecessor in this House. Ted Weiss first ran for Congress in 1966. I was a freshman in Columbia College, and I worked on that campaign. He ran on an anti-Vietnam War platform, and he was not successful. But whereas the previous candidate had lost to the incumbent by 2,500 votes, Ted Weiss lost by 61 votes. Two years later in 1976, Ted Weiss was elected to be Congress where we owe him a great debt of thanks for his dedication for increased funding for AIDS research. In fact, Ted Weiss was the sponsor of the very first funds for AIDS research in this House.

He was a staunch supporter for the human rights movement, and he worked to ensure dignity and equality for Vietnam veterans. He was a great supporter of the rights and aid to Vietnam veterans. These were a few of the causes of which Ted was a tireless advocate and worker.

He was born in Hungary, as was mentioned. He escaped with his family on the last ship out of Hungary before World War II. He settled in New Jersey. He graduated from South Amboy High School in 1946. After his service in the Army, he attended Syracuse University, earning both undergraduate and law degrees.

In 1953 Ted entered public service as an assistant district attorney in New York City. He served as assistant D.A. for a number of years. As a matter of interest, he roomed with a friend of his while he was assistant district attorney. The friend went on to become the minority leader of the State Senate in later years.

In 1961 Ted was elected to the New York City Council, being the first reformed Democratic member of the city council and served on the city council until his election to Congress in 1976.

The Almanac of American Politics for many years when it talked about Ted's election to Congress mentioned that he had become so recognized as a tribune of the people that in an open, solidly Democratic seat he was unopposed for an open Democratic seat in the primary. He declared his candidacy and no one else ran. During his tenure in Congress, he was a staunch supporter of civil liberties. His legislative record was built around the service of the Government Operations Committee where he chaired the Subcommittee on Human Resources and Intergovernmental Relations.

He was instrumental in establishing procedures for the timely planned conversion of surplus military bases to peacetime uses. He was the recipient of numerous awards and honors, including the NAACP's National Legislative Award.

It is most fitting and proper that we honor Ted Weiss by designating the Federal building at 290 Broadway as the Ted Weiss Federal Building. It is in what was Congressman Weiss's district. It would be a fitting tribute to his memory and to the great service he rendered to the State of New York and to the United States.

Mr. Speaker, I urge support for H.R. 145. I do hope this time the Senate will not be totally tied up in bureaucracy and we will manage to pass this bill in time. I know of no opposition to the bill. I again thank the other people who have helped with this, including the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. LaTourette). Mr. Speaker, I urge the passage of this bill unanimously.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to join my colleagues in honoring Congressman Ted Weiss and encouraging them to support H.R. 145 to name a federal building in his honor.

Ted Weiss was often referred to as the conscience of the House for his idealism, independence and unwavering commitment to improving the quality of life for all Americans.

He exemplified all the attributes of a great member of Congress--he championed the disadvantaged, stood up for his principles and used the oversight power of Congress to effect real improvement in health care and food safety.

By naming a building in his honor, we will be recognizing his legacy.

Congressman Weiss relished his position as a member of Congress, saying after his election that at last, he was ``where the clout is.''

Even his strongest critics were impressed by his appetite for hard work, his intellectual honesty and his zest for thorough research.

He was a staunch supporter of civil rights, criticizing the Reagan Administration for its handling of civil rights complaints against schools and colleges.

An unrepentant liberal, Congressman Weiss was best known for his advocacy on health care issues and food safety.

Millions of Americans benefitted from his dedication and keen desire to investigate problems presented to him.

As Chairman of the Subcommittee on Intergovernmental Relations and Human Resources, Congress Weiss had jurisdiction over the Department of Health and Human Services.

He used his position to advocate tougher testing of food additives, stricter government oversight of Federally financed scientific research and new regulations to allow AIDS medication to reach the marketplace quickly.

He was the first to hold Congressional hearings to seriously question the safety of breast implants.

Following the appearance of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) in the early 1980s, he became one of the most active members of Congress in seeking a strong federal response.

His committee was the first to hold hearings on AIDS in 1983.

Eventually he held more than 20 hearings to push the federal government to dedicate more funding and staff to combat the epidemic.

Congressman Ted Weiss brought real humanity and a sense of decency to public office.

He was a dedicated New Yorker who truly cared about the people he served.

For all of the foregoing reasons, I am hopeful that we will recognize the achievements of Congressman Ted Weiss by naming 290 Broadway in his honor.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 145) to designate the Federal building located at 290 Broadway in New York, New York, as the ``Ted Weiss Federal Building''.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 145 designates the Federal building located at 290 Broadway in New York City as the Ted Weiss Federal Building. Ted Weiss was born in Gava, Hungary, in September of 1927. He and his family fled Eastern Europe to escape Nazi persecution on the last passenger ship to leave Hamburg, Germany, arriving in the United States in 1938.

Ted Weiss graduated from Hoffman High School in South Amboy, New Jersey, in 1946. He served for 1 year in the United States Army. He then went on to earn a bachelor's and a law degree from Syracuse University, graduating in 1952. Ted Weiss became a naturalized citizen in 1953, the same year that he was admitted to the practice of law in New York.

In 1955 Congressman Weiss became an assistant district attorney for New

York City and in 1962 was elected to the New York City Council where he was an influential advocate on a number of critical issues. After 15 years of service as a councilman, he was elected to the United States House of Representatives in 1976 for the 95th Congress and was reelected to each of the succeeding seven Congresses. During his tenure in the House, Congressman Weiss diligently served as a leader on the House Banking Committee, as well as on the Committees on Foreign Affairs and Government Operations.

He faithfully served this body and his adopted country until his untimely death in September of 1992. The naming of this Federal building in his honor is a fitting tribute to a respected former colleague.

I want to commend our colleague and former committee member, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Nadler), for his persistence in bringing this legislation, not only this Congress, but in the past Congress. For reasons of schedule and other matters, it was not successfully negotiated through the other body. I hope by bringing it up today and moving it through the House in an expeditious fashion we can receive the same result in the Senate and get this fitting bill to the President of the United States for his signature so that this building may be appropriately named.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam President. I rise today to express my overwhelming support for H.R. 145, a bill to designate the Federal Building located at 29 Broadway in New York City as the ``Ted Weiss Federal Building.'' The building currently houses the offices of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 2, as well as some Internal Revenue Service offices and some Federal Bureau of Investigation offices.

Ted Weiss was born in Gava, Hungary, on September 17, 1927. At the age of 11, to escape persecution by the Nazi regime, Ted Weiss and his family took passage on one of the last passenger ships to leave Hamburg, Germany in 1938. The Weiss family settled in the United States, and in 1946, Ted Weiss graduated from Hoffman High School in South Amboy, NJ. Upon his graduation, Ted Weiss joined the United States Army. After one year in the Army, Ted Weiss enrolled at Syracuse University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in 1951 and a law degree in 1952.

Ted Weiss became a naturalized United States citizen and was admitted to the practice of law in 1953. From 1955 to 1959, Ted Weiss served as an Assistant District Attorney for New York City. He also served on the New York City Council from 1962 to 1977. In 1976, Congressman Weiss was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives to serve in the 95th Congress, and each of the seven succeeding Congresses.

As the ranking member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, I am very pleased to lend my full support for this legislation. Ted Weiss was a valued member of the House of Representatives and a good friend to many. For many years, Ted and I worked together as co-chairs of the Congressional Arts Caucus. Ted was tireless in his support for the arts and recognized the value of making the arts accessible to all Americans. The naming of the Federal Building at 29 Broadway is a fitting tribute to a man who dedicated his life to public service and the betterment of our nation. Ted Weiss was an American hero, and he is dearly missed here in the halls of Congress.

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 66, H.R. 145.

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the bill be read three times, passed, and the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table; that any statements relating thereto be printed in the Record, without intervening action or debate.