S7802 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE June 7, 1995

So when you hear a politician or an

editor or a commentator declare that

‘‘Reagan ran up the Federal debt’’ or

that ‘‘Bush ran it up,’’ bear in mind

that the Founding Fathers, two centuries before the Reagan and Bush

presidencies, made it very clear that it

is the constitutional duty of Congress—a duty Congress cannot escape—

to control Federal spending—which

they have not for the past 50 years.

The fiscal irresponsibility of Congress has created a Federal debt which

stood at $4,904,368,578,709.58 as of the

close of business Tuesday, June 6. This

outrageous debt, which will be passed

on to our children and grandchildren,

averages out to $18,617.07 on a per capita basis.

‘‘SKIP’’ BOWER OF KANSAS CITY

PROCLAMATION FOR VIRGIL

fMr. ASHCROFT. Mr. President, as

the new Republican Congress attempts

to put government back into the hands

of the people and bring back a sense of

independence rather than dependence

for so many citizens, it is important to

recognize those individuals who have

done their part at the community

level, the very core of our society, to

promote responsibility in others. I am

proud to recognize a Missourian from

Kansas City, Mr. Virgil Bower, known

to most as ‘‘Skip,’’ who has devoted his

life to influencing others and serving

as a community activist, volunteer,

and role model in Missouri for over 60

years.

Mr. Bower began his volunteer service in 1934 as Scoutmaster to Boy

Scout Troop 122, and continues to serve

to this day. He has been in the banking

business in North Kansas City since

1948, serving as a public relations representative. Throughout his career he

has remained active in civic organizations. He has been publicly recognized

as an outstanding citizen and community leader, having even been called a

legend in the North Kansas City area.

Mr. Bower is a man of dignity and

humility who has worked hard. Shortly

after he graduated from high school,

Mr. Bower got a job washing dishes in

a cafeteria in downtown Kansas City.

He saved enough money to attend college and graduated from William

Jewell in 1933. He began his career as a

school teacher and found gratification

in influencing and motivating young

people to strive for excellence. He later

became the principal of McElroy Dagg

Elementary School, only to have his

tenure cut short by the bombing of

Pearl Harbor. Like so many young

men, Mr. Bower answered the call of

his country and served in World War II

as an officer in the Navy.

Skip Bower has influenced many

young people throughout the years,

and many have followed in his footsteps, becoming community volunteers

and serving in World War II, Korea, and

Vietnam.

Recently, I received a letter from a

man from Kansas City whose father

died when he was very young. He was

fortunate enough to join Boy Scout

Troop 122 under Mr. Bower, who proved

to be a source of guidance and influence. The young man grew up to be a

successful citizen who attributes his

sense of civic duty and leadership to

Skip Bower. But that is just one example of how Skip Bower influenced a life

and saw a young person grow into a responsible, productive citizen. There

have been many more.

For over 60 years Mr. Bower has

quietly continued to touch the lives of

students, Scouts, and North Kansas

City citizens who know him from his

banking job, the Kiwanis Club, or various other community activities. His

accomplishments have not gone unrecognized. He was recently selected by

Newschannel 4 as one of Kansas City’s

Symbols of Caregiving, an award reserved for 11 outstanding citizens who

provide an example of hope and service

for everyone. The Kansas City Northland Regional Chamber of Commerce

sponsors the Virgil Bower Award for

Community Service, named in his

honor.

Now in retirement at the age of 87,

Mr. Bower continues to work half days

greeting customers at Boatman’s Bank

in Kansas City. He takes pride in his

work, and knows most of the customers who come through the door, as

well as most people in North Kansas

City. His wife of 50 years died over 10

years ago, but her portrait sits in his

living room as a reminder of the life

they shared. The words ‘‘loyal, committed, and dedicated’’ are commonly

used to describe Skip Bower. He deserves our praise and recognition for

the outstanding contributions he has

made to Kansas City and America. Mr.

Bower will leave a legacy of morality,

responsibility, service, and leadership.

Mr. REID. Mr. President, in the midTRIBUTE TO JERRY JORY

f1960’s, when I first decided to seek political office, I ran for a seat on the

hospital board of trustees for Southern

Nevada Memorial Hospital. This was

not considered a political plum, nor did

the race engender much public attention. For me, however, it was incredibly significant, as most firsts are.

I mention this because during that

campaign, I met a man who, without

motive or want, came to me offering

support and assistance in my campaign. He owned a pawn shop in downtown Las Vegas, heard I needed help,

and offered it. Since then, I have been

the lucky beneficiary of Jerry Jory’s

support as a friend, as an advisor, and

as an ally. And he has never asked for

anything in return—because that’s the

kind of guy he is.

On Friday, June 16, Jerry will be honored by the many friends he has made

at a special tribute sponsored by the

Las Vegas Police Protective Association. I can say, without hesitation,

that there is no one more deserving of

this attention than my friend, Jerry

Jory.

Jerry is perhaps most well known for

his service to his country as a member

of the U.S. Navy and as a captain in

the Naval Reserve. During the Korean

war, he served on the U.S.S. Bremerton

as a cryptographer breaking Korean

and Russian codes. As an active reservist in the Vietnam war, Jerry served in

the Pentagon in the sensitive and highly classified position in charge of the

staffing of troops and officers. Since

then, Jerry has continued to serve our

country in the reserves, and he is held

in high esteem by his peers and his subordinates because of his thoughtful and

even-tempered approach to whatever

task is assigned.

Since my election to the Congress in

1982 and the Senate in 1986, Jerry has

been my military adviser, and I have

relied on his opinion and counsel. He

has also served as the chairman of my

Academy selection committee. As a result of his efforts, that committee has

developed the strongest selection outreach program in the country and Nevada has sent stellar candidates to our

military academies.

Jerry is the finest example of a patriot that I know—a man who serves

with an unassuming yet passionate and

dignified love for his country.

Jerry Jory earned a degree in education and was prepared to enter the

teaching profession. However, after returning from Korea, he received an

offer to become partners in a pawn

shop in Las Vegas. For 40 years, Jerry

has operated the Hock Shop, and for

those 40 years, he has been a compassionate, determined, and persistent

leader in our business community. He

has earned a reputation for his sincere

concern for his fellow human beings,

and there is no one who, needing his

help, is ever refused.

In addition to all of his work for his

community and his country, Jerry has

also been a devoted family man. Together with his wife June, they have

raised ten wonderful children—Teri,

Toni, Jerry, Jason, Shannon, April,

Kit, Sean, Kelly, and Gary. I personally

don’t know how Jerry has found the

time for all that he does; but he must

be doing something right—everyone

who knows him can tell by the smile

on his face.

Jerry has faced many battles in his

life, but today he may be facing his

toughest. He has recently been diagnosed with cancer, and he will confront

this illness with the same determination that he has shown his entire life.

And I know there will be hundreds of

friends standing beside him to help.

I am proud to be Jerry’s friend, and I

wish him the very best as he is honored

by the community that is his home.

Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. President, the

BILLIONAIRES’ TAX LOOPHOLE

fJoint Committee on Taxation has now

completed its long awaited study on

the billionaires’ tax loophole, and their