Statement by Congresswoman Jane Harman

Congresswoman Jane harman - Press Release

STATEMENT IN SUPPORT OF DESIGNATING THE STEPHEN HORN POST OFFICE

September 3, 2003

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join my colleagues in honoring our friend, former colleague, and my former neighbor, Stephen Horn, by naming the United States post office in Long Beach after him.
Steve served in Congress with great distinction for 10 years. My friendship with him began in the 103rd Congress, the first Congress for both of us. Steve represented the 38th Congressional District, which included most of Long Beach and Lakewood, all of Signal Hill, Bellflower, Paramount, Downey, and a small portion of San Pedro, while I represented the neighboring 36th District.

Steve, of course, was a student of Congress. As a political scientist, Steve has written books on parliamen-tary procedures, the Senate Appropriations Committee and campaign finance. He worked at the Brook-ings Institution, was a dean at American University, and then from 1970 to 1988, was president of Cal State University at Long Beach.

Early in his career, he was appointed Administrative Assistant to Secretary of Labor James P. Mitchell, followed in late 1960 with a move to Capitol Hill where he served as the Legislative Assistant to U.S. Senator Thomas H. Kuchel (R-Calif), one of the four leaders of the Senate. And, he was in Everett Dirksen's office helping draft the 1965 Voting Rights Act.

With his election to the 103rd Congress, Steve had an opportunity to put his love of politics and govern-ing into practice. I am particularly proud that we worked together to lead a successful bi-partisan coalition that saved the McDonnell Douglas/Boeing C-17 program. Congress approved the multi-year purchase of this cargo aircraft, which employed 9,000 workers in our respective districts and, as demonstrated in the recent conflicts in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Balkans, has proven to be one of the most versatile cargo aircraft in the military's inventory.

When his party took control of the House in 1994, Steve became chairman of the Subcommittee on Government Efficiency, Financial Management and Intergovernmental Relations--a position which he used to improve government services, overhaul federal agencies' debt collection practices, and help prepare agencies to meet the Y2K problem.

Steve was also a leader of Southern California's effort to secure funding for the Alameda Corridor, a below-grade rail line linking the busy Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles with the rest of the nation. He was also known for his advocacy of higher education and as a passionate supporter of the arts and I recall Steve's strong defense of the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities as co-chair of the bipartisan Congressional Arts Caucus.

Always the keen observer, Steve was known for the ubiquitous notebooks in which he detailed his daily activities, insights and observations while in Congress. Undoubtedly, these volumes help refresh the recollections which he now uses to teach others at Cal State Long Beach about politics, governance, and responsibility in a democratic society.

Mr. Speaker, never one to falter in his congressional duties or to toe the party line, Steve Horn served in Congress with courage and independence. I am proud to have served with him and to cosponsor and urge passage of this measure honoring him with the designation of the Stephen Horn post office in Long Beach, California.