Nelson Rockefeller to be the person best suited by experience and proven leadership today to assume the office of the Presidency, should that be necessary. Hence, my support for his confirmation as Vice President. My admiration and respect for Governor Rockefeller is based on a relationship that began when we both were relative political neophytes. In January 1958, I was elected to Congress in a special election and, in November of that year, elected to my first full term. It was in 1958 that Nelson Rockefeller was first elected Governor of New York. I was impressed, as a Member of Congress, with his appreciation of the strengths and weaknesses of the federal system and his thoughtful statements about its future. His Godkin Lectures at Harvard in 1962 formed the basis for a book, "The Future of Federalism." His own thoughts and philosophy, as expressed in that excellent volume, give us a better grasp of the sinew of his character. Let me quote: In concrete terms: if a state government lacks the political courage to meet the needs of its people by using its own taxing power-if it prefers to escape by letting the national government do the taxing and then return the money to the state-the leadership of this state puts itself in an exceedingly poor position to weep over the growth of federal power. The preservation of states' rights-in short-depends upon the exercise of states' responsibilities. The quality of leadership is a many-faceted thing-subtle in the kind of strength that prudently falls short of the arbitrary or authoritarian. But I think that this leadership has one most clear sign and expression. It must have the vision to foresee and the courage to meet problems and challenges before they grow to the ugly size of crises-*** As Governor of New York State, Nelson Rockefeller clearly put into practice those qualities of leadership. In housing, education, and water pollution control, for example, New York State has demonstrated that concrete and positive State action to meet human problems is possible and productive. Under Governor Rockefeller's leadership, New York State has attempted to be responsive to its own needs. It has often moved in advance of Federal action, particularly in seeking to control water pollution. It has been my privilege during the last 10 years while serving as dean of the New York Republican Delegation in the House to work closely with Governor Rockefeller. During those years, I came to appreciate even more, not only the positive and progressive leadership that marks his public record, but, also, the personal qualities of honesty, forthrightness, integrity and courage that are expressed in his relationship with others. In combination, those characteristics give Nelson Rockefeller the distinction of being an outstanding leader and a fine individual. Clearly, he is the right man for the job. I hope that, as I conclude, I will be pardoned a personal note. In a few months, I will be leaving Congress after spending nearly 17 years. in the House of Representatives. When I announced my retirement earlier this year, I said that, in so doing, I hoped to be better able to concentrate on putting behind us some of the gnawing problems facing this Nation. Among those problems was the need to restore confidence and trust in our system of government-in our political process. I do believe that we are well underway to accomplishing this important objective. But it seems to me that the confirmation of Nelson Rockefeller as Vice President in a timely and careful but timely manner is essential to this effort. That is why I am pleased and gratified that among the last of the actions I will take as a public official is voting and working for Governor Rockefeller's confirmation. I commend him to you as representing the highest of ideals of a public servant. I urge his approval by this committee, the Senate and the House so that the United States can have, at the earliest opportunity, the advantage of his continued contributions to our well-being as Vice President of the United States. Thank you very much. The CHAIRMAN. Thank you very much, Congressman Robison, for a very fine statement. You have heard our colloquy with some of the witnesses concerning the conflict-of-interest problem. Would you give us the benefit of your views? Mr. ROBISON. I think, Senator, and members of the committee, that full disclosure would be sufficient under these unique circumstances, though this is a matter within your judgment to decide, and that of the House and the Senate. I can say only this in the same connection. Governor Rockefeller enjoyed the same sources of wealth and economic power, if you will, during the years he was Governor of our State. And while those were difficult years, and controversial years in many ways, to my recollection at no time during that period did anyone raise any question in our State about the use of his wealth, or the possible use of his economic power, what ever it might have been, in such a fashion as to create a conflict of interest between himself, as a person, and his responsibilities as Governor of our State. The CHAIRMAN. Thank you. That is a very fine recommendation and I thank you very much, sir. Mr. ROBISON. Thank you. The CHAIRMAN. The next witness is Hon. Edward W. Brooke from Massachusetts. Senator Brooke, we're happy to have you here today. STATEMENT OF HON. EDWARD W. BROOKE, A U.S. SENATOR FROM THE STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS Senator BROOKE. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and members of the committee. I appreciate very much the opportunity to appear before this committee and to testify on behalf of the nomination of Nelson A. Rockefeller as Vice President of the United States. For the second time in less than 2 years the Congress is acting pursuant to section 2 of the 25th amendment to the Constitution. And for the second time the Congress is considering an outstanding Vice Presidential nominee. I commend the Senate Rules Committee and its staff for once again performing so well its constitutional responsibility under the 25th amendment. I fully realize that the Senate Rules Committee has had a most exhausting year. I would particularly like to commend the splendid leadership of Senators Cannon and Cook in conducting this investigation in such a thorough and expeditious manner. I believe that Nelson Rockefeller is eminently qualified to assume the responsibilities and duties of the Vice Presidency. In nominating Nelson Rockefeller to the Nation's second highest office, President Ford has chosen one of the Nation's truly gifted public servants to help him and the country through these difficult days of healing and rejuvenation. A candidate for our second highest office must possess many outstanding qualifications for the job. But most importantly, he must be qualified to assume the Nation's highest office at any moment. The essential measures of an individual for either post are competence and integrity. Nelson Rockefeller's public and private record make it abundantly clear that he meets these qualifications. The list of Governor Rockefeller's achievements is particularly impressive. To the Ford Administration, but more importantly to the Nation as a whole, he brings unquestioned administrative abilities garnered through his 15 years as Governor of New York State. Moreover, his knowledge of State governments, so important in this time of returning political power to the people, is bolstered by his considerable experience in the Federal Government. He has directly served three Presidents in roles as varied as Assistant Secretary of State for American Republic Affairs under Franklin D. Roosevelt and Under Secretary of the Department of Health, Education and Welfare under Dwight David Eisenhower. In addition to his administrative abilities, the Vice Presidential designate also brings a deep understanding of foreign affairs. His international understanding will serve us well during this important time of building a lasting structure of peace throughout the world. These credentials, combined with the less easily quantifiable, but equally important, characteristics of political acumen, should provide the Congress with more than enough reason to confirm his nomination. I have been privileged to know Nelson Rockefeller both as a national statesman and as a good friend for many years. This association has allowed me to know Nelson Rockefeller, the man. And, I know Nelson to be a man of integrity and conviction, and committed to the betterment of all people. He is a leader. Many times in his career he has demonstrated the rare capacity to get out in front of an issue and lead, rather than be led. At a time when our Nation has experienced the resignation of a President, Governor Rockefeller brings stability. At a time when our Nation cries out for returned attention to our social problems, Nelson Rockefeller brings enormous Government experience. At a time when the United States faces choices in its quest for a lasting peace, Governor Rockefeller brings substantial expertise. Nelson Rockefeller will help restore confidence of the American people in their system of Government. I'm proud to recommend without qualification the confirmation of Nelson A. Rockefeller. Mr. Chairman, as an addendum, I must say that I am also looking forward to the arrival of Mrs. Nelson Rockefeller. Happy Rockefeller will certainly be a welcome addition to the Nation's Capital. The CHAIRMAN. Thank you very much, Senator Brooke, for a fine statement and fine recommendation. The next witness is Hon. John B. Anderson of Illinois. STATEMENT OF HON. JOHN B. ANDERSON, A U.S. CONGRESSMAN FROM THE STATE OF ILLINOIS Mr. ANDERSON. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have a prepared statement and I would ask your permission to include that in full as the text of my testimony and I will try to simply summarize for you what I feel are the most important portions of that statement. Mr. Chairman, I wish to heartily endorse Nelson A. Rockefeller as the Vice President of the United States not simply because I, too, am a Republican, not simply because he is the first choice of our Republican President but because to me he does epitomize to my mind the kind of integrity and courage and breadth of vision which this country sorely needs in the aftermath of our Watergate nightmare. Some may be inclined, I suppose, to make issue perhaps of his age and yet in my mind he stands out as one of our most youthful elder statesmen in terms of his vigor, enthusiasm and dynamism. Some make an issue of his financial wealth. I think we should rather be thankful for the nomination of a man with such a wealth of Government experience. Some may disagree with his political philosophy. I think nevertheless all will admire his devotion to basic American principles which we all share. And I want to compliment your committee, Mr. Chairman, for giving this the close attention and scrutiny to the nomination to the second highest office in the land, under the unusual provisions of the Twenty-Fifth Amendment. We all recognize that we confront in this hour of history a very unique and historic situation in which our two top leaders will be congressionally ratified appointees rather than popularly elected officials on the heels of an elected, popularly elected Government that has failed and fallen. To some that may seem a formula for greater division and instability. Yet, President Ford has been widely acclaimed and accepted, I believe, by the American people. He succeeded in restoring a measure of stability to Government, and critical to the success of that transition process was the overwhelmingly ratification of his nomination by the Congress, the peoples representatives, and I would hope that we would therefore see the same kind of overwhelming ratification by the peoples representatives of his choice for Vice President. For most of his life Governor Rockefeller has been a public man dedicated to public service. And like the beneficiary of those five talents in the parable of the talents of the scriptures, he has given a rich accounting of that stewardship. I shall not repeat what has been gone into in great detail by other witnesses in reviewing his extensive record of public service. Let me summarize simply by concluding that some people have questioned and apparently are puzzled as to why he has accepted the Vice Presidential nomination when at least twice previously he rejected such offers. Personally I don't find it at all curious being somewhat familiar with the Governor and his attitudes about our Government and country. I don't find it curious that he has seen fit to accept the Vice Presidential nomination. I think he realizes that these are very unique and trying times that call out for very special leadership qualities. Like many of us I believe the Governor was concerned about the fate of our country in the wake of Watergate. He felt that if people were turned off because of that, our democratic experiment could perhaps fail. His views on this are best summed up in the first of three lectures that he delivered at Harvard University more than a decade ago. Let me, before I conclude these remarks, Mr. Chairman, just quote one or two things that he said on that occasion: Politics is the life blood of a democracy. To call politics dirty is to call democracy dirty. The truth is that anyone who believes his political environment is dirty becomes in effect a political refugee in his own society. The Governor went on to state on that occasion, and again I quote: No concept of Government, not even the lofty and rich promise of a Federal idea itself can truly work except as dedicated men and women in these positions, men and women by the tens of thousands make it work. Grand ideas of Government, lofty abstract principles, even the wisest constitutions and laws depend for their very life and meaning on the willingness of citizens and leaders to apply them and to improve them. Mr. Chairman, I have no doubt as to why Governor Rockefeller answered this call. He is a citizen and leader who recognizes his obligations to help make our concept of government work in these troubled times. A man whose life is a willingness to take the grand ideas of government, apply them, improve them, and try to make them work. He is a man who realizes that a turned off citizenry, political refugees in their own society would be a drain on the lifeblood of our democracy, and that a special effort is now required to restore confidence in our Government and in ourselves. Mr. Chairman, I would hope that you would report favorably on this nomination, recommend him for confirmation to the Senate so that he might be given the very splendid opportunity I think that has been provided him by this nomination to continue to serve the American people. Thank you. The CHAIRMAN. Thank you very much, Congressman Anderson, for a very fine statement. We appreciate you being here and giving us the benefit of your views. [The written statement of Congressman Anderson follows:] STATEMENT OF HON. JOHN B. ANDERSON, A U.S. Congressman from THE STATE OF ILLINOIS Mr. Chairman and Members of this distinguished committee: I wish to heartily endorse the nomination of Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller as vice president of the United States, not simply because I too am a Republican, not simply because he is the first and foremost choice of our Republican President, but because to me Nelson A. Rockefeller epitomizes the type of integrity, courage and breadth of vision which this country sorely needs in the top councils of government in the aftermath of our Watergate nightmare. While some may make an issue of his age, at 66 he stands out as our Nation's most youthful elder statesman in terms of vigor, enthusiasm and dynamism. While some may make an issue of his financial wealth, we can be thankful for the nomination of a man with such a wealth of government experience. While some may disagree with his political philosophy, we can nevertheless admire his deep devotion to the very basic American principles which we all share. It is both fitting and proper that your committee, like its counterpart in the House should be giving the most careful and thorough scrutiny to such a nomination for the second highest office in the land under the unusual provisions |