Politics by Design

Congressional key player Bill Frenzel '50 draws his career to a close.

Bill Frenzel '50, legislator and doodler extraordinaire, is retiring from Congress in January.

In his 20 years representing eastern Minnesota's third district, Frenzel has become one of Congress's top authorities on fiscal policy matters. He ranks fourth among Republicans on the tax-writing Ways and Means Committee, and is the Budget Committee's top Republican. The latter position made him a key player in the deficit-reduction summit between Congress and the Bush administration this year.

"He's a national asset," says World Bank President Barber Conable, who served with Frenzel in the House of Representatives before taking his current job. "There have been very few serious tax issues or budget issues in which Bill has not taken a central role."

To Congressman Frank Guarini '47, a Democrat who serves with Frenzel on the Ways and Means Com-mittee, Frenzel is "a very warm friend and a formidable political adversary."

But there's more, Guarini says: "he's a great doodler."

Yes, during hearings and floor debate Frenzel can often be seen scribbling on a pad; but "instead of taking notes," Guarini explains, "his pen is moving on the paper in a very intricate design, like lacework."

"It is a concentration aid to him and it demonstrates an extremely ordered mind," says Conable.

Frenzel's ordered mind brims with ideas on how Congress could be improved, many of them derived from insight he has gained through long-time membership in the minority party. He says he'd like to make the election process more competitive by elminating the incumbent advantage.

After he vacates his own Congressional seat, don't be surprised to see him appointed to the Bush cabinet. Frenzel, who has been offered cabinet positions in previous administrations, admits he's always thought Trade Representative would be an interesting job.

But he says that, at his age, a position involving less travel might be attractive. This could include the job of Secretary of Commerce, for which the Washington rumor mill has long been touting him.