CONGRESSIONAL SESSION LEFT MUCH TO BE DESIRED

The just-ended first session of the 102nd Congress won't go down in history as the most productive in terms of legislative accomplishments, but it certainly contained two elements that won't be forgotten. We refer to its granting authorization to the president to use military action in the Persian Gulf and the extraordinary drama that surrounded the confirmation process for now Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas.

Not since World War II had a president so directly asked to attack a nation. When George Bush asked Congress at the beginning of the session in January for its backing so that the nation could take the lead in using military strength to run Iraqi forces out of Kuwait, Congress concurred.

Not all Americans were in agreement that war was in this nation's best interests. Many who vividly recalled Vietnam feared a repeat of a war that could not be won. As it turned out, Saddam Hussein's forces were crushed in short order, and a large majority of Americans at home were united in the cause as they watched a war unfold for the first time on their television screens.

Without congressional backing, the Persian Gulf War could well have lasted far longer than it did, and it could have been much bloodier than it was. The authorization to use military action helped bring the nation together in its cause, and helped bring a swift end to the conflict. For that, Congress deserves praise for its action.

The same cannot be said of the Senate committee hearings into the confirmation of Thomas to the Supreme Court. Because a committee member leaked confidential information concerning allegations by Anita Hill that she was sexually harassed by Thomas, a proceeding that should have been conducted swiftly and without fanfare turned into a televised marathon of Thomas disclaiming countless allegations slung at him by Democratic panel members who used Hill's claims in an effort to disgrace the man, and keep Republican Thomas from being seated on the court.

Hopefully, an investigation into the leaking of the Hill allegations will bring about action that assures such a fiasco will not again take place. It was not an example of lawmakers acting responsibly.

Many major issues went unfinished, including the lack of adoption of a tougher crime bill and failure to reach agreement on a plan aimed at easing the nation's economic woes. Tax issues remained unresolved, as they likely also will next year, an election year.

Far too little was done to address domestic problems, although a new highway bill that promises to provide new jobs over the next five years was adopted, but not until the last day. A program to extend unemployment benefits also was approved earlier.

But overall, the first session of the 102nd Congress left much to be desired in terms of productivity.