[Senate Document 109-6]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]




109th Congress                                            S.Doc 109-6
______________________________________________________________________
 
                            J. James Exon

                      LATE A SENATOR FROM NEBRASKA

                         MEMORIAL ADDRESSES AND
                            OTHER TRIBUTES

                          IN THE CONGRESS OF

                           THE UNITED STATES

             [GRAPHIC NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]


J. James Exon





                              Senate Historical Office




                               Memorial Addresses and

                                   Other Tributes

                                 HELD IN THE SENATE

                            AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                                OF THE UNITED STATES

                          TOGETHER WITH A MEMORIAL SERVICE

                                     IN HONOR OF

                                    J. JAMES EXON

                      Late a Senator from Nebraska

                       One Hundred Ninth Congress

                             First Session

                                   a

                       Compiled under the direction

                                 of the

                        Joint Committee on Printing

                                Trent Lott, Chairman




















                                      CONTENTS
             Biography.............................................
                                                                      v
             Proceedings in the Senate:
                Tributes by Senators:
                    Bennett, Robert F., of Utah 
                     ...............................................
                     .....
                                                                4, 5, 6
                    Bingaman, Jeff, of New Mexico..................
                                                                     10
                    Conrad, Kent, of North Dakota..................
                                                                     14
                    Domenici, Pete V., of New Mexico...............
                                                                      9
                    Frist, William H., of Tennessee................
                                                                  3, 12
                    Hagel, Chuck, of Nebraska......................
                                                                      4
                    Harkin, Tom, of Iowa...........................
                                                                     10
                    Levin, Carl, of Michigan.......................
                                                                     12
                    Nelson, E. Benjamin, of Nebraska...............
                                                                      6
                    Reid, Harry, of Nevada 
                     ...............................................
                     ............
                                                              3, 12, 13
             Proceedings in the House of Representatives...........
                                                                     17
             Memorial Service......................................
                                                                     19

















                                      BIOGRAPHY

               Jim Exon was born in South Dakota, on August 9, 1921, to 
             John and Luella Exon. He was raised in the rural community 
             of Lake Andes, SD. He moved to Nebraska and attended the 
             University of Omaha from 1939 to 1942. He was awarded an 
             honorary doctor of law degree by Creighton University in 
             1991. He also has honorary doctor of law degrees from the 
             University of Nebraska at Omaha, and Doane College, Crete, 
             NE.
               He volunteered for the U.S. Army Signal Corps and served 
             2 years overseas in New Guinea, the Philippines and Japan. 
             He was honorably discharged as a Master Sergeant in 
             December 1945 and served in the Army Reserve until 1949.
               Prior to leaving for the South Pacific, Jim Exon married 
             Patricia Pros of Omaha. They celebrated their 50th wedding 
             anniversary in 1993. The Exons have three children, Steve, 
             Pam and Candy, three grandsons and five granddaughters.
               Following World War II, Jim Exon returned to Nebraska 
             and started his business career in 1946 with the Universal 
             Finance Corporation. In 1954 Pat and Jim founded Exon's 
             Incorporated, which grew into one of Nebraska's best known 
             office equipment companies.
                Throughout his career Jim Exon was a member of the Holy 
             Trinity Episcopal Church in Lincoln, NE, and was active in 
             a wide range of professional and civic activities.
               Jim Exon was introduced to politics at an early age by 
             his parents and his grandfather who served as a county 
             judge in South Dakota. Campaigning for his grandfather was 
             his first experience in grassroots politics. His parents 
             were active leaders in the South Dakota Democratic Party. 
             He became a prominent leader of the Nebraska Democratic 
             Party, serving as State vice chairman and national 
             committeeman.
               In his first bid for public office, Jim Exon was elected 
             Governor of Nebraska in 1970 and was re-elected in 1974 to 
             a second term. He served as Governor of Nebraska longer 
             than any other person in the State's history. As Governor, 
             he applied his business skills of fiscal responsibility to 
             State government, where he balanced the State's budget for 
             8 consecutive years.
               In 1978, Governor Exon marked a milestone by being the 
             only Governor Nebraskans elected directly to the U.S. 
             Senate. He was re-elected to a second term in 1984 and a 
             third term in 1990. He continued his history of fiscal 
             responsibility in the Senate, where he returned almost $4 
             million allocated to run his Senate office. The book 
             ``Politics in America'' produced by Congressional 
             Quarterly magazine said this about Senator Exon:

               Exon makes a real contribution to the Senate as a mirror 
             of public opinion in America's heartland. It is hard to 
             think of anyone else in the chamber who seems as attuned 
             to the questions and concerns of the typical middle-
             American.

               In the Senate, Exon was recognized nationally as a 
             spokesman for fiscal responsibility, agriculture and rural 
             America and an authority on national defense, commerce and 
             transportation issues.
               Known as a fighter for fiscal responsibility, Senator 
             Exon, as a senior member of the Budget Committee, authored 
             and secured passage of the only spending reduction in 
             1994, a $13 billion real cut.
                Senator Exon was the author of the Communications 
             Decency Act, a law which protects children from computer 
             pornography by making it illegal to send indecent material 
             to a child or to display it on-line in areas where kids 
             can get to it. The law also strengthened and updated other 
             protections against telecommunication harassment and 
             pornography.
               Senator Exon, as a senior member of the Strategic Forces 
             Subcommittee with jurisdiction over the U.S. strategic 
             command in Bellevue, oversaw the U.S. nuclear arsenal and 
             nuclear weapons production clean-up effort.
                As a senior member of the Subcommittee on Surface 
             Transportation, Exon played a key role in railroad safety. 
             A bill originated by Exon and passed in 1992 mandated 
             high-tech braking devices for trains, authorized funds for 
             railroad safety and research programs and doubled the 
             minimum penalty for safety violations.
                Senator Exon was a leader in promoting ethanol fuels as 
             a new market for agricultural products and as a way to 
             strengthen our Nation's energy security. In the Senate, he 
             beat back an attack on new Federal gasoline formulas and 
             assured the expanded use of ethanol as a fuel additive.
               He wrote the law that designated the Niobrara River in 
             Nebraska a National Scenic River.
                Senator Exon fought to expand markets for U.S. food 
             products by opposing restrictions on agricultural exports 
             and by fighting for fair international trade agreements 
             for Nebraska agriculture.
                Senator Exon, as a senior member of the Armed Services 
             Committee, co-authored historic legislation passed in 1992 
             requiring a nuclear testing moratorium and an end to all 
             nuclear testing by 1996.
               He fought for changes in numerous Medicare rules which 
             treat rural areas unfairly, including making Medicare 
             reimburse rural and urban doctors in Nebraska at the same 
             rate. Exon also co-sponsored legislation that made 
             Medicare reimburse rural and urban hospitals at the same 
             rate in 1995.
               Senator Exon authored a 1994 law that allowed direct 
             flights to resume between Omaha and Washington, DC.
                As a senior member of the Budget Committee, Senator 
             Exon worked hard to ensure that funding for crop insurance 
             reform would be available and helped the stalled bill win 
             Senate passage in 1994.
                Senator Exon authored the essential air service law 
             which ensured that rural areas continued to have 
             commercial air service.
                In 1990, Exon won a 3-year battle to block construction 
             of the proposed Two Forks Dam in Colorado. Exon fought the 
             dam to protect Nebraska's water interests and the EPA 
             agreed with him, killing the proposed dam in 1990.
                Passed in 1988, the Exon-Florio law gives the President 
             authority to investigate and stop a foreign takeover of an 
             American company if the takeover threatens national 
             security. Under this law, hundreds of foreign takeovers 
             have been reviewed for national security implications.
                Senator Exon sponsored legislation to keep the Nation's 
             only nationwide passenger railroad system operating. This 
             legislation, which passed in 1992, allows AMTRAK to 
             establish new service routes across the United States. The 
             bill also promotes high-speed rail and encourages improved 
             safety and training for AMTRAK employees.
                Senator Exon sponsored the law which authorized the 
             minting of the first regular issue U.S. gold coins in more 
             than 50 years. These ``American Eagle Gold Coins'' have 
             become popular gold investments, increasing investment in 
             the U.S. economy. Profits have reduced the national debt 
             by over $180 million.
                Transportation legislation authored by Senator Exon has 
             strengthened truck safety inspection efforts. Exon also 
             supported making random drug and alcohol testing for 
             transportation workers the law.
                Senator Exon was the Senate sponsor of a 1993 bill 
             which gave relief to small businesses, charities and 
             shippers from excessive shipping charges, saving billions 
             in liability costs.


                                 MEMORIAL ADDRESSES

                                         AND

                                   OTHER TRIBUTES

                                         FOR

                                    J. JAMES EXON
                              Proceedings in the Senate
                                                  Monday, June 13, 2005
               Mr. REID. Mr. President, I am terribly saddened by the 
             death of Jim Exon. Those of us who had the opportunity to 
             serve with him are very troubled by his death. He was an 
             outstanding Senator. He was fair. He worked on both sides 
             of the aisle. He protected the State of Nebraska and our 
             country so well.
               I have so many fond memories of him. His enthusiasm for 
             the work he did here was contagious. His sense of humor 
             was wonderful. Jim Exon loved Nebraska football. He cared 
             about a lot of issues, but other than his family, Nebraska 
             football came first. He is going to be buried in Lincoln, 
             NE, on this Wednesday. He died, I believe, on Friday 
             night. Ben Nelson called me Saturday morning. Jim Exon was 
             certainly a mentor of Ben Nelson. We will all miss him 
             very much.
               I hope those who have some knowledge of Senator Exon 
             will recognize we hope to take an airplane trip to 
             Nebraska Wednesday afternoon to attend his funeral. He was 
             a wonderful man. I miss him so much.
                                SENATE RESOLUTION 170
               Mr. FRIST (for himself, Mr. Reid, Mr. Hagel, Mr. Nelson 
             of Nebraska, Mr. Akaka, Mr. Alexander, Mr. Allard, Mr. 
             Allen, Mr. Baucus, Mr. Bayh, Mr. Bennett, Mr. Biden, Mr. 
             Bingaman, Mr. Bond, Mrs. Boxer, Mr. Brownback, Mr. 
             Bunning, Mr. Burns, Mr. Burr, Mr. Byrd, Ms. Cantwell, Mr. 
             Carper, Mr. Chafee, Mr. Chambliss, Mrs. Clinton, Mr. 
             Coburn, Mr. Cochran, Mr. Coleman, Ms. Collins, Mr. Conrad, 
             Mr. Cornyn, Mr. Corzine, Mr. Craig, Mr. Crapo, Mr. Dayton, 
             Mr. DeMint, Mr. DeWine, Mr. Dodd, Mrs. Dole, Mr. Domenici, 
             Mr. Dorgan, Mr. Durbin, Mr. Ensign, Mr. Enzi, Mr. 
             Feingold, Mrs. Feinstein, Mr. Graham, Mr. Grassley, Mr. 
             Gregg, Mr. Harkin, Mr. Hatch, Mrs. Hutchison, Mr. Inhofe, 
             Mr. Inouye, Mr. Isakson, Mr. Jeffords, Mr. Johnson, Mr. 
             Kennedy, Mr. Kerry, Mr. Kohl, Mr. Kyl, Ms. Landrieu, Mr. 
             Lautenberg, Mr. Leahy, Mr. Levin, Mr. Lieberman, Mrs. 
             Lincoln, Mr. Lott, Mr. Lugar, Mr. Martinez, Mr. McCain, 
             Mr. McConnell, Ms. Mikulski, Ms. Murkowski, Mrs. Murray, 
             Mr. Nelson of Florida, Mr. Obama, Mr. Pryor, Mr. Reed, Mr. 
             Roberts, Mr. Rockefeller, Mr. Salazar, Mr. Santorum, Mr. 
             Sarbanes, Mr. Schumer, Mr. Sessions, Mr. Shelby, Mr. 
             Smith, Ms. Snowe, Mr. Specter, Ms. Stabenow, Mr. Stevens, 
             Mr. Sununu, Mr. Talent, Mr. Thomas, Mr. Thune, Mr. Vitter, 
             Mr. Voinovich, Mr. Warner, and Mr. Wyden) submitted the 
             following resolution; which was considered and agreed to:
                                     S. Res. 170
               Whereas J. James Exon served in the United States Army 
             Signal Corps from 1942-1945 and in the United States Army 
             Reserve from 1945-1949;
               Whereas J. James Exon served as Governor of the State of 
             Nebraska from 1971-1979;
               Whereas J. James Exon served the people of Nebraska with 
             distinction for 18 years in the United States Senate where 
             he was a proponent of a strong national defense and 
             knowledgeable source on geopolitical matters;
               Resolved, That the Senate has heard with profound sorrow 
             and deep regret the announcement of the death of the 
             Honorable J. James Exon, formerly a Senator from the State 
             of Nebraska.
               Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate communicate 
             these resolutions to the House of Representatives and 
             transmit an enrolled copy thereof to the family of the 
             deceased.
               Resolved, That when the Senate adjourns today, it stand 
             adjourned as a further mark of respect to the memory of 
             the Honorable J. James Exon.
                RELATIVE TO THE DEATH OF FORMER SENATOR J. JAMES EXON
               Mr. BENNETT. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that 
             the Senate now proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 
             170, which was submitted early today.

               The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the 
             resolution by title.
               The legislative clerk read as follows:

               A resolution (S. Res. 170) relative to the death of J. 
             James Exon, former United States Senator for the State of 
             Nebraska.

               There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to 
             consider the resolution.

               Mr. HAGEL. Mr. President, on Friday, Nebraska lost one 
             of the most dominant political figures in our State's 
             history. Former two-term Governor and three-term U.S. 
             Senator Jim Exon passed away in Lincoln at the age of 83.
               Many in this Chamber today served with him and knew him 
             well. Those who served with Jim Exon remember a serious 
             and dedicated public servant who enjoyed life and loved 
             his State.
               Jim's voice was strong, and he spoke clearly and 
             directly. No one ever had to guess where Jim Exon stood. 
             As a Governor and a Senator, he fought for balanced 
             budgets and restrained government spending.
               In the Senate, from his seat on the Armed Services 
             Committee, he was a passionate advocate for a strong 
             national defense. As a member of the Commerce Committee, 
             he was a protector of our natural resources, and he had 
             the foresight to author the Communications Decency Act.
               Mr. President, today, when politics is too often a race 
             to the lowest political common denominator, Jim Exon was a 
             very effective leader, a partisan leader who always played 
             it straight. He never lost an election. He won five 
             statewide elections in Nebraska, more than any other 
             Nebraskan. Under Jim Exon's leadership, the Democratic 
             Party became the dominant party in Nebraska for 25 years.
               Anyone who knows Nebraska understands what a remarkable 
             accomplishment that was. He did it by listening to the 
             people. He did it by being a leader.
               I was Jim Exon's replacement in the Senate in 1996. Over 
             the last 9 years, I came to know him well and respect his 
             judgment. We did not always agree, but I always 
             appreciated the opportunities I had to visit with Senator 
             Exon on a wide range of issues. A child of the plains and 
             a veteran of World War II, he is part of a generation of 
             Americans who understood leadership, sacrifice, and war. 
             In his later years, Jim Exon had much to say. And I had an 
             opportunity to listen.
               The voice and wisdom of Jim Exon and his generation is 
             slipping away from us at a time of unparalleled change in 
             our world. Just as with Jim Exon, while this great 
             generation is still with us, we need to listen closely to 
             them. I did listen to Jim Exon.
               As a small business man, two-term Governor and three-
             term Senator, James Exon, along with his wife Pat, served 
             his State, his Nation, and this institution with 
             distinction. He will be missed by the Nebraskans he served 
             so well and loved so much.

               Mr. BENNETT. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that 
             the resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, 
             and the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table.

               The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection?
               Without objection, it is so ordered.
               The resolution (S. Res. 170) was agreed to.
               The preamble was agreed to.
               The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:
                                     S. Res. 170
               Whereas J. James Exon served in the United States Army 
             Signal Corps from 1942-1945 and in the United States Army 
             Reserve from 1945-1949;
               Whereas J. James Exon served as Governor of the State of 
             Nebraska from 1971-1979;
               Whereas J. James Exon served the people of Nebraska with 
             distinction for 18 years in the United States Senate where 
             he was a proponent of a strong national defense and 
             knowledgeable source on geopolitical matters;
               Resolved, That the Senate has heard with profound sorrow 
             and deep regret the announcement of the death of the 
             Honorable J. James Exon, formerly a Senator from the State 
             of Nebraska.
               Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate communicate 
             these resolutions to the House of Representatives and 
             transmit an enrolled copy thereof to the family of the 
             deceased.
               Resolved, That when the Senate adjourns today, it stand 
             adjourned as a further mark of respect to the memory of 
             the Honorable J. James Exon.
                        ADJOURNMENT UNTIL 9:45 a.m. TOMORROW
               Mr. BENNETT. Mr. President, if there is no further 
             business to come before the Senate, I ask unanimous 
             consent that the Senate stand in adjournment under the 
             previous order, as a mark of further respect for former 
             Senator James Exon.
               There being no objection, the Senate, at 8:19 p.m., 
             adjourned until Tuesday, June 14, 2005, at 9:45 a.m.
                                                 Tuesday, June 14, 2005
               Mr. NELSON of Nebraska. Mr. President, I am here today 
             to pay tribute to a great American and a great Nebraskan. 
             J. James Exon served with distinction in the U.S. Senate 
             from 1979 to 1997 and as Governor of Nebraska from 1971 to 
             1979. Senator Exon passed away in his hometown of Lincoln, 
             NE, last Friday at the age of 83. His funeral services are 
             tomorrow in Lincoln.
               Jim Exon understood Nebraskans like no one else, which 
             explains his popularity with the people of his State. He 
             loved them and they loved him back.
               He was a Democrat in a highly Republican State, yet he 
             never lost an election in two campaigns for Governor and 
             three for U.S. Senate. He understood that Nebraska is a 
             populist State more than it is a partisan State. Most 
             Nebraskans judged him on what he said and what he did, not 
             on his political registration. Jim Exon was a common man. 
             Nebraskans will remember Jim Exon as one of the greatest 
             leaders Nebraska ever had. Anyone who travels around 
             Nebraska today can see the continuing legacy from his 
             quarter century of public service.
               Jim Exon built on the Nebraska tradition of working 
             together. In that way he carried on the legacy of another 
             giant in Nebraska history, Senator George Norris. Norris 
             founded the unicameral legislature in an effort to improve 
             the workings of government and to achieve results. Jim 
             Exon had the same philosophy.
               I had the honor of serving in then-Governor Jim Exon's 
             cabinet as Nebraska Director of Insurance. He has been a 
             friend and mentor ever since even as I have followed him 
             as Governor and U.S. Senator. I would frequently call him 
             to seek advice, and he would often call to offer it. Now 
             those calls will cease but I don't think I'll ever stop 
             learning from Jim Exon.
               The people of Nebraska always appreciated Jim Exon in 
             life as they do now in death. We will miss him but we can 
             all take comfort in the fact that his fingerprints are on 
             more than a quarter century of our history, and Nebraska 
             and the United States of America are far better places 
             because of his generous service.
               As a former poker partner of Jim Exon, I can say that 
             the man was driven to win. He was surprised by those who 
             didn't try to beat him. That attitude carried over into 
             his public life and is ``part and parcel'' of the reason 
             so many Nebraskans are fond of him. He made you feel like 
             he was on your side. He made you feel your issues were 
             important. And most of all, he made you feel proud to be a 
             Nebraskan.
               Those in public life must face the last great scrutiny 
             when they leave this world for the next. Their careers are 
             examined again. Their friends and foes get one last 
             unanswered say. In the case of Big Jim Exon, who liked to 
             have the last word, I know this must be driving him crazy.
               In the case of Jim Exon the last word goes to Nebraska, 
             the State and the people he loved so dearly. The State of 
             Nebraska will miss Jim Exon, his wisdom, his humor and his 
             common sense. He is one Nebraskan who from start to 
             finish, and through every day, truly did lead ``the good 
             life.''
               I ask unanimous consent to have printed in the Record 
             two editorials from Nebraska newspapers that captured the 
             essence of Jim Exon so eloquently, one from my hometown 
             paper, the McCook Gazette and another from the Omaha World 
             Herald.
               There being no objection, the material was ordered to be 
             printed in the Record, as follows:
                      [From the McCook Gazette, Jun. 13, 2005]
                       ``Common Man'' Exon in Touch With State
               The former editor and publisher of the McCook Daily 
             Gazette, Allen Strunk, played a key role in the political 
             career of J.J. Exon, the former Nebraska governor and 
             senator who passed away Friday at age 83.
               Strunk, a conservative Republican, broke with tradition 
             in 1970 when he became the only daily newspaper publisher 
             in the state to endorse Exon in the race for governor 
             against Norbert Tiemann.
               Contacted at his Las Vegas home this morning, Strunk 
             said he was moved to support Exon because he was a 
             ``common Joe'' who was in touch with the people. ``Exon 
             had been a businessman in Lincoln and the 1970 campaign 
             was his first run for office,'' Strunk said. ``He 
             impressed me as being much more in tune with the wishes of 
             the people than did Tiemann, who came across as pompous.''
               The endorsement of Strunk was helpful in the hard-fought 
             race. Another factor was the negative feedback which 
             Tiemann received following passage of state sales and 
             income tax legislation.
               Exon's victory in 1970 launched a political career that 
             continued through two terms as governor and three terms as 
             a United States Senator. Whenever he was in Southwest 
             Nebraska, Exon made it a point to stop by the Gazette 
             office for visits with Strunk.
               Exon also was an important figure in the lives of two 
             other former McCook residents: the late Frank Morrison, a 
             former governor of Nebraska; and Ben Nelson, a former 
             governor and current U.S. Senator from Nebraska.
               Nelson struck the same theme as Strunk, saying, ``Jim 
             Exon was a common man who dearly loved the state of 
             Nebraska and that's why the people loved him. He was one 
             of them and they knew it and were proud of it. His 
             fingerprints are all over the history of Nebraska and 
             he'll go down as one of the greatest leaders this state 
             has ever known.''
               During his lifetime, Morrison spoke highly of Exon, as 
             did Exon of Morrison. Exon was among the many mourners 
             when Morrison passed away in 2003 at age 98.
               Other than George W. Norris of McCook, Exon was the only 
             Nebraskan to win five consecutive elections. The state 
             will miss him, as will the McCook area, which had a 
             significant role in Exon's long political career.
                                     ----------
                    [From the Omaha World Herald, Jun. 12, 2005]
                                    J. James Exon
               Perhaps someone else would have made Nebraska a two-
             party state in the second half of the last century if John 
             James Exon hadn't appeared on the scene.
               But it's hard to imagine anyone else doing the job 
             nearly as effectively, and with as much pure joy, as did 
             the former governor and U.S. senator, who died Friday at 
             age 83.
               Starting in the 1950s J. James Exon breathed life into 
             the moribund Democratic Party with the force of his 
             personality, the clarity of his vision and the 
             relentlessness of his energy.
               He was a force in the candidacy of Govs. Ralph Brooks 
             (1959-60) and Frank Morrison (1961-67). He was guide and 
             mentor to Govs. Bob Kerrey (1983-87) and Ben Nelson (1991-
             99). In his own right, Exon was the first Nebraska 
             governor to serve two four-year terms (1971-79) and 
             followed that with an 18-year career in the U.S. Senate.
               Exon has earned lasting honor in the councils of his 
             party. He helped show Democrats how they could succeed in 
             Nebraska: be true to the better nature of their party 
             while respecting the political traditions and impulses of 
             all Nebraskans. Above all, be a straight shooter. Don't 
             pussyfoot.
               But he belongs to all Nebraskans. Exon's presence on the 
             political scene demonstrated the wisdom of evaluating a 
             candidate's knowledge, character and ideas ahead of narrow 
             partisanship. Competition between the parties makes for a 
             better examination of ideas and philosophies, but only if 
             the voters are willing to listen before deciding.
               Exon simply would not be put down because the 
             Republicans had a big lead in voter registrations. He said 
             what was on his mind, and the electorate could not help 
             but pay attention.
               And thus when the time came to ask Nebraskans for their 
             votes, Republicans stepped forward by the thousands to 
             cast a vote for Jim.
               As governor, Exon embraced the mantra of holding the 
             line on spending. He was known for his strongly worded 
             veto messages. He fought his political battles with a 
             gusto that approached celebration.
               However, though he was a conservative on spending, he 
             was no skinflint. His dislike of careless spending was 
             balanced by an abiding sense of stewardship over the 
             institutions of state government. He was a man of 
             moderation.
               In the Senate, Exon positioned himself as a proponent of 
             a strong national defense and as a knowledgeable source on 
             geopolitical matters. A veteran of World War II, he could 
             thus claim a legitimate share in the victory in the Cold 
             War.
               He followed his stars, loved the outdoors, maintained 
             the loyalty of strong men and never wavered in his 
             commitment to fairness and his concern for ordinary 
             people.
               Carved in the south facade of the Nebraska State 
             Capitol, facing the Governor's Mansion where the Exons 
             resided for eight years, are the words of Aristotle: 
             ``Political society exists for the sake of noble living.''
               Surely Big Jim Exon used that thought, or something very 
             similar, as part of the code by which he lived his life.

               The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from New Mexico.

               Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, I heard the remarks of the 
             distinguished Senator from Nebraska. I don't have time 
             tonight to make my comments about the distinguished 
             Senator, Governor Exon, but tomorrow I will.
               Suffice it to say, it was my privilege to serve with 
             him. He was everything the Senator from Nebraska said and 
             more.
               Tomorrow I will elaborate on his years of service on 
             various committees. He truly was a wonderful man, a hard 
             worker, a man of great common sense, and he contributed 
             immensely to the years I knew him in the Senate.

               The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from New Mexico.

               Mr. BINGAMAN. Mr. President, let me take a minute, also, 
             and underscore the comments our colleague from Nebraska 
             and Senator Domenici have made about Jim Exon. He was a 
             great U.S. Senator and one with whom I was fortunate to 
             serve on the Armed Services Committee for many years. He 
             contributed a tremendous amount to his home State and to 
             this country. He will be missed by all who served with him 
             in the Senate.
               There is a service for him tomorrow in Nebraska, which I 
             hope to attend. I will also have extensive comments to 
             offer at a future time. It is a great loss to the country 
             and a great loss, of course, to all those who knew him. He 
             will be fondly remembered in this Senate.
               I yield the floor.
                                               Wednesday, June 15, 2005
               Mr. HARKIN. Mr. President, with the passing of former 
             Senator Jim Exon on Friday, a giant oak in the forest of 
             public service has fallen. Political historians will 
             remember him as a dominant force in Nebraska politics 
             across nearly three decades, serving two terms as Governor 
             and three as Senator. Those of us who were privileged to 
             be his friend remember him, first and foremost, as a man 
             of enormous decency, integrity, and common sense. We 
             remember his quick mind; his slow, gravelly voice; his 
             Midwestern directness and unpretentiousness.
               Here on the Senate floor, I am privileged to sit at the 
             same desk that Senator Exon used during the last of his 18 
             years in the Senate. I inherited it upon his retirement in 
             1996, and I have always considered it a special honor to 
             carry on where he left off.
               Of course, for people in Iowa, Jim Exon was a next-door 
             neighbor. Over the years, Iowans got to know him well as a 
             stalwart friend of family farmers; as a tireless promoter 
             of rural economic development; and, at a time when the 
             bioeconomy was in its infancy, as a true believer in the 
             future of ethanol and other home-grown, renewable sources 
             of energy.
               Jim Exon was not just present at the creation of the 
             ethanol industry, he was an important midwife of that 
             industry. He took office as Governor and in 1971 he 
             created the Nebraska Ethanol Board. In the ensuing years 
             of ethanol's infancy, it was Nebraska and Iowa that led 
             the way in establishing this industry. At every step, Jim 
             Exon was there as an advocate and champion.
               I will always remember my partnership with Senator Exon 
             and Senator John Melcher of Montana on the 1985 farm bill. 
             We fought long and hard to fend off attacks on safety-net 
             programs for family farmers. Night after night, we kept 
             the Senate in session into the early hours of the morning. 
             And, thanks to Jim's leadership and sheer relentlessness, 
             we carried the day.
               Throughout his political career, Jim Exon prided himself 
             on reaching across party lines and forging bipartisan 
             consensus. This is very much a Nebraska tradition, going 
             back to the legendary George Norris, who founded the 
             State's unicameral legislature. Jim succeeded as a 
             Democrat in an overwhelmingly Republican State because he 
             knew how to reach out, how to unite people around shared 
             interests. Senator Ben Nelson, a long-time friend and 
             protege of Jim Exon, prides himself on continuing this 
             tradition of bipartisanship and bridge building.
               They didn't call him Big Jim for nothing. He was big 
             physically, tall and imposing. He was big politically--the 
             only Nebraskan since George Norris to win five consecutive 
             statewide elections. And Jim was big hearted, a tough, 
             relentless man, but also a compassionate person who cared 
             deeply about other people and their well-being.
               As a public official, he was an old-fashioned fiscal 
             conservative. He railed against what he called ``wild-eyed 
             spenders.'' As Governor, he repeatedly vetoed the 
             legislature's spending bills, 141 vetoes in all. And, here 
             in the Senate, he took on Republicans and Democrats alike 
             who, in his eyes, were being reckless with the taxpayer's 
             dollar.
               Senator Jim Exon has been lying in state in the Rotunda 
             of the Nebraska Capitol. Funeral services will be held 
             this afternoon at the same location. So, today, the Senate 
             says farewell to a truly distinguished former Member. Jim 
             was a good friend to me, and he was much beloved in this 
             body. Today our thoughts are with him, his family, and the 
             people of Nebraska. May Jim rest in peace.
                                                Thursday, June 16, 2005
               Mr. REID. Mr. President, the time I have is leader time, 
             and I wanted to say a few things. I was not here yesterday 
             afternoon because of the funeral of Senator Exon. I say to 
             my colleagues, those of us who went to that funeral were 
             so impressed with what this man did for the State of 
             Nebraska. For the first time in the history of Nebraska, a 
             funeral was held in the State capitol. Why? Because Jim 
             Exon made a difference in the State of Nebraska. I am sure 
             all 100 Senators, as I have, ask are we making a 
             difference in what happens in our States, in our country. 
             The lesson we can look to is Jim Exon, a man with not a 
             great education by modern-day standards but a person who 
             by modern-day standards, or any standard, had a great 
             heart and a great mind and was able to do wonderful work 
             for the State and for the country.
               His family expressed so many warm feelings about their 
             father and grandfather. Bob Kerrey gave one of the most 
             moving eulogies that has ever been given. I am sorry I was 
             not here yesterday, but for those of us who went to that 
             funeral--Senator Ben Nelson, Senator Hagel, Senator 
             Bingaman, Senator Levin, Senator Akaka--it was so worth 
             our time.
                         ORDER TO PRINT AS A SENATE DOCUMENT
               Mr. FRIST. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that 
             tribute statements regarding former Senator Exon be 
             printed as a Senate document, provided that Senators have 
             until the close of business on June 30 to submit such 
             statements.

               The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so 
             ordered.
                                                 Tuesday, June 21, 2005
               Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, it's an honor to pay tribute 
             to a great man, a distinguished Senator, and a dear friend 
             who passed away on June 10, Senator Jim Exon of Nebraska.
               Last week I joined several of my colleagues in attending 
             his funeral in Lincoln, NE. It was inspiring to be with 
             the people who knew him best and loved him most. Jim was a 
             giant in Nebraska politics not because of the power he 
             wielded but because of the respect and affection he had 
             earned.
               Jim Exon was a decent man, without pretension or 
             prejudice. He spoke plainly. He called it like he saw it. 
             He did what he thought was right, regardless of the 
             pressure that might have been put on him. Jim laughed the 
             same wonderful, booming laugh with Presidents as he did 
             with the people back home. He was a large man, and he had 
             a heart to match.
               That is why he was beloved in Nebraska and never lost an 
             election, serving two terms as Governor and then three 
             terms as Senator. That is why he was popular even as the 
             father of the Democratic Party in an overwhelmingly 
             Republican State. And that is why his friendship and 
             kindness meant the world to me.
               Jim and I were both members of the class of 1978, and 
             we--and our wives--quickly became close friends. We served 
             together on the Armed Services Committee; in fact, we sat 
             next to each other for 18 years. We had honest, 
             substantive debates about our defense policy, and I will 
             always cherish the memories of that time. His only 
             interest was the security and prosperity of our country 
             and his beloved Nebraska.
               Jim worked for a strong national defense. He supported 
             responsible budget policies. And he was ahead of his time 
             in warning against terrorism and arguing for a Department 
             of Homeland Security. For so many of us, he was a source 
             of wise counsel and trusted advice. With Jim, you could 
             always be certain he was telling you what he thought was 
             right, and he usually was right.
               We will miss him terribly, but we are fortunate to have 
             had him for so long. My thoughts and prayers, and those of 
             my wife Barbara, are with his loving wife Pat and his 
             entire family.
                                                Thursday, June 30, 2005
               Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that 
             the eulogy given by former Senator Bob Kerrey at the 
             funeral of our late colleague, Jim Exon, be printed in the 
             Record.
               There being no objection, the material was ordered to be 
             printed in the Record.
               [For the text of the eulogy, see page 28.]
               Mr. REID. Governor, Senator, Big Jim, J.J. Exon died on 
             Friday at 8:30 p.m. on June 10, 2005, after the Cardinals 
             had secured a 7 to 1 victory over the New York Yankees. 
             For him, a perfect ending to his life on this Earth.
                                                Thursday, July 21, 2005
               Mr. CONRAD. Mr. President, I wish to take a moment to 
             pay tribute to former Senator Jim Exon, a friend and 
             colleague, who passed away on June 10, 2005.
               Jim Exon is a legend in his own State. For almost three 
             decades, he served the people of Nebraska as both Governor 
             and Senator. And through dedication and the force of his 
             personality, he almost singlehandedly founded the 
             Democratic Party in his State. In his entire career, he 
             never lost an election because his constituents recognized 
             his basic decency and common sense.
               However, Jim Exon didn't only serve his Nebraska 
             constituents. He also served his country and our 
             Government in ways that we could sorely use today. He was, 
             of course, a patriot and World War II veteran who brought 
             his wartime experience to his important role on defense 
             matters. But beyond his obvious love of country, Jim Exon 
             especially loved his country's democracy, which he saw as 
             the crucial spark animating the American community.
               Jim Exon relished forthright debate and always had 
             tremendous faith in the fairness of our system of 
             government. But while he advanced his beliefs with 
             conviction and passion, he also listened to those with 
             whom he disagreed. Indeed, he was renowned as a fair and 
             considerate lawmaker who routinely sought common ground 
             with adversaries out of genuine sympathy for their 
             concerns.
               Jim Exon's facility for finding common ground with 
             others stemmed from his roots in America's heartland. In 
             rural areas and small towns, neighbors must depend on one 
             another. People in the country rely on pragmatism to solve 
             problems, having little patience with argument for its own 
             sake. Jim Exon brought these Midwestern values to his 
             work, fighting openly for his beliefs, while still playing 
             a cooperative and constructive role in resolving 
             differences.
               Given his ability to see the point of view of others, 
             it's hardly surprising that Jim Exon made abundant 
             legislative contributions. I was privileged to serve on 
             the Senate Budget Committee with him, where he fought to 
             keep our Nation's fiscal house in order. Here, too, his 
             approach was balanced, offering a fierce opposition to 
             wasting taxpayer money on unjustified spending, while 
             maintaining an abiding faith in effective government. Most 
             importantly in this area, he recognized that lawmakers 
             must resist the temptation to use public debt to shift 
             current burdens onto future taxpayers. To Jim Exon, 
             skyrocketing Federal debt was a shameful legacy to leave 
             our children.
               Senator Exon also understood the wisdom of investing in 
             the family farmer, the backbone of rural communities. A 
             tireless advocate of rural economic development, he was 
             one of the first to recognize the importance of ethanol as 
             fuel, a renewable energy source that we produce here at 
             home. And he fought for better transportation, better 
             medical care, and better schools for rural areas facing 
             special challenges.
               Jim Exon also worked to keep America's military strong. 
             A veteran of the South Pacific in World War II, he never 
             wavered in his commitment to our Armed Forces. He played a 
             crucial role on the Armed Services Committee in the 
             aftermath of communism's collapse. Thanks in large measure 
             to his efforts, our military remained the mightiest in the 
             world, even though its mission was reoriented to face the 
             challenges of the post-cold war world. He worked 
             tirelessly to contain nuclear proliferation.
               Jim Exon accomplished much during his three terms here 
             in the Senate. That's not surprising given the kind of man 
             he was. He lacked pretense. He would tell you straight out 
             what he believed, and he listened carefully to others. And 
             he was fair. He brought Senators together by focusing on 
             shared interests, rather than differences.
               Jim Exon was a big hearty man who loved to laugh. His 
             deep, rolling baritone had an infectious good humor and 
             compassion behind it that won over others. He was 
             effective, in part, because people liked to work with him.
               I will miss my good friend and colleague. His 
             accomplishments live after him. The Nation and the people 
             of Nebraska will long remember the standards of integrity 
             and decency that were the hallmarks of Jim Exon's service 
             to his country.
                     Proceedings in the House of Representatives
                                                Thursday, June 16, 2005
                               MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE
               A message from the Senate by Mr. Monahan, one of its 
             clerks, announced that the Senate has agreed to the 
             following resolution:

               In the Senate of the United States, June 13, 2005.
               Whereas J. James Exon served in the United States Army 
             Signal Corps from 1942-1945 and in the United States Army 
             Reserve from 1945-1949;
               Whereas J. James Exon served as Governor of the State of 
             Nebraska from 1971-1979;
               Whereas J. James Exon served the people of Nebraska with 
             distinction for 18 years in the United States Senate where 
             he was a proponent of a strong national defense and 
             knowledgeable source on geopolitical matters;
               Resolved, That the Senate has heard with profound sorrow 
             and deep regret the announcement of the death of the 
             Honorable J. James Exon, formerly a Senator from the State 
             of Nebraska.
               Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate communicate 
             these resolutions to the House of Representatives and 
             transmit an enrolled copy thereof to the family of the 
             deceased.
               Resolved, That when the Senate adjourns today, it stand 
             adjourned as a further mark of respect to the memory of 
             the Honorable J. James Exon.
                                           

                                    In Memory of

                                 Senator James Exon

                                      1921-2005



             Wednesday, June 15, 2005

             4:00 p.m.

             Capitol Rotunda

             Lincoln, Nebraska
             Jim Exon's favorite prayer:

                                   Serenity Prayer

             God, grant me the
             Serenity
             to accept the things I cannot change . . .
             Courage
             to change the things I can
             and Wisdom
             to know the difference.

                                 The Apostle's Creed

             I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of Heaven 
             and Earth.

             I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.

             He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born 
             of the Virgin Mary.

             He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and 
             was buried.

             He descended to the dead.

             On the third day he rose again.

             He ascended into Heaven, and is seated at the right hand 
             of the Father.

             He will come again to judge the living and the dead.

             I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Catholic Church, 
             the Communion of Saints, the forgiveness of sins, the 
             resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
                                  Order of Service





                                                                                       Processional

                                 Battle Hymn of the Republic                                      Plymouth Brass
                                 Opening Prayer                                                   Father Sam Boman
                                 Eulogies                                                         Bro. Leo Willett, S.M.
                                                                                                  Chuck Pallesen
                                                                                                  Senator Bob Kerrey
                                                                                                  Exon Family

                                                                                        Scriptures

                                 Isaiah 25:69                                                     Mark Bowen
                                 Romans 8:14-19, 34-35, 37-39                                     Bro. Leo Willett, S.M.






                                                        Musical Selection

                    ``On Eagles Wings''                    Michael Joncas
                                                           Sung by Brent Smith
                                                           Accompanied by Marcia Wiebers
                    Scriptures John 14:1-6                 Father Boman
                    Sermon                                 Father Boman
                    Creed                                  Father Boman
                    Lord's Prayer                          Albert Hay Malotte
                                                           Sung by Brent Smith
                                                           Accompanied by Marcia Wiebers

                                                           Closing Prayers

                                                             Recessional



                                     ----------






                                                        Honorary Pallbearers
                    Norm Otto                                   W. Don Nelson
                    Dorothy Obbink                              Greg Pallas
                    Evan Wolf

                                                           Casket Bearers
                    Senator Bob Kerrey                           Bill Hoppner
                    Charles Pallesen                            Senator Ben Nelson
                    Mark Bowen                                  Jim Otto
                    Honorable Norm Krivosha                     Congressman John Cavanaugh

                                           Wadlow Rozanek Funeral Home, Lincoln, Nebraska


                      Obituary information for John James Exon

             Senator J. James Exon (Jim), 83, of Lincoln died Friday 
             (6-10-05). Born in Geddes, SD, on August 9, 1921, to John 
             and Luella Exon. Jim was raised in Lake Andes, SD. He 
             moved to Nebraska to attend UNO from 1939 to 1942. 
             Volunteered for U.S. Army Signal Corps and served 2 years 
             in the South Pacific during WWII. Prior to leaving for the 
             war, he married Patricia (Pros) Exon on September 18, 
             1943.

             Following his return from the war, he came to Nebraska and 
             started his business career with Universal Finance 
             Corporation. In 1954 he founded Exon's Inc., which was an 
             office equipment company located at 23d & O. Member of 
             Holy Trinity Episcopal Church and active in a wide range 
             of professional and civic activities.

             Exon was introduced to politics at an early age by his 
             parents who were active leaders in the SD Democratic 
             Party. Jim became a prominent leader of the Nebraska 
             Democratic Party serving as State Vice Chairman and 
             National Committeeman. In his first bid for public office, 
             Jim Exon was elected Governor of Nebraska in 1970 and was 
             re-elected in 1974 to a second term as Governor. In 1978, 
             Governor Exon marked a milestone by being the only 
             Governor Nebraskans have elected directly to the U.S. 
             Senate. He was re-elected to a second term in 1984 and a 
             third term in 1990.

             Most important to Jim Exon was his commitment to his wife 
             of 61 years, Pat, his children, grandchildren and great-
             grandchildren. He is survived by: wife, Patricia (Pros) 
             Exon, son and spouse, Stephen Sr. and Kathleen Exon of 
             Bellevue, daughters and spouses: Pamela and Alan Bricker, 
             Greeley, CO and Candace and Dan Wolf, Lincoln. 
             Grandchildren: Stephen Exon, Jr. and wife Kathy, Amy 
             McGrath and husband Michael, Colin Bricker and wife 
             Diedre, Heather Eurek and husband John, Lindsay Smith and 
             husband Brent, Evan Wolf, Jessica Exon, and Anna Wolf; 
             seven great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

             Jim was preceded in death by his parents, John James, Sr., 
             and Luella (Johns) Exon, and a sister, Virginia (Exon) 
             Johns.

             Private Burial

             Memorials to Alzheimer's Association, American Cancer 
             Society, St. Elizabeth Hospice
             Procession Prayer
             Father SAM BOMAN. Please rise.
               I am Resurrection and I am Light, says the Lord. Whoever 
             has faith in me shall have light even though he dies, and 
             everyone who has light and has committed himself to me in 
             faith shall not die forever. As for me I know that my 
             redeemer lives and at last he shall stand upon the Earth. 
             After my awaking he will raise me up and in my body I 
             shall see God. I myself shall see and my eyes behold him 
             who is my friend and not a stranger.

             Procession Song: Battle Hymn of the Republic, performed by 
             Plymouth Brass

             Opening Prayer
             Father SAM BOMAN. The Lord be with you.
               Let us pray.
               God of grace and glory, we remember before you this day 
             our brother James. We thank you for giving him to us, his 
             family and friends to know and to love as a companion on 
             our earthly pilgrimage. In your boundless compassion 
             console us and mourn. Give us faith to see in death the 
             gate of eternal life so that in quiet confidence we may 
             continue our force on Earth until by your call we are 
             reunited with those who have gone before. Through Jesus 
             Christ our Lord.
               Amen.
               You may be seated.

             Eulogies
             Brother LEO WILLETT. Dear Pat, who is with us in spirit, 
             and I believe Jim can do more for Pat now; Pamela, Steve, 
             Candace and their spouses; the grandchildren, great-
             grandchildren; other relatives, friends; Honorable U.S. 
             Senators and Representatives; Nebraska Honorable Governor 
             and officials. It is an honor for me to be here with you 
             on the invitation of Jim's children.
               I first came to Omaha in 1967 for the building of Daniel 
             J. Gross High School, a new Catholic high school in Sarpy 
             County. As a member of the South Omaha community, I 
             definitely knew of Jim Exon, who was first elected 
             Governor of Nebraska in 1970.
               I first met Jim in 1974, 31 years ago, when I invited 
             him to speak at our First Annual All-Activities Banquet. 
             It was at that time, that he was the first to designate me 
             as ``the Father of Daniel Gross High School.'' Monday I 
             read that Jim is called ``the Father of Nebraska's modern-
             day Democratic Party.'' Again, thanks Jim.
               Also that evening I discovered that Jim and I shared a 
             passion and a joy for the baseball St. Louis Cardinals, 
             since our youth, he from South Dakota, and I from East St. 
             Louis, Illinois. That night in 1974 we shared our 
             remembrances of ``the Gas House Gang,'' the name given to 
             the World Champion Cardinals in 1934: Dizzy and Daffy 
             Dean, Joe Medwick, Frankie Frisch, Pepper Martin, and on 
             and on. That night in 1974 was the beginning of a special 
             relationship that has lasted until today and will be 
             beyond. For an example of something I have done often for 
             Jim, this week I was saving Jim copies from sports in the 
             St. Louis Post-Dispatch, from the noteworthy series with 
             the Red Sox and the Yankees. (By the way, is the person 
             present with whom Jim had a standing $1 bet as regards the 
             Cardinals vs. Cubs?)
               When the Cardinals were in the World Series in 1982--
             1985--1987, Jim would arrange for us to attend the games 
             in St. Louis. (By the way, the Cardinals did not show up 
             for last year's World Series, and neither did Jim nor I.)
               I remember especially in 1982, the night it rained so 
             hard, the game had to be stopped several times. Each time 
             the game was stopped, more of the dignitaries left the 
             commissioner's box. At some point, Steve, Jim's son, and I 
             were invited by Commissioner Bowie Kuhn to sit next to him 
             and Jim. Many cousins and friends throughout the country 
             saw me upfront on television that night. Wow! Also, after 
             the Cardinals beat the Brewers in the spectacular come-
             from-behind seventh game, Tim, Steve and I were invited to 
             the reception for the World Champion Cardinals. Great. It 
             was at that reception that I had the opportunity to visit 
             with ``Happy'' Chandler, a former baseball commissioner, 
             Governor and U.S. Senator from Kentucky, my native State.
               Further, I was with Jim, Dan, a son-in-law, and 
             grandson, Evan, the night Mark McGwire tied the home run 
             record, and the next night when Mark McGwire broke the 
             record. What an unforgettable thrill! I can see Jim and 
             those home runs again now.
               In 1979 I was told I needed a hobby, something I would 
             enjoy doing when I didn't want to do anything I usually 
             did. I recalled being told that my ancestors went back to 
             colonial Maryland and Virginia--and I had taught American 
             history several years. Thus it was that I started family 
             research in 1979. I told Jim I would like to spend a 
             summer in Washington, DC. Jim suggested I be an intern in 
             his office. I was to give special attention to inquiries 
             ``about education and religion!'' Thus in the 1980 summer, 
             I worked in his office week days, did research in Library 
             of Congress stacks week evenings, did research at the 
             National Archives on Saturdays, and visited museums on 
             Sundays. For sure, my 1980 summer was wonderful and 
             unforgettable in many ways, thanks to Jim.
               In recent years I have tried to make at least one visit 
             a year to Daniel Gross High School in Omaha, and include a 
             talk to each of the freshman religion classes, especially 
             about the early history of the school. Jim asked me to let 
             him know when I was coming to Omaha. When possible he 
             would drive from Lincoln, and we would meet at the 
             Bohemian Cafe for a 2 to 3 hour lunch. Usually our visit 
             would start with Cardinals baseball, then Pat and family, 
             followed by varied topics from the past and present. I 
             looked forward to those sharings with a special friend. 
             (The Bohemian Cafe was in the area of Omaha where Pat had 
             lived, his dear spouse of 61 years, whom he had met and 
             married while he was attending the University of Nebraska, 
             Omaha.)
               In closing, Jim was a wonderful person and friend, as 
             known by we who are here today and many who could not be 
             with us. Definitely, Jim will be missed by many, 
             especially by Pat and their family, his church family, his 
             political family and the Cardinal Nation. Thank God for 
             his and my belief, and for most of you, in eternal life. 
             We will be together again. Grateful always, Jim. Prayers.

             CHUCK PALLESEN (family friend).

               Statesman, yet friend to truth! Of soul sincere, in 
             action faithful, and in honor clear: Who broke no promise, 
             served no private end, who gained no title, and who lost 
             no friend.
                                                 --Alexander Pope, 1720

               The proper thing to do would probably be to first 
             recognize the top dignitaries assembled here. You might be 
             surprised, however, how Senator Exon would address them: 
             ``Native Americans and other minorities, the 
             disadvantaged, farmers, ranchers, men and women of labor, 
             small business owners, those in the armed services, and oh 
             yes, corporate leadership, and finally, those who you have 
             honored by voting them to office.''
               That's the way the man thought, from his humble 
             beginnings in Lake Andes, SD, through service in World War 
             II and the times he counseled with Presidents, and Prime 
             Ministers, and admirals, and generals the world over. 
             People ask, how could ardent Democrat Jim Exon continually 
             be elected in Republican Nebraska and maintain 80 percent 
             approval ratings? The answer is quite simple: he reflected 
             the basic values of Nebraskans. He was a fiscal 
             conservative long before it became nearly mandatory 
             nationwide. He stood for a well-equipped, strong military 
             and was known in Washington as ``Mr. SAC.'' Yet he 
             challenged the Pentagon to eliminate waste and cap 
             development of unneeded arsenals of catastrophic weaponry.
               He carried the burdens of agriculture to the extent that 
             one of our major newspapers referred to him as the 
             Nation's self-appointed Secretary of Agriculture. He was 
             an environmentalist even though some of those battles, 
             such as the Niobrara Scenic River designation, cost him 
             particularly in several of our northern border counties.
               Senator Exon was a dedicated family man, and in fact 
             passed up what could have been a fourth U.S. Senate term 
             to spend more time with his spouse Pat, with Steve, Candy, 
             Pam, the grandchildren and great-grandchildren, especially 
             enjoying times at the family cabin on the Platte River.
               Senator Exon was a decent man, a man of integrity. He 
             genuinely liked people. Even though the allegiance to his 
             political party was strong, both at home and in 
             Washington, he worked with all people of all leanings. In 
             Washington he was, as Senator Ben Nelson has described and 
             emulated, a centrist, one who could easily cross the aisle 
             to reach a compromise. In fact, he openly said in 1996 
             that growing party strife in Washington contributed to his 
             decision to retire.
               He would be highly honored that the gathering here today 
             includes both red and blue. The U.S. Senate delegation led 
             by Senator Reid, with Senators Hagel, Nelson, Bingaman, 
             Levin, Akaka, and Kerrey. Governor Heineman, Governor 
             Thone, Attorney General Bruning, Congressmen Hoagland, 
             McGinley and Cavanaugh, and Lieutenants Governor Robak and 
             Moul, Montana Auditor of Public Accounts John Morrison, 
             Chief Justice Krivosha, State Senators and other 
             officeholders, Mayor Seng, Omaha Mayor Fahey, former 
             Mayors Boosalis, Wesely, Harris, and Boyle, and many more.
               Senator Exon was noted for his political instincts. Our 
             first meeting was when he was managing Frank Morrison's 
             gubernatorial campaign in 1960. Classmate Dick Shugrue was 
             working for the campaign and set up lunch with Morrison 
             and Exon. Toward the end of lunch, Morrison said he 
             thought he needed a handout flyer. Exon grabbed a napkin, 
             scribbled a few lines, roughed in a couple of pictures, 
             did the standard trifold, handed it to Dick and said, 
             ``Take it to the printer.'' He was just as decisive in his 
             own campaigns. Our issues committee had been meeting 
             regularly in 1970, had drafted a platform for Exon to run 
             on and invited him to the meeting to hear it. About 
             halfway through the review, he stopped it and said, ``This 
             is all very nice, but aren't the issues really just taxes 
             and spending, spending and taxes?'' The issues committee 
             never met again.
               In his first gubernatorial campaign, we arranged to take 
             him to the lawyers' State bar convention to introduce him 
             to lawyers from across Nebraska. As we were walking down 
             the hall toward the convention room, he stopped abruptly 
             and said, ``We're wasting our time here; I can do better 
             campaigning in a Hinky Dinky parking lot.'' And that's 
             where he went.
               Senators Exon and Kerrey flew to Valentine for a hearing 
             on the Niobrara Scenic River designation issue. I thought 
             ``This will be special--talking for 2 hours with two U.S. 
             Senators.'' But as soon as we took off they both pulled 
             out legal pads and started writing. It soon became 
             apparent that they were preparing for the hearing, and 
             that being a Senator was more than just campaigning, 
             talking, and voting. It's hard work. The best line was 
             about 10 minutes out of Valentine. Senator Exon turned to 
             Senator Kerrey and said, ``Bob, I've been on the firing 
             line in Valentine on this issue. So why don't you chair 
             the meeting?'' Without a blink, Senator Kerrey looked at 
             him and said, ``If you say so, boss.'' That was the kind 
             of relationship they had, not always agreeing on a certain 
             vote, but always working together. And they shared many a 
             laugh, even when Senator Exon would refer to ``that movie 
             actress friend of yours, what's her name, Debra 
             Reynolds.'' And then that laugh!
               Some of you may remember early in President Clinton's 
             first term, Senator Kerrey's vote was crucial and on the 
             line on the tax bill. The White House invited a group of 
             Nebraskans to come to Washington to meet with the 
             President so he could convince them of the merits of his 
             tax bill. Then they could lobby Senator Kerrey to vote for 
             the bill. After the meeting I was to go to Capitol Hill to 
             meet with Senator Exon to urge him to lobby Kerrey. I 
             called Senator Exon to explain and make the arrangements. 
             His response? ``What are those White House people 
             thinking? You're not going to convince me to do anything 
             of the kind. I talk with Kerrey every day. He knows my 
             thinking and I know his. Don't waste your time or mine.''
               In his last Senate campaign we had organized one of 
             those high roller $1,000 per person fundraisers in Omaha. 
             Lots of Republican CEOs. Shh! That's the way we raise our 
             money! The function was going well, then came a knock on 
             the door. A certain TV station crew wanted to come in and 
             film some footage for the evening news. I said, ``No, this 
             is a private party.'' Then I reported to the Senator. He 
             looked at me with that famous scowl and said, ``The idea 
             here is to raise money to buy TV time, and you have free 
             TV at the door. Let them in.'' Some of the guests were a 
             little camera shy, but we made the evening news.
               Traveling with the Senator could have its perks, as on 
             one of the trips from Offutt to Kings Bay, GA, organized 
             by Allen Beermann to visit the USS Nebraska submarine. At 
             every stop a private military car and driver would pick up 
             the Senator. As we checked in at the Kings Bay base 
             housing, the driver said he'd pick the Senator up at 0600 
             hours for breakfast. The Senator asked, ``What time does 
             the main program of the day start?'' Answer: ``0900.'' 
             ``Why,'' the Senator asked, ``would I then go to eat at 6? 
             Pick me up at 8:30.'' And when his 8:30 car and driver 
             came, the Senator said, ``I've had too many military meals 
             already in my life. Is there a McDonald's around here?'' 
             And guess what, we got to McDonald's and the submarine 
             program on time!
               No review of Senator Exon is complete without 
             remembering that pipe that he smoked until a few years 
             ago. The ritual of cleaning and lighting, banging it on 
             tables, car roofs etc., brushing the burning ashes off his 
             shirt and tie. ``Well, at least I don't bang it on the 
             inside of the car,'' he once said.
               Senator John Calhoun, in 1835, stated, ``The very 
             essence of a free government consists in considering 
             offices as public trusts, bestowed for the good of the 
             country, and not for the benefit of an individual or a 
             party.''
               Jim Exon, Nebraska thanks you for the service you gave, 
             the people you touched, and the life you led. We will 
             adjourn today, sine die.

             BOB KERREY (former Governor and U.S. Senator). To Governor 
             Dave Heineman--I thank you for the wisdom and the 
             generosity to allow these services to be conducted in the 
             rotunda of this capitol that Jim Exon loved so much. It is 
             a precedent worthy of the risk.
               To the family of Senator Jim Exon--I pray your pain will 
             pass and become a loving memory. I hope you will always 
             feel pride to have known this great man so well.
               To his friends, both in attendance and not--let us count 
             our blessings that we were so fortunate that he cared for 
             us.
               To his colleagues who have left their work in the Senate 
             to travel to Nebraska to pay tribute to one of their own: 
             Senators Hagel and Nelson, Leader Reid, Senators Bingaman, 
             Levin and Akaka--thank you for honoring Jim in this way.
               To the lawyers present--I apologize for I must begin my 
             eulogy to Jim Exon with a lawyer joke. It is, I assure 
             you, the least offensive one he ever told me. A doctor, a 
             teacher, and a lawyer are killed in an automobile accident 
             and find themselves at the gates of Heaven at precisely 
             the same time. Saint Peter is in an unusually good mood 
             and asks them each a very easy question: how much is two 
             plus two? In turn the doctor and the teacher give the 
             correct answer and are granted entry through the Pearly 
             Gates. The lawyer hesitates, pulls Saint Peter aside and 
             whispers: ``What do you want it to be?''
               This was a question Jim Exon never asked. He always 
             added up the numbers and gave them to you straight whether 
             or not you liked the answer.
               He was born on August 9, 1921. It was a bad day for his 
             St. Louis Cardinals; they lost to the Brooklyn Dodgers 8 
             to 7.
               Each of us is influenced--though by no means limited--by 
             the circumstances of our births. Jim Exon was born the 
             same year that Adolph Hitler became chairman of the Nazi 
             Party. In that year the United States officially ended 
             World War I and signed a peace treaty with Germany. 
             Radicals Sacco and Vanzetti were found guilty of murder by 
             a Massachusetts judge. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was 
             dedicated by President Harding at Arlington Cemetery on 
             November 11, Armistice Day. In South Dakota, where Jim was 
             born, scientists held a conference that summer to discuss 
             the unrealized potential of electricity.
               He was 8 years old when the stock market crashed and the 
             Depression officially began. He was witness to the dust 
             storms and the terrible consequence of the loss of that 
             topsoil. He came of age when the possibility of an 
             economic revolution was real, when the New Deal became a 
             salvation and a political way of life for many who 
             believed that FDR had saved their lives.
               He was a teenager when the lights came on in two-thirds 
             of Nebraska thanks to rural electrification. He remembered 
             the enactment of Social Security legislation and the hope 
             which the WPA and the CCC gave to grown men and women who 
             had given up.
               He was 20 years old when Japan invaded Pearl Harbor. In 
             a single day the naive innocence which had propelled our 
             20-year disarmament came to a sudden and terrible end. The 
             United States had steadfastly stayed out of the war trying 
             at all costs to avoid this conflict. Thus it was that he 
             came of age at a time when losing our freedoms was not 
             political rhetoric but a real possibility. He knew the 
             terrible price of weakness and isolation.
               Both of these big events--the Depression and the Second 
             World War--defined Jim Exon. They explained a lot about 
             who he was, why he took the political and economic 
             positions that he did, and why he always seemed so 
             grateful to be alive and an American. It explains why he 
             didn't complain, why he seemed to take whatever came his 
             way in stride, and why he talked little about the 
             hardships he had so obviously endured. Most of all it 
             explains his values: a lifetime commitment to Pat, his 
             children and his community, and his unrelenting desire to 
             make life a little better for everyone.
               The events of Jim Exon's youth explain a lot about Jim 
             Exon, the man. But one thing remains a mystery to me: 
             Where did that laugh come from? I have never heard 
             anything quite like it. It was more like a duck call than 
             a laugh. But, like so many other things about Jim Exon 
             (his pipe, his short sleeve shirts, his big ears) his 
             laugh added to his authenticity. He was a man who never 
             caused you to wonder: what's he thinking? What you saw was 
             what you got with Jim Exon. Except that some people saw 
             this large, big-wristed son of the high plains and 
             concluded that he was a rube who could be easily fooled. 
             The thing is Jim Exon could tell when someone was 
             underestimating him and he'd turn it into his advantage--
             either for fun or the benefit of Nebraskans.
               He came to New York City once to visit a number of 
             people, including the New Deal economist Eliot Janeway. 
             Arriving in Mr. Janeway's plush offices Governor Exon saw 
             from the look on the receptionist's face that she was a 
             little taken aback by his look. So, after asking 
             directions to and using the bathroom, he returned to 
             comment to a startled receptionist how wonderful it was to 
             find a place with indoor plumbing.
               ``That's something we don't have back in Nebraska. And 
             what are those white porcelain bowls hanging on the 
             walls?''
               After she explained their function and he exclaimed that 
             he was going to have one installed in the Governor's 
             mansion when he returned to Lincoln, she realized she was 
             being put on.
               Basin Electric in Wyoming was not so lucky. As Governor, 
             Jim had persuaded his friend Attorney General Paul Douglas 
             to bring a lawsuit against the State of Wyoming over a 
             water dispute involving Wyoming's decision to grant a 
             permit to Basin Electric for a new power plant. 
             Negotiating in private, Governor Exon emerged with an 
             agreement which created the Sandhill Crane Trust on the 
             Platte River near Grand Island. The net for Nebraska has 
             been hundreds of millions of tourism dollars and 
             sufficient stream flow to guarantee the preservation of an 
             ancient wild bird flyway.
               This conservation ethic produced a locally famous 
             encounter at Valentine High School shortly after I arrived 
             in the Senate. Senator Exon had introduced legislation to 
             designate a portion of the Niobrara River as ``scenic,'' 
             which would limit development--something that Cherry 
             County residents are not known for favoring. I suggested 
             to Jim that we schedule a townhall meeting in the high 
             school and invite opponents and supporters to give us 
             their views.
               Needless to say few of the latter showed up. In fact we 
             were welcomed at the door of the school by two cowboys on 
             horseback who turned their horses as we approached. In 
             doing so we were able to see hand-painted signs they had 
             hung from their saddles. One said Senator Exon; the other 
             said Senator Kerrey. Both had arrows pointed down at the 
             horses' rear ends.
               A humbling moment.
               As humbling as when he and I first met in 1982. As a 
             relatively unknown candidate for Governor, I wanted to get 
             a photograph of Senator Exon and myself to include in my 
             campaign brochures. Upon meeting him I was surprised how 
             tall he was and even more so when the film was developed. 
             I looked like a small imitation of the real thing standing 
             next to him. In order to use the image I chose to turn the 
             negative slightly when it was printed making us appear a 
             little closer in stature.
               Truth is I had to do a lot of that during my 16 years in 
             elected politics when standing next to him.
               What impressed me most about Jim Exon was that he never 
             let his size or his power inflate his personal opinion of 
             himself. Remarkably and gratefully he never lost his 
             humility. He never stopped typing notes to Lenny in the 
             Cloakroom about some baseball detail that only he knew. He 
             never stopped returning the calls of friends who had 
             helped him get started or he knew along the way. He began 
             and ended the same.
               He made friends with rich and poor alike, with the 
             powerful and the powerless. He could count half a dozen 
             Presidents he had met, including President Bill Clinton 
             with whom he was especially close. They were all the same 
             to him--just another human being with a range of strengths 
             and weaknesses.
               He left behind a big and lasting legacy. Balanced 
             budgets, stronger defense, land conserved, rural 
             communities healthier, better schools and jobs, and a more 
             just America. Beyond those accomplishments was something 
             more important. To all of us who met him, knew him, 
             respected and loved him, he was like Jimmy Stewart in 
             ``It's A Wonderful Life.'' Our lives and the places we 
             call home would not have been the same without him.

             AMY BRICKER-McGRATH (granddaughter). Governor, Senator, 
             statesman, champion of the Heartland, friend of the 
             people; all of these titles suit J.J. Exon, but the title 
             that was most meaningful to me was Grandpa. I know I speak 
             for Steve, Colin, Heather, Lindsay, Evan, Anna, and 
             Jessica, when I say that we are among the luckiest of 
             people in the world to have a grandfather like him.
               Grandpa was a tall man with humor, heart, and an 
             imagination to match. All the grandchildren can attest to 
             the famed Lake Andes stories which predictably started 
             with ``When I was the first-chair flute player of the Lake 
             Andes Philharmonic Orchestra'' or ``When I was the star of 
             the Lake Andes pro-baseball team.'' My Grandpa told the 
             best tall tales about his boyhood in Lake Andes, SD, but 
             now I realize he was not telling stories about himself. He 
             was telling stories about each one of us. Each story was 
             tailored to suit the particular dreams and interests of 
             the specific grandchild. Every one of us knew for sure 
             that we were the grandchild he loved the most, and each 
             one of us was right.
               Despite his countless public and political 
             responsibilities, when we were together he was ours and we 
             were his. No grandfather could have been more available 
             and more attentive.
               When I sat with my cousins to talk about what we should 
             say about Grandpa Exon we all agreed on one particular, 
             spectacular point. It was interesting to us, but not that 
             important that our grandfather was well known and had lots 
             of powerful and famous friends. What was most important to 
             us was clearly that Grandpa Exon had a direct line to the 
             big man himself, Santa Claus. It is hard to imagine a 
             Christmas more magical than the Exon family Christmas, and 
             for my grandparents the magic was in the details. Every 
             year was the same--dinner with ham, and shrimp, and oyster 
             stew, which as children we never ate. I don't know who 
             does eat oyster stew. My grandpa did. After dinner, 
             Grandpa would load us up in the car and we would drive 
             around listening to Christmas carols and looking for Santa 
             Claus. Any blinking red light in the sky might have been a 
             sign of him, and somehow magically every year Santa found 
             the Exon house just when we had been away looking for him. 
             We would pull into the driveway, pour out of the car, and 
             race to the basement to try to catch a glimpse of him and 
             his sleigh taking off from the backyard. Each of us 
             remember a different memento left by Santa. One year, the 
             dogs had bitten off pieces of his pants and were running 
             around with red velvet squares. Another year, we had to 
             wait a painful eternity while Grandpa vacuumed up the 
             ashes that Santa had tracked from the fireplace down every 
             stair to the Christmas tree in the basement. Grandpa Exon 
             believed in the magic of Christmas and the best gift he 
             ever gave us was a little piece of that magic which we are 
             now handing down to the next generation of Exon great-
             grandchildren.
               For a man who had such responsibilities to so many 
             people my Grandpa Exon maintained an extraordinary 
             connection to playfulness and fun. He loved silly movies 
             and theme parks. In fact, he really loved theme parks, 
             especially Disney World which has been a pilgrimage for 
             our families for as long as I can remember. One of my 
             favorite Grandpa Exon memories could have been straight 
             out of a scene from Chevy Chase's Vacation. It was New 
             Year's Eve and we were headed to Disney World. Two van 
             loads of Exon kids and grandkids. Grandpa had tuned into 
             Disney radio and was singing at the top of his lungs to 
             his all time favorite ``Yo Ho, Yo Ho, A Pirate's Life for 
             Me.'' In the middle of his rendition, our mini-van cruised 
             under a highway sign which stated simply ``Disney World 
             Closed.'' Just like the Griswolds in Vacation, Grandpa 
             would not take closed for an answer and tried to pull some 
             senatorial strings to get us into Disney World which was 
             closed because it was at capacity and would probably have 
             been a miserable place to spend the day. After a family 
             conference we decided to spend the day at Disney MGM 
             Studios and had a great New Year's Eve. But I knew that 
             Grandpa was secretly sad that we never made it to the 
             Pirates of the Caribbean. Grandpa Exon's commitment to his 
             family was clearly the top priority in his life.
               My cousin Lindsay remembers that as a child she knew he 
             was a Senator but was not aware that he lived in 
             Washington, DC, because he came home every weekend to be 
             with his family. In recent years, it has been a joy to see 
             how his commitment to family and children was shared to 
             the newest Exon generation, the great-grandchildren, 
             Sheridan, Molly, Delaney, Grant, Seamus, Belle, and 
             Stephen. The littlest Exons will remember their great 
             grandfather's signature tickle sound and the monster 
             Grandpastein.
               There are two important family members who could not be 
             here with us today to celebrate Grandpa's amazing life. 
             The first is my cousin Evan, who is having an adventure of 
             a lifetime across Europe. He was concerned about leaving 
             when Grandpa was sick, but Grandpa insisted that he 
             continue on with his adventure. His favorite Grandpa 
             memories are of Cardinal baseball games which they 
             attended together, most notably, the series in which Mark 
             McGwire hit his 61st and 62d homeruns to break the all-
             time record. The second person is my wonderful Grandma Pat 
             who shared nearly 62 years with the man of her dreams. 
             Grandma is living with Alzheimer's disease and Grandpa 
             spent the last years of his life lovingly caring for her. 
             The blessing of her disease is that she has been spared 
             the grief of his passing, but she is well. Her sense of 
             humor is still very much intact and she enjoys spending 
             time with her family.
               The outpouring of love and support from the whole State 
             of Nebraska has been overwhelming and gratifying for the 
             entire Exon family. We have come together to celebrate and 
             say goodbye to our father and grandfather, but we have 
             been so amazed to realize how important and loved he was 
             by so many people. The magic of the man was that he made 
             everyone, the citizens of Nebraska, and each member of his 
             family feel valued and important and we cherish the love, 
             respect, and goodwill which is his legacy.

             First Reading--Isaiah 25:6-9
             MARK BOWEN (former aide). A reading from Isaiah.
               On this mountain the Lord of Hosts will make for all 
             peoples a feast of fat things, a feast of wine on the 
             lees, of fat things full of marrow, of wine on the lees 
             well refined. And he will destroy on this mountain the 
             covering that is cast over all peoples, the veil that is 
             spread over all nations. He will swallow up death forever, 
             and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces, and 
             the reproach of his people he will take away from all the 
             earth; for the Lord has spoken. It will be said on that 
             day. ``Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, that 
             he might save us. This is the Lord; we have waited for 
             him; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.''
               The word of the Lord.

             Second Reading--Romans 8:14-19, 34-35, 37-39
             Brother LEO WILLETT. A reading from the Book of Romans.
               Those who are led by the Spirit of God are children of 
             God. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall 
             back into fear. But you received a spirit of adoption, 
             through which we cry, Abba, Father. The spirit itself 
             bears witness with our spirit, that we are children of 
             God. And if children then heirs; heirs of God, and joint 
             heirs with Christ. If only we suffer with him so that we 
             may also be glorified with him. I consider that the 
             sufferings of this present time are as nothing compared 
             with the glory that will be revealed for us. For creation 
             awaits with eager expectation the revelation of the 
             children of God. Who will condemn? It is Christ Jesus who 
             died, rather, was raised, who also is at the right hand of 
             God, who indeed intercedes for us. What will separate us 
             from the love of Christ? Will anguish, or distress, or 
             persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or the peril, or 
             sword? No, in all these things we conquer overwhelmingly 
             through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither 
             death nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor 
             present things, nor future things, nor powers, nor 
             heights, nor depths, nor any other creature will be able 
             to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our 
             Lord.
               The word of God.
               Thanks be to God.

             On Eagles Wings, Brent Smith, vocalist; Marcia Wiebers, 
             pianist

             Gospel Reading
             Father SAM BOMAN. Please stand.
               The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to 
             John.
               Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, 
             believe also in me. In my father's house there are many 
             dwelling places, if it were not so, I would have told you; 
             for I go to prepare a place for you. And If I go and 
             prepare a place for you, I will come again, and will 
             receive you unto myself, that where I am, there you may be 
             also. And you know the way to the place where I am going. 
             Thomas said to him, ``Lord, we do not know where you are 
             going; how can we know the way?'' Jesus said to him, ``I 
             am the way and the truth, and the life; no one comes to 
             the Father, except through me.''
               The Gospel of the Lord.

             Sermon
             Father SAM BOMAN. I have to start with something that I 
             don't have down here. This morning I was chatting with a 
             neighbor, friend of ours as he was chopping up trees, and 
             the conversation came to my being here this afternoon and 
             he said, ``I think he was an OK guy.'' This was a retired 
             truckdriver, and he said, ``I did not always agree with 
             him, but as they go I think he was one of the best.'' So I 
             think that is a tribute. But I do not know how that rests 
             with the rest of you who are in elected office.
               As far as I know, the first time I met Jim it was in 
             North Platte during his campaign for the governorship. 
             When you are in small towns you get invited to pray for 
             your meals a lot. And I was invited to offer the prayer 
             for thanksgiving over the meal. I was impressed with him 
             as a speaker and as a man. And over those years that we 
             lived in North Platte, I was asked on more than one 
             occasion to join the people gathered with him in a prayer 
             of thanksgiving. Today, after decades I am honored that 
             the family has invited me to celebrate in this way Jim's 
             life. Some of those years, I was the interim director of 
             the Church of the Holy Trinity in Lincoln, which is his 
             parish home. Although he was still in Washington most of 
             the time, when he was in town I usually was in the foyer 
             when he arrived and greeted him. He shared with the 
             congregation hearing the reading of God's word and the 
             Holy Scriptures from which I preach the sermons. He 
             participated in the prayers, and I gave him God's gift in 
             the Holy Communion.
               Today, in the presence of his earthly home we are 
             recalling personal glimpses of his life and now we are 
             sharing the readings and teachings of the Holy Scriptures 
             and we will be joining in prayer and commending him and 
             his life. I am struck with two things out of the 
             Scriptures today. The first is the covering, the veil that 
             is cast over all people in which Isaiah speaks. Isaiah's 
             people knew well the ever-present edge to life that death 
             brings not only to our body, but to our spirit and to our 
             hope. The ever-present struggle of good and evil is 
             portrayed to us so vividly in Tolkien's ``Ring Trilogy,'' 
             as well as in ``Star Trek.'' And these resonate with us 
             because in some way we know that curtain, that veil we 
             have in our own lives, in our community, in our Nation, in 
             our world. And even when it pushes away it returns. It may 
             be like pushing a stick down into the mud. It keeps 
             springing back at us, and the deeper we push the stick the 
             more force it pushes back as it rises above the water. 
             Today, the curtain of death in which Isaiah wrote, seems 
             so far more real as one of us who has touched our lives is 
             taken from our presence. And we then can recall and 
             identify with the words of one of our clergy, John Donne, 
             long-time dean of Saint Paul's Cathedral, London; ``Ask 
             not for whom the bell tolls, it tolls for thee.'' In each 
             of us as another dies, a part of us dies too.
               The second thing I want to think about is the feast. 
             Isaiah writes, ``a feast of fat things, a feast of wine on 
             the lees, a feast of fat things full of marrow.'' A feast 
             prepared, as Isaiah writes, ``because God is going to 
             destroy on this mountain . . . the veil that is cast over 
             all nations. He will swallow death forever.'' And this is 
             the hope Isaiah brought to a nation defeated and 
             discouraged in order to restore for them the hope that is 
             the faithfulness of God. Jesus continued this promise as 
             he spoke to his disciples as they faced his coming death. 
             ``In my house there are many rooms, I go to prepare a 
             place for you. I will come for you, that where I am you 
             will be also.'' And as we can see by the response by 
             Thomas, their minds cannot comprehend what this will be. 
             Nor, can we wrap our minds around this. He is our only 
             reference point. He has and is leading the way somewhat 
             like some of our historic generals who have gone on to 
             lead with their troops.
               It is this promise of victory which weaves its thread 
             through the Holy Scripture. It is the promise of eventual 
             victory over the forces of evil that eat at the lives of 
             people. It is the promise that can lead a man or woman to 
             offer to work in the institutions of government to attempt 
             to walk the minefield of greed and fame all the while 
             keeping in mind the promise of God to all persons and all 
             nations. Keep in mind that God has promised us a victory 
             that even the ultimate defeat of this world, death, cannot 
             take away. Paul wrote of the strength of that promise and 
             hope when he wrote these words we heard in his Letter to 
             the Romans today. Not only does the promise of victory 
             come, but none of the things and none of the forces can 
             separate us from the love of God, nor can they stop the 
             eventual coming of that victory. So, as Jesus told his 
             disciples, ``Let not your hearts be troubled,'' we are not 
             to let our hearts be troubled because of Jim's death, nor 
             the possibility of our own death, or of our own failures, 
             or the fear of the failure of God to bring about his 
             purpose for us. Recall, the first question raised by Paul 
             in that passage, ``Who shall separate us from the love of 
             Christ? Shall tribulation or distress, or persecution or 
             famine, or nakedness or peril or sword?'' Recall then the 
             answer he makes, ``No, in all these things we are more 
             than conquerors through him who loved us, for I am sure 
             that neither death nor life, nor angels, nor 
             principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, 
             nor powers, nor heights nor depths, nor anything else in 
             all creation will be able to separate us from the love of 
             God in Christ Jesus our Lord.''
               Walk away from these halls today, moving toward the day 
             that when that veil is taken away completely. Walk from 
             these halls today in expectation of the feast of victory 
             God promised to all nations. Walk from these halls today 
             empowered by the promise spirit of God which works in us 
             that which is well pleasing in his sight.
               Amen.

             Apostle's Creed
             Father SAM BOMAN. I ask you to stand.
               What we are about to do is an option. I do not want to 
             embarrass anybody or ask anybody to do something they 
             cannot do. But, if you wish to join me in the Creed on the 
             first page of your program you may do so in the assurance 
             that eternal life is given at baptism. Let us proclaim our 
             faith and say together:

             ALL. I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of 
             Heaven and Earth, and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our 
             Lord:
               Who was conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin 
             Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died 
             and was buried.
               He descended into hell.
               The third day He rose again from the dead.
               He ascended into Heaven and sits at the right hand of 
             God the Father Almighty, whence He shall come to judge the 
             living and the dead.
               I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Catholic Church, 
             the Communion of Saints, the forgiveness of sins, the 
             resurrection of the body, and life everlasting.
               Amen.

             Father SAM BOMAN. You may be seated.

             The Lord's Prayer, Brent Smith, vocalist; Marcia Wiebers, 
             pianist

             Closing Prayers
             Father SAM BOMAN. In response to these closing prayers, at 
             the pause would you respond please with ``Hear us Lord.''
               For our brother Jim, let us pray to our Lord Jesus 
             Christ who said; ``I am resurrection and I am life.'' 
             Lord, you consoled Martha and Mary in their distress, draw 
             near to us who mourn for Jim and dry the tears of those 
             who weep.
                   Hear us Lord.

               You wept at the grave of Lazarus, your friend. Comfort 
             us in our sorrow.
                   Hear us Lord.

               You raised the dead to life, give to our brother eternal 
             life.
                   Hear us Lord.

               You promised paradise to the thief who repented, bring 
             our brother to the joys of Heaven.
                   Hear us Lord.

               Our brother was washed in baptism and was anointed with 
             the Holy Spirit, give him fellowship with all your Saints.
                   Hear us Lord.

               He was nourished with your body and blood, grant him a 
             place at the table in your heavenly Kingdom.
                   Hear us Lord.

               Comfort us in our sorrows at the death of our brother, 
             let our faith be our consolation and our eternal life our 
             hope.
                   Hear us Lord.

               Would you stand, please.
               Father of all, we pray to you for James and for all 
             those whom we loved and may see no longer. Grant to them 
             eternal rest, let light perpetual shine upon them. May his 
             soul and the souls of all the departed to the mercy of God 
             rest in peace.
               Amen.
               And the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, 
             and the Holy Spirit be upon you today and forever.
               Amen.

             Recessional: Happy Days are Here Again, performed by 
             Plymouth Brass

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