[Senate Document 110-16]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
hon. jesse helms
a
z
1921 -2008
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Jesse Helms
LATE A SENATOR FROM NORTH CAROLINA
MEMORIAL ADDRESSES AND
OTHER TRIBUTES
IN THE CONGRESS OF
THE UNITED STATES
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Jesse Helms
Courtesy U.S. Senate Historical Office
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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
JESSE HELMS
Late a Senator from North Carolina
One Hundred Tenth Congress
Second Session
a
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Compiled under the direction
of the
Joint Committee on Printing
CONTENTS
Biography.............................................
v
Proceedings in the Senate:
Tributes by Senators:
Brownback, Sam, of Kansas......................
7
Bunning, Jim, of Kentucky......................
20
Burr, Richard, of North Carolina...............
14
Byrd, Robert C., of West Virginia..............
18
Cochran, Thad, of Mississippi..................
7
Corker, Bob, of Tennessee......................
24
Dodd, Christopher J., of Connecticut...........
9
Dole, Elizabeth, of North Carolina.............
12
Ensign, John, of Nevada........................
30
Enzi, Michael B., of Wyoming...................
31
Feingold, Russell D., of Wisconsin.............
20
Graham, Lindsey, of South Carolina.............
28
Hagel, Chuck, of Nebraska......................
21
Hatch, Orrin G., of Utah.......................
25
Hutchison, Kay Bailey, of Texas................
19
Inouye, Daniel K., of Hawaii...................
23
Klobuchar, Amy, of Minnesota...................
6
Kyl, Jon, of Arizona...........................
22
McConnell, Mitch, of Kentucky..................
4, 9
Reid, Harry, of Nevada.........................
3
Shelby, Richard C., of Alabama.................
23
Specter, Arlen, of Pennsylvania................
29
Warner, John, of Virginia......................
27
Proceedings in the House of Representatives:
Tributes by Representatives:
Brady, Robert A., of Pennsylvania..............
36
Burton, Dan, of Indiana........................
36
Foxx, Virginia, of North Carolina..............
35
Hayes, Robin, of North Carolina................
39
McHenry, Patrick T., of North Carolina.........
37
Memorial Service......................................
41
BIOGRAPHY
Senator Jesse Helms served for 30 years in the U.S.
Senate and retired from the Senate at the end of 2002. He
was considered one of the most influential individuals in
American Government and received scores of awards for his
distinguished service to his State, his country and
freedom-loving people around the world.
Senator Helms was born in Monroe, NC, on October 18,
1921. His family and his teachers taught lessons that laid
the foundation for a commitment to hard work and
excellence. It was also in Monroe that Senator Helms had
his first opportunities to work at a newspaper and begin
his career in communications.
Jesse Helms attended Wingate (NC) Junior College (now
Wingate Junior University) and Wake Forest College (now
Wake Forest University). He holds honorary doctor of law
degrees from many universities including Bob Jones
University, Grove City College, Campbell University, and
Wingate University.
His first full-time job out of college was as a sports
reporter with the Raleigh News and Observer. It was there
that he met Dorothy Coble, who was the society reporter.
They were married in October 1942 when Senator Helms
returned from naval training in San Diego. The Senator had
enlisted in the Navy at the start of World War II and was
assigned to the recruiting command following training.
After the war the Senator returned to Raleigh and to a
new job as the news editor for the Raleigh Times. He left
the newspaper for his first job in broadcasting and
established one of the first local news operations on
radio in the United States.
During World War II Helms served in the U.S. Navy. Upon
leaving the Navy, Helms held numerous positions in many
fields. These included serving as the director of the
North Carolina Cerebral Palsy Hospital in Durham, the
director of the United Cerebral Palsy of North Carolina,
the director of the Wake County Cerebral Palsy and
Rehabilitation Center in Raleigh, and serving on the Board
of Trustees of Meredith College, John F. Kennedy College,
Campbell University, and Wingate University. He served as
a deacon and a Sunday School teacher at Hayes Barton
Baptist Church in Raleigh, and was one of the founders and
served as a director of Camp Willow Run, a youth camp for
Christ at Littleton, NC. From 1953 through 1960, Helms was
executive director of the North Carolina Bankers
Association.
Positions held in journalism and broadcasting included
the city editor of the Raleigh Times, the director of news
and programs for the Tobacco Radio Network and radio
station WRAL in Raleigh, and the editor of the Tarheel
Banker. In 1952 Helms directed the radio-television
division of the Presidential campaign of Senator Richard
B. Russell, Jr., of Georgia, who was seeking the U.S.
Democratic Party nomination. He went on to become the
executive vice president, vice chairman of the board and
assistant chief executive officer of Capitol Broadcasting
Company in Raleigh, NC, from 1960 until his election to
the Senate.
He also wrote and presented daily editorials on WRAL-TV
and the Tobacco Radio Network. His editorials were printed
regularly in more than 200 newspapers throughout the
United States. They were broadcast by more than 70 radio
stations in North Carolina.
By the mid-1960s Senator Helms was the executive vice
president for Capitol Broadcasting in Raleigh where he
directed an outstanding news operation and personally
delivered a daily editorial comment from the station's
editorial board. These commentaries were aired on radio
over the Tobacco Network the following day and Jesse Helms
became a well-known voice around the Carolinas and beyond.
It was at the request of many of those listeners and
several close friends that Senator Helms agreed to accept
the challenge of running for the U.S. Senate. His election
in 1972 marked the first time since Reconstruction that a
Republican had won any statewide election in North
Carolina.
Helms began his first term in the Senate in January
1973; was reelected to a second term on November 7, 1978;
to a third term on November 6, 1984; a fourth term on
November 6, 1990; and a fifth term on November 7, 1996.
Helms retired on January 3, 2003. His seat was taken by
Elizabeth Dole, former president of the Red Cross,
Presidential Cabinet Member, and 2000 Presidential
candidate.
Helms was noted as a staunch conservative and as a rigid
anti-Communist.
As a U.S. Senator he was a leader in the rise of the
modern conservative movement, a trailblazer for men and
women who wanted to see their government return to its
proper role and turn away from too many taxes and too many
giveaways. Senator Helms was one of a handful of
conservative lawmakers in 1972, but by the time of his
retirement he was a respected member of a group of
conservative leaders whose efforts led to significant
changes in national policy from welfare reform to strong
national defense.
Throughout his life Senator Helms made the cause of
freedom a priority, particularly in the years he served as
chairman of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
At the same time he held firm to his dedication to uphold
the traditional moral values that are embraced by most
Americans. From his fearless stand against government-
funded pornography and his support of the rights of the
unborn to his defense of the rights and reputation of the
Boy Scouts of America, Senator Helms never turned aside
from doing what was right, no matter how many stood with
him or how much criticism might have been leveled against
him.
After retiring from the Senate in January 2003, Helms
continued working with the Jesse Helms Center in Wingate,
NC. In August 2005, Random House published ``Here's Where
I Stand,'' a personal memoir.
He is survived by his wife, the former Dorothy Jane
Coble of Raleigh, his three children: Jane (Mrs. Charles
R. Knox of Raleigh), Nancy (Mrs. Randy Grigg) of Chapel
Hill, and Charles of Winston-Salem, and seven
grandchildren.
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MEMORIAL ADDRESSES
AND
OTHER TRIBUTES
FOR
JESSE HELMS
Proceedings in the Senate
Monday, July 7, 2008
Mr. REID. Mr. President, on Friday, the Fourth of July--
in fact the Fourth of July had just broken; it was an hour
and a half after midnight--the Senate lost a Member of our
Senate family: Jesse Helms of North Carolina.
I can't but think of Jesse Helms and the first name that
enters my mind is Senator Paul Wellstone. Paul Wellstone,
as we all remember, was a Senator from Minnesota. I am
sure it seems odd to most people--recognizing their
political proclivities; that is, those of Senator
Wellstone and those of Senator Helms--why my mind picks up
Paul Wellstone upon mentioning the name of Jesse Helms. It
is hard to imagine two Senators more divergent in their
views.
Senator Wellstone was clearly a liberal. Senator Helms
was clearly a very conservative man. Their views were very
divergent, very different. It is no secret because he told
everyone when he came to Washington--Paul Wellstone made
it clear he didn't like his rightwing colleague from North
Carolina, Jesse Helms. He said that openly. But it was not
long before Paul Wellstone publicly changed his view of
Senator Helms. Senator Wellstone continued to fiercely
disagree with Jesse Helms on most issues, but he quickly
came to respect him for his sincerity.
When I came to the Senate, I, similar to all new
Senators, was excited to be here and understood what a
great honor it was to represent the people of the State of
Nevada in the Senate. But one of the last people whom I
was going to try to befriend was Jesse Helms. As a
moderate Democrat, I found his views extreme. We found
little common ground in points of policy, it appeared.
As a freshman Senator, I enjoyed presiding, as does the
presiding officer now presiding over the Senate. I spent
my share of time in the seat the presiding officer now
has. I enjoyed that very much. During my time, that first
2 years I was in the Senate, I watched Jesse Helms right
over here to my right, stand and talk often--and a lot. I
can remember one time he was here--I was the presiding
officer, he was over there--there was not another person
in this Chamber. Jesse Helms said to me, as sincerely as
anyone could say anything--and he had a distinct speaking
voice--he said: ``Mr. President, I don't want to be here
on this issue but no one else will come and talk on it.''
It was an issue dealing with pornography. The speeches
Jesse Helms gave were often on issues that other people
would not speak out about. I became so impressed with his
sincerity, that he wasn't doing what he said for political
reasons; he was doing it because that is what he believed.
We all have to admire someone such as that, even though we
may disagree with what they say.
I came to understand what Paul Wellstone had come to
realize. I came to it before Paul Wellstone did because I
got here before he did. Whether you agreed with the
Senator from North Carolina, his sincerity and his views
and the forthright way in which he stood by them were
remarkable. So I believe it is fitting that Jesse Helms'
last day on Earth was the Fourth of July. He loved his
country. He spent every day doing what he believed was
necessary to make it stronger. His wife Dorothy and
children, Jane, Nancy, and Charles, along with seven Helms
grandchildren and one great-grandchild are in our
thoughts.
Rest well, Jesse Helms.
I have some other things to say, but perhaps my
colleague wants to say something about Senator Helms? If
that is the case, I will save my remarks until he
finishes.
Mr. McCONNELL. I thank my friend, the majority leader.
Let me just add, Jesse and Dot Helms were good friends of
Elaine's and mine and good friends of a lot of other
people in the Senate on both sides. There are a
significant number of our conference planning to attend
the funeral tomorrow. I thank the majority leader for his
accommodation of those requests by having the votes on
Wednesday morning. At Dot Helms' request, I will be doing
one of the eulogies tomorrow at the funeral, and I will
have more to say about the life of my good friend Jesse
Helms when I get back. But I wish to echo the remarks of
the majority leader about what a fine gentleman he was.
If you took a poll around here of the pages and the
people who work in the Capitol about who was the most
popular Member, I expect Jesse Helms would have won it--
which would surprise an awful lot of people in the press
and out in America who thought of Senator Helms as sort of
a fierce individual. In fact, in person he was as gentle,
as accommodating, and as friendly as anybody I have ever
met. We all will miss Jesse Helms a great deal.
I thank the majority leader for giving me an opportunity
to make some comments at this point about our good friend
Jesse Helms.
SENATE RESOLUTION 608--RELATIVE TO THE DEATH OF JESSE
ALEXANDER HELMS, JR., FORMER UNITED STATES SENATOR FROM
THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
Mr. REID (for himself, Mr. McConnell, Mrs. Dole, Mr.
Burr, Mr. Akaka, Mr. Alexander, Mr. Allard, Mr. Barrasso,
Mr. Baucus, Mr. Bayh, Mr. Bennett, Mr. Biden, Mr.
Bingaman, Mr. Bond, Mrs. Boxer, Mr. Brown, Mr. Brownback,
Mr. Bunning, Mr. Byrd, Ms. Cantwell, Mr. Cardin, Mr.
Carper, Mr. Casey, Mr. Chambliss, Mrs. Clinton, Mr.
Coburn, Mr. Cochran, Mr. Coleman, Ms. Collins, Mr. Conrad,
Mr. Corker, Mr. Cornyn, Mr. Craig, Mr. Crapo, Mr. DeMint,
Mr. Dodd, Mr. Domenici, Mr. Dorgan, Mr. Durbin, Mr.
Ensign, Mr. Enzi, Mr. Feingold, Mrs. Feinstein, Mr.
Graham, Mr. Grassley, Mr. Gregg, Mr. Hagel, Mr. Harkin,
Mr. Hatch, Mrs. Hutchison, Mr. Inhofe, Mr. Inouye, Mr.
Isakson, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Kerry, Ms.
Klobuchar, Mr. Kohl, Mr. Kyl, Ms. Landrieu, Mr.
Lautenberg, Mr. Leahy, Mr. Levin, Mr. Lieberman, Mrs.
Lincoln, Mr. Lugar, Mr. Martinez, Mr. McCain, Mrs.
McCaskill, Mr. Menendez, Ms. Mikulski, Ms. Murkowski, Mrs.
Murray, Mr. Nelson of Florida, Mr. Nelson of Nebraska, Mr.
Obama, Mr. Pryor, Mr. Reed, Mr. Roberts, Mr. Rockefeller,
Mr. Salazar, Mr. Sanders, Mr. Schumer, Mr. Sessions, Mr.
Shelby, Mr. Smith, Ms. Snowe, Mr. Specter, Ms. Stabenow,
Mr. Stevens, Mr. Sununu, Mr. Tester, Mr. Thune, Mr.
Vitter, Mr. Voinovich, Mr. Warner, Mr. Webb, Mr.
Whitehouse, Mr. Wicker, and Mr. Wyden) submitted the
following resolution; which was considered and agreed to:
S. Res. 608
Whereas Jesse Alexander Helms, Jr., born in Monroe,
North Carolina on October 18, 1921, spent a 52-year public
career dedicating himself to his country, his family, and
his home State, representing North Carolina in the United
States Senate for 30 years;
Whereas Jesse Alexander Helms, Jr., served in the United
States Navy from 1942 until 1945;
Whereas Jesse Alexander Helms, Jr., was educated in the
public schools of Monroe, North Carolina and at Wingate
Junior College and Wake Forest College, served as city
editor of the Raleigh Times, administrative assistant to
United States Senators Willis Smith and Alton Lennon,
executive director of the North Carolina Bankers
Association, member of the Raleigh City Council, and a
television and radio executive;
Whereas Jesse Alexander Helms, Jr., was elected to the
United States Senate in 1972, and served as Chairman of
the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the Senate
Agriculture Committee, ultimately serving five terms,
equal to the longest of any Senator from North Carolina;
Whereas Jesse Alexander Helms, Jr., was a leader against
Communism and became the first legislator of any nation to
address the United Nations Security Council;
Whereas Jesse Alexander Helms, Jr., was married for 65
years to Dorothy ``Dot'' Coble Helms, whom he termed his
``best friend'' and is the father of three children;
Whereas Jesse Alexander Helms, Jr., made invaluable
contributions to his community, State, Nation, and the
World;
Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate has heard with profound sorrow
and deep regret the announcement of the death of the
Honorable Jesse Alexander Helms, Jr., former Member of the
United States Senate.
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
in adjournment as a further mark of respect to the memory
of the Honorable Jesse Alexander Helms, Jr.
ADJOURNMENT UNTIL 10 A.M. TOMORROW
Ms. KLOBUCHAR. Mr. President, if there is no further
business to come before the Senate, I ask unanimous
consent that it stand adjourned as a further mark of
respect to the memory of former Senator Jesse Helms.
There being no objection, the Senate, at 7:05 p.m.,
adjourned until Tuesday, July 8, 2008, at 10 a.m.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
prayer
The Chaplain, Dr. Barry C. Black, offered the following
prayer:
Let us pray.
O maker of the seas and the Earth, speak to our hearts
today that we may cling to things that cannot fail. Speak
to our lawmakers that they may embrace Your purposes and
do Your will. Give them rest--not from labor but strength
for the work before them. And, God, we also ask You to
bless this land. Defend it from the forces that seek to
destroy our freedoms. May its citizens never forget that
``righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to
any people.''
Today, be with the family members of former Senator
Jesse Helms as they mourn his death. Give traveling
mercies to our Senators who will attend the funeral.
We pray in Your compassionate Name. Amen.
Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, I was saddened by the news
of the death of our former colleague, Jesse Helms of North
Carolina. It was a privilege to work with him when he
served as chairman of the Agriculture Committee. He was
always courteous and respectful of the interests of all of
the members of the committee. His conscientious efforts to
be fair and resourceful in achieving a consensus on the
provisions of legislation providing Federal Government
support for the producers of food and fiber were deeply
appreciated by me as a Senator from the State of
Mississippi, which is so heavily dependent on farming and
agribusiness.
I also admired his warmhearted and friendly manner. He
was the epitome of the Southern gentleman. He was forceful
and combative in his arguments in support of the issues he
believed in, and he was never afraid to say what he
thought, even though he knew he might not be supporting
the prevailing view.
His wife Dot was one of the most precious Senate Wives
Club members. My heartfelt sympathies go out to her and
all the members of the family of our departed colleague.
Mr. BROWNBACK. Mr. President, I rise to pay tribute to a
great patriot--and a good friend--who passed away on our
Nation's Independence Day.
It seems somehow so fitting that Senator Jesse Helms
should have left us on July 4, the anniversary of
America's foundational document. Senator Helms was, above
all else, a patriot who loved his country and the ideals
we embody as a Nation. And he spent his entire adult life
defending those ideals, beginning with his service in the
U.S. Navy in World War II.
Jesse always fought for what he believed in, even at
great personal--or political--cost. Two things friends and
foes alike acknowledged, and admired, about Senator Helms
were that you always knew where he stood and that his word
was as good as gold. He was a man of enormous integrity,
as all who dealt with him on a personal and professional
level can testify.
While he was a formidable politician, there were some
things that, for Jesse, were more important than political
success or winning elections.
He spent much of his three decades in the Senate
standing up for the principles he believed so deeply in,
even if that meant taking on powerful opposition,
sometimes in his own party. But as Jesse famously said,
``I didn't come to Washington to be a `yes man' for any
President, Democrat or Republican ... I didn't come to
Washington to get along and win any popularity contests.''
What he did win in Washington was the enduring affection
of people on both sides of the political aisle who found
that this tough-as-nails politician was also a gracious,
generous, compassionate human being. As Linda Chavez so
aptly said in tribute to Senator Helms, ``he took his
politics seriously, but he didn't use political
differences as an excuse for bad manners.'' He embodied
Southern charm, good manners, and courtliness. He seemed
to recognize that there is never a contradiction between
standing up strongly for your political and philosophical
principles and always treating people, including those who
disagree with you, in a way that always respects their
human dignity.
Nor was this just a public display of good manners--
Jesse Helms' Christian charity extended to his private
life as well. Having been active in the pro-life movement
for a long time I can't tell you how many times I have
heard the accusation that pro-lifers only care about life
from conception to birth--after that, they have no
interest in caring for their fellow human beings.
Well, suffice it to say that Senator Helms disproved
this caricature. Jesse and his wife Dot were always what I
like to call ``pro-life and whole-life.'' In 1963, after
21 years of marriage, they adopted a disabled child, their
son Charles, after they read a newspaper article in which
the child, who was 9 at the time, wished for a mother and
a father for Christmas. Senator Helms never used adopting
a child with cerebral palsy to soften his image as a hard,
uncaring rightwing ideologue--in fact, he refused to talk
about it in interviews. But Charles was, he said, a great
blessing and was the center of his family. He served for
years on the boards of private charities to help others
with cerebral palsy.
For those young people who had the opportunity to work
with him, he was a wonderful mentor. More than anything
else, he loved to talk to young people, give them guidance
and encouragement, and show them the ropes of public
service. Those who knew the dynamics of his office
testified that he was always more accessible to young
people than he was to high-powered lobbyists. One of his
great legacies is the Jesse Helms Center near his hometown
of Monroe, NC, an organization centered on young people
and dedicated to assuring that future generations fully
understand and appreciate the blessings and opportunities
of this great country.
What is perhaps most obvious about Senator Helms was
that he was, simply put, a political giant. He was among
the first to take up the pro-life cause in Congress, and
his dedication to that cause never wavered. He was a
lifelong opponent of Communist tyranny, and his leadership
in key cold war battles was indispensable. Ronald Reagan
never could have achieved all that he did without Senator
Helms' strong and steady leadership as chairman of the
Foreign Relations Committee.
And that was not all the Reagan revolution owed to Jesse
Helms. Like Ronald Reagan, he left the Democratic Party
after many years as a Democrat because he believed it no
longer embodied the principles he believed in. He was on
the cutting edge of transforming the solid South from the
Roosevelt coalition to the Reagan coalition. His support
for Ronald Reagan in his State's primary in 1976 was the
key to Reagan's victory, and the beginning of the revival
of his fortunes that led to the Reagan landslides of 1980
and 1984.
Senator Helms' political leadership will be missed, but
his impact on our Nation will remain as his lasting
legacy. We mourn the passing of this great American, and
we offer our heartfelt condolences to his family, his
friends, and to the people of his beloved North Carolina
and across the Nation who loved him.
Mr. DODD. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that
the tributes to Senator Helms in the Congressional Record
be printed as a Senate document and that Senators be
permitted to submit statements for inclusion until August
1.
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, on one other item,
yesterday we said goodbye to our former colleague, Senator
Jesse Helms. A significant number of our colleagues were
in attendance at the funeral in Raleigh. Since his passing
was expected, we certainly did not suffer from shock. It
was anticipated that our friend and colleague would soon
pass away, so in many respects it was a celebration of the
life of a unique and great American.
I was honored by Mrs. Helms to be asked to do one of the
eulogies at the funeral yesterday. I ask that my remarks
be printed in the Record for any of our colleagues who
might want to see what I had to say on behalf of our
friend and colleague yesterday as we bid him farewell.
I ask unanimous consent to have those remarks printed in
the Record.
There being no objection, the material was ordered to be
printed in the Record, as follows:
Memorial Service of Senator Jesse Helms
Remarks of U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell
July 8, 2008
Dot, Jane, Nancy, Charles, members of the Helms family,
Mr. Vice President, Senate colleagues, Reverend Bodkin,
distinguished guests, and friends of Jesse Alexander
Helms.
Many good things have been said about Jesse Helms since
he left us early Friday morning. And none, I think, was
more true than a note that was sent to the Helms Center
over the weekend. ``He was caring about those he knew and
didn't know,'' it said. ``He wanted others to succeed.''
In the Senate, he always sought them out. Whether it was
the schoolchildren that he met with by the thousands; the
staff members he didn't call staff, but family--the Helms
Senate family; or the Senate pages he would always stop to
talk to, and who would send him notes later on in life to
thank him for a kindness, a word of encouragement, or to
show him pictures of a newborn baby.
Over the years, anyone who passed by Jesse Helms in the
Capitol, or worked in his office, would remember him as
one of the kindest men they ever knew. No matter who you
were, he always had a thoughtful word and a gentle smile.
He put duty above all else--duty to God, to country, and
to family, yes--but also a duty that's often overlooked:
the simple duty of treating other people well.
He never let the seriousness of his job in the Senate
become an excuse for pretense.
Just ask the Senators who always had to make room for
Jesse's constituents on the Senators-only elevators. Or
the tourists from all the other States who noticed that
Senator Helms always put visitors from North Carolina at
the front of the Senate subway car when he rode with them.
Or the constituents who weren't even from North Carolina,
but who could always count on the Helms Senate family to
help if their own Representatives didn't. Their boss
always made sure of it.
One of the more notable features of being a Member of
the U.S. Senate is that you get to see how different the
public image of certain well-known Senators is from the
men and women you actually get to know as colleagues and
as friends. No one seemed to suffer more from this
peculiar disconnect than Jesse Helms. And no one seemed to
care about it less.
I remember walking into his office for the first time
and being disarmed by his kindness, and then stepping into
his private office and being disarmed again at seeing an
entire wall covered with some of the nastiest political
cartoons I'd ever seen. Every one was critical of Jesse.
And he loved them. Visitors would come into his office,
look at the wall, look back at Jesse, and he'd just smile.
There was a lesson here: You can let your adversaries
beat you down, or you can let it roll off your back. Jesse
taught many of us to do the latter, and we were grateful
for the advice.
Staffers learned how to deal with the critics too. One
time, after a particularly harsh editorial in the New York
Times, a new Helms staffer dashed off a harsh response and
brought it in to the boss for his review. Jesse read it,
patted the young man on the shoulder, and said, ``Son,
just so you understand: I don't care what the New York
Times says about me.''
He had a kind of preternatural calm about what other
people said. But for Jesse, standing on principle and
fighting back in defense of one's views was never to be
confused with animosity for one's adversaries. Political
disagreements were never a reason to treat others badly.
As one of his Democratic colleagues put it over the
weekend: ``He was always a gentleman.''
When he fought back, he did it in the most effective way
he knew how. Nobody knew the rules of the Senate better
than Jesse Helms, and no one used them against his
adversaries to more frustrating effect. There's a saying
in Washington: Whenever a Member of Congress looks into
the mirror, he sees a future President. But Jesse Helms
was always an exception to the rule. He never saw himself
as anything other than a Senator. And he played the role
masterfully.
Of course, there was one person whose opinion did
matter. And, as I recall, she was never one to hold back.
If Jesse gave a speech that was a little too long, he'd be
sure to hear about it in the car ride home. And, unlike
the editorial writers, Jesse always took Dot's wise
counsel to heart.
It's ironic, of course, that Jesse Helms would find his
wife in a newsroom--ironic that someone who had so little
use for newspapers would have started out at one. But he
always remembered those early days at the News & Observer
fondly. He remembered that the best path to his desk was
the path that led him past Dorothy Coble's desk.
He took that path often. And soon enough, he and Dot
were covering the news together, and becoming close
friends over late-night steak dinners at the Hollywood
Cafe. Decades later, looking back on all the state dinners
and all the visits from various dignitaries and world
leaders, Jesse would say those dinners with Dot at the
Hollywood Cafe were, for him, the most memorable.
Dot, you had the perfect partnership. We miss you in
Washington. And we honor you today too, for your devotion
and your strength, especially in these last years, which
haven't been easy, we know.
Jesse Helms was not above sharing the secret of his
success with anyone who asked.
One time, a college student who admired him called his
office on a whim to see if Senator Helms would be willing
to speak to a college group he ran. The boy was shocked
when Senator Helms himself cut in on the phone line and
said, ``I'll do it.'' But he was shocked even more when,
on the day of the speech, he asked Senator Helms for the
one piece of advice he'd give a young man just starting
out in politics. ``Son, find yourself a good wife.''
It has been noted by many others how fitting it should
be for a man who spent his entire adult life talking about
the ``miracle of America'' to pass away on Independence
Day. It was no less fitting, I should think, for a man who
did so much to promote the vision of the American Founding
Fathers to have come from as modest a background as so
many of the men who secured it in battle.
That too, of course, has always been a part of the
Miracle of America: that an army of castaways, one-third
of whom didn't even have shoes, could defeat the British
Army. That a boy from Kentucky whose father couldn't even
sign his own name would go on to write the words of the
Gettysburg Address. Or that a policeman's son from Monroe,
NC, could, in his own time, have such a powerful effect on
the course of human events. Jesse Helms rose the way so
many others in our country have from its earliest days,
not by inheriting something, but by building something.
He was a product of the public schools, but his most
important education came from the home. In the Helms
household, Jesse said, it was not uncommon for him to wake
up and find his mother cooking breakfast for the hobos
that his father had rounded up the night before. And on
Sundays, the whole family would worship together at the
First Baptist Church on Main Street in Monroe.
It was the kind of home where a young boy could learn a
boundless hope in the promise of America. It was the kind
of place where a young boy could learn about the
importance of strong principles, and the importance of
fighting for them, regardless of the personal cost.
I remember once, as a young Senator, walking into the
Republican cloakroom, and seeing what that kind of
tenacity looked like: a lone Senator, sitting in the
corner. Jesse had put the rest of us in some parliamentary
tangle about one thing or another. He'd ground the place
to a halt. And he was completely comfortable with the
whole situation. It was truly something to behold.
Once, after a disastrous early battle in the
Revolutionary War, John Adams was asked for an
explanation. ``In general,'' he said, ``their generals
outgeneraled our generals.'' For the last three decades of
the 20th century, the same would never be said of a
certain North Carolina lawmaker whenever he decided to
take on an issue in the U.S. Senate. Jesse Helms always
held his ground.
Many others who never saw Jesse Helms on the Senate
floor have noted with admiration the same qualities over
these past days. One man from Florida wrote that Cuban
Americans will never forget his staunch opposition to the
Castro regime. And one of Jesse's many unlikely friends on
the international stage, Bono, left a tribute at the Helms
Center that many men could only dream of.
``Give Dot and the family my love,'' it said. ``And tell
them there are two million people alive today in Africa
because Jesse Helms did the right thing.''
Today, we are sad at the passing of our friend, but we
are consoled by the promises of a God he loved. Jesse
Helms was once asked whether he had any ambitions beyond
the Senate. ``The only thing I am running for,'' he said,
``is the Kingdom of Heaven.''
Now that day which comes to all of us has come for Jesse
Helms. And we are confident that he has heard those words
he longed to hear: ``Well done, good and faithful servant
... Come and share in your Master's joy.''
Mrs. DOLE. Madam President, yesterday, hundreds of
people from all walks of life and across the political
spectrum traveled from near and far to Hayes Barton
Baptist Church in Raleigh, NC, to pay their final respects
to U.S. Senator Jesse Helms and to express condolences to
his beloved wife, Dot, and their family.
In the days since Jesse's July 4 passing, we have heard
it said by many: ``You knew where Jesse Helms stood.'' As
my husband, Bob Dole said, ``You didn't have to look under
the table. You always knew where Jesse was.''
Even those who disagreed with Jesse on an issue could
respect the fact that he always stood tall and firm--for
his convictions, his faith, his family, his home State of
North Carolina, and the United States of America.
When I announced that I was running to succeed Senator
Helms--and I have always said ``succeed'' him because no
one could replace him--I pledged to continue his
commitment to constituent service that was second to none.
He helped thousands upon thousands of North Carolinians,
Democrats, Republicans, and Independents alike. No problem
was too small or too great for Jesse and his staff to take
on during his 30 years of service for the people of our
State and the Nation.
I can still hear my father saying, ``Jesse Helms is our
watchdog. He's a relentless watchdog for North Carolina
and for America!'' And Jesse often recalled that my mother
was in the front row at his very first rally in Rowan
County. Through the years, Jesse unfailingly phoned my
mother on her May 22 birthday, and she lived to be just 4
months short of 103 years old. In fact, Jesse would often
stay late at his Senate office, making thoughtful phone
calls and writing personal letters to constituents,
colleagues, and friends.
For all his small gestures of kindness and his great
acts of service, Jesse Helms was not driven by self-
serving motives. He did not seek recognition for good
deeds, or public acclaim for success. Jesse shunned the
spotlight of the Sunday morning talk shows. The people he
served from North Carolina, he said, weren't watching,
they, like he and Dot, were in church.
In 1997, Fred Barnes wrote a piece in the Weekly
Standard that proclaimed: ``Next to Ronald Reagan, Jesse
Helms is the most important conservative of the last 25
years ... and the most inner-directed person in
Washington.'' And Fred adds, ``No conservative save Reagan
comes close to matching Helms' influence on American
politics and policy in the quarter century since he won a
Senate seat in North Carolina.'' Of course many have said
that President Reagan might never have been elected at all
without the help of Jesse Helms in the 1976 North Carolina
primary--a win most pundits credit with rejuvenating the
Reagan campaign--and setting Ronald Reagan up to win the
nomination 4 years later.
On the national political stage, Jesse Helms was known
by both fans and critics as a tough-as-nails Senator who
was a relentless fighter for the causes he believed in. A
master of the Senate rules, he would use them to call up
votes that required his colleagues to go on the record on
difficult issues. He believed the American people were
entitled to know their representatives' positions. But it
was Jesse's kindness to Senate employees, his pride in his
staff and his love for helping youngsters that made him
absolutely legendary. He would ask the Senate pages,
``Would you like to go down and have some ice cream in the
Senate Dining Room?'' Imagine the thrill for these young
people when the renowned chairman of the Senate Foreign
Relations Committee took time out to sit down and talk
with them over ice cream.
A gentleman always, Jesse was known for his civility
among his colleagues, the elevator operators, the Capitol
Hill police, and all who worked throughout the Capitol.
This past Monday evening, the Senate approved a
resolution--cosponsored by all 100 Senators--honoring the
life, career, and great achievements of Jesse Alexander
Helms, Jr. His public career certainly yielded many
notable accomplishments--as a leader in the fight against
communism, as a staunch protector of U.S. sovereignty, as
a reformer of the United Nations, and as the first
legislator of any nation to address the United Nations
Security Council.
That said, in keeping with Jesse's character and his own
commitment to himself not to become a ``big-shot
Senator,'' he would probably like for us to consider that
his greatest accomplishments were in his roles as husband,
father, grandfather, and friend.
My husband Bob and I are forever grateful that we were
able to call Jesse Helms a friend and colleague for so
many years, and we extend our deepest sympathies to the
Helms family in this difficult time.
Mr. BURR. Madam President, I rise to honor a friend, a
mentor, and a colleague I thought was a true statesman. I
mourn the passing of one of North Carolina's greatest
sons, Senator Jesse Helms. Senator Helms passed away last
Friday, the Fourth of July, a very fitting day for Senator
Helms to leave because of his deep belief in the
independence of this country, in the liberties and
freedoms we have.
It says a lot when you can simply mention a man's first
name in his home State and everyone knows exactly who you
are talking about. Jesse, as most North Carolinians
referred to him, was a true gentleman. He was a good man
who fought hard for what he believed in. Some core
principles--free enterprise, traditional values, and a
strong national defense--guided his 30 years of service in
this institution, the Senate. He never relented in his
pursuit to defend his beliefs or to stand up for his
constituents, and he wouldn't shy away from an unpopular
idea. Jesse Helms was a fearless, honest man who was
considered by all who actually knew him as a true patriot.
Those he served with on both sides of the aisle considered
him one of the most influential Members to enter service
in this body. You may not have agreed with him on every
issue or any issue, and you may have been disappointed by
some of the positions he took, but he was respectful, a
soft-spoken man with an impeccable character and a
professional and personal integrity that could never, ever
be challenged.
It speaks volumes that one of his closest friends among
his colleagues was the late Paul Wellstone of Minnesota.
Both men were, to borrow from Senator Helms' description
of Senator Wellstone, ``courageous defenders of what they
believed.''
Senator Helms harbored honored qualities that today too
often are taken for granted. If Jesse Helms looked you in
the eye and gave you his word, you could count on him to
deliver. Jesse's word was better than any written
agreement or signed contract. He was a man you could trust
when you shook his hand.
Certainly, a contributor to these qualities was his
humble origins in the small town of Monroe, NC. I can
speak for days attempting to describe the full impact that
Senator Helms had on my home State of North Carolina and
the impact he had on this great Nation. But Jesse Helms
was more than a champion of one State or one Nation. He
was a global force and was always willing to stand up to
oppressive governments, dictatorships, and ineffective
international organizations. Some of the more
controversial positions he voiced during the course of his
career might have clouded the mammoth change his service
to our Nation brought to the entire world.
As chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, he
wasn't afraid to boldly speak his mind in the interest of
defeating international tyranny, promoting U.S.
sovereignty, and solidifying our Nation's place as the
leader of the free world. His global influence is still
noticeable in many ways within the international arena.
Among his historic accomplishments were his tireless
efforts toward the much-needed reforms of the United
Nations. For a legislator, Jesse wielded a unique
international prominence that was proven when he was
invited to be the first legislator from any nation to
address the United Nations Security Council. Through his
service, Jesse made our country safer. But his passion for
protecting our national security, assuring our global
distinction, and preserving our valuable individual
democratic freedoms ran much deeper than his broad foreign
policy work might suggest.
One of Jesse's most impressive qualities was that he
never lost sight of his role in Washington. He knew that
as Senators, we are sent here to serve the constituents of
our home States, not with the power of the position. Jesse
Helms focused his most unwavering efforts toward seeing
every single one of the constituents who contacted his
office. It is a path I have endeavored to follow, and I am
grateful to him for having provided that model. If you
were from North Carolina and you had a question you wanted
answered by the Federal Government, Jesse would get you
the answer. It didn't matter what your political
affiliation happened to be or who you supported in an
election. Jesse Helms mastered the art of constituent
service. It wasn't unusual for him to pick up the phone
himself, call a civil servant at a Federal agency working
on a particular piece of case work that was lingering
unresolved, and directly ask for an answer himself. That
is the kind of man Senator Helms was. He wasn't interested
in the rank-and-file bureaucratic hierarchy of the Federal
Government. He wanted answers to questions, questions that
his hardworking, Federal tax-paying constituents had. So
in his gentle and respectful tone, he would simply ask for
an answer.
Constituents knew they could turn to their home State
Senator to solve their problems. Even if they disagreed
with Jesse's politics, they knew he would help them. It
will surprise no one who reads his memoirs that he
dedicates an entire chapter to constituent service. I read
it as a tribute to those who worked for Senator Helms on
behalf of North Carolina for so many years. The stories
about his focus on constituent service sound almost
legendary. I am sure many of my colleagues, and no doubt a
number of North Carolinians, have heard the one about two
liberals chatting about the problem one of them was having
in getting a Federal agency to respond to a question of
one kind or another. It could have been about a problem
with a Social Security check or a disability payment or
any of the hundred other things that congressional offices
deal with on behalf of their constituents on a daily
basis.
One was complaining to the other that they were at the
end of their rope. They are tired of everything, including
their Congressional Representative. The other one listened
intently, nodding in sympathy with the plight of their
friend. When the friend was done talking, the other
thought for a moment and finally said: ``I hate to say it,
but it is time for you to call Jesse.''
When it came to constituent service, ``Senator No,'' as
he was often referred to by his critics, was more often
than not actually ``Senator Yes.''
John Wooden, the great basketball coach, once said:
``You can't live a perfect day without doing something for
someone who will never be able to repay you.'' Jesse Helms
lived his days in the Senate by that creed.
Senator Helms proved that you do not need to win by a
landslide to make policy or to make a difference. As he
might put it, he campaigned and legislated based upon his
principles rather than his preferences. Those principles
and his constituents guided his public service. He was
successful in his work, however, because of his
willingness to take a stand.
Much has been made, of course, about Jesse Helms' stands
against programs and spending that he felt were misguided
or were not a proper responsibility of the Federal
Government. Those stands had a tendency to be
misunderstood. If you did not know where Senator Helms
stood on an issue, it was probably because you did not
ask.
Madam President, today I thank Jesse Helms. I thank
Senator Helms for his service, for his leadership, for the
fact that he was willing to take a stand, a stand that was
not popular every time, a stand that he believed was
right, not because of any political influence but because
of what he understood this job to be about.
Jesse Helms today enters a house that I think he looked
forward to being in. It is not the House of Congress. But
truly, Jesse Helms was greeted with the sound of angels
and the words ``good job.''
Today, our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Dot
and their entire family. His Senate colleagues miss him.
But the Senate is a much better institution today for the
30 years of service of Senator Jesse Alexander Helms, Jr.
Madam President, I yield the floor.
Mr. BYRD. Madam President, back in the 1960s, Jesse
Helms was the commentator for WRAL radio in North
Carolina, and on his radio program he offered me support
and comfort for some controversial views which I held at
the time.
Although he had worked as a staffer for two different
Senators, as far as I knew, Jesse Helms and I had never
met. But there he was, in Raleigh, NC, in a series of
radio commentaries, defending my right to take positions
based on my personal convictions and values. He said I was
a Senator whose ``greatest strength'' was my ``dedicated
independence of thought and action.'' I was a Senator who
was ``neither easily frightened nor intimidated.'' A
Senator who always ``stood up for what he regards as
important.''
I appreciated his support during those trying times. I
never forgot it.
Therefore, when Jesse Helms was elected to the Senate in
1972, it seemed that we were already well acquainted. We
became friends as we came to know each other, and to
respect each other.
Jesse Helms was a courtly Southern gentleman of the
first order, a product of the South and his beloved North
Carolina, which happens to be my native State. Jesse Helms
was also a deeply religious man of integrity, honesty, and
patriotism.
He believed in the Constitution. He believed in the
Senate as an institution and in its premier place in our
government. Senator Helms was one of those rare Senators
who was never looking for another office. He wanted to be
a Senator. He was grateful to be able to serve the people
of North Carolina and the United States in this Chamber.
And he certainly made his presence felt here in the U.S.
Senate. During his years in the Senate, he served as
chairman of the Senate Agricultural Committee and the
Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
More than once, Senator Helms was the singular ``no''
vote on a particular matter, for example, the Frank
Carlucci nomination as Secretary of Defense, November 20,
1987, 91 to 1: Elementary and Secondary Education
Improvement Act of 1987, December 1, 1987, 97 to 1, S.
373. He proudly wore his well earned title of ``Senator
No.''
No matter what the press said, no matter what the
pundits were saying, no matter what even his colleagues
were saying, he never wavered in his convictions. The
``paramount thing'' for political leaders, Senator Helms
once explained, ``is whether a man believes in [his]
principles ... and whether he is willing to stand up for
them, win or lose.''
Consequently, we always knew where Senator Helms stood.
Take an issue--abortion, prayer in school, Presidential
nominations, reducing the deficit, taxes, government
waste, the future of this country--if you did not already
know where he stood, he was always ready to tell you.
Some of his positions were unpopular. Some of them
seemed extreme and doomed from the start.
But his differences with his Senate colleagues were
always political, not personal. They were differences of
opinions, not of heart.
Madam President, I express my most heartfelt condolences
to the family and friends of this extraordinary Senator.
Mrs. HUTCHISON. Madam President, I wish to pay tribute
to the memory of our former colleague, Senator Jesse
Helms, who passed away, fittingly, on Independence Day, a
day which meant so much to him.
A great deal has been written and said about Senator
Helms. He was a man who provoked strong feelings--both pro
and con--and he enjoyed being the subject of spirited
discussions.
It is well known and well told that Senator Helms could
be, and often was, a tough opponent but also could be and
often was an invaluable ally.
He was a man of strongly held, deeply held views and was
never hesitant to share those views with the rest of the
Senate.
But it is less well known that Jesse Helms was a kind
and considerate colleague. Fifteen years ago, he welcomed
a new Member from Texas into the Senate. I always
appreciated his advice and his love of the Senate as an
institution.
Jesse Helms began as an editor at a newspaper in North
Carolina and then went to a TV station in Raleigh. It was
the notoriety which he gained from being a TV commentator
which led him to the U.S. Senate.
Today we have many former colleagues who started in the
U.S. Senate and are now TV commentators. It was typical of
Jesse to do it the opposite way.
He once said of his career in the Senate, ``I would like
to be remembered as a fella who did the best he could and
didn't back down when he thought he was right.''
Jesse Helms was a man who had the courage to stand
against the often transient winds of political
convenience. He wasn't always right. He was right a good
part of the time, but he was always Jesse.
Mr. FEINGOLD. Mr. President, everyone in this Chamber is
saddened by the loss of our former colleague from North
Carolina, Jesse Helms. Many of us served with him, and
know how dedicated a public servant he was. I didn't
always agree with him; in fact, we disagreed much of the
time. But one of the many wonderful things about working
in the Senate is finding ways to work together with
colleagues who have very different beliefs and goals for
the good of the country.
Senator Helms and I shared a commitment to ensuring that
the United States only entered into trade agreements that
are fair to the hardworking men and women of this country.
I appreciated his commitment to that issue, and I was
pleased to work with him to support fair trade.
I also served with Senator Helms as a member of the
Senate's Foreign Relations Committee. He served as
chairman for many years, and during that time we also
found common ground on the issue of most-favored-nation,
MFN, status for China. Senator Helms and I worked together
in opposition to granting MFN status to a country with
such gross human rights violations. Together, we led the
fight against MFN because it ignored the appalling human
rights abuses in China, and abdicated the Senate's
responsibility to exert pressure on the Chinese Government
to improve its record on human rights.
In the wake of Senator Helms' passing, people will
remember him for the many different things he accomplished
in his lifetime. I add these memories to those
remembrances of Senator Helms, who led such a full life
inside and outside of public service. My thoughts are with
his family, and the people of North Carolina he served
with such dedication for 30 years.
Mr. BUNNING. Madam President, I would like to pay
tribute to a friend and great American Senator who,
fittingly, left us on the Fourth of July--the same day as
two of our Nation's Founders: Thomas Jefferson and John
Adams--at the age of 86.
In terms of a U.S. Senator, Jesse Helms was a
heavyweight. Jesse Helms was relentless in his fight to
defend the ideals that embody America. And no matter what
policy Jesse Helms was defending during a debate, everyone
could agree on one thing: you always knew where he stood
and that he was a man of his word. A devoted and outspoken
conservative, his principles of small government and
individual freedom served as an international microphone
for American creed during the cold war and beyond.
While Jesse's political life was open to everyone, I had
the distinct honor of knowing him on a personal level. In
1998, after serving in the U.S. House of Representatives
for over a decade, I came to the Senate and was quickly
greeted by Senator Helms--apparently Senator Helms knew a
conservative when he saw one. As someone who shared many
of the same philosophical views as Jesse Helms, we would
often discuss contentious issues that arose before the
Senate. During these moments I realized that behind his
hard public image, Jesse Helms was one of the most
compassionate and sincere men I had ever met. This
affectionate and friendly attitude brought out the
Southern gentleman whom we all loved.
I will miss Senator Helms' political leadership, but I
am happy his impact on our country lives on. Mary and I
send our thoughts and prayers to his wife Dot and their
family as they mourn for their loss and remember an
extraordinary life.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Mr. HAGEL. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to
our friend and former colleague, Senator Jesse Helms of
North Carolina. When Senator Helms passed away on the
Fourth of July, our country lost a patriot and a strong
conservative voice.
Senator Helms' life was about public service. During
World War II, he served in the U.S. Navy, where he first
developed his commitment to a strong U.S. military and
America's security at home and abroad. He served in a
number of public roles in Washington, DC, and in his home
State of North Carolina, and in 1972 was elected to the
U.S. Senate--a position he held for five consecutive
terms.
Senator Helms was chairman of the Senate Foreign
Relations Committee when I came to the Senate in 1996,
where I have served for 12 years. As chairman, he
consistently maintained a powerful and determined voice in
his efforts to strengthen America. I will always be
grateful for his many personal courtesies and his constant
encouragement and assistance over the 6 years that we
worked together.
Senator Helms was outspoken, strong-minded, and
unwavering in his beliefs. He was a leader who will be
missed. Lilibet and I extend our thoughts and prayers to
Jesse's widow and our friend Dot and his wonderful family.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Mr. KYL. Mr. President, I wish to pay tribute to my late
colleague, Senator Jesse Helms of North Carolina. Other
Senators have spoken at length in remembrance of our
friend, recalling the man and his many accomplishments in
this body. It was wonderful to hear the tributes by
friends and family at his services in Raleigh, NC.
It was my good fortune to come to the Senate when
Senator Helms was leading a lot of fights for a strong
America. Senator Helms took charge of the Foreign
Relations Committee at the same time I arrived in the
Senate. From that perch as chairman, he steadfastly
defended the Nation's interests. Senator Helms relished
defending his principles, and I am sure he enjoyed his
victories.
One such victory in this body is of particular note to
me, for I was privileged to play a part in it. In 1999, in
Senator Helms' fifth and final term in office, the
Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty was before the Senate, and
it was poised for ratification. But, with his support and
blessing, I helped secure the votes to defeat the treaty,
and it fell far short of the two-thirds vote that had at
one time seemed assured.
That is but one of the many victories for U.S. national
security in which Jesse Helms was involved in his three
decades in the Senate.
Senator Helms fought some of most contentious and
courageous fights in the Senate on issues of profound
significance. Yet even when the stakes were so high that
they involved preserving and safeguarding this Nation,
Senator Helms remained unfailingly courteous. He held to
his principles even when they were not popular, but he did
so in a way that did not damage friendships.
My wife Caryll and I offer our sympathies to Jesse's
wife Dot and their family. Senator Helms took the
positions he judged to be right and he didn't flinch. He
was a kind and gentle man who deeply believed in his
country, his family, and his God.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Mr. INOUYE. Madam President, I was saddened by the news
of the death of our former colleague, Jesse Helms of North
Carolina.
He was a man of strong convictions, even if it meant
being in opposition of his own party. He fought for what
he believed, and he stood by his word. It was a privilege
to work with Senator Helms, even though we disagreed on
policy matters we were able to do what we could for the
love of our country.
Madam President, I ask my colleagues to join me in
paying tribute to this magnificent Senator, a great
American, and a true patriot. He will be missed.
Mr. SHELBY. Madam President, I rise today to pay tribute
to my honorable colleague, Senator Jesse Helms. North
Carolina's longest serving popularly elected Senator,
Jesse was a good friend and a true conservative. I join
the entire Nation in mourning his passing.
Jesse was born in Monroe, NC, on October 18, 1921. He
attended Wingate University and Wake Forest University and
had a successful career in newspapers, first as a sports
reporter for the Raleigh Times and later as the paper's
city news editor. He also served as a recruiter for the
U.S. Navy during World War II and worked in radio and
television.
In the 1950s Helms began to pursue his interest in
politics, working on Willis Smith's U.S. Senate campaign
and later in his Senate office. Helms also worked on
Senator Richard Russell's Presidential campaign and I.
Beverly Lake, Sr.'s gubernatorial campaign. After these
efforts, Jesse went back to journalism serving as the
Capitol Broadcasting Company's executive vice president,
vice chairman of the board and assistant chief executive
officer. From these positions, Jesse gained local
celebrity as a conservative commentator on the Raleigh-
based TV station.
His notoriety in the area led to a 4-year position on
the Raleigh City Council. Jesse remained at the Capitol
Broadcasting Company until 1972, when he became the first
Republican elected to the Senate from North Carolina in
the 20th century. Jesse served North Carolina well as
chairman of both the Agriculture and Foreign Relations
Committees. While in the Senate, Jesse was a conservative
leader who worked tirelessly for small government, sound
foreign policy, and strong communities.
After serving five terms in the U.S. Senate, Jesse
retired and returned to North Carolina, where he wrote and
published his memoir, ``Here's Where I Stand.'' He also
continued his work with the Jesse Helms Center, a
nonprofit organization started in 1987 to promote the
principles Jesse felt so strongly about--democracy, free
enterprise, and strong values.
In my time with Jesse in the Senate, I knew him to be
honest, hardworking, and committed to the people of North
Carolina and this Nation. It is fitting that he passed
away on Independence Day, as Jesse was certainly an
independent man who loved this country and the values for
which it stands.
Jesse is loved and will be missed by his wife of 66
years, Dorothy; his son Charles; his two daughters, Jane
and Nancy; and seven grandchildren. He was an inspiration
to many and will be remembered for his dedication and many
contributions to North Carolina and this Nation. I ask the
entire Senate to join me in recognizing and honoring the
life of Jesse Helms.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Mr. CORKER. Mr. President, today we remember and
celebrate the life of the great Senator from North
Carolina, Jesse Helms.
Senator Helms dedicated much of his life to serving his
country and the people of North Carolina. He developed a
lasting legacy as a man who held to his convictions and
championed the causes he believed in so deeply.
He began his career in the U.S. Navy during World War
II, where he was assigned as a recruiter. After the war,
he became involved in North Carolina politics and
campaigned for Senator Willis Smith, later serving on his
staff. Senator Helms continued to establish himself,
working as a political commentator for local Raleigh
newspapers and radio stations. In 1957, Senator Helms was
elected to the Raleigh City Council, where he served with
the same conviction that he would later bring to the
Senate.
He was first elected to the Senate in 1972 and was
reelected four more times, making him the longest serving
U.S. Senator in North Carolina history. He quickly became
known for his unfailing dedication to upholding
traditional American values and protecting freedom. He
said, ``The challenge is always before us. Whenever we
lose sight of the principles that mattered to our Founders
we run into trouble.''
During his tenure in the Senate, Helms served on the
Senate Foreign Relations Committee and was chairman from
1995 to 2001. Under his leadership, the committee played a
powerful role in setting U.S. foreign policy.
Senator Helms will be greatly missed and remembered as
one of the most influential Senators of his time.
Friday, July 25, 2008
Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, I rise to speak today about
former Senator Jesse Helms, who passed away on July 4,
2008, at the age of 86. I knew Senator Helms well, and I
am sure I am joined by many of my colleagues in saying
that he will be missed.
Senator Helms was born in Monroe, NC, in 1921. His first
full-time job was as a sportswriter for the Raleigh Times.
After serving as a recruiter for the U.S. Navy during
World War II, Senator Helms became the city news editor
for the Times before moving on to do journalistic work in
both radio and television. In 1960 he began working at the
Capitol Broadcasting Company in Raleigh as the executive
vice president, vice chairman of the board, and assistant
CEO. He became famous in his home State for his daily CBC
editorials, which featured his now-famous Southern
anecdotes occasionally laced with his sometimes
provocative political views.
Prior to coming to the Senate, Senator Helms' only
political experience consisted of two terms on the Raleigh
City Council. However, in 1972, Senator Helms became the
first Republican Senator elected from North Carolina in
the 20th century, replacing the retiring Senator B.
Everett Jordan.
During his three-decade tenure in the Senate, Jesse
became known as one of the Chamber's staunchest
conservatives. His refusal to compromise on his beliefs
was the source of both his greatest strength as a
legislator and, as I am sure some would argue, his
greatest weakness. Indeed, I don't think there are any of
us who served alongside Senator Helms who did not, at one
time or another, find themselves in a disagreement with
him.
However, while I didn't always agree with Jesse, I do
have a number of fond personal memories of him.
For example, when I first came to the Senate in 1977,
Senator Helms was nearing the end of his first term. About
3 months into that first session, still becoming
acclimated to life in the Senate, I took a few moments to
write down some of my early impressions of my fellow
Senators. About Jesse, I wrote that he was ``one of the
dearest people in the Senate,'' and that he had always
treated me with kindness and respect. I also noticed that,
despite having a reputation for being an unmovable
conservative, he had a knowledge of parliamentary
procedure and tactics that was virtually unmatched.
A couple years later, I witnessed this knowledge first
hand when Senator Helms and I found ourselves on the same
side of the debate over what was being called a ``labor
reform'' bill. Sadly, as I was working with a number of my
colleagues to sustain a filibuster against this
unabashedly radically liberal pro-union legislation, our
friend Senator James Allen passed away. While we were all
saddened by the loss of our dear friend, at the back of
our minds we were worried that, without Senator Allen's
mastery of Senate procedure, our efforts might fail.
However, Senator Helms stepped up and provided much-needed
insight, helping us to block this harmful legislation. At
one point during this debate, while many of us were
worried about the strength of the filibuster, Senator
Helms assured us, saying that we would keep the necessary
Senators on the floor ``if they have to wear their pajamas
and bedroom slippers.''
I believe we were all surprised during the latter part
of Senator Helms' tenure when he coauthored the landmark
2002 legislation authorizing funds that were, at that
time, unparalleled for international AIDS relief. Many of
his colleagues, including myself, had sparred with Jesse
over providing support for AIDS relief and research. But,
in those last few months of his Senate career, I believe
he showed the world that, while he wasn't always the most
agreeable of politicians, he was a compassionate man who
was committed to doing what he thought was right.
Mr. President, I want to extend my deepest sympathies to
the Helms family. As I said, Jesse and I did not always
agree on the issues before the Senate, but I can say,
without reservation, that he was a dedicated public
servant and dear friend to those of us who knew him well.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute
to a fellow Senator, a friend, and a true Southern
gentleman, Senator Jesse Helms, who passed away on July 4,
2008. He was a man resolute in his beliefs. I have heard
many say here in the Senate, as well as outside the
Capitol Grounds, that regardless of what you thought about
his position or opinion, you always respected Senator
Helms for standing up for what he believed.
As a master of the Senate parliamentary procedures, he
did not hesitate to use this knowledge as a tool when he
thought it was necessary to get his point across. While
inevitably these tactics might have frustrated some of his
colleagues from time to time, Senators couldn't help but
marvel at his courageous defense of his beliefs, and they
never doubted that Senator Helms would treat them with
respect. I have heard from those close to Senator Helms,
and experienced it myself, that he was true to his belief
that standing up and defending one's opinion was never to
be confused with, or provided a reason for, animosity
toward one's opponents.
His kindness and respect did not stop with his
colleagues in the Senate. Senator Helms was a true
advocate that Senators were here to represent and serve
their constituents regardless of any party affiliation,
and his office was known for its impeccable constituent
services. His beliefs and service to his fellow citizens
not only endeared him to those he served or those he
served with, but also to those that had the privilege to
serve on his staff. I don't think he even referred to them
as his staff but as his Senate family--the Helms Senate
family.
His dedication to his staff is exemplified by the number
of his staffers who went on to serve in important
positions in Federal and State government and in the
private sector, having been ``tutored and trained'' in the
discipline of Senator Helms. An excellent example is
Robert Wilkie, now serving in the Defense Department as
Assistant Secretary for Legislative Affairs.
Respect for Senator Helms extends well beyond these
Senate halls to across the globe. Senator Helms'
experience with foreign policy started with his service in
the U.S. Navy during World War II and continued with his
efforts to reform the United Nations. His effect was no
less prevalent when he was the first legislator to address
the United Nations Security Council. I was privileged to
witness his stalwart performance.
It goes without saying that the Senate, this Nation, and
the State of North Carolina are better today because of
Senator Helms. I extend my most heartfelt condolences to
the Helms family and his friends.
Mr. GRAHAM. Mr. President, today I rise to speak about
the contributions and service of one of the true giants of
the U.S. Senate.
Senator Jesse Helms of North Carolina was one of the
longest serving and most distinguished Senators in the
history of our Nation. During his time in the Senate, he
was known as a strong advocate for his causes and was one
of the most tenacious fighters this body has ever seen.
Senator Helms knew what he believed, why he believed it,
and he was always prepared to fight strenuously for his
cause.
On those occasions when the Senate was prepared to
promote ideas with which he disagreed, Senator Helms
proved to be one of the most adept at slowing the body to
a crawl. It was a trait that endeared him to many of his
supporters and was a source of much consternation for his
detractors.
However, if there is one accomplishment for which
Senator Helms will be long remembered and greatly admired,
it is his steadfast warnings and commitment to fighting
the scourge of communism. Not a day went by that Senator
Helms was not concerned about the spread of communism
around the globe.
Like President Reagan and South Carolina's own
longstanding Senator Strom Thurmond, Senator Helms
understood that communism was an evil ideology and, at its
most basic form, a means of enslaving millions of people.
As a Nation of freedom-loving people, we had a
responsibility to stop its spread.
The struggle against communism continued for decades
with Senator Helms playing a leading role in encouraging
our Nation to confront this evil. Eventually, the hard
line he took against communism, along with Reagan,
Thurmond, and others, was vindicated. The Berlin Wall
tumbled and the Soviet Union collapsed.
Today, communism has been discredited and millions of
people have been freed from its bonds. Senator Helms, and
the other strong anti-Communists, deserve our thanks for
their steadfast fight and eventual victory over communism.
It would not have been possible without their hard work.
In closing, I was saddened to hear of the passing of
Senator Helms and I want to take this opportunity to send
my condolences to his family and friends. I also want to
express my sincere appreciation for his long service in
the U.S. Senate and to the Nation he loved.
Mr. SPECTER. Mr. President, I have sought recognition to
pay tribute to my late colleague from North Carolina,
Senator Jesse Helms. I look back upon his career in the
U.S. Senate and remember a true champion of conservative
values; a Senator who stood by his convictions with a
tenacity for which he will long be remembered.
Senator Helms was initially introduced to public service
by his father, who served their North Carolina community
as both the fire chief and the chief of police. After
working in print, radio, and television journalism and
serving on the Raleigh City Council, Jesse Helms decided
to run for the Senate in 1972 and proved his political
mettle by defeating three opponents to win the seat.
Senator Helms spent the next 30 years serving five terms
in the Senate, leaving behind a legacy of uncompromising
and unapologetic conservatism. He could boast of many
accomplishments during his career, including being dubbed
``Senator No,'' a moniker he earned for standing strong
against issues he felt threatened the conservative agenda.
Senator No chaired the Agriculture Committee from 1981 to
1987 and the Foreign Relations Committee from 1995 to
2001, where he had a hand in cultivating many important
pieces of legislation. His firm stance against tyranny led
to successful negotiations and passage of a bill to assist
Cuban citizens, organized efforts to bring more countries
into the NATO alliance, and supported the development of a
missile defense system to defend our allies abroad.
Senator Helms also made his presence known on the
national campaign trail where he played a pivotal role in
fostering the conservative agenda in Ronald Reagan's
Presidential campaign in 1976. His efforts were so
effective he was asked to participate again in 1980.
Clearly Senator No helped the future President shape his
conservative message.
Senator Helms and I may have differed on many issues,
but I respected his wide array of knowledge and the vigor
with which he defended them. I am glad to say I served in
this Chamber with Jesse Helms and will always honor his
passion for life and dedication to service in the Senate.
Mr. ENSIGN. Mr. President, President William McKinley
once said, ``That's all a man can hope for during his
lifetime--to set an example--and when he is dead, to be an
inspiration for history.''
Of all his accomplishments during his lifetime, the
example that Senator Jesse Helms set for treating others
rises above everything else. During my first term in the
Senate, I had the privilege of traveling to Mexico as part
of a congressional delegation with Jesse Helms. I saw his
kindness and sincerity in the way he treated everyone,
regardless of position. The foreign dignitaries received
the same respect and consideration as staff. Not enough
Senators treat members of their staff like members of
their family, but Jesse Helms did. And that gentleness
extended to all who came into contact with him.
The kindness with which he touched so many lives stands
in stark contrast to the harsh and tough image which many
had of Jesse Helms. Seen as rough and hard hitting, a more
fitting description of Jesse Helms is that he was a
steadfast believer in the principles of America. Jesse
Helms was the voice, sometimes the lone voice, of a
centuries' old vision of a sovereign United States
committed to freedom, a strong national defense, and free
enterprise. He was willing and able to stop business in
the Senate when the strength of our Nation was threatened.
But to those whose lives were personally touched by
Jesse Helms, progress was never paused. Instead, Jesse
Helms was a conduit of democracy and opportunity.
Generations of Cubans, Taiwanese, Iraqis, and Africans
will always remember the support that a Senator from North
Carolina dedicated to their causes.
And countless North Carolinians will remember the
meaningful impact that Jesse Helms had on their lives as
their advocate to a sometimes unyielding government
bureaucracy. One constituent from Raleigh noted her
Senator's efforts on behalf of her aging parents. She
remembered her mother saying if there was a problem that
couldn't be resolved, ``Call Jesse Helms. He won't stop
until he gets it solved.''
His commitment to his constituents speaks volumes about
Jesse Helms' passion for his job and the people who
elected him. He always remembered who he represented and
why. And he always remembered that we ensure the strength
of our Nation by inspiring young people to continue the
work of generations of patriots. He never turned away
young men and women looking for advice and often engaged
them in dialog. Time and again he told them to stand up
for their principles. And then he showed them by example.
Very few Americans in our Nation's history have risen to
the level of accomplishment and reverence as Jesse Helms.
During three decades in the Senate, he set an example for
all Americans as he always stood by his principles and
extended kindness to friend and foe. Now he is an
inspiration for history.
Friday, August 1, 2008
Mr. ENZI. Mr. President, I join with my colleagues in
the Senate and the House, and with the people whose lives
he touched all across the Nation, in saying how sorry I
was to learn of the passing of Jesse Helms on July 4. He
was a remarkable man, and he has left his mark on the
United States that he loved so very much and the State of
North Carolina that he served with great pride. He will
not be forgotten.
Jesse Helms was an American in every sense of the word--
one who was firmly and staunchly dedicated to the
principles upon which our country was founded. Those
principles guided him through his life and helped him to
make every difficult decision that confronted him in his
86 years of life.
Jesse Helms was an established force in the Senate by
the time I arrived. As a freshman Senator I knew I had a
lot to learn and I was able to learn a lot from him as we
served together and worked on several issues that meant a
great deal to us both. We didn't always agree, but I
always found him to be a man of his word who said what he
meant and meant what he said. You always knew where you
stood with him and when he said ``Yes'' you knew that you
could count on him to do what he said he would.
Many of us come to Washington hoping to change
Washington. Then, with the passage of time, we find that
instead of changing Washington, Washington has changed us.
How we are changed says a lot about us and our commitment
to the principles and values that motivated us to run for
the Senate in the first place.
That kind of change is only natural and, for many of us,
the changes that occur help us to see other viewpoints and
perspectives and make it possible for us to work with
Members on both sides of the aisle so we can achieve
common goals and work for the best interests of the United
States and the American people.
Like so many of us, Jesse Helms was changed by his
experience in the Senate. One of the most notable examples
was the President's foreign AIDS relief package we worked
on together.
For years Jesse was opposed to providing any assistance
to countries fighting the AIDS epidemic. Some thought he
would always oppose any kind of relief. Then, Bono, who is
a powerful advocate for the cause, made an appointment to
see Jesse Helms so he could share the human side of the
problem with him.
I guess no one had been able to put a human face on the
AIDS epidemic for him before. However, Bono was able to do
it. He was able to touch Jesse's heart and convince him
that the need was real--and the right thing to do. In
response, Jesse was big enough to admit that he had been
wrong. After Bono's presentation, Jesse decided to work on
a proposal that would provide the needed funds to fight
AIDS in Africa. The proposal was passed and signed into
law, and thanks in part to his support, countless lives
were saved. It is no coincidence that the reauthorization
of this legislation that he worked so hard to pass was
recently enacted into law by President Bush. It is a part
of his legacy that will continue on after him and make a
difference all over the world for many years to come.
That is but one facet of his character, and one we are
all familiar with. And, now that he has been taken from
us, we will all take with us many more memories that come
from our service with Jesse Helms in the Senate.
A lot of what we remember about Jesse Helms and his
service in the Senate would surprise those who only knew
him by reputation because people thought he was a tough
guy. But when you met him, you quickly came to see that he
was a friendly person. He enjoyed greeting the tourists he
met in the halls and he made them all feel welcome because
he always had a kind word for everyone he met. Those who
worked here in the Capitol liked him because he treated
them all with kindness and respect.
At the top of Jesse's list were those who work with us
to help the House and Senate function as it should--
especially the pages. I don't think Jesse Helms ever
missed a chance to say thank you to the pages for their
service to the Congress. That was just one of the ways
that Jesse honored the Senate's traditions and respected
the office he was elected to hold.
I remember a story he told me about his first Senate
race. The campaign was in full swing, but Jesse's numbers
didn't look too good. Then one day he ran into a fellow
Mason who handed him a Masonic lapel pin. ``Here,'' he
said. ``Wear this during your campaign and I guarantee you
that you will win.''
He took his friend's advice and wore the pin every day.
Then, when the votes were counted, Jesse was the newly
elected Senator from North Carolina.
He told me that story while we were in the cloakroom and
I was watching him put a new back on the pin that now
showed a lot of use. I told him that I was a Mason, too.
As he put the pin back on his lapel, he told me that he
had worn that pin every day since his friend gave it to
him during that first Senate campaign.
As I came to know him, I saw that Jesse and I shared a
great fondness and appreciation for the youth
organizations that are recognized by the Congress. He knew
that they were teaching our kids things they weren't going
to be getting any other way. He knew that these groups
were helping our kids learn how to be good citizens and
good students and to stand up for the things they believed
in. He knew that they were helping to prepare our young
people for the challenges they would face in school and
later in life.
One organization we both worked to support was the Boy
Scouts. He was a strong supporter of scouting and he stood
up for them whenever they were unfairly criticized or
attacked. His response to each attack was to craft a bill
that protected the promotion of volunteerism, values and
faith to ensure those valuable lessons would continue to
be taught to the Scouts.
That is just one example of Jesse's commitment to the
values that meant so very much to him. That is why he was
able to get a lot of things done over the years. His
success was based on his strong foundation of values and
beliefs that he would stand fast on and that was enough
for him to win on most occasions. Watching him in action
on the floor or in committee taught me that conviction
counts, especially when you are firm and comfortable in
what you believe.
Jesse was a kind, soft-spoken, effective, persistent,
and successful individual. He paid attention to people and
they responded to him--in North Carolina and across the
country. Another of his great political secrets was his
understanding that a problem always appears bigger if it
is your own. That's why the people of his State sent him
back to the Senate for five terms. He listened to the
people of North Carolina, he understood them, and he made
their problems his own.
Now that the last chapter of his life has been written,
Jesse Helms' record speaks for itself. It reflects the
fact that he was never concerned with being popular or
taking positions because they mirrored the results of the
latest poll. His focus was always on doing what was
right--because it was the right thing to do. I think he
owes his perspective on life to some advice his father
gave him that helped to shape his character and point him
toward his destiny. Jesse would often share his father's
words with others, ``The Lord does not require you to win,
but he does require you to try.''
Jesse never forgot what his father told him. In fact, he
lived those words by putting them into practice every day.
No matter the odds or how impossible the situation was,
Jesse stayed true to the life lesson his father taught him
many years ago.
Now that he has been taken from us, it will be for
others to judge his place in history and the impact his
life had on the Nation. Whatever is decided, for me and
for so many others, the record will show that Jesse Helms
didn't always win, but he never let the fear of losing
keep him from fighting for a cause he believed in. For
Jesse Helms, the glory came not from victory, but from
giving all he had in a noble effort in support of a worthy
cause.
Proceedings in the House of Representatives
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Ms. FOXX. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life
of Senator Jesse Helms. Senator Helms, who passed away
this past Fourth of July at the age of 86, was renowned
for his considerable personal warmth and his commitment to
the good of his constituents. So it is no surprise that in
the days after his passing, tales from his constituents
across the State of North Carolina paid tribute to his
decades-long track record of thoughtful constituent
service.
But Senator Helms was so much more than a good public
servant. He was a man of integrity, and over the course of
his 30 years of service in the U.S. Senate, you could
always count on one thing: You knew where Jesse Helms
stood on the issue. An outspoken conservative who was
never bashful about defending the conservative principles
of small government and individual freedom, he was a man
who refused to compromise on his principles.
Senator Helms knew a conservative when he saw one. This
is why he helped propel Ronald Reagan to the national
stage by orchestrating Reagan's North Carolina primary
victory in 1976. In so doing, he helped prepare the
groundwork for the eventual Reagan revolution of the
1980s.
As we remember the life of Senator Helms, we know we
have lost one of the finest conservative statesmen of a
generation. Senator Helms believed that America was the
greatest nation in the world, and that belief informed his
principles and the policies that he ultimately pursued.
For instance, he knew that a strong America would be a
signpost of hope for millions during the uncertain times
of global Communist influence in the 1970s and 1980s. As a
strident anti-Communist, he fought to ensure America would
be a bulwark against the forces of oppression and tyranny
in the Communist corners of the globe.
Senator Helms was also an indomitable champion of life.
He believed in the dignity of the lives of the unborn and
fought with heroic energy to see to it that they might
receive the protection they deserve. His pro-life legacy
is still with us today. In fact, Senator Helms
successfully amended legislation 35 years ago to include
what is today known as the Helms amendment. This
amendment, which is still in effect, mandates that no U.S.
foreign aid money may be used to pay for or promote
abortions.
Yes, Senator Helms fought for the innocent unborn, he
condemned widespread corruption in the United Nations
before it was popular to do so, and he staked out clear
conservative positions without having to consult a
pollster. He was a one-of-a-kind leader who passed on
conservative principles to many, including me. But his
crusades were never just about him. Rather, he fought for
his country and the ideas that he knew made America great.
He said it best in his farewell address to the Senate:
Being remembered isn't important. What is important is
standing up for what you believe to be right, hoping that
you have done everything you can to preserve the moral and
spiritual principles that made America great in the first
place.
Senator Helms' death last Friday was a profound loss for
America and for the State of North Carolina. He served his
country well, dispatching his duty to stand up for what is
right with unrivaled moral clarity. He will be missed, and
today my thoughts and my prayers are with his family and
loved ones as they grieve this loss and remember a life
well lived.
Mr. BURTON of Indiana. Madam Speaker, I would like to
say to the gentlewoman who just spoke that I sure share
her admiration for Jesse Helms. I had the honor to work
with him on legislation known as the Helms-Burton law, and
I want you to know he was a wonderful man, a titan and a
real conservative, and the kind of man that everybody in
America could be proud to say that he was a Senator in the
august body on the other side of the building. ...
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, I ask
unanimous consent that the Committee on House
Administration be discharged from further consideration of
House Resolution 1325 and ask for its immediate
consideration.
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the
request of the gentleman from Pennsylvania?
There was no objection.
The text of the resolution is as follows:
H. Res. 1325
Whereas Jesse Alexander Helms, Jr., born in Monroe,
North Carolina on October 18, 1921, spent a 52-year public
career dedicating himself to his country, his family, and
his home State, representing North Carolina in the United
States Senate for 30 years;
Whereas Jesse Alexander Helms, Jr., served in the United
States Navy from 1942 until 1945;
Whereas Jesse Alexander Helms, Jr., was educated in the
public schools of Monroe, North Carolina, and at Wingate
Junior College and Wake Forest College, and served as a
city editor of the Raleigh Times, an administrative
assistant to United States Senators Willis Smith and Alton
Lennon, an executive director of the North Carolina
Bankers Association, a member of the Raleigh City Council,
and a television and radio executive;
Whereas Jesse Alexander Helms, Jr., was elected to the
United States Senate in 1972, and served as Chairman of
the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the Senate
Agriculture Committee, ultimately serving five terms,
equal to the longest service of any Senator from North
Carolina;
Whereas Jesse Alexander Helms, Jr., was a leader against
Communism and became the first legislator of any nation to
address the United Nations Security Council;
Whereas Jesse Alexander Helms, Jr., was married for 65
years to Dorothy ``Dot'' Coble Helms, whom he termed his
``best friend'', and Jesse Alexander Helms, Jr., is the
father of three children; and
Whereas Jesse Alexander Helms, Jr., made valuable
contributions to his community, State, Nation, and the
World: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) honors the life, achievements, and distinguished
career of Jesse Alexander Helms, Jr., public servant and
former Member of the United States Senate; and
(2) expresses its condolences to his wife, ``Dot'', and
his three children on his passing.
The resolution was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Mr. McHENRY. Mr. Speaker, this evening, I rise with a
heavy heart to honor the life of former Senator Jesse
Alexander Helms, Jr., of North Carolina. Senator Helms
served from 1972 to 2002, 30 years in the U.S. Senate,
tying the longest serving Senator from North Carolina in
that record.
Senator Helms was known to most Americans as a rock-rib
conservative, both committed to a smaller, more efficient
government that taxes less and spends less, and also a
social conservative who would stand up to the common
society of the day that was allowing for many permissive
activities.
Senator Helms was much more than that, though. He was an
ardent anti-Communist, and supported freedom around the
world against the tyranny of communism. Senator Helms has
a very distinguished record in the U.S. Senate spanning
three decades.
He was known as the strongest conservative in the U.S.
Senate in his time, one of the best known American
conservatives of his time. But what many people don't
realize is that in 1976, just 4 years into his first term
in the U.S. Senate, Senator Helms did a very bold thing--
he endorsed Governor Ronald Reagan in his primary bid for
President against Gerald Ford. Senator Helms was the only
Senator to endorse Reagan in 1976.
Although then-Governor Reagan had not won any primaries
coming into the North Carolina primary, Senator Helms put
his full campaign organization behind Governor Reagan. And
in an upset victory, Governor Reagan beat sitting
President Gerald Ford in that Republican primary, the
first primary that Reagan won in 1976.
Historians note that without winning the North Carolina
primary, Ronald Reagan may not have had the opportunity to
be President in 1980. He may not have had the ability to
continue his campaign going into the convention in 1976.
So for Americans who know Reagan, they should thank
Senator Helms and his bold move in endorsing Governor
Reagan.
Beyond that, in his final term in office, the world came
to him. He didn't change his principles, he didn't change
the things that he was focused on, but he took the
opportunity to reform the United Nations, working with
Senator Joe Biden of Delaware. The Helms-Biden agreement
called on the United Nations to reduce its budget and
define its mission. It also forced a much-needed review of
all U.N. policies. It was a large reform, and Senator
Biden said at the time, ``Just as only Nixon could go to
China, only Helms could fix the United Nations.''
Just after that in 2000, Helms was the first U.S.
lawmaker to address the United Nations Security Council.
That is an amazing tribute to his leadership. He was not
simply ``Senator No,'' he was voted as the ``Nicest
Lawmaker in Congress.''
What people know about him was the personal touch he had
with people. My first political memory was in 1984 as a 9-
year-old going to a Helms-Reagan rally. That is my first
political memory. Beyond that when I was a high school
student, I stopped into Jesse Helms' office and he took a
few minutes to sit and talk with me, take a picture with
me at his desk, and showed me around his office. And I
realized once I became a lawmaker how very short time is
here on Capitol Hill, and for him to give me that moment
is a special memory that I will always cherish.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Helms family, and
his wife, Dot.
At this time I yield to the gentleman from North
Carolina (Mr. Hayes).
Mr. HAYES. Mr. Speaker, I had the privilege of attending
Senator Helms' funeral along with Congressman McHenry,
Congressman Jones, Senator Biden, Senator Dodd, Senator
Byrd, Senator Dole, and others. And there were two
takeaways from that funeral that I particularly remember.
One was directly from Senator Helms. He said, ``You can
always change your priorities, but never change your
principles.'' That was a hallmark.
The other thing that the pastor said, ``The Lord always
examines the heart of the giver before he examines the
gift.'' Senator Helms' heart was with his constituents.
His constituent service, regardless of party, was
absolutely remarkable, and it was a tribute to him, his
relationship with his wife, Dot, his family and his
children.
Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Senator McConnell and Jimmy
Broughton and the Helms family for the wonderful
testimonial of his service to his country.
Hayes Barton Baptist Church
Raleigh, NC
A Celebration of Life
U.S. Senator Jesse Helms
U.S. Senator Jesse Helms
October 18, 1921-July 4, 2008
Pallbearers Honorary Pallbearers
Tom Boney Hoover Adams
Jimmy Broughton Bob Caudle
Paul Coble Buddy Cheshire
John Dodd Jack Coble
George Dunlop Tom Ellis
Andy Hartsfield Lauch Faircloth
David Rouzer Jim Goodmon
Eddie Woodhouse Jim Hill
Henry Lineberger
Brian Rogers
Ed Woodhouse
Jesse Alexander Helms, Jr.
July 8, 2008--Two o'clock
The Prelude Music
June Burbage & Larita Kellison
*The Entrance of the Family
The Call to Worship
Tom Bodkin
John 11:25; Matthew 11:28-30, RSV
The Invocation and Lord's Prayer
My Faith Looks Up to Thee........................... Olivet
The Old Testament Readings
Psalm 23--Responsive reading with congregation
(back page)
Proverbs 29:23; II Chronicles 7:14;
Psalm 121, RSV
The Choir Anthem
How Great Thou Art.................................. Hine
Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee;
How great Thou art! How great Thou art!
The New Testament Readings
Romans 8:28, 35-39, II Timothy 4:7-8;
Matthew 25:21, RSV
Reflections
The Honorable Mitch McConnell,
Senate Republican Leader
Jimmy Broughton
Grandchildren
Amazing Grace! How Sweet the Sound.................. New Britain
The Sermon
The Measure of a Man
Micah 6:6-8, RSV
Tom Bodkin
The Choir Anthem
When the Saints Go Marching In...................... Rutter
*The Benediction
*The Family Recessional
A Mighty Fortress Is Our God........................ Luther
The Postlude
Private interment for the family
The Old Testament Reading
Psalm 23--Responsive reading with congregation
Minister: The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want;
People: he makes me lie down in green pastures.
Minister: He leads me beside still waters, he restores my soul.
People: He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Minister: Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no
evil;
People: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.
Minister: Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of my enemies, thou
anointest my head with oil, my cup overflows.
All: Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I
shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
In The Evening
..................... O' Lord,
..................... support us all the day long,
..................... until the shadows lengthen,
..................... and the evening comes,
..................... and the busy world is hushed,
..................... and the fever of life is over,
..................... and our work is done.
..................... Then in thy mercy,
..................... grant us a safe lodging,
..................... and a holy rest,
..................... and peace at the last.
..................... Amen.
Mitch McConnell. [The text of Mr. McConnell's eulogy can
be found on page 10.]
Jimmy Broughton. Mrs. Helms, members of the Helms family,
Mr. Vice President, distinguished Members of the U.S.
Senate and U.S. House of Representatives, the Governor of
North Carolina--the past few days have been like a mini
Helms Senate family reunion. Many of us have been calling
and e-mailing each other to talk about the Senator and our
time together on his staff. Without fail, the first
question folks asked was ``How is Mrs. Helms and the
family''? While we all knew this day would come--the
reality of it takes a while to sink in.
Much has been written about the Senator in recent days
and, of course, a lot of those stories have been prepared
for many years. Upon hearing the news of his death, I had
to chuckle just a little at the fact that the Senator had
likely ruined the vacation plans of some of those ``big
city editors'' he often tangled with over the years.
Many of us have been asked to tell something about
Senator Helms that the public may not know--a question
that evokes a flood of memories and I think it's fitting
to share some of those personal memories this afternoon. I
stand here--humbly--realizing I am representing hundreds
of members of our Senate family and I am grateful to them
for their input.
Like many of us, I started in the mailroom, which may be
one reason I do not like to open my own mail to this day.
Back then, in 1991, Senators received hundreds of letters
daily and our office always had one of the highest mail
counts in the Senate. The Senator paid special attention
to the mailroom and insisted that letters be opened,
sorted, and answered as quickly as possible. He often
remarked that if a person takes the time to write, he or
she deserved a thoughtful, timely response. Senator Helms
was a great letter writer himself and he was known to stop
by the mailroom late on a Friday afternoon and grab a
stack of letters to answer over the weekend.
It's important to note that our office had been a well-
oiled machine for many years thanks to the leadership of
the Senator, of course, and of his longtime administrative
assistant Clint Fuller who was one of his most unfailingly
loyal aides through the years. Mr. Fuller was an
institution in his own right and I had the privilege of
interning in the office before he retired. His other most
trusted advisor was Admiral Bud Nance, his childhood
friend from Monroe who served as chief of staff of the
Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Admiral Nance left a
significant imprint on many in this audience and the
committee itself.
The Senator's reputation as someone who was responsive
to the needs of the people of North Carolina was legendary
and I often asked myself how that developed. I recently
spent a day at the Helms Center in Wingate and uncovered a
memo he had written to Senator Willis Smith in 1952 when
he was Senator Smith's AA. It was a detailed account of
the goings on in the office for a 2-week period. So when
Mr. Jesse Helms was elected to the Senate in 1972, he just
picked up where he left off.
On January 16, 1973, Senator Helms presided over his
first staff meeting and set the tone for the office that
would carry through until his retirement. I am quoting
from the minutes of that meeting with the Washington
staff:
A meeting of the staff of Senator Helms was held at 4:30
p.m. today with Senator Helms presiding.
He made some very complimentary comments about the
staff. His message was basically that we have a ``family
relationship.'' He wants no bowing and scraping to him;
he's just a country boy from Union County.
And so the Helms Senate family was born.
As I said earlier, someone asked me about a favorite
memory and while there are so many that come to mind, a
few define the person who was Senator Jesse Helms. I often
told folks that I would have never worked for the man I
read about on the editorial pages.
Illustrating the fact that he was well known for his
constituent work is the story of a lady here in Raleigh
whose husband had died and she was having a hard time
sorting out details with the Social Security
Administration. Now as I recall the Senator telling it,
this lady lived over in Cameron Park which is close to NC
State. Her neighbor, a professor, I think, and a staunch
Democrat, was helping her. He finally threw up his hands
and said, ``Well, I despise the S.O.B., but it's high time
you call Jesse Helms.''
Another memory that made a lasting impression on me was
a morning back in 1993 or so. The Senator was getting
ready to offer an amendment to the Senate floor--something
he did with regularity. In any event, several of us were
in his office as the Cloakroom had called saying they were
ready for him to come down to offer his amendment. We had
the speech, text of the amendment, and all relevant
documents ready, and several of the legislative folks were
trying to go over it with him before he went to the Senate
floor. He gave us all the time-out sign and told us to
hush while he had an important call to make. He picked up
the phone that dials the Capitol operator and he said,
``Nice lady, can you ring me Senator Simon's office.'' He
always said ``Nice lady can you ring me so and so--as
though he was talking to Sara from Mayberry on the other
end. Now we three staffers in the office looked at each
other in bewilderment trying to figure out why he was
calling Senator Simon--our neighbor in the Dirksen
Building and one of the nicest Senators, but he would have
never supported the amendment. He asked for his friend
Paul who was not in and he proceeded to tell his
secretary, ``This is Jesse Helms down the hall and please
tell Paul that he needs some air in his left rear tire
otherwise he will not make it home to Jeanne.'' Now there
we were with what we thought was such important business
and leave it to Senator Helms to put it all in
perspective--he proved what really mattered.
Now preparing a letter or a speech for the Senator was
an ordeal. While he often wanted a draft, he edited and
rewrote paragraphs and the copy he returned was bleeding
blue ink--or worse, he had tossed your draft aside and
typed up his own using that old manual Royal typewriter
which sounded like cannon fire when he chiseled out
statements and letters. He would often buzz you on the
phone and would ask, ``Can you step in here, son?''
That was not really a question of course. I remember it
well. It meant several things--among them the possibility
that we split an infinitive in a draft. You see, a split
infinitive in our office was trampling on the grave of
Miss Annie Lee, the Senator's grade school grammar teacher
in Monroe. We all knew about Miss Annie Lee.
The Senator had a way with words and expressed himself
succinctly. Perhaps one day the Helms Center will publish
a collection of his letters--they are indeed classic. He
was a stickler for grammar which often surprised people
given his image. One of the joys of a calmer Friday
afternoon was being able to spend an hour or so going
through his weekly correspondence or PDs as we called
them--short for Pat Devine, his longtime personal
secretary. Pat was the keeper of his letters and she or
Frances Jones in Raleigh was the one who retyped them on
letterhead for his signature.
It's impossible to convey adequately how he treated all
of us. From his walks through the office every morning
speaking to all of us to the insistence that famous
visitors do likewise, it was obvious he genuinely cared
about us all. Speaking of famous visitors, I know there
are some here who will never forget the afternoon when
Henry Kissinger appeared in the mailroom, unannounced and
unaccompanied, proclaiming that Senator Helms asked him to
stop by the mailroom on his way out to meet the staff and
interns, while the Senator headed to the floor for a vote.
There are countless similar remembrances but he would
not want me to filibuster. To have known Senator Helms as
we all did was one of the greatest gifts we will have ever
been given. He had a plaque on the wall in his office that
meant a lot to him--it was a quote from his father, Jesse
Helms, Sr., who was the police and fire chief in Monroe--
it read ``The Lord doesn't require us to win. He just
expects us to try.'' Senator Helms tried all right and we
are all better off because of it.
Jennifer Knox. On behalf of the entire Helms family, I
would like to thank everyone who has kept us in your
thoughts and prayers, not only in the last 4 days but also
over the last 5 years or so as Granddad's health and his
mind faded. We thank you.
I was always close to my grandfather, I think because I
always loved going up to Washington and visiting Grandma
and Granddad. I loved going to the Senate and sitting in
the gallery and watching the Senators as they debated the
issues and as they took votes. I think he appreciated
that.
And in doing so, I learned a lot of things from my
grandfather, not the least of which was his work ethic. He
usually started his day early in the morning and you
always knew when he was working at home because--the
typewriter that Jimmy was talking about--you could hear
that thing going in his office. He was a hunt and pecker
but he was fast. And it was like cannon fire. But he would
work in his office for several hours in the morning, and
then he would go up to the Senate office.
One morning I was up there visiting Grandma and Granddad
and he said, ``You want to go to the Senate with me?'' I
said, ``Sure.'' So we went up there and met with some
constituents and then the buzzer rang for a Senate vote.
He said, ``Come on let's go vote.'' So we went down to the
basement and took the underground trolley over to the
Capitol. He voted, and then for the next 3 hours he
dragged me all around the Capitol, all around the Senate
office buildings, meeting with all sorts of people, going
to all sorts of committee meetings until we finally made
it back to his office. He had another 3 hours of work and
the day was not over. That night Grandma and Granddad had
been invited to dinner, so we all went to this dinner. We
finally get home about 9:30 and Grandma and I are wiped
out, and then I hear this noise and it's Granddad back in
his office typing away, and he worked for another hour and
a half that night. And that was a normal day for him.
One of the things everybody has heard a million times
about Granddad is that you always knew where Jesse Helms
stood on the issues, and that's true. One of the things
that you didn't always hear about is how hard it was to
stand for those principles, and that is something that our
family has all learned from him. One of the things
Granddad had always said was you can compromise your
preferences, but never your principles. And he never did.
As I go through life and my decisions, my job, and my
personal life, I always remember that no matter how
difficult the decision is, it's OK to make it, it's OK to
accept the consequences because I saw him do that every
day of my life. I think the greatest lesson that my
grandfather gave me was the lesson of love. He did all
these things, he made all those stands, because he loved
the Lord, he loved his country, he loved North Carolina,
and he loved his family. And I see his love reflected in
the faces of the Helms Senate family. I see it reflected
in my family and that's his love, and I would like to
share with you a note he wrote to me almost 10 years ago.
It was right before he was going in to have surgery,
having both of his knees replaced. It is dated July 19,
1998. It reads--and of course it is typed on that old
typewriter:
My dear Jennifer, I wanted to get the enclosed to you
before I come down to trade in my antique 1921 model knees
for the newer 1998 models. We love you and are proud of
you. Hold on to your principles. Unless I missed my guess,
you have some great days ahead, they won't be easy always,
but they'll be meaningful to you and to the country.
Granddad
Mike Stuart. Well, the world has seemed a little less
bright as the reality of our grandfather's passing sets
in. I'm sure all of us can relate to the initial void that
is felt at the loss of a loved one. Over the last few days
we have had time to reflect on our grandfather's life and
realize the family legacy that he left behind, and this
legacy makes our days feel a little less empty.
Memories are remembrances of a certain event, but an
association is a perpetual memory that runs deeper, is
burned into your being, and recalls itself when you least
expect it. For example, Granddad loved breakfast and he
loved cooking a big breakfast for our family, especially
on Christmas. After I consumed a full plate of eggs,
bacon, toast, grits, and donuts, Granddad would insist on
my eating more. He would hold up a plate and say, ``You're
going to hurt this last piece of bacon's feelings if you
don't eat it. Can't you see it crying sitting here all by
itself on the plate?'' Now, whenever I cook breakfast,
I'll think of Granddad.
And as Jimmy mentioned, Granddad was a stickler for
grammar. When my sister Katie would tell Granddad that she
was doing good, Granddad would respond by asking her, ``I
know you are good baby, but aren't you also doing well?''
Now when I write I always think of Granddad, because he
did not teach me to never split an infinitive, he taught
me never to split an infinitive, and it has come in handy
for me in school.
Also Granddad had a love for animals. His last pet was a
British blue cat named Miriam. At his house Miriam would
sit on the arm of his recliner just purring away while
Granddad scratched her ears. His eyes would get real big
and his face would get real long and light up to let us
know when he was in a humorous mood, and he would say,
``Oh, come listen to Miriam purr, listen to her buzz,
buzz, buzz, buzz, buzz, buzz.'' So now whenever we hear a
cat purr we'll always think of Granddad and we'll all find
ourselves saying ``buzz, buzz, buzz, buzz.''
But most of all, we will associate the word legacy with
our grandfather. Not only did he leave behind a political
legacy from his 30 years in the U.S. Senate, but he also
left behind another legacy and this is the importance and
value of family. Grandma and Granddad instilled in their
children the value of honesty and integrity, faith,
service, love, respect, and perseverance. And our parents
passed these values down to us. Today, the Helms family
includes present and future nurses, doctors, teachers,
CPAs, judges, lawyers, HIV/AIDS advocates, scientists,
business professionals, church workers and entrepreneurs.
If Grandma and Granddad had not been the people they were,
we would not have become the people we are today. So thank
you Granddad and thank you Grandma for being who you were
and are, because it gave us a platform to believe in
ourselves and follow our dreams. Through your legacy we
know we can make a positive difference in this life.