[JPRT, 107th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
Floyd Spence
LATE A REPRESENTATIVE FROM
SOUTH CAROLINA
a
MEMORIAL ADDRESSES
AND OTHER TRIBUTES
HON. FLOYD SPENCE
a
z
1928 -2001
hon. floyd spence
a
z
1928 -2001
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] T5502.001
Floyd Spence
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Memorial Addresses and
Other Tributes
HELD IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
AND SENATE
OF THE UNITED STATES
TOGETHER WITH MEMORIAL SERVICE
IN HONOR OF
FLOYD SPENCE
Late a Representative from South Carolina
One Hundred Seventh Congress
First Session
a
U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
WASHINGTON : 2001
Compiled under the direction
of the
Joint Committee on Printing
CONTENTS
Biography.............................................
v
Proceedings in the House of Representatives:
Tributes by Representatives:
Bereuter, Doug, of Nebraska....................
11
Brown, Henry E., Jr., of South Carolina........
13
Buyer, Steve, of Indiana.......................
20
DeMint, Jim, of South Carolina.................
19
Everett, Terry, of Alabama.....................
21
Gilman, Benjamin A., of New York...............
14
Graham, Lindsey O., of South Carolina..........
15
Hansen, James V., of Utah......................
10
Hastert, J. Dennis, of Illinois................
3
Hayworth, J.D., of Arizona.....................
9
Hilleary, Van, of Tennessee....................
25
Hunter, Duncan, of California..................
12
Johnson, Sam, of Texas.........................
8
Ortiz, Solomon P., of Texas....................
5
Rush, Bobby L, of Illinois.....................
24
Ryun, Jim, of Kansas...........................
18
Skelton, Ike, of Missouri......................
7, 27
Spratt, John M., Jr., of South Carolina........
4, 13
Stearns, Cliff, of Florida.....................
16
Stump, Bob, of Arizona.........................
6, 27
Underwood, Robert A., of Guam..................
17
Watts, J.C., Jr., of Oklahoma..................
21
Weldon, Curt, of Pennsylvania..................
22, 26
Proceedings in the Senate:
Thurmond, Strom, of South Carolina.............
29
Tribute from the Reserve Officers Association.........
31
Funeral Service.......................................
35
BIOGRAPHY
Congressman Floyd Davidson Spence, 73, the Dean of the
South Carolina delegation in the U.S. House of
Representatives, died on Thursday, August 16, 2001, at
Saint Dominic-Jackson Memorial Hospital, in Jackson,
Mississippi. His death was due to complications following
the removal of a subdural hematoma on August 9, 2001,
while he was being treated for Ramsay Hunt Syndrome.
Serving in his 16th term in the House, Congressman Spence
was the chairman emeritus of the House Committee on Armed
Services and the chairman of the Subcommittee on Military
Procurement.
Congressman Spence was born in Columbia, South Carolina,
on April 9, 1928, the son of James Wilson Spence and Addie
Jane Lucas Spence. He was married to the late Lula Hancock
Drake Spence, of Drake, South Carolina, for 25 years. On
July 3, 1988, he married the former Deborah Ellen
Williams, of Lexington, South Carolina.
Congressman Spence graduated from Lexington High School,
where he achieved ``All-State'' honors in football and
participated in the 1947 Shrine Bowl game. In 1987, he was
inducted into the Lexington County High School Athletic
Hall of Fame.
Congressman Spence attended the University of South
Carolina on an athletic scholarship, and he received the
degree of bachelor of arts in english in 1952. He was
elected president of the student body, president of the
South Carolina Association of Student Governments, junior
class president, and was a member of the student council.
He was also named to the dean's list, the honor council,
and the honor board. He was initiated into Kappa Alpha
Order (social fraternity), Omicron Delta Kappa (honorary
leadership fraternity), and Kappa Sigma Kappa (honorary
service fraternity). He was selected as an ``Outstanding
Senior,'' and he was the recipient of the Algernon-Sydney
Sullivan Award (as the outstanding male student for 1952),
as well as listed in Who's Who Among Students in American
Colleges and Universities. He was a member of the Young
Men's Christian Association (YMCA) Cabinet, the German
Club, and the Compass and Chart Society. An accomplished
athlete, he played football and basketball, and was the
captain of the varsity track team, of which he was a
member of the record-setting mile relay team.
Congressman Spence enlisted as a recruit in the U.S.
Naval Reserve when in high school, and, as an
undergraduate, he was a battalion subcommander of the U.S.
Navy ROTC unit at the University of South Carolina. He was
commissioned as an ensign upon graduation from college,
and entered active duty during the Korean war. He served
on the USS Carter Hall (LSD-3) from 1952 to 1953 and the
USS LSM-397 from 1953 to 1954. Later in his military
career, he was the commanding officer of a Naval Reserve
surface division and the group commander of all Naval
Reserve units in Columbia, South Carolina. He was a
graduate of the Defense Strategy Seminar of the National
War College and of the National Security Seminar of the
Industrial College of the Armed Forces. In 1988, he
retired as a captain in the U.S. Naval Reserve.
Additionally, he was a former member of the Board of
Visitors of the U.S. Naval Academy.
In 1956, Congressman Spence received the degree of
bachelor of laws from the University of South Carolina
School of Law, which was replaced with the degree of juris
doctor in 1970. While in law school, he was elected editor
of the South Carolina Law Quarterly, chief justice of the
Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, vice president of the Law
Federation, and was a member of the Law Federation
Cabinet. Upon graduation in 1956, he began the practice of
law as a partner in the firm of Callison and Spence, in
West Columbia, South Carolina, where he practiced until
becoming a Member of Congress in 1971. He was admitted to
the bar of the Supreme Court of the United States, and he
was a former member of the American Bar Association, the
South Carolina Bar, and the Lexington County Bar
Association.
Floyd Spence began his political career in 1956, as a
Democrat in the South Carolina House of Representatives.
In 1962, he helped pioneer the development of the two-
party system in South Carolina by becoming the first
member of the General Assembly to switch to the Republican
Party. In 1966 he was elected as a Republican, to the
South Carolina Senate. He served as the Senate Minority
Leader and as the chairman of the Joint Senate-House
Internal Security Committee.
In 1970, Floyd Spence was elected to the U.S. House of
Representatives. Throughout his service in the House,
Congressman Spence maintained one of the highest voting
attendance records, while consistently supporting a strong
national defense and fiscal integrity. Congressman Spence
was recognized around the world as an authority on defense
issues. From January 1995 to January 2001, Congressman
Spence was the chairman of the House Committee on National
Security, which, during his chairmanship, returned to its
former name of the Committee on Armed Services. For 13
years, he was the ranking member of the Committee on
Standards of Official Conduct (Ethics Committee). He was
selected by his colleagues to serve as a member of the
Republican Committee on Committees for a number of years,
and he was also elected to serve as the representative for
the Tidewater Region on the Republican Policy Committee
for the 104th through 107th Congresses.
Congressman Spence was a member of Saint Peter's
Lutheran Church, in Lexington, South Carolina, where he
served on the Church Council and as a Sunday School
teacher. He was also a member of the Advisory Board of the
Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary, in Columbia, South
Carolina.
An active supporter of the Boy Scouts of America,
Congressman Spence served as a scoutmaster, a council
executive board member, a council advisory board member,
and a district chairman. He was also the recipient of the
Silver Beaver Award.
Congressman Spence was a charter member of the
University of South Carolina Association of Lettermen, as
well as a former vice president for the Eleventh Circuit
and Councilor-at-Large of the University of South Carolina
Alumni Association. He was also a former member of the
Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
Congressman Spence was named in Who's Who in America,
Who's Who in the South and Southwest, and Who's Who in
American Politics. In 1978, he was awarded the Order of
the Palmetto, South Carolina's highest honor, by Governor
James B. Edwards. He was a former commander of the Wade
Hampton Camp of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, as well
as a member of numerous civic, fraternal, and military
organizations.
Congressman Spence received the honorary degree of
doctor of laws from The Citadel on May 13, 1995. He
received the honorary degree of doctor of public service
from the University of South Carolina on August 12, 1995.
On September 3, 1996, the Floyd Spence Wing of the
Lexington Medical Center Extended Care Facility was
dedicated in his honor. On November 4, 1996, the
Congressman Floyd D. Spence U.S. Army Reserve Center was
dedicated in his honor at Fort Jackson, South Carolina.
The Spence Center for Composites Technology, in West
Columbia, South Carolina, was named in honor of
Congressman Spence on May 22, 1999.
Congressman Spence was the recipient of a successful
double lung transplant on May 6, 1988, and a successful
kidney transplant on May 26, 2000. He actively supported
organ donor awareness programs.
He is survived by his wife, Deborah Williams Spence, of
Lake Murray; four sons from his first marriage: Floyd
Davidson ``David'' Spence, Jr., Zachariah William ``Zack''
Spence, Benjamin Dudley ``Ben'' Spence, and Caldwell Drake
Spence, all of Lake Murray; brothers and sisters: Allan
Johnson Spence, Sr. and Anna ``Ann'' Spence Clement, both
of Lake Murray, Robert O. ``Buck'' Stevenson of
Ballentine, Juanita Stevenson Smith of West Columbia, and
Johnny Spence of Lexington; and nine grandchildren:
Caldwell Drake Spence, Jr., Clint Alexander Spence,
Rutledge Lucas Spence, Montford Whitfield Spence, Courtney
Blaine Spence, Zachariah Julian Spence, Kylie Elizabeth
Spence, Lauren Hancock Spence and Corrie Brooke Spence.
MEMORIAL ADDRESSES
AND
OTHER TRIBUTES
FOR
FLOYD SPENCE
Proceedings in the House of Representatives
Wednesday, September 5, 2001
The House met at 2 p.m.
The Chaplain, the Reverend Daniel P. Coughlin, offered
the following prayer:
God of our forebears in faith, and ever-present Lord of
life,
Be with us as we begin this fall session of the 107th
Congress.
Bless the families of all of the Members of the House of
Representatives.
Bless also the workers in district offices and all the
people met during summer recess.
Now, help all Members to focus their attention on the
priorities set before them by the deepest desires of the
American people and the honest dialog of colleagues in
this House.
Encourage them in sincere debate until the best ideas
surface.
Guide them to sound resolution on complex issues so that
Your Holy Will will be accomplished in our time and bright
hope be instilled in Your people.
Grant eternal peace to former Member, the Honorable
Floyd Davidson Spence and former Chaplain, Dr. James David
Ford, who died since our last gathering. May their
families and friends be surrounded with the consolation
and peace which You alone can offer.
May all Americans catch a glimpse of Your glory that
they may risk everything to bring about Your Kingdom of
truth, justice and love now and forever.
Amen.
IN HONOR OF OUR GREAT COLLEAGUE
Mr. HASTERT. Madam Speaker, it is my sad duty to
announce to the House of Representatives the death of the
late Honorable Floyd Spence of South Carolina on August
16, 2001. His funeral was held in Columbia, South
Carolina, on August 21, 2001.
Later today, the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr.
Spratt), the dean of the South Carolina delegation, will
offer a resolution in memory of our beloved colleague.
Members are invited to contact the gentleman from South
Carolina (Mr. Spratt) or the gentleman from South Carolina
(Mr. Graham) if they wish to participate in this tribute.
Members will be advised of plans for a subsequent special
order in memory of Floyd Spence. I think we will all
remember Floyd Spence for his love of this Nation, his
love of this House, and his strong and spirited defense
always for the armed services members of this country.
EXPRESSING SORROW OF THE HOUSE REGARDING DEATH OF THE
HONORABLE FLOYD SPENCE FROM THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA
Mr. SPRATT. Mr. Speaker, I offer a privileged resolution
(H. Res. 234) and ask for its immediate consideration.
The Clerk read the resolution, as follows:
H. Res. 234
Resolved, That the House has heard with profound sorrow
of the death of the Honorable Floyd Spence, a
Representative from the State of South Carolina.
Resolved, That the Clerk communicate these resolutions
to the Senate and transmit a copy thereof to the family of
the deceased.
Resolved, That when the House adjourns today, it adjourn
as a further mark of respect to the memory of the
deceased.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the
gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Spratt) for 1 hour.
Mr. SPRATT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I
may consume.
Mr. Speaker, while we were on recess, Floyd Spence, a
native South Carolinian, a friend of us all, and a Member
of excellent standing passed away.
Floyd was a star athlete, a student leader, a naval
officer in Korea, a State legislator, and a pioneer
Republican in a State that, at the time, was thoroughly
Democratic.
For 30 long, dedicated years he served here proudly,
with total loyalty to this grand old institution of the
Republic and to the Armed Forces of the United States,
which he effectively represented on the Committee on Armed
Services for all of that time, 6 of those years as a very
able chairman of the committee.
Many Members overcome obstructions or hurdles or suffer
hardships to serve here. Few of us endure what Floyd
Spence endured, a double lung transplant. At the time, he
was one of the few in America ever to survive such a
procedure. I can recall his recounting how after the
operation every movement of his body was excruciatingly
painful. Yet, even though he had reason, I never heard him
complain. I never heard him express anxiety about his
condition. I never heard him boast.
I often heard him stand before groups, particularly from
South Carolina, and tell them, ``I am glad to be here.''
He would pause a minute and say, ``Heck, I am glad to be
anywhere.'' It was that kind of understated humor, that
kind of affability, that kind of civility, that made him
the gentleman from South Carolina on this floor, in the
committee, not just in name but in the truest sense of the
word. He left us all a worthy example to emulate,
personally and professionally.
To his family, to his four proud sons, to Debbie, his
wife, we extend our heartfelt sorrow. We will miss Floyd
too, but rest assured, we will always, always, remember
him, and never forget his courage, his spirit, and the
sterling example he left us of what it means to serve in
this great institution.
Mr. Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the gentleman from
Texas (Mr. Ortiz).
Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, I had the privilege of knowing
Floyd Spence for about 20 years. He was my good friend.
Just like my good friend, the gentleman from South
Carolina (Mr. Spratt), says, he had a great sense of
humor. I can remember when one day he said, ``You know, I
have more spare parts than a used car dealer.''
He was a great gentleman. I loved him. My family loved
him, and Debbie, who nourished him when he had the double
lung transplant. When we would see Floyd, as the gentleman
said, we would ask, ``You have a new suit?'' And he would
say, ``No, it is secondhand used.'' This was the kind of
guy he was. We loved him.
To Debbie and his sons: We are going to miss this great
American.
Mr. Speaker, like my colleagues, I rise with a heavy
heart today as we pay tribute to a friend, a colleague,
and a stalwart for our Nation's armed services and the
country. Floyd Spence and I were friends for as long as I
have been in Congress.
In addition to his zeal and dedication on behalf of his
constituents in his beloved South Carolina, I admired his
outlook on life.
Floyd was determined to squeeze every drop of life he
could from his time on this Earth--and he succeeded.
From the double lung transplant to the kidney
transplant, Floyd said he had more spare parts than a used
car dealer. What was amazing was that he survived all this
for so long. He had an amazing ability to recover from
deadly afflictions.
He was supremely dedicated to his duty to South
Carolina, to our armed services, and to the United States
of America. I know this because I traveled with Floyd to
places on every part of this planet to inspect our
military bases. Wherever we went, he insisted we talk to
enlisted men, not just the generals.
Our Nation has lost a great hero. I have lost my friend,
mi amigo.
I offer Debbie and his children--David, Zack, Benjamin
and Caldwell--my deepest condolences for their loss.
Floyd loved his family so very much. It was Debbie, when
Floyd had the double lung transplant and was at his
lowest, who gave him the support and encouragement he
needed, and nursed him back to health.
Floyd had a stubborn resolution to live, to enjoy life.
He knew his time was one day at a time--he told me that
each day was extra icing on the cake of his life. The
anti-rejection medicine he took greatly diminished his
ability to ward off simple infections.
I will miss that giant of a man with a laugh he was
quick to share. The camaraderie often noted as now missing
in the House of Representatives had led our critics, and
ourselves, and leads people to say that we lack either
bipartisanship or simple human trust.
But because of my friendships with so many of my
Republican colleagues, most notably my friend Floyd
Spence, I know the trust we engender here is real and it
works on behalf of the American people.
We may disagree on the issues of the day, but we are
united in our belief that close bipartisan relationships
serve all of us and the American people we represent.
I will miss you, Floyd. I thank the gentleman from South
Carolina for speeding our consideration of this resolution
today.
Mr. SPRATT. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the
gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Stump), chairman of the
Committee on Armed Services.
Mr. STUMP. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for
yielding time to me.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this resolution
recognizing the tragic and untimely death of our friend,
colleague, and former chairman of the Committee on Armed
Services, Floyd Spence. He was a patriot, most of all a
gentleman, and one of Congress' most ardent supporters and
tireless advocates for our Nation's military.
During his long and distinguished career in the military
and then public service, Floyd devoted his life to the
belief that there are certain principles worth defending:
freedom, democracy, and the promise of global stability
achieved through a policy of peace through strength.
As chairman of the Committee on Armed Services, Floyd
led our committee and this country through many tough
times. It was largely due to his efforts that we were able
to reverse the trend of the decline in spending for our
military.
Floyd leaves behind a proud legacy of accomplishment and
service to our Nation and to the Armed Forces to which
every public servant should aspire. It was a privilege to
serve with him. I will miss him as a leader, a colleague,
and most of all, a friend.
It is only fitting that we send Floyd off with a
traditional Navy farewell wish: fair winds and following
seas.
Mr. GRAHAM. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the
gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Skelton), a ranking member of
the Committee on Armed Services.
Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from
South Carolina for yielding time to me.
Mr. Speaker, Floyd Spence was a true Southern gentleman,
a good friend, a dedicated Congressman, and a champion of
a strong national defense. I had the privilege and
pleasure of serving with him on the Committee on Armed
Services during his chairmanship, and I found that he
always worked for the betterment of our men and women in
uniform and for our national security. I will miss him. I
will miss him very much.
Almost a year ago, an overflow crowd gathered in the
Committee on Armed Services hearing room for the unveiling
of Floyd's portrait as chairman of the committee. Often we
do not have the chance to let friends know how we feel
about them before they are gone, so I am very grateful
that we had that evening together to enjoy Floyd's
company, and to let him know personally how much he meant
to us.
Floyd Spence began serving this country as an active
duty member of the U.S. Naval Reserve during the Korean
conflict. That service continued until the end of his
life.
Our former chairman understood that our Nation needs a
strong national defense, and he worked tirelessly with
Members on both sides of the aisle to strengthen our Armed
Forces and to take care of the men and women in uniform
and their families. No one spoke out more forcefully on
the need to maintain readiness.
On rare occasions we disagreed, but never disagreeably.
Our relationship was one of mutual respect based upon
values which we both learned in small towns named
Lexington, one in South Carolina and one in Missouri.
During the years Floyd Spence served on the Committee on
Armed Services, he blessed us with his leadership, honored
us with his friendship, and inspired us with his courage.
Floyd Spence was courteous, he was thoughtful, he was
respectful of others. It was a pleasure for me to serve in
Congress with this decent, fair, and honorable man. We are
all the richer for his years of dedicated service to the
Committee on Armed Services, the Congress of the United
States, the people of South Carolina, and our Nation.
I extend my deepest sympathy to his wife, Debbie, to his
four sons, and to his entire family.
Mr. GRAHAM. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Sam Johnson), a true American
hero and a former POW.
Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I thank the
gentleman for yielding time to me.
Tonight I rise to pay tribute to a great American. He
was a true patriot, my friend, Floyd Spence.
Floyd and I first became friends when I came to the
Congress in 1991. As a career Air Force fighter pilot for
29 years, I felt inclined to keep abreast of issues of
importance to our national security and Armed Forces.
Knowing my passion for the military, Floyd went out of his
way to update me early and often, even though I had not
served on his committee.
In fact, because I was a POW in Vietnam and also a
veteran of the Korean war, Floyd turned to me in
confidence regarding issues before his committees, the
Committee on Veterans' Affairs and the Committee on Armed
Services, and he found it important to hear an outside
perspective.
He was a true conservative. He did support our American
military and our American way of life in all that he did.
Floyd was a true friend and a faithful leader for our men
and women in the Armed Forces, and he always put our
services' interest first and foremost.
Mr. Speaker, just this year Floyd traveled with us to
the Paris air show, where he looked there at foreign
airplanes and ours in demonstration, and how proud he was
of our own Armed Forces when they were out there
performing before the world. It was a reflection that just
made me admire him all the more.
In reflection, I am sad that I can no longer turn to my
friend Floyd on the floor. His family and friends are in
my thoughts and prayers. I know he is in a better place.
Floyd Spence was and is a great American.
Mr. SPRATT. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Hayworth).
Mr. HAYWORTH. Mr. Speaker, I thank the ranking member of
the Committee on the Budget and the gentleman from South
Carolina (Mr. Spratt) for yielding me time as we join
tonight in true bipartisan fashion to remember and pay
tribute to our great and good friend, Floyd Spence.
The gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Spratt) outlined
the resume of accomplishments of our friend Floyd, the
fact that he was a star athlete at the University of South
Carolina. Now that football season has started, I think of
his beloved Gamecocks that have had great success last
year and show promise in this season. He was captain of
the track team, one who served this country with
distinction as an officer in the Navy. The gentleman from
South Carolina is right: he set the pace for a Republican
birth in the 20th century in South Carolina in 1962.
He came to this institution 3 decades ago. Mr. Speaker,
I think of the lives he has touched, the difference he
made for this Nation, not with grand and glorious
orations, but with simple acts of kindness and repeated
instances of a healthy dose of common sense.
He understood that our Constitution clearly calls for
this Nation and this government to provide for the common
defense. He made no bones about his feelings and his
priority for national security. And through it all in his
days here he showed us the gift of being able to disagree
without being disagreeable. Mr. Speaker, no Member of this
House is as beloved as our friend Floyd.
We thank him for his service. We thank his family and
the State of South Carolina for giving us in this House a
remarkable public servant.
Mr. SPRATT. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
gentleman from Utah (Mr. Hansen).
Mr. HANSEN. Mr. Speaker, I walked in this place in 1980,
and I was asked to sit on the Committee on Ethics. Nobody
wants to serve on the Committee on Ethics, but the ranking
member of the Committee on Ethics happened to be Floyd
Spence. Floyd served there for years and years and years.
We had a horrible case right off the bat. It was called
the sex scandal with pages made up by CBS and one of their
reporters. Floyd handled that with more dignity than I
have ever seen anyone handle anything. He was the ranking
member, and he served longer on that committee than
anybody in this House.
I hate to admit it, but I matched it at 14 years when I
was on the Committee on Ethics. He did that with great
distinction. I remember when we used to watch Floyd come
across in a wheelchair with his girl Caroline pulling him
across there with the oxygen. He heard of a doctor down in
Mississippi who could do a double lung transplant, a
doctor from India. He did this with a young boy who was
killed on a motorcycle. He became very close to the
family.
He called the mother Mom. She used to come up here. They
were very close. That is what we would expect from a man
like Floyd Spence, a man who was a Navy captain himself,
who had more compassion for people than most I have ever
seen in my life. I stand amazed at the compassion he had
and point out what a gentleman he was. It is too bad there
are not more Southern gentlemen left in America today, a
person who always opened the door for somebody, a person
who took somebody for what they were and not what they
could give them. This is the kind of person that Floyd
Spence was.
I have to say that the people who wear the uniform
today, if you are watching this today and you are a
private or a general, you owe an awful lot to Floyd
Spence. I do not know a man among this bunch of 435 of us
who looked out more for the military. He used to say, I
make no bones about it. I will take care of our military
boys, our enlisted kids, our officers; and we will have
the best we can.
He left a legacy for all of us. I appreciate Floyd
Spence. To his wife, Debbie, and his family, we wish them
the very best.
Mr. GRAHAM. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Bereuter).
Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, Floyd Spence was a good,
valued, and valuable Member of this House. He will be
missed greatly. I want his family to know and all of his
friends and constituents what a tremendous contribution he
has made to the country. The gentleman from Utah (Mr.
Hansen) just outlined in brief form the contributions he
made to our armed services.
Floyd Spence was a living, breathing, walking miracle
and he knew it. It affected his life, and it affected all
of us who knew Floyd.
I had a friendship with him my entire 23 years here. He
began his service earlier than that. We shared a passion
for planting trees on our respective acreage in South
Carolina and Nebraska. We are members of the same
religious denomination. We talked about religion and its
importance to us many times. Mostly, I knew Floyd Spence
because of his involvement with the NATO Parliamentary
Assembly, formerly known as the North Atlantic Assembly. I
chair that delegation and have since 1995. Floyd, much
senior to me, was a very valuable member of that
delegation. All of us on that delegation, Republicans,
Democrats and our spouses and staff, miss the tremendous
contributions that he has made. We miss them already.
He was a member of the Defense and Security Committee of
the NATO Parliamentary Assembly and, of course, as a
chairman and then former chairman of our House Committee
on Armed Services, his word was greatly respected and
sought after in that Assembly. Floyd did not speak often;
but when he did, people listened. At our last meeting he
was an important contributor on a discussion about
national missile defense. Regardless of how one feels
about that subject, he made us proud that he was a Member
of the House of Representatives.
So to Debbie and his four sons, whom he talked about all
the time, and their families, we offer our most sincere
condolences. Floyd made a major contribution to this
country. We thank him, we thank you, his family, for
sharing his talent and his courageous character with this
House.
Mr. GRAHAM. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the
gentleman from California (Mr. Hunter), one of Floyd's
closest friends.
Mr. HUNTER. Mr. Speaker, I recall when a number of us
went down a few days ago to the memorial service in South
Carolina, I thought one of the great parts of the eulogy
was when Floyd's doctor who did the double lung transplant
read the nurse's notes that were transcribed the day that
Floyd got married, shortly after the operation. He read
the nurse's notes saying, ``It appears now people are
filing into the hospital room for a marriage.'' She seemed
to be somewhat surprised by that, and later on it said in
fact the marriage ceremony had taken place; and she
concluded, ``The patient has tolerated the marriage well
so far.''
I thought that was a great remark and reflection on
Floyd Spence's life because Floyd Spence tolerated a lot
of things well. He tolerated discord and disharmony and
tough times and times when it seemed like all of political
opinion was going against you. He was a man of steel. It
has been mentioned he was a man of great civility. He also
had literally an absolute iron backbone. I can remember
watching Floyd Spence tell a Speaker of the House in no
uncertain terms, ``no,'' something that is pretty
difficult to do.
I recall his days talking to Strom Thurmond back in the
early 1960s, and he said, ``I think I am going to change
parties and become a Republican.'' Strom Thurmond said,
``I do not think the district is ready for that.'' The
district was not ready for it. I think he lost his first
campaign for the Congress, but later on was elected to the
seat that he has held for more than 30 years. He talked
about that day, and whether you are a Democrat or a
Republican you have to admire the absolute iron will of
this guy who walked down the streets of his hometown
having changed parties in a State that still remembered
the War between the States, and where lots of folks had
lots of ancestors who lost parts of their bodies in the
Civil War and lost lots of other things and was still a
place where there were feelings about that war and about
Mr. Lincoln's armies.
Floyd Spence walked down the streets of his hometown and
had people, friends and neighbors, who had known him for
years turn their backs on him. I recall he said he walked
into the post office and an old friend who had been with
him for years walked up to him, turned his back to him
deliberately and said, ``I used to have a great friend but
now he is dead,'' and walked away.
I thought, what a remarkable resolution and resolve and
strength this guy had to have to do that at a time when it
was very, very difficult politically. Yet, with this great
strength and determination and resolve that resided in
Floyd Spence's heart, we never heard him brag. The only
people he talked about, if he was talking about his
family, were his grandkids and his kids and all of his
wonderful daughters-in-law.
Floyd Spence left us with a legacy of civility. If we
follow that legacy of civility, along with the resolve to
follow our principles as strongly as he did, we will
continue to be a great Nation.
Mr. SPRATT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 30 seconds to
add to what the gentleman just told. The best part of the
doctor's story was he said he was beeped. He thought
surely something happened to Floyd. He was well away from
the hospital so he rushed to the telephone. He called the
number. They put Floyd on the phone; and he said to the
surgeon, ``Doctor, I'm getting married.'' The doctor said,
``Fine. That is wonderful. When?'' Floyd said, ``Right
now.''
Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
South Carolina (Mr. BROWN).
Mr. BROWN of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, we honor a
great American and a great South Carolinian who will be
sorely missed not only here in the halls of Congress but
in the entire Nation.
His leadership in the area of national security is
without equal. Floyd Spence had been hailed by Democrats
and Republicans for devotion to God and country. He spent
his career fighting for our men and women in uniform. He
was a strong advocate of improving the life of military
personnel including pay raises and better living
conditions. He understood that a well-trained and equipped
military is the first priority by the Federal Government
and the best way to preserve the peace.
Floyd leaves behind a legacy of accomplishment that
includes service in the U.S. Navy, 6 years in the South
Carolina House, 4 years in the Senate and 3 decades in the
U.S. House of Representatives.
In 1971 he was the first House Member to sponsor a
constitutional amendment calling for a balanced budget.
He served for 13 years as the ranking Republican on the
Committee on Ethics, and he also chaired with distinction
the House Committee on Armed Services from 1995 to 2001.
Floyd Spence was one of our most distinguished patriotic
public servants as well as a Southern gentleman in the
best of the tradition. He was a great colleague and a
wonderful friend. His guidance, optimism, statesmanship,
and strong leadership will be missed by all that knew him.
He was a mentor to me and a great friend. God bless Floyd
Spence and his family.
Mr. SPRATT. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
gentleman from New York (Mr. Gilman).
Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise on this
occasion to join our colleagues in paying tribute to our
good friend Floyd Spence, to the people of South Carolina,
of expressing our heartfelt condolences to the family of
our distinguished friend Floyd.
Floyd was a true Southern gentleman, a good friend to
many of us, a committed husband and father, and a
dedicated public servant to the men and women of our Armed
Forces and to the people of South Carolina and to his
beloved Nation.
I have had the pleasure and honor of serving in the
Congress with Floyd for more than 3 decades.
As a Navy veteran, he was a staunch, unwavering advocate
for our men and women in uniform. As chairman of the
Committee on Armed Services, he fought tirelessly to
improve the quality of life for our military personnel.
Floyd was a man of great perseverance. From his early
football injury through his more recent lung transplant,
Floyd continued to give all he had to others, and he
committed his life to fully serving his people in South
Carolina.
Floyd Spence was elected to serve the Second District of
South Carolina in the House of Representatives in 1970 and
served some 15 terms. In 1971, he was the first House
Member to sponsor a constitutional amendment calling for a
balanced budget. He served for 13 years as the ranking
Republican on the Committee on Standards of Official
Conduct, and in 1995 was named chairman of the Committee
on Armed Services, where he served with distinction,
always keeping in mind the national security of our great
Nation.
Georgia and I join the many friends and Members of this
body in sending our prayers and condolences to his wife,
Deborah, his four sons, David, Zack, Benjamin and
Caldwell, and to all of the members of the Spence family.
Floyd's public service was a testimony to his life, a
model for all of us. He will be sorely missed, not only by
his colleagues, but by the entire Nation.
Mr. GRAHAM. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I
may consume.
Mr. Speaker, being from South Carolina and in politics,
having people around for awhile is not an unusual
circumstance. Senator Thurmond, most people recognize his
name, was elected in 1954; I was born in 1955. We tend to
keep people around.
Mr. Speaker, the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr.
Spratt) led this debate, and I know that the family is
very appreciative of all of the kind words. In South
Carolina we pride ourselves on being a delegation that
comes together for the good of the State, and remembers
our upbringing pretty well. Every now and then we fuss and
fight, but I doubt if my colleagues will find any Democrat
or Republican in this body that ever had a disagreement
with Floyd, that they walked away from that disagreement
believing anything less of the man. That is something we
are losing in the country.
I have been in politics since 1994. It has been a
contentious time, but we have done a lot. In a delegation
this small, Members get to know each other pretty well,
and Floyd Spence was the nicest person I have ever met in
political life. That is saying a lot coming from my State,
because most of us try to be nice to each other. And the
fact that so many Members came to speak of his kindness
and his commitment to the men and women in the military
proves that Members can be quiet and make loud statements.
Floyd will not be known by the volume that he carried,
but by what was in his heart. Floyd did change parties. At
the time that was tough, but I do not know of any
Democrats back home that thought that Floyd Spence was
anything other than a gentleman. Any disagreements with
Floyd were political, never personal.
He had a devoted wife, Debbie, and many Members know
about that situation. The marriage that the gentleman from
South Carolina (Mr. Spratt) was referring to was to his
second wife, Debbie Spence, who was a devoted wife and
friend to Floyd, and they were married in the hospital
right after his historic double lung transplant. I have
never met anyone more devoted to their spouse than Debbie.
Floyd often said he was blessed to have two special women
in his life--his first and second wives. Floyd was also
very proud of his four sons. He said he had four boys that
all married female women. To know Floyd, that made sense.
He was very proud of his family and his grandchildren.
In the 10 years-plus after he received a double lung
transplant and eventually a kidney transplant, he said,
this is my second life.
Mr. Speaker, Floyd appreciated every day the good Lord
gave him. He has a group of grandchildren, varied ages,
some of them very, very young. They have something
exciting to behold in their life. They will not be able to
know their grandfather like we knew him. They will hear
about him through family and friends. They will hear about
Floyd through a thousand different ways.
They will hear about their grandfather from statements
in the post office, ``Was your grandfather Floyd Spence?''
And they will say, ``Yes.'' People will say, ``Let me tell
a story, how he helped me.''
I do not think there is any better legacy than what
Floyd left behind: kindness to everybody, a smile on his
face. This body has lost a real gentleman and a true
friend to the men and women who serve in the military.
Mr. Speaker, if we could all be more like Floyd Spence,
we would be a better Nation.
Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from
Florida (Mr. Stearns).
Mr. STEARNS. Mr. Speaker, I was with Floyd on his last
trip. We flew into Paris to go to the Lafayette Escadrille
Memorial, a memorial to recognize 60 Americans in World
War I who fought with the French against the Germans.
These 60 individuals were killed in France, and they were
memorialized at the Lafayette Escadrille, a large
memorial. Congressman Spence led the delegation, and I
gave a speech on their behalf, and he was a strong
participant.
I will cherish that trip because that was the last time
I spent any time with Floyd. I think, as pointed out by
other speakers, he was a gentleman in the real sense of
the word, but he also had a spirit, a spirit of survival,
a spiritual makeup that one felt he was in tune with the
Lord, and that he continually reminded all of us to
appreciate each and every day.
I will miss him when he used to come up on the House
floor and say hello. He would always have that kind of
expression, and when asked how he was doing, he would
respond, ``I am here and I am very thankful.''
When we talk about a person's life, if Members can talk
about him with a certain sense of joy, I think that is a
positive thing, and I think we are here tonight to say in
many ways he brought joy to our lives with his spirit. I
am speaking tonight about his accomplishments, but also
about his spirit.
Mr. Speaker, I served 10 years on the Committee on
Veterans' Affairs with him, and in addition to the active
military personnel, he was very interested in the retired
military, particularly veterans. He was very religious in
his attending of subcommittee assignments. I was impressed
that he, as chairman of the Committee on Armed Services,
would still have time to come to our Committee on
Veterans' Affairs, and his participation was very active
and commendable considering how much he had on his plate.
Mr. Speaker, I think it should be pointed out that many
of us did not see him in his prime athletic years when he
was a great athlete. We saw him here with the various
replacements he had with his lungs, his kidney, but we did
not have the opportunity to see him when he was a strong
athlete. He was a leader, a naval officer, and when
Members look at the spectrum of his career, it was
magnificent and impressive; and when one tops that with
his love for the country, it was a perfect package, and I
close on that note.
Mr. SPRATT. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
gentleman from Guam (Mr. Underwood).
Mr. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, Floyd Spence was a
remarkable individual. He was remarkable for his
accomplishments: The fact that he was a steady voice for
the national security of this country; the fact that he
led the Committee on Armed Services with such great
distinction. He was a statesman in the truest sense of the
word.
In a way it is not so much all of the things that he
did, but his demeanor, the way that he carried himself
throughout his efforts that really I think inspires many
Members to come to the floor this evening to make
commentary on Floyd.
He came to the chairmanship of the Committee on Armed
Services at a time when the majority took over the House,
and in a way, the majority was very fortunate to have a
leader like him because he was steadfast in his
principles, yet he was not personally very polarizing; and
as a consequence, he was able to sustain his positions
very well and successfully.
Frequently we hear the phrase, kind of a trite phrase,
``Courtesy is contagious,'' but with regard to Floyd
Spence, it really was. He was a very kind man. In my
personal interactions with him, he always found the time
to talk and ask me about how the military was doing in
Guam, and what he could do to help us. In that sense,
courtesy was contagious. He was the quintessential
Southern gentleman. There are still many examples of that
around, and we are happy to see that, and I hope it
continues to infect the rest of us here who are not from
the South.
Mr. Speaker, I pay tribute to Floyd who was my chairman
for 6 years. He was a joy to work with, and certainly an
inspirational figure in his own way, and it demonstrates
that in politics it is not the power of words, but the
power of spirit that carries the day. He provided ample
evidence of that in his own work.
Mr. GRAHAM. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
gentleman from Kansas (Mr. Ryun).
Mr. RYUN of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, I have very fond
memories of Floyd Spence. As a freshman on the Committee
on Armed Services looking for direction, he was always
there as a friend, and he was willing to give counsel.
I particularly remember when I asked him to come to Fort
Riley in my district to visit the soldiers and see the
installation and meet the people. As I visit with people
back in the district, they still remember him as being
very warm, very committed, very sincere, and a great
leader.
Mr. Speaker, most people have a birthday every year in
their life just to celebrate life, but the one thing that
always interested me with Mr. Spence was, the Committee on
Armed Services had a birthday to celebrate his lungs
because he had been given a special gift as a result of
complications he had in his life.
My family and I loved him very much. He was always very
kind to them. He was willing to give time whenever he
could provide it. He was a man who knew he had been given
a great gift from God. He fought for what was right for
this country, even if it meant going against members of
his own party because he had that kind of commitment.
Debbie was a great contribution to his life.
Mr. Speaker, I want to finish by saying Mr. Spence will
be missed, and we thank him very much for his great
contributions to this great Nation.
Mr. GRAHAM. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. DeMint).
Mr. DeMINT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a true
champion of freedom from the great State of South
Carolina, Congressman Floyd Spence. It was an honor and a
personal privilege to serve with Floyd in Congress and get
to know him over the past few years. He served his
district, his State and his country by fighting for the
values that we all cherish. He was a true patriot and a
remarkable man.
Floyd became a personal friend of mine, and I remember
so many occasions on the back of this floor just talking
with him. It was his encouragement and sense of humor that
gave me a good perspective of our work here: to keep the
focus on our country and security and what is best for
those who live here. He was an inspiration to me, and I
want to honor him tonight.
As you know, Floyd was a walking medical miracle. In
1988, at age 60, he underwent a then rare double lung
transplant. In 1990 when asked to reflect about this
operation, Floyd said ``I thank my maker for allowing me
to have a second life.'' This past year he also had a
kidney transplant. His doctor characterized Floyd as a man
of extraordinary courage who respected and embraced life.
He often said that he was ``grateful for any additional
day God granted him.'' Through those experiences, Floyd
continued to serve and became an active supporter of organ
donor awareness programs.
Congressman Spence was recognized around the world as an
authority on defense issues. Vice President Dick Cheney
recently said Mr. Spence was one of the watchmen over
America's security. He had a deep respect for the
military, and that respect was returned. He was a patriot
who served his country well. Floyd was chairman emeritus
of the Committee on Armed Services, and a senior member of
the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. He was the only Member
of Congress to have served as chairman of the Committee on
National Security.
A decorated veteran himself, he received many military
honors. Most recently, Congressman Spence received the
2001 Distinguished Service Award from the Military Order
of the World Wars.
Before coming to Congress in 1970, Congressman Spence
was a member of the South Carolina House of
Representatives from 1956 to 1962 and the South Carolina
Senate from 1966 to 1970. He was a man of faith, a solid
conservative, a wise mentor and a shining example of
service to myself and the rest of the delegation.
My heart goes out to his wife Debbie and the entire
Spence family. Our prayers are with you as you grieve--
thank you for sharing such a man of integrity with us.
Mr. GRAHAM. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Buyer).
Mr. BUYER. Mr. Speaker, I wanted to come to the floor
tonight and also join in the eulogy of a friend of the
House and a friend of the country. Floyd Spence, I think,
was an individual whom many of us here in this body could
call a friend, because Floyd in his aw-shucks kind of
Southern gentleman demeanor would come up and ask you,
``how is your health, how are you doing, how is your
family.'' And he always put the needs of others ahead of
himself. Even though Floyd may have been failing in his
health, he always wanted to know how you were doing and
how you were feeling. That was a lot about who Floyd was
and the impact he had on a lot of us and the impact he
left upon a country, because he dedicated his life to
public service.
It was truly honorable in the manner in which he
conducted not only his everyday life but also his
profession. He had so many positive attributes that he
could not help but have an impact upon each of us and as a
Nation. I think as an individual that dedicated his
efforts to national security and making sure that the men
and women who wear the uniform, when they take that
uniform off, in his dedicated service to the Committee on
Veterans' Affairs, he made sure that that solemn oath that
that veteran took, that the government in fact fulfilled
their commitments to the veterans of this Nation. He
taught each of us every day that freedom is not free and
that we must be vigilant as a Nation, leaning forward so
that we could respond.
Floyd may not be with us in body but the lives Floyd
Spence touched will be forever with us in spirit. There is
a song and the lyrics of that song may have been heard but
not listened to by many and it is that life is about more
than who we are, it is about what we do with the span of
time in which we have. Floyd embodied that. He made sure
that the imprint that he left upon each of us and the
Nation was one that was very positive.
Floyd, to your family, you spoke often of your sons and
of your grandchildren, we wish you and your family well.
One day we will join you, my friend.
Mr. SPRATT. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my
time.
Mr. WATTS of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy
heart that I join my colleagues in bidding a fond farewell
to our colleague and ``my chairman,'' Floyd Spence, who
died last month. Our condolences to his wife Deborah and
his four children. Floyd Spence was a hero, a patriot, a
family man, a man of God, and, above all, a gentleman. In
his more than 30 years in this body, he demonstrated
civility, respect and kindness toward his colleagues. He
was in the finest tradition of Southern gentlemen.
Mr. Speaker, Floyd Spence served his country honorably
in the U.S. Navy, on active duty in the Korean war era,
and then as a reservist, even while a Member of Congress
for decades thereafter. His commitment to our troops in
uniform was unsurpassed and obvious to those of us who
served with him.
In his role as chairman of the House Armed Services
Committee for the 6 years ending in January, Floyd really
came into his own, in highlighting the deteriorating
condition of our Armed Forces and strengthening
congressional resolve to address this issue.
I was honored to be in attendance at his funeral, along
with Vice President Cheney, Secretary Rumsfeld and so many
others. His voice will be missed in this body, but never
forgotten.
Mr. EVERETT. Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that
I stand here today to honor the memory of a dear friend
and respected colleague, Floyd Spence. Floyd was a patriot
and a statesman who devoted his 30 years in Congress to
securing America's defense and supporting our Nation's
veterans. As such, he was a well-known voice of experience
and leadership on both the House Armed Services and
Veterans' Affairs Committees, on which he proudly served
for much of his career.
Floyd assumed the powerful chairmanship of the Armed
Services Committee when Republicans gained control of the
Congress in 1995. He quickly proved himself a skilled
chairman, pushing for and securing billions more in
desperately needed defense funding when the Clinton
administration was seeking to gut the military to pay for
the massive growth of government social programs. Floyd
helped to save and protect our national defense and laid
the groundwork for the current drive to rebuild and
redefine our defense capability to better respond to the
challenges of the new century battlefield.
Winning tough battles was not uncommon for Floyd. During
his tenure, the gentleman from South Carolina was
successful in instituting instrumental legislative
initiatives while gaining the admiration and friendship of
Members from both sides of the aisle.
His quiet strength also got him through some very rough
health challenges. Despite these problems, I never heard
Floyd complain. In fact, I can't recall him ever walking
into a room without a smile and kind word.
Floyd was a great American and a personal friend. I
greatly value my days serving with him, especially on the
Armed Services and Veterans' Affairs Committees. He was a
source of wisdom and counsel on difficult issues, and his
presence in these hallowed halls will be sorely missed.
Mr. GRAHAM. Mr. Speaker, also on the note earlier echoed
by the gentleman from Indiana, Mr. Buyer, we will miss
Floyd but he has made us all richer.
APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS TO ATTEND FUNERAL OF THE LATE
HONORABLE FLOYD SPENCE
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Kirk). Pursuant to the
order of the House of Thursday, August 2, 2001, the
Speaker on Tuesday, August 21, 2001, appointed the
following Members to attend the funeral of the late
Honorable Floyd Spence:
Mr. Spratt of South Carolina;
Mr. Hastert of Illinois;
Mr. Watts of Oklahoma;
Mr. Clyburn of South Carolina;
Mr. Graham of South Carolina;
Mr. DeMint of South Carolina;
Mr. Brown of South Carolina;
Mr. Young of Florida;
Mr. Hunter of California;
Mr. Saxton of New Jersey;
Mr. Hefley of Colorado;
Mr. McNulty of New York;
Mr. Bartlett of Maryland;
Mr. McHugh of New York;
Mr. Chambliss of Georgia.
NATIONAL DEFENSE
Mr. WELDON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I would like to
pay my personal tribute to one of our colleagues who
passed away over the break, the Honorable Floyd Spence. I
had known Floyd Spence as many of our colleagues did in a
very personal way over the past 15 years that I have
served in the Congress. He was a leader on national
security issues when I came to the Congress. He was one of
those individuals that I looked up to for guidance and for
early orientation to fully understand the role of the
Congress in making sure that our military was being
properly supported.
Congressman Spence, Chairman Spence, was one of those
unique individuals who had severe health problems, in fact
had a major double lung transplant, and had gone through
turmoil in his life from the health standpoint. I can
remember the days when they wheeled him to the floor of
the House in a wheelchair with a ventilator, yet he came
back and rose to become the full chairman of the House
Armed Services Committee and for 6 years he led this body
in issues affecting our national security.
He was a quiet man, a gentle man, someone that never had
a cross word for anyone, even those he disagreed with and
was someone who would be a role model for someone aspiring
to become a Member of this body. He had a profound
influence. During a time of difficulty in the 1990s when
defense budgets were not what they should have been, it
was Chairman Floyd Spence who rose above the political
fray and led this Congress in a very bipartisan way to
increase defense spending by approximately $43 billion
over President Clinton's request for defense over a 6-year
time period. If it had not been for Chairman Spence
fighting tirelessly for our military, for the quality of
life for our troops, if it had not been for Chairman
Spence fighting for modernization and fighting for the
basic dignity of our military, I do not know where we
would be today.
Thank goodness Chairman Spence was here. Thank goodness
he was fighting the battle. Thank goodness he was building
bipartisan coalitions on behalf of the sons and daughters
of America serving in uniform. He did a fantastic job in
this body. He was someone who had many friends on both
sides of the aisle and someone who will be terribly
missed. I could not attend the funeral of Chairman Spence
because I was in Huntsville, Alabama, giving a major
speech to 800 people on missile defense.
It was only because of Chairman Spence's leadership that
we have moved missile defense along as far as it has gone.
As a tribute to him on that opening day of the conference,
the entire group joined in a prayer together, a prayer of
sympathy for the family of Floyd, for his wife and his
sons, and to let all of America know that Floyd Spence has
been a true champion, one of our real patriots.
It was just last April, Mr. Speaker, when I had the
pleasure of recognizing Chairman Floyd Spence at our
annual National Fire and Emergency Services Dinner. We
have two types of defenders that we support in America:
Our international defenders, our military, and Floyd
Spence was definitely their champion. That night as we
have for the past 14 years, we honored our domestic
defenders.
Our domestic defenders are the men and women who serve
in the 32,000 organized fire and EMS departments all
across the country. We honored Floyd Spence that night
because 6 months prior, in last year's defense
authorization bill, it was Floyd Spence as chairman
working with the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Skelton),
who just left this Chamber, who allowed me to move forward
legislation that created a grant program to provide
matching funds for local fire and EMS departments so that
they can better equip themselves to be America's domestic
defenders. On that night, 2,000 leaders of the fire and
emergency services from all over America gave Floyd Spence
a standing ovation for the work that he had done on behalf
of our domestic defenders.
So Floyd Spence's legacy is a legacy that all of us
could look up to and hope to achieve, one of supporting
those people who wear the uniform, the uniform to protect
America overseas, and the uniform to protect America at
home. To Floyd's family, his wife, his sons, we say thank
you for giving us a tireless public servant whose legacy
will live on forever, who did so much in such a short
period of time and who will be so sorely missed in this
body and in the minds and hearts of military leaders
across this country and around the world where our troops
are stationed. Floyd Spence was a true American hero.
EXPRESSING SORROW OF THE HOUSE REGARDING DEATH OF THE
HONORABLE FLOYD SPENCE FROM THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA
Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, Like most of my colleagues, I was
in my district--the southside of Chicago--when the news of
the death of our friend, Floyd Spence came. I was shocked
and saddened by the knowledge that this institution had
lost yet another Member.
Born in 1928 in South Carolina, Floyd Spence was a
product of the South Carolina schools and a member of the
U.S. Naval Reserve. He was first elected to public office
in 1956, the South Carolina House of Representatives, and
he served there until 1962. He was elected to the South
Carolina Senate in 1966 and served until 1970.
Floyd Spence began his 30 years of service in this body
in 1971 and he served three terms as chairman of the Armed
Services/National Security Committee in the House before
yielding the gavel to his successor at the beginning of
the current Congress. Throughout his congressional career,
Floyd Spence served the citizens of South Carolina's
Second Congressional District, and the citizens of this
Nation, well.
Mr. Speaker, Floyd Spence was my neighbor in the Rayburn
Building. I will remember his cheerful greetings as we
passed in the hallways and in the elevators. He was always
optimistic, always upbeat, always energetic, always
courtly, always the gentleman. I will also always
appreciate the unfailing kindness and courtesy of his
staff.
Mr. Speaker, my prayers go with his family, his friends,
his constituents and his staff, at this time of sorrow. I
ask my colleagues to join me in support of this Resolution
expressing the condolences of this House on the passing of
the Honorable Floyd Spence.
COMMEMORATING THE LIFE OF THE HONORABLE FLOYD SPENCE OF
SOUTH CAROLINA, 1928-2001
Mr. HILLEARY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute
to the life and public service of a great advocate for our
Nation's defense, a true gentleman in the finest Southern
tradition, and my good friend, Floyd Spence.
For those of us who knew him only later in life, it may
come as a surprise that this gentle soul spent his early
life as a terror on the gridiron at Lexington High School
and the University of South Carolina. It's less of a
surprise that he had a distinguished 36-year career in the
Naval Reserve, because his knowledge of our Nation's
military was rivaled only by his deep affection for it.
Mr. Spence was a leader with the courage of his
convictions. He became a Republican in 1962, when
Republicans in the South were still a rare commodity. That
party switch cost him an election, but the people of South
Carolina came to respect his courage and shortly
thereafter sent him to Congress in 1970. By the time I
first came to Capitol Hill in 1994, Southern Republicans
had become relatively commonplace. That happened because
people like Floyd Spence followed their conscience and
accepted the consequences willingly.
When I met Floyd, he was then the newly installed
chairman of what was then called the House National
Security Committee. He handled his considerable
responsibility with grace and dignity, displaying fairness
to all Members, regardless of party, and showing
considerable patience with us freshmen who showed up full
of enthusiasm but short on experience.
Chairman Spence knew that freedom isn't free and deeply
believed that lasting peace could best be achieved through
unquestioned strength. He pushed for better funding for
training, modernization, readiness and qualify of life
initiatives. His leadership was instrumental in finally
stemming the tide of declining defense budgets and placing
our military on the road to recovery. The soldier enjoying
his new pay raise, the military families moving into
improved post housing, the pilot stepping into a much-
needed new fighter jet--each of these people, and many
others, can thank Floyd Spence for fighting for them. We
would be well-advised to continue along the path to
recovery that this remarkable man worked so hard to put us
on.
An old historian once noted that, ``Great men are not
often good men.'' Well, Floyd Spence was certainly both.
Those of us who have had the great opportunity to know him
are far better for the privilege.
Adjournment
Mr. WELDON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to
House Resolution 234, I move the House do now adjourn in
memory of the late Honorable Floyd Spence.
The motion was agreed to; accordingly (at 11 o'clock and
29 minutes p.m.) pursuant to House Resolution 234, the
House adjourned until tomorrow, Thursday, September 6,
2001, at 10 a.m. in memory of the late Honorable Floyd
Spence.
PUBLIC BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS
Under clause 2 of rule XII, public bills and resolutions
were introduced and severally referred, as follows:
By Mr. Spratt:
H. Res. 234. A resolution expressing the condolences of
the House of Representatives on the death of the Honorable
Floyd Spence, a Representative from South Carolina;
considered and agreed to.
Tuesday, September 25, 2001
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2002
Mr. STUMP. Madam Chairman, as the House is about to move
to final passage on this defense authorization bill, I
think it is appropriate that we take a moment to note that
this will be the first defense bill in over 30 years that
we have passed that Floyd Spence did not have a part in.
Floyd had a hand in shaping and guiding all the defense
bills for the last 3 decades, and particularly in the last
6 years where he served as chairman of the House Committee
on Armed Services.
Madam Chairman, there was not a stronger defender of our
military, no truer friend of the men and women in uniform,
and no tougher critic on those who allowed our defenses to
deteriorate over the years. Floyd Spence had vision, he
had sense of purpose, and he had a clear commitment to
ensuring that the Congress fulfill its constitutional
obligation to provide for the common defense.
We all miss Floyd, but I did not want this moment to go
without the record reflecting his leadership, his
commitment, and his wise counsel on national security
matters, which still burns bright in many of us that were
privileged to work with this quiet, unassuming and
passionate American patriot.
Mr. SKELTON. Madam Chairman, will the gentleman yield?
Mr. STUMP. I yield to the gentleman from Missouri.
Mr. SKELTON. Madam Chairman, I applaud the gentleman on
his comments and his memory of Floyd Spence. He was truly
a gentleman's gentleman, a true Southern gentleman, from
his infectious laugh to his strong support of the troops.
We will recall him very, very fondly; and I thank the
gentleman for his remembrance of him.
Proceedings in the Senate
Thursday, September 6, 2001
MESSAGE FROM THE HOUSE
At 12:29 p.m., a message from the House of
Representatives, delivered by Ms. Niland, one of its
reading clerks, announced that the House has passed the
following bills, in which it requests the concurrence of
the Senate:
The message also announced that the House has agreed to
the following resolution:
H. Res. 234. Resolution stating that the House has heard
with profound sorrow of the death of the Honorable Floyd
Spence, a Representative from the State of South Carolina.
IN MEMORY OF CONGRESSMAN FLOYD SPENCE
Mr. THURMOND. Mr. President, last month, the U.S.
Congress lost one of the finest public servants I have had
the honor to know. As my colleagues may know, Congressman
Floyd Spence, who represented South Carolina's Second
District, passed away on August 16, 2001. Floyd Spence may
no longer walk the halls of Congress, but the countless
contributions he made over the last 3 decades will
continue to influence South Carolina and this great
Nation.
Floyd was a humble public servant who was proud of his
modest background, often introducing himself as ``Floyd
Spence, dirt farmer.'' He was a principled man who could
disarm anyone with his friendly disposition and his
distinct chuckle. It was difficult, if not impossible, for
anyone to dislike Floyd.
Too often we take life for granted, but not Floyd
Spence. As a beneficiary of two organ transplants, he knew
too well he had been given not just a second, but a third
chance at life. As a result, Floyd lived life to the
fullest, dedicating it to the service of others and his
Nation.
Floyd's generosity was demonstrated by his willingness
to lend an ear to those who faced the frightening prospect
of a transplant, or the even scarier possibility of not
receiving an organ in time. Having faced these fears
himself, he welcomed the opportunity to comfort
individuals from across the United States who called to
ask him about his own experience.
My friend, ever the Southern gentleman, leaves behind a
legacy of dedicated public service. For almost 50 years he
loyally served the people of South Carolina. Floyd was
also an outspoken advocate for our armed services and had
served as chairman for the House Armed Services Committee.
As a retired Naval Reserve officer, he recognized the
importance of a strong military and worked tirelessly to
ensure that the needs of our armed services were
addressed.
He was a true patriot, a dedicated public servant, and
he will be greatly missed by all who knew him. Floyd is an
inspiration to all, and my heartfelt sympathy goes out to
his devoted wife Debbie, and his fine sons, David, Zack,
Ben, and Caldwell, and to his dedicated staff.
The Gentleman from the
Land of the Palmetto
a Tribute to the Hon. Floyd Davidson Spence
Rep. Floyd Spence, a retired Naval Reserve captain and
ROA Life Member, died on Thursday, 16 August 2001. Rep.
Spence, a graduate of the University of South Carolina and
its law school, never recovered from surgery on 9 August
to remove a blood clot from his brain. Floyd Spence was a
strong proponent of Pentagon funding requirements and was
chairman of the House Armed Services Committee (HASC) from
1995 until January 2001. He served as chairman of the HASC
procurement subcommittee until his death and was a senior
member of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
``I was in Scotland attending an international
legislative symposium when I received word of the passing
of my good friend Congressman Floyd Spence,'' Rep. Howard
Coble (R.-N.C.) told The Officer. It's humorous what
thoughts pop into your head at times such as these, but I
began thinking about the first time I heard Floyd Spence's
name.
``I was elected to Congress in 1984.'' Representative
Coble continued, ``and after winning that first election,
I began receiving congratulatory calls. One friend told me
about a friend of his who was serving with distinction in
Washington, Floyd Spence from South Carolina. My friend
had played high school football against Floyd, and despite
the fact they were on different teams, they became good
friends. He told me to be sure to contact Floyd Spence
when I went to Washington, which I did.
``I am so proud that I had the chance to serve alongside
Floyd in the U.S. House. He was a tenacious fighter for
his district, his state, and his nation. He fought the
good fight in both his personal and professional life. We
all know the stories about his personal health battles--
including his double lung transplants. While he was still
in the hospital recovering from that major event, I
noticed that none of his South Carolina colleagues had
said anything on the House floor about Floyd's recovery.
Finally, I decided that I would make some remarks about
Floyd's valiant struggle. I reserved the time from the
Speaker, and as I was preparing my remarks, I asked one of
Floyd's colleagues, the colorful Arthur Ravenel of
Charleston: Should I refer to Floyd as the gentleman from
South Carolina? Arthur replied, `You should say the
gentleman from the Land of the Palmetto.' So, I closed my
remarks with Arthur's words, and I immediately received a
call from Floyd's office thanking me for my kind remarks.
Of course, I gave the oft-quoted Arthur Ravenel the credit
for my closing words!
``Everyone knew of Floyd's devotion to our nation's
military personnel, but I think it was even deeper than
most realized. Many times we would be in a conference and
the subject of defense spending and priorities would
arise, and some would be in favor of reducing our
commitment to America's fighting men and women. Floyd's
arguments in favor of our military would be passionate and
eloquent. Inevitably, he would conclude his well thought
out arguments with these words, `We're talking about your
country, man!' Indeed he was. Floyd's life was an example
of duty and devotion to family and country.''
As friends and colleagues mourned the passing of Rep.
Floyd Spence, they repeatedly noted this devotion to
family, friends, and, above all, his country and those who
served in its armed forces. Sen. Strom Thurmond (R-S.C.)
remembered his friend thus in a statement to The Officer:
``Floyd was a dedicated champion for all of our men and
women in uniform. As a retired Naval Reserve Officer, he
always recognized the importance of a strong military and
worked tirelessly to ensure that the needs of our armed
services were addressed. He was a true patriot, a friend
to all service members, and he will be greatly missed.''
Lt Col Ira A. Edens, USAF (Ret.) and ROA Life Member, a
close friend of Representative Spence for more than 50
years, remembers attending numerous ROA conventions with
the congressman. ``Floyd and I shared the mutual belief
that the first priority of Congress is the defense of
America and preservation of freedom,'' Colonel Edens said.
``We both believe that if we lose our freedom, all else
that we hold dear as a nation--our homes, churches,
schools, institutions and way of life as free citizens--
fall on the ash heap of civilization.''
In addition to his patriotism, Representative Spence
was recognized as a ``true Southern gentleman'' and a man
of ``unsurpassed integrity.'' Colonel Edens also noted in
his memo to ROA: ``Floyd was a humble public servant,
loved and respected by legions of friends and supporters
in his home state and across the United States. Floyd and
I believed, as do others, that the first and foremost
requirement for public service is moral integrity and high
standards of character in all areas of public service.
Floyd set a high standard of moral leadership . . .'
Indeed, Rep. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said that ``if he has
an enemy in Congress, I don't know it . . . I've never met
a more gracious person at any level.''
Representative Coble recalled Floyd Spence's
graciousness recently when he was invited to appear on a
television program in his congressional district. ``When I
arrived at the station, a gentleman greeted me with the
phrase: `Come on in the house.' Again, my mind flashed to
Floyd Spence . . . I told him that no matter where Floyd
was, on the House floor or in his personal office, he
would greet friends and newcomers alike by saying, `Come
on in the house.' That was the kind of man he was, someone
who never met a stranger.''
Funeral services were held in the historic First Baptist
Church in the congressman's home city of Columbia, S.C.
Vice President Dick Cheney, Secretary of Defense Donald
Rumsfeld, House Speaker Dennis Hastert (with a House
delegation), Secretary of the Navy Gordon England, and
Commandant of Marine Corps General James L. Jones were
among the dignitaries who joined friends and supporters to
honor Rep. Floyd Spence. The Vice President eulogized
Floyd Spence during the ceremony: ``I am here today on
behalf of the president of the United States to honor a
man who has served our nation long and well . . . He had a
deep respect for the military. That respect was returned
in kind. He understood the values and virtues of our
military, not only as a political leader but as a veteran
himself. Life brought more than a few hardships to this
good man. He bore them with courage . . . President Bush
and I will miss his counsel and his steadfast presence in
the House of Representatives.''
His casket was placed on a cassion drawn by six white
horses; a seventh riderless white horse followed the
cassion, signifying a fallen comrade. Representative
Spence's funeral marked one of the few times in the
history of South Carolina where a horse-drawn cassion was
used in a state funeral.
Rep. Floyd Spence's lasting impression on the Congress
and the nation may best be summed in these words of Rep.
Stephen E. Buyer (R-Ind.), sent to ROA: ``I am deeply
saddened by the death of my friend and colleague
Congressman Floyd Spence. For eight years, I had the
privilege of working alongside Floyd, and I had the
opportunity to witness his steadfast support of our
nation's military. We shared the same values and beliefs:
duty, honor, courage and commitment to God, country,
family and our fellow man. Floyd was a true Southern
gentleman and his honor and integrity were unparalleled.
It is a true loss to this nation. Although he will be
greatly missed, his spirit and legacy will live on.''
Reprinted with permission from The Officer, a
publication of the Reserve Officers Association, vol.
LXXVIII, no. 8, September 2001, pp. 12, 44.
``The nation has lost a patriot and a dedicated public servant. Floyd
Spence served his nation with distinction as a Naval officer and as a
member of Congress for more than 30 years. As a leader on the House Armed
Services Committee, he cared deeply about our men and women in uniform and
helped secure peace through his commitment to the strength of our armed
forces.''
--Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld
FUNERAL SERVICE
FOR
FLOYD DAVIDSON SPENCE
April 9, 1928-August 16, 2001
First Baptist Church
Columbia, South Carolina
Tuesday, August 21, 2001
Organ Prelude
The Entrance Rite
Pastor:
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the source of all
mercy and the God of all consolation. He comforts us in all our sorrows so
that we can comfort others in their sorrows with the consolation we
ourselves have received from God.
Congregation:
Thanks be to God.
Pastor:
When we were baptized in Christ Jesus, we were baptized into his death.
We were buried therefore with him by Baptism into death, so that as Christ
was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live a
new life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall
certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.
(The Congregation Stands)
The Processional
``Highland Cathedral''
``Going Home''
Cadet W. Reed Kastner
Cadet Paul Robinson
Bagpipers, The Military College of South Carolina
(The Congregation is Seated)
The Greeting
The Reverend Dr. Wendell R. Estep
Pastor of the First Baptist Church,
Columbia, South Carolina
Hymn
``How Great Thou Art''
Stuart K. Hine, b. 1899
Words of Tribute
The Honorable Richard B. Cheney
The Vice President of the United States of America
Dr. Seshadri Raju
The Honorable Carroll A. Campbell, Jr.
Former Governor of the State of South Carolina
The Honorable Addison (Joe) G. Wilson
Member of the Senate of South Carolina
The Honorable Richard B. Cheney
Reverend, Deborah, members of the Spence family, I'm
here today on behalf of President Bush and the people of
the United States of America to honor a man who served our
Nation long and well. I am also here as a former colleague
of Floyd Spence and as one who for a quarter of a century
knew him as a friend.
That is a distinction I share with many. It is recorded
that the first time Floyd ran for his House seat they did
a poll here in South Carolina to measure his support. Not
only did the poll find signs of public approval, it turned
out that 21,000 people counted him as a personal friend.
That number has only grown these past 30 years and many
are those who feel deeply the loss that came last week.
He called this his second life because of the transplant
operation more than a decade ago. And he put the gift of
those extra years to good use. It was not in his nature to
waste a day or take time for granted, especially where the
affairs of the Nation were concerned. In Congress, Floyd
was one of the watchmen over America's security and the
well-being of those who defend us.
He was considered an authority of military matters long
before 1995 when, after 24 years in Congress, he became
the first Republican chairman of the House Committee on
Armed Services in more than 40 years. How he must have
enjoyed that, but I can attest as can many of his
colleagues here today that Floyd worked tirelessly to
preserve the bipartisan, fair, and thorough tradition of
the Armed Services Committee. No one has ever assumed that
critical position with a greater commitment to the U.S.
military, or had a stronger grasp of its responsibility
than Floyd Spence. He had a deep respect for the military
and that respect was returned in kind. He understood the
values and the virtues of our military, not only as a
political leader but as a veteran himself. He understood
that a prepared military is the work of years and is never
complete. He understood the great part our country plays
in the world and the great choices always before us. As he
said recently, ``Either we accept our role as a sole
global superpower and provide our military with the
necessary resources or we decline this difficult
responsibility.''
From the very beginning of his career, Congressman
Spence himself was never known to decline any difficult
responsibility. When I first knew him in the mid-1970s,
Washington was bitterly divided by Watergate. We needed
leaders who kept their eyes on the Nation's interests. We
needed solid, serious men who took the long view of
things. We needed patriots. That word more than any other
describes the gentleman from South Carolina. Floyd was a
bit of an anomaly in Washington. A soft-spoken gentle man
who was proudly one of the staunchest hawks in Congress. A
man who worked hard for his district, for his State.
I loved the quote I saw in one of your local papers from
someone who had known Floyd Spence very well. He said
``Floyd Spence has done more things for more people and
said less about it than any man in American politics.''
He was never known to draw away from any personal
challenge either. Life brought more than a few hardships
to this good man. He bore them with courage, preferring to
think and speak of all he had given and all he had hoped
to do. I was proud to serve with Floyd Spence. President
Bush and I will both miss his counsel and his steadfast
presence in the House of Representatives.
It was only about 7 months ago that the President and I
met in Austin with Floyd and his Democratic colleague Norm
Sisisky who also passed away this year. We invited them to
come down to offer their advice and wisdom to the new
incoming team. Norm Sisisky made a comment to the
President which he then repeated to the press afterward.
He said, ``We will give you a lot of advice. We will argue
with you. But when it comes out, once you have made a
decision, people in the room are going to support you on
national defense. That is the legacy that Norm Sisisky and
Floyd Spence leave to us--the strong tradition of pulling
together rather than tearing apart on matters affecting
our Nation's security and our standing in the world. Floyd
Spence was a patriot who served his country well. We will
miss him.
Dr. Seshadri Raju:
Vice President Cheney, colleagues, friends, and family
of Floyd Spence. I first met Congressman Floyd Spence
nearly 14 years ago when he was admitted to the University
Hospital in Mississippi for a double lung transplantation
procedure. Lung transplantation is pretty much routine
now, but it was very much experimental at that time and
the outcome was not at all certain. I think it took
extraordinary courage for him to undergo the procedure at
that time in the first place. Life after double lung
transplantation is not always easy, and it can be pretty
rough at times. I know for a fact that Floyd went through
several such periods of great difficulty in the years
after transplantation that would have broken a lesser man,
yet he never complained, never indulged in self-pity, and
overcame those numerous hurdles that were thrown in his
way with quiet determination. His spirit and sheer
strength of will were truly amazing. He often said he was
thankful for every additional day God granted him on this
earth, and I know he meant it and lived it. I think he
understood that any such additional time God granted him
was meant for a purpose and he did not waste a minute of
it.
He chaired the House Armed Services Committee during 6
of those years and routinely put in 16- or 17-hour days.
It used to make me feel tired just looking at his typical
daily itinerary, and I'm quite a bit younger than him.
He traveled all over the world oftentimes to places
where there would be no help if something related to his
lung transplantation went wrong. His only backup was his
wife, Mrs. Debbie Spence, who often traveled with him on
these occasions. She studied up on lung transplantation
and all the problems related to it. She was deeply devoted
to him and watched over him. He used to refer to her only
partly in jest as Dr. Debbie. It has been my deep
privilege to come to know Mrs. Spence, whose goodness of
heart and inner strength matched every bit of that of the
Congressman. The 13 years of productive life that the
Congressman enjoyed after transplantation was largely due
to her loving care and attention. And there were periods
of joy during those 13 years. Some weeks after the double
lung transplantation, I got a call from the hospital
regarding the Congressman. He was still in the hospital,
not quite ready to be discharged. I was actually out of
town visiting my brother, and the hospital had tracked me
down in Houston at my brother's residence. I was afraid
that something bad might have happened. No. It was the
Congressman himself on the phone from his hospital room.
In a very cheerful voice he said, ``Doctor, I'm getting
married.'' I said, ``congratulations. Have you set the
date?'' He said, ``right now, right here.'' So Floyd and
Debbie got married in the very hospital room where he was
still recovering. The nurse who was taking care of him
kept meticulous notes regarding the wedding ceremony. She
noted in his chart that the preacher was in the room at
5:00 p.m., and the wedding ceremony was in progress at
5:15 p.m. Her notation at 5:30 p.m. stated that the
wedding ceremony was over; and in typical nursing lingo,
she commented that the patient tolerated the wedding
ceremony well.
Floyd often said he was a simple, common man. His
politics were certainly straightforward--faith in God,
service to country, and devotion to family. Rock solid
integrity. He was a power in Washington, yet he was always
humble and courteous to all around him. He was very much a
true Southern gentleman--always polite, never
ostentatious. Yet, his quiet external demeanor hid
astonishing willpower and spiritual strength.
To what purpose did he will himself to live the extra 13
years with a double lung and then a kidney
transplantation? Partly, the answer must lie in his love
for his wonderful family who were at his bedside during
his last days and are gathered here today. David donated
one of his own kidneys to his father last year, and others
were lined up beside him if the tissue match was better.
The other part of his work was in Washington. I was
present during the ceremony last year when they honored
him on Capitol Hill and hung his portrait for his work as
chairman of the House Armed Services Committee. It was a
proud moment for his family, for him personally, his loyal
and super efficient staff, and many, many others from all
walks of life whom he had befriended during his many years
of service. The room was full; many of his colleagues from
both sides of the aisle were present. All of the service
chiefs were in attendance, and there were more stars in
the room than I am used to seeing on a typical muggy
Mississippi night. Secretary Cohen thanked Floyd for his
distinguished service, and then the time came for Floyd to
respond.
Of the many things he had done, he was most proud of the
pay increase for the men and women of the military he was
able to implement despite considerable opposition. Seeing
the glint of fervor in his eye at that moment, I realized
that he saw himself, not as a powerful Congressman, not as
a mover and shaker in Washington. His self image was that
of the Navy ensign who signed up to serve when he was just
17 years old. He understood that our freedoms ultimately
rest on the strength of our armed services and that the
well-being of the men and women who wear the uniform is
fundamental. He saw strengthening of our military as the
ultimate form of service to his country and a mission
worthy of the additional precious time God gave him on
this earth.
He had extreme, almost intolerable pain in the last few
months. Yet, he was on the job to the last minute,
including punishing overseas trips to Lithuania and Bosnia
during that period. Yes, he said he was a common man, but
he was a very uncommon man, an extraordinary man. He was
tried in his life many times in many ways, and he endured
those trials with grace, always full of hope, aiming to
serve, thankful for every additional day God gave him to
live. As we mourn his passing, we rejoice in his exemplary
life, his many accomplishments, his indomitable spirit,
and the proud legacy he leaves behind for others to
cherish and follow. Borrowing from Mr. John Monk, noted
newspaper columnist, ``well done, salute, and Godspeed,
Floyd.''
The Honorable Carroll A. Campbell, Jr.
As I look out across this congregation, I realize that
everybody here has been touched by one man. What a
tribute. As we travel this road of life and all others
too, we will meet in the end one day. But we meet so many
people, some are special. Floyd Spence was one of the
special people, he was a person that I felt really blessed
to have known. He loved his State. He loved his family in
which he was so very, very proud. And as we look at this,
and we look for champions to lead us, we look no further
than Floyd. When times were bleak, Floyd was upbeat. Floyd
was the kind of person that loved his family, he loved his
fellow man. And I have to tell you he's the kind of person
that everybody in this State and in his family was proud
of, extremely proud.
I served in Congress for 8 years with Floyd. One of the
things that impressed me the most about him was how much
he cared for others. He always put what was in the best
interest of the people above the political agenda. Having
been in the Congress myself, as others, Mr. Speaker and
others, you know it's hard to put other people in front of
you. Floyd Spence always stepped back to let someone else
do the right thing. He was unique, he was someone we may
never see again in a lifetime. He always put the best
interests of the people above the political agendas, as I
said.
As a freshman Congressman, and I mean very fresh, Floyd
went out of his way to help me with the transition, to
teach me the ropes so to speak, and what a teacher he was.
This transition gave me the advice on how to get things
done on Capitol Hill, things which I will always be
grateful for. And one thing I will always remember about
Floyd is just about every night in Washington there is
some kind of dinner or reception being hosted by this
group, or that group, trying to get your support for some
particular thing in the Congress of the United States, and
all of you Congressmen know what I am talking about. Well
let me just say this to you. Remember this about Floyd.
Every night in Washington where there was some kind of
dinner or reception being hosted by this group or that
group trying to get your support for their particular
cause, he would rarely attend. Why did he rarely attend?
He rarely attended because he said he didn't want to be
around that much sinning at night. Floyd loved God, Floyd
loved life, Floyd loved his fellow man. And even before
the medical miracles, Floyd treated every day of life as
the precious gift it is. He never met a stranger. If you
met him on the street he would greet you as an old friend
with a smile that would light up your day and say, ``hey
man, how are you?'' I can picture Floyd in heaven at the
pearly gates and saying to St. Peter, ``hey man, how are
you?'' And those of you that know it, know what I am
talking about. Floyd Spence is in heaven now but he will
never be forgotten. I feel that I am a better person for
having known him. I will miss him and his friendship and I
know that all of you will. God bless you Floyd, God bless
your family.
The Honorable Addison (Joe) G. Wilson
Debbie Spence, David, Zack, Ben, Caldwell,
grandchildren, Spence family, Mr. Vice President, Mr.
Speaker, friends from across South Carolina, Washington
and points between and beyond. Congressman Floyd Spence
was truly an amazing man. He made history but he always
did it without boasting. He set high personal standards
but he never judged others harshly. He created records but
he always left his imprint quietly and without self-
promotion. Like all truly great men, Congressman Spence
lived a life dedicated not to self but to service. That
was his mission on earth.
I count it as one of my life's blessings that
Congressman Floyd Spence was my friend. I was able to work
closely with the Congressman over a period of many, many
years. In fact I was given the honor of being his campaign
manager for about half a dozen of his re-election
campaigns. I'll never forget the first campaign we waged
back in 1970. The legendary pollster, Arthur Finklestein
conducted a survey. Arthur decided to ask a question of
potential voters. Do you consider Floyd Spence to be your
personal friend? The Vice President has already referenced
this event but it was so remarkable, it needs to be
cherished. The results came back and 7 percent of the
electorate said yes, Congressman Spence is my personal
friend. We ran the math on that number which meant 21,000
people identified Congressman Spence as their personal
friend. That was 31 years ago, long before he rose to
prominence as a national leader. There was something about
the man that touched our hearts, inspired our confidence,
and made us know that indeed he was our Congressman.
The most difficult part of being the campaign manager
for Congressman Spence was having to deal with the fact
that he would simply not brag about himself. He was so
humble that we had to drag his achievements out of him.
When we would go to festivals, or community drop-ins I
would tell him, ``now Congressman be sure to tell these
people about the legislation you sponsored, tell them how
you fought for this and that.'' And he would say ``those
folks don't want to hear about me, I want to hear about
them,'' and he would listen. He would cry with them, laugh
with them, relate to them and most of all he would help
them from beginning to end. For Congressman Floyd Spence,
holding office was all about service. That's why we loved
him, that's why he was elected and re-elected more than
any other public official from the South Carolina Midlands
in the 20th century. Most often we think of Congressman
Spence as a Congressman, and he was one of the greatest.
But most people don't realize what a tremendous impact he
had on the quality of life back when he was a member of
the State house or in the State senate.
Again, he never bragged about those achievements so I am
going to brag for him because today the record is so very
meaningful for our families. In the General Assembly, he
served on a study committee that led to the founding of
Midlands Technical College. He was instrumental in the
legislation that established the Lexington Medical Center,
which now provides world class health care to the people
throughout the region. Also he secured major industrial
developments for both Lexington and Richland Counties,
developments that brought us the jobs and tax base we
needed to fund our nationally ranked school systems.
Later, in Congress, his record was even more amazing. He
fought tirelessly for health care, for education, for free
enterprise and for a strong national defense. He saw his
vision fulfilled--a victory in the cold war, working with
President Reagan and Senator Thurmond for Americans to
live in peace, and people from Russia to Bulgaria to live
in freedom. His hard work as a Congressman enabled him to
rise from a minority back bench role to the chairmanship
of the powerful House Armed Services Committee. This is
the highest position ever achieved by a resident of the
Midlands in modern American history. But as he rose to
prominence on the national stage, Congressman Spence never
lost touch with the folks back home. He was always
happiest when he was here listening, laughing, and joking,
surrounded by all of us who loved him. And we all loved
his sense of humor. We remember how he enjoyed
complimenting friends he would run into on our new store
bought suit.
He also loved the institution of marriage. Often when he
saw me and my wife Roxanne together he would say in a
voice just loud enough for others to hear, ``boy Joe you
sure married over your head,'' which indeed I did, and so
did he. Twice. First to his late wife Lou, and now, his
beloved Debbie, who stood by him, loved him, and brought
him abundant happiness. In a single word Congressman Floyd
Spence was a miracle. The quality of life lived, the well-
chronicled donations of life given, and the measure of
life given back to others. Three parts to a whole, the sum
total of which gives us comfort and reassurance in our own
lives. May God bless his family and May God bless all of
us as we seek to keep his legacy alive. To preserve for
ourselves and future generations the miraculous gift of a
life well lived. The wise prophet Isaiah reminds us of
God's promise: ``Fear not for I have redeemed you. I have
called you by your name, you are mine.'' And so it is. God
has redeemed the Congressman. He has called him by his
name. He is with God, God bless Him.
The Salutation and Prayer
The Reverend Dr. George E. Meetze
Chaplain of the Senate of South Carolina
Pastor:
The Lord be with you.
Congregation:
And also with you.
Pastor:
Let us pray. O God of grace and glory, we remember before you today our
brother, Floyd. We thank you for giving him to us to know and to love as a
companion in our pilgrimage on Earth. In your boundless compassion, console
us who mourn. Give us your aid, so we may see in death the gate to eternal
life, that we may continue our course on Earth in confidence until, by your
call, we are reunited with those who have gone before us; through your Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord.
Congregation:
Amen.
Solo
``Amazing Grace''
John Newton, 1725-1807
Eliza Caughman Spence
The Word of God
The Verse
Congregation:
Alleluia. Jesus Christ is the firstborn of the dead; to him be glory and
power forever and ever. Amen. Alleluia.
(The Congregation Stands)
The Holy Gospel
Hymn
``I Was There to Hear Your Borning Cry''
John Ylvisaker, b. 1937
Used by permission.
Copyright 1985 John Ylvisaker, PO Box 321, Waverly, Iowa
50677
(The Congregation is Seated)
The Sermon
The Reverend Leon A. Rawl
Pastor of Saint Peter's Lutheran Church,
Lexington, South Carolina
The Anthem
``The Strife Is O'er, the Battle Done''
Francis Pott, 1832-1909
The Choir of Saint Peter's Lutheran Church,
Lexington, South Carolina
(The Congregation Stands)
The Creed
Pastor:
God has made us his people through our Baptism into Christ. Living
together in trust and hope, we confess our faith.
Congregation:
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and Earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
and born of the Virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended into Hell.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the Holy Catholic Church,
the Communion of Saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
The Prayers
Pastor:
Let us pray.
Almighty God, you have knit your chosen people together in one communion,
in the mystical body of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Give to your whole
Church in heaven and on Earth your light and your peace.
Congregation:
Hear us, Lord.
Pastor:
Grant that all who have been baptized into Christ's death and
resurrection may die to sin and rise to newness of life and that through
the grave and gate of death we may pass with him to our joyful
resurrection.
Congregation:
Hear us, Lord.
Pastor:
Grant to us who are still in our pilgrimage, and who walk as yet by
faith, that your Holy Spirit may lead us in holiness and righteousness all
our days.
Congregation:
Hear us, Lord.
Pastor:
Grant to your faithful people pardon and peace, that we may be cleansed
from all our sins and serve you with a quiet mind.
Congregation:
Hear us, Lord.
Pastor:
Grant to all who mourn a sure confidence in your loving care, that,
casting all their sorrow on you, they may know the consolation of your
love.
Congregation:
Hear us, Lord.
Pastor:
Give courage and faith to those who are bereaved, that they may have
strength to meet the days ahead in the comfort of a holy and certain hope,
and in the joyful expectation of eternal life with those they love.
Congregation:
Hear us, Lord.
Pastor:
Help us, we pray, in the midst of things we cannot understand, to believe
and trust in the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, and the
resurrection to life everlasting.
Congregation:
Hear us, Lord.
Pastor:
Grant us grace to entrust Floyd to your never-failing love which
sustained him in this life. Receive him into the arms of your mercy, and
remember him according to the favor you bear for your people.
Congregation:
Hear us, Lord.
The Conclusion of the Intercessions
Pastor:
God, the generations rise and pass away before you. You are the strength
of those who labor; you are the rest of the blessed dead. We rejoice in the
company of your saints. We remember all who have lived in faith, all who
have peacefully died, and especially those most dear to us who rest in you.
Give us in time our portion with those who have trusted in you, and have
striven to do your holy will. To your name, with the Church on Earth and
the Church in heaven, we ascribe all honor and glory, now and forever.
Congregation:
Amen.
The Lord's Prayer
Congregation:
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name,
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on Earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever.
Amen.
(The Congregation is Seated)
Solo
``Softly and Tenderly''
Will Thompson, 1847-1909
Constance Flemming
The Commendation
Pastor:
Into your hands, O merciful Savior, we commend your servant, Floyd.
Acknowledge, we humbly beseech you, a sheep of your own fold, a lamb of
your own flock, a sinner of your own redeeming. Receive him into the arms
of your mercy, into the blessed rest of everlasting peace, and into the
glorious company of the saints in light.
Congregation:
Amen.
Pastor:
Let us go forth in peace.
Congregation:
In the name of Christ. Amen.
(The Congregation Stands)
The Recessional
``Eternal Father, Strong to Save''
William Whiting, 1825-1878
Reprinted from The Lutheran Book of Worship, copyright
1978.
Used by permission of Augsburg Fortress license #2184-L.
Interment at Saint Peter's Lutheran Church
1130 Saint Peter's Church Road
Lexington, South Carolina
They that go down to the sea in ships,
that do business in great waters;
these see the works of the Lord
--Psalm 107
Miss Me, But Let Me Go
Fred Gerhardt
When I come to the end of the road
and the sun has set for me,
I want no rites in a gloom-filled room--
why cry for a soul set free?
Miss me a little--but not for long
and not with your heads bowed low.
Remember the love that we once shared
Miss me--but let me go!
For this is a journey we all must take
and each must go alone;
It's all part of the Master's plan,
a step on the road to home.
When you are lonely and sick at heart
Turn to friends you know
And bury your sorrows in doing good deeds;
Miss me--but let me go!