[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 6 (Tuesday, February 1, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: February 1, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                     TRIBUTE TO RANDALL CUNNINGHAM

                                 ______


                           HON. DUNCAN HUNTER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 1, 1994

  Mr. HUNTER. Mr. Speaker, as many of you know, our colleague, Randy 
Cunningham's father passed away during the Christmas recess. The late 
Mr. Cunningham was an inspiration to ``Duke'', married for 54 years, 
and a devoted father and grandfather. His granddaughter and ``Duke'' 
Cunningham's daughter, April, wrote a poem shortly after Mr. 
Cunningham's death. I wanted to share this moving tribute to Randall 
Cunningham with the House and I know my colleagues join me mourning 
this loss.

     there is no dancing
     no sugar skulls
     no marigolds
     not even any papier mache skeletons
     you're gone
     but mourning comes
     neither for you
     nor for me.

     It's the son
     it's the wife
     who've died in ways which frighten.

     you, however simply pass into the next phase.

     whether it be out of a purgatory
     or into yet another existence,
     there are places better than this.

     say hello to those whom I have yet to meet
     or at least remember.

     It's still too early to really write,
     but this theme of finite existence here will re-occur.

     And Josh Platt told me not to,
     but this doesn't hurt.

     Should it?

     I never thanked you for the licorice,
     that I am sorry for.

     But I said good bye,
     there was something strange when I left that day,
     I really said good bye.

     I loved you
     but I can still love you.

     That is why I do not cry.

                          ____________________