[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 29 (Wednesday, March 16, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: March 16, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                            ``MAGNIFICENT''

  Mr. MATHEWS. Mr. President, I rise this afternoon to say one word in 
celebrating the life and mourning the passing of Frank C. Gorrell, one 
of Tennessee's most eminent statesmen and celebrated citizens. That 
word is--``magnificent.''
  I cannot say ``magnificent'' as Frank Gorrell did, and he said it 
often, every time anyone asked how he was or how things were going. But 
I do not need to imitate his thundering good cheer and contagious 
conviction. The halls of the Tennessee legislature will always echo 
with his voice and his trademark reply--magnificent.
  Frank died March 12. That is a simple fact, as are the bare facts of 
all our lives. And, as is always the case, the facts do not capture the 
quality of his service to Tennessee and the caliber of commitment that 
he brought to every task.
  He was a gifted attorney and senior partner in one of the South's 
most prominent law firms. He served as Lieutenant Governor of Tennessee 
for 5 years and a State senator for 9. He once said that he left public 
office because people were starting to call him a politician. Any of us 
would be honored to be called a politician if we could be compared to 
Frank Gorrell.
  Even when Frank left public office, he never left public service. He 
remained an earnest advocate for public interests and was confidant to 
Tennessee's highest State leaders, including Gov. Ned McWherter, Vice 
President Al Gore, and Senator Jim Sasser.
  I knew him in all those roles, but I knew him best as my friend. He 
was a bear-sized man who was as large as life in every way. Above all, 
he had a competitor's heart. He loved the contest, and he loved to win. 
The bigger the battle the better he liked it, and Frank brought on some 
of the biggest battles in the history of Tennessee's legislature. But 
after the fight was done, he was ready to embrace his adversary and 
carry on for the good of Tennessee.
  Tennessee is diminished by his death. The support and sympathy of all 
Tennesseans go out to his wife Candy, his sons Frank III and Rick, and 
each member of his family.
  The man who succeeded Frank, Tennessee's current Lieutenant Governor, 
John Wilder, summarized Frank's life best. He said, ``The tragedy of 
life is not death but a failure to live, and Frank lived until he died 
to the fullest.''
  That he surely did. Magnificent, Frank. We will all miss you.
  Mr. President, I yield the floor.
  Seeing no one seeking recognition, I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. PACKWOOD. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Mathews). Without objection, it is so 
ordered.

                          ____________________