[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 53 (Thursday, May 5, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: May 5, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                   TRIBUTE TO PRESIDENT RICHARD NIXON

  Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, our Nation lost one of its most talented, 
interesting, controversial, and successful Presidents ever when 
President Richard Nixon died on April 22.
  As a new Member of the U.S. House of Representatives in 1947, he 
quickly established himself as a very bright and hard-working 
Congressman. And after only 2 years as a U.S. Senator, in 1952, he was 
selected by Dwight D. Eisenhower as his Vice Presidential running mate.
  His faithful and impressive service to President Eisenhower, and to 
the country, as Vice President earned him the Republican Presidential 
nomination in 1960. The loss of that election and the campaign for 
Governor of California 2 years later would have been enough to make 
most of us abandon any further political ambitions, but he persevered.
  That perseverance served Richard Nixon well on other occasions and 
enabled him to overcome serious setbacks and defeats during his career.
  In his book, ``In the Arena,'' he said: ``* * * you should never be 
discouraged by failure. Failure can be sad. But the greatest sadness is 
not to try and fail, but to fail to try at all.''
  My first meeting with President Nixon was during his campaign for 
President in 1968. I had been invited to Indianapolis, IN, with my 
friend, Raymond Brown, to attend the national organizational meeting of 
Citizens for Nixon-Agnew.
  He was enthusiastic, confident, and articulate as he talked with us 
about the campaign and the issues. I was impressed by his good humor 
and his obvious pleasure at seeing such a good crowd of supporters from 
around the country. Although his Democrat opponent, Hubert Humphrey, 
was supposed to be the ``Happy Warrior,'' he couldn't have been any 
happier than Richard Nixon was that night in Indianapolis.
  After I was elected to Congress in 1972, I came to know President 
Nixon better. Although frustrations with the war in Vietnam were 
troubling him, he was providing strong leadership as President of the 
United States.
  His reelection that year was decisive and reflected widespread 
support for his efforts to bring the war to an end and maintain 
prosperity at home.
  One of the most enduring memories of my first year in Congress was 
welcoming the POW's home from Vietnam. President Nixon's success in 
concluding that war and bringing all the men home is also a cherished 
memory for many American families today.
  Although Watergate was a blemish on his record, his many 
accomplishments and contributions to world peace made his Presidency 
very successful.
  President Nixon ws tenacious; he had a unique and insightful approach 
to politics and world affairs; and he carefully balanced the importance 
of American interests with the need to promote peace and freedom in the 
world.
  I hope the members of his family will be sustained by the love and 
affection of their many friends and by the assurance of the deeply felt 
appreciation and respect which so many of us have for the life and 
leadership of President Richard Nixon.

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