[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 104 (Tuesday, August 2, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: August 2, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                 TRIBUTE TO JACQUELINE KENNEDY ONASSIS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Mann). Under the Speaker's announced 
policy of February 11, 1994, the gentlewoman from New York [Mrs. 
Maloney] is recognized for 60 minutes as the majority leader's 
designee.
  Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, I have called this special order and rise 
to pay tribute to a constituent of mine who recently passed away. Her 
name is Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis.
  From the day an assassin's bullets desecrated Camelot until her 
stroll in Central Park the weekend before she died, Mrs. Onassis 
embodied the strength, resilience and independence that is the very 
essence of America.
  We live in an age when our leaders and icons are brutally assaulted 
by character assassins. Gentility has steadily declined into an abyss 
of cynicism and tabloid commercialism.
  Somehow, with her graceful manner, philanthropic spirit and infinite 
cultural breadth, Mrs. Onassis symbolized the last of American royalty. 
The end of her life brought the end of an era.
  Today, Mrs. Clinton is transforming the role of the First lady in the 
White House. In the early 1960's, Mrs. Jacqueline Kennedy transformed 
the White House itself.
  For the first time, she invited the American people inside the White 
House, making it our house instead of a remote Government bastion 
shrouded in mystery. With her impeccable aesthetic sensibility and 
expansive grasp of history, she populated the White House with elegant 
artifacts of the past, which brought an exalted spirit to the present.
  Jacqueline Kennedy's artistic passion gave rise to a White House fine 
arts commission, and even wowed typically cool Parisians who embraced 
her with open arms. After their trip to France, President Kennedy 
referred to himself as ``the man who accompanied Jacqueline Kennedy to 
Paris * * *''
  Mrs. Kennedy's grand elegance in Washington and blossoming, barefoot 
motherhood on the beaches of Martha's Vineyard contributed to a 
thousand days of nostalgia that many of us equate with our innocence.
  Surviving a miscarriage, a stillbirth and the assassination of her 
husband and his brother, Mrs. Onassis looked fate square in the eye, 
and steadfastly refused to be pited by anyone.
  Still, she was not invulnerable. Five years after her husband's 
assassination, when she became engaged to Aristotle Onassis, she told a 
friend: ``You don't know how lonely I've been.''
  In an age when seemingly everyone wants to broadcast their inner 
secrets on TV talk shows, Mrs. Onassis treasured and guarded her 
privacy after leaving the White House, turning down thousands of 
interview requests.
  How ironic that a woman who began her career as an inquiring 
photographer would shy away when the lens was turned toward her.
  Mrs. Onassis believed that her life was a precious possession that 
was not to be trivialized. She refused to become anyone's property.
  In everything Mrs. Onassis did, she gave a great deal of herself, but 
she never gave herself away.
  As a book editor in later life, she was described as a writer's 
editor who worked with painstaking sensitivity and close interaction 
with the author. In an age of narcissism, she realized that there were 
stories worth telling other than her own.
  She did create two of her own masterpieces. Their names are John and 
Caroline.
  I feel particular gratitude to Mrs. Onassis for the many 
contributions she made to local causes in the community where she lived 
and which I am privileged to represent in Congress. She was a driving 
force in her support for the historic preservation of the East Side of 
Manhattan. She showed unwavering dedication to the preservation of 
Grand Central Station, and strived for the preservation of low-cost 
housing, one of New York's most dire needs.
  In her final years, Mrs. Onassis had the good fortune to be joined in 
life by Maurice Templesman, a wonderful, caring man whom many in this 
Chamber have the privilege of knowing.
  To the world, Mr. Speaker, Mrs. Onassis lived a life of majesty and 
tragedy on a grand stage. But she never bought into that image of 
herself. Millions wanted her to live a public life, but instead she 
chose an inner life. Perhaps that is why so many private citizens 
identify with her so closely. Unlike most of the rich and famous, she 
was not one of them. In that regard, she was one of us.
  Thank you, Jacqaueline Kennedy Onassis, for all you gave us, and all 
you showed us. May you sleep in heavenly peace.
  Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a deep sense of 
sadness and sorrow over the passing of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. Our 
prayers are with her children, her grandchildren, and other members of 
her family.
  Many of us came of age when this beautiful and gifted woman and 
President Kennedy held the attention of a hopeful Nation. In Jacqueline 
Kennedy Onassis, we had the most gracious First Lady to occupy the 
White House in modern times. She was the epitome of grace, charm, 
intellect, and beauty. Any one who can remember the week of November 
22, 1963, cannot forget how she led us through that difficult period 
following the assassination of President Kennedy.
  Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis represented the very best of America. She 
was a source of inspiration to millions of Americans. For many of us, 
her passing means the loss of a dear and special friend.
  Mrs. Onassis was always charming and generous. She was a great 
supporter of the arts and historic preservation. Many historic 
buildings in New York City, Washington, DC, and all around the country 
are standing because of her tireless efforts.
  Mrs. Onassis will be missed by millions of Americans. Her passing is 
a great loss.
  Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight to commemorate Jacqueline 
Kennedy Onassis who devoted her life to the enrichment of the human 
spirit and for this, we will always be indebted to her.
  Throughout her life, Jacqueline continually gave to others, never 
losing her sense of self. Following President Kennedy's assassination, 
during times of uncertainty, Jacqueline's inspirational strength and 
quiet courage provided a tower of strength to guide our Nation through 
the dark winter of 1963. Jacqueline overcame her own personal loss in 
order to selflessly bind the country together as a family.
  During the following years, she raised two children with character, 
while founding the Kennedy Library. She hoped that this library would 
be a living legacy to her husband. Jacqueline's love of excellence, 
perpetual optimism, and hope enriched the lives of millions. She never 
cashed in her life's story nor wore her life on her sleeve. In this day 
of tell all she protected her privacy and her children's privacy. She 
exemplified excellence by her determination to promote the arts and all 
that is fine in life. Her adventurous spirit and tireless search for a 
new and better world brightened all our lives. Her life including her 
research and contributions to her husband's Pulitzer prize winning 
``Profiles in Courage'' have truly earned her a chapter in that famous 
book.
  Throughout history Jacqueline's spirit of fortitude, adventure, and 
courage will always live on and fill the hearts of America.
  Mr. ZELIFF. Mr. Speaker, Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis, or 
Jackie, as America adoringly called her. She came into our lives and 
charmed not only a nation, but an entire world as well. She symbolized 
an America that was wide-eyed and young and fresh, and by the side of 
JFK she not only captured America's heart, but, said Charles de Gaulle 
of her remarkable composure following the assassination of her husband, 
``She gave an example to the world of how to behave.''
  Beautiful and demure, the aura of mystery which surrounded her was 
like an unquenchable thirst of the public who adored her. We watched as 
this new chapter of American history unfolded, a young, handsome 
President, his charming, beautiful wife and the children America has 
doted over almost as much as did their mother. This woman we called 
Jackie once said of these two, whom she adored and fiercely protected, 
``I want John and Caroline to grow up to be good people.'' An image 
which will be forever etched in the minds of all Americans is of young 
John, saluting his father, beside a beautiful, courageous widow.
  Ironically, the one thing coveted above all else by this adored 
public figure was her privacy. She spent her lifetime shielding both 
herself and her family from the public who cherished them. She 
gracefully acknowledged the adoration of the world, often with only the 
flash of her brilliant smile.
  John Kennedy Jr. said his mother had died ``surrounded by her friends 
and her family and her books. She did it in her own way and in her own 
terms.'' Her image is synonymous with beauty and elegance. She has left 
not only America but the world as well with unforgettable memories of a 
time gone by, a time of innocence and charm in our country's history 
which will never be forgotten, a time called Camelot.
  Mr. SLATTERY. Mr. Speaker, I am privileged to have this opportunity 
to pay tribute today to Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. She was a woman of 
immeasurable intelligence and strength, who traveled life's journey on 
an often long and arduous path. Her distinguished sense of self, love 
of family, commitment to country, and belief in God forged a bond with 
our Nation, and carried her through her journey with dignity and grace.
  Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis was a true student of history with a love 
of culture and a desire to bring out the best in America. She sought 
the beauty in life and sought to live life to the fullest. I was young, 
a part of the generation of hope. I admired the vision of John Kennedy. 
I also admired young Jacqueline Kennedy and her strong sense of human 
decency. Her poise and radiance, displayed even during the most adverse 
circumstances, inspired Americans everywhere and gave us strength.
  Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis once stated that ``Everything in the White 
House must have a reason for being there.'' I truly believe that there 
was a reason she was with us. She taught us about courage, faith, and 
values, a reminder for today of all that is necessary for the 
foundation of our dreams.
  The funeral of President John F. Kennedy was a somber reminder of the 
vitality of youth and the seconds it takes to have it stripped away. We 
should all live our lives to the fullest, as if every hour on Earth may 
be our last. We should follow the example of Jacqueline Kennedy 
Onassis, remembering to seek out the beauty in life and to put faith 
and family first. These are the bonds which remain strong, even in 
death.
  Individually, and as a nation, we should be extremely grateful for 
all of her life that was given to us.
  Mr. ROMERO-BARCELO. Mr. Speaker, I rise to join in this special 
tribute to former First Lady, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis.
  The widow of former President John F. Kennedy brought a special charm 
to the White House during the Kennedy years. She became a legendary 
part of the Presidential aura. As an individual with her own special 
skills, sense of culture and knowledge of American history, the former 
First Lady continued on in her own unique career after the President's 
tragic assassination.
  She put her children and her family first in her order of priorities, 
continuing to be the gracious and loving mother she always was until 
the end.
  In the public eye, she was different things to many Americans and 
throughout difficult periods in her life she never lost sight of who 
she was and what, in the history of this country, she meant as a public 
figure.
  Her buoyancy in life, her appreciation of what the Presidency meant 
to the American people and to our traditions and values, never left 
her, not in the years when the youth and vigor of the Kennedy 
administration resonated throughout the country, nor in the tragic 
aftermath of the President's passing.
  We still miss her and shall have her in our prayers forever.
  Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, this evening I join my colleagues in paying 
tribute to the life and memory of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. Her days, 
filled with great triumph and great tragedy, remind us that, in the 
end, character rises above circumstance.
  Jacqueline Bouvier was very young when she enchanted the people of 
Massachusetts as the bride of their junior Senator. She was pregnant 
with her second child, and needed to be shielded from the campaign 
trail's wind and rain when her husband sought the Presidency. But in 
her own unique way, she still captured the Nation's imagination.
  As First Lady, she made individuality fashionable, displaying a grace 
borne not of pretense but of confidence. She seemed the embodiment of 
the Nation we hoped to be--a dream made real, at least for a time. And 
on that terrible fall day in 1963, it was her image which most touched 
us, reaching to grasp the empty air, standing beside the new President, 
blood stains on her suit, to affirm the endurance of our democracy, and 
directing a tribute to her husband which enabled all of us to face the 
awful news, and yet move forward.
  Since then, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis has been less before our eyes, 
but perhaps more in our hearts. Those of us from New York thought of 
her as the city's first citizen, concerned always with preserving New 
York's special vitality, made visible in the brick and mortar of 
countless structures and monuments. She was a patron of the arts whose 
personal commitment to beauty and expression enriched the cultural 
experience of our entire community. She was an editor, an author, a 
mother, a dreamer, and a doer.
  And though she never sought the glare of a public life, Jacqueline 
Kennedy Onassis never denied to us the warmth of her personality, or 
the inspiration of her example.
  Mrs. Onassis lives on in our memories as a model of grace, 
intelligence, and integrity. Through trials that would break many men 
and women, she remained always true to herself, never losing sight of 
the values she thought so important to our nation, never dimming the 
spirit that shined through even the darkest experience.
  We will miss her.
  Mr. MAZZOLI. Mr. Speaker, today we pay tribute to Jacqueline Bouvier 
Kennedy Onassis, an extraordinary woman who lived in extraordinary 
times.
  In 1960, she swept into the light of the cameras and dazzled America 
and the world with her charm, beauty, and elegance. As First Lady, her 
restoration of the White House was done with intelligence, sensitivity, 
and an excellent sense of history. And, today, millions of Americans 
can be proud of the house that belongs to all citizens of this Nation.
  She was never considered average, but she strived to live a quiet and 
unassuming life amid all the clamor and glamour of political life in 
Washington. Mrs. Onassis' joys in life were simple: her family, her 
friends, her books, and her work. The world watched her, studied her, 
and admired her because of her serenity and simplicity in the midst of 
anxiety and complexity.
  Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis touched the lives of all Americans 
with her style, grace, and intellect. Mrs. Onassis will be most 
remembered, however, for the public courage she displayed after the 
assassination of her husband, the President of the United States. As 
the world mourned our Nation's tragedy, she bravely continued her role 
as mother to her fatherless children. For that act of courage, 
Americans will remain eternally grateful.
  Mr. BILBRAY. Mr. Speaker, when I was a college student, I was asked 
to be a part of the effort to help elect John F. Kennedy, a 
distinguished young Senator from Massachusetts, to become president of 
the United States.
  I quickly accepted and became the southern Nevada coordinator of the 
Students for Kennedy. I remember my dad, who was in political office at 
the time, told me that John Kennedy could not win because he was a 
catholic and not a mason. My dad was a baptist and a mason. This 
statement made me work even harder.
  After he won the November election, I remember how proud all of us 
were. The First Lady, Jacqueline Kennedy gave elegance and refinement 
to the White House that had not been seen since Dolly Madison. I 
remember my wife, Mikey, making me be quiet or telling me to quit 
blocking the TV when Jackie was speaking or just in the picture. All of 
us believed we were part of something special and when the phrase 
``Camelot'' was coined, it felt perfect. And even though I could not be 
considered a knight of the round table, I felt I was at least a page in 
the fabulous court.
  Jack Kennedy was certainly Arthur and Jackie was his Guinevere.
  That awful day in November 1963 when Camelot came to an end will be 
remembered by all of us. It will never be forgotten. Something truly 
important, not only to America, but to my wife and I personally, had 
come to an end. But we do have wonderful memories.
  All of us were amazed at the grace and dignity of Jacqueline during 
that terrible ordeal. Over the years my wife and I have always followed 
her walk through history. She was grace and elegance beyond compare. 
There will never be another one like her. So I say in conclusion, 
``farewell, fair Guinevere. We do miss you.''

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