[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 150 (Tuesday, December 20, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: December 20, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                        IN HONOR OF DON EDWARDS

                                 ______


                               speech of

                        HON. FORTNEY PETE STARK

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 29, 1994

  Mr. STARK. Mr. Speaker, the adjournment of this 103d Congress will 
mark the end of the remarkable congressional career of my good friend 
from San Jose, Don Edwards.
  When he announced his intention to end his service in this House 
several months ago, the news was greeted with headlines that included 
such phrases as guardian of the Constitution, champion of civil 
liberties, principled politician and liberal champion. It's my judgment 
that this was not the usual newspaper hyperbole. These phrases were an 
accurate reflection of what Don meant to the people of California and 
the Nation during the 32 years he served them in Congress.
  His absence from our ranks when the 104th Congress convenes will be 
apparent. There will be a large gap in the line of those who defend the 
constitutional liberties we take for granted in this country. Others 
will rally to fill this void, but no one will take Don Edwards' place. 
He is unique and irreplaceable.
  I have known and worked with Don since I came to Congress in 1973. He 
has been a wise counselor, a supportive colleague and a constructive 
critic. I will miss him and his wife Edie--she once served as my 
administrative assistant--greatly. I am pleased that the two of them 
will be able to travel and have time for pursuits their busy lives 
didn't permit before, but their absences will be tough to abide.
  It's not that they will disappear from our lives. We will still have 
the advantage of their penetrating views of public affairs, their 
counsel on how to make this the peaceful and just world we know it can 
be. They have earned the more relaxed lives they have chosen. A part-
time contribution from Don and Edie is still more than most people 
contribute working full time. But things will not be quite the same 
when the people of San Jose are no longer represented by the ever-
youthful Don Edwards.

                          ____________________