[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 1 (Wednesday, January 4, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Pages S10-S11]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                        SALUTE TO STROM THURMOND

  Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, the Framers of the Constitution in 1787 set 
down only a handful of rules to govern the procedures of Congress. 
Among them was a provision stating that the Senate could choose its own 
officers, including a President pro tempore, who would preside in the 
absence of the Vice President.
  And as we begin a new session of Congress, we also begin another 
chapter in the remarkable life of the colleague who returns today to 
the position of President pro tempore of the U.S. Senate, Senator Strom 
Thurmond.
  Senator Thurmond's public service career is well known. While some 
have suggested that he actually attended the Constitutional Convention 
in 1787, Senator Thurmond's political career actually began 62 short 
years ago, when he was elected to the South Carolina State senate.

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  Six years in the State senate, 4 years as a judge, 4 years in the 
military, where he piloted a glider behind enemy lines on D-day, 4 
years as Governor of South Carolina, and 40 years in the U.S. Senate, 
add up to nearly 60 years of service.
  The hallmark of Senator Thurmond's career is much more than just 
longevity. It is also effectiveness. As the Almanac of American 
Politics'' states, Senator Thurmond decides where he wants to go, 
figures out how to get there, and then does it.
  As chairman or ranking member of the Judiciary Committee for a dozen 
years, Senator Thurmond saw the need for a war against crime and drugs 
long before other politicians jumped on board.
  And as the new chairman of the Armed Services Committee, Senator 
Thurmond will continue his lifelong commitment to keeping America 
strong.
  On behalf of all Republican Senators, I want to express to Senator 
Thurmond our admiration and respect, and tell him how delighted we are 
to have him once again serving as President pro tempore.


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