[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 42 (Tuesday, March 7, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S3602]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page S3602]]
     REGARDING THE PASSING OF LDS CHURCH PRESIDENT HOWARD W. HUNTER

  Mr. KEMPTHORNE. Mr. President, I would like to take this opportunity 
to note the passing of one of this Nation's great citizens and 
religious leaders. On March 3, 1995, the Church of Jesus Christ of 
Latter-day Saints, on behalf of his family, announced the death of 
President Howard W. Hunter.
  President Hunter, an Idaho native, was named the 14th president of 
the LDS Church in June of 1994. His message, throughout his service to 
the LDS Church, was a prayer for compassion and tolerance. In his first 
statement as president he said, ``To the membership of the Church in 
every country of the world and to people everywhere I extend my love. . 
. . I pray we might treat each other with more kindness, more courtesy, 
more humility and patience and forgiveness.''
  President Hunter was born in Boise, ID, on November 14, 1907, to John 
William and Nellie Marie Rasmussen Hunter. At an early age, President 
Hunter showed a quick mind and dedication as he attained the rank of 
Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America. In addition, he exhibited a 
gift for music and learned to play the saxophone, clarinet, violin, and 
drums. His love of music was so great that he even organized his own 
orchestra, Hunter's Croonaders. The Croonaders were a popular fixture 
in Boise for many years.
  President Hunter briefly attended the University of Washington, and 
later, in 1939, graduated cum laude from Southwestern University Law 
School with a Juris Doctor degree. He did this studying nights while 
holding a full-time job.
  During his professional career, President Hunter practiced corporate 
law in Los Angeles where he was eventually named to the boards of 24 
corporations. He also served as assistant district commissioner for the 
Boy Scouts of America for the Metropolitan Los Angeles area, as well as 
serving his church in a variety of positions ranging from bishop to 
president of the Pasadena California Stake.
  On October 10, 1959, President Hunter was called to serve as a member 
of his church's Council of the Twelve Apostles. He served as acting 
president of this quorum from 1985 to 1988, and was president from June 
1988 to June 1994.
  After 52 years of marriage, President Hunter's first wife, Clara May 
Jeffs, passed away in 1983. Later, in April 1990, he married his second 
wife, the former Inis Bernice Egan. President Hunter is survived by his 
second wife; 2 sons, John J. Hunter of Ojai, CA, and Richard A. Hunter 
of San Jose, CA; 18 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.
  Mr. President, we are saddened by the death of such a great and 
talented man. But he will be remembered for his message of compassion 
and love, and his example of hard work and success that he exhibited 
throughout his life.


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