[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 53 (Wednesday, March 22, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S4322]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


           THE RETIREMENT ANNOUNCE- MENT OF SENATOR JIM EXON

  Mr. FORD. Mr. President, I would like to say just a few words about 
my good friend and colleague Senator Exon's announcement on Friday that 
he would be retiring from the Senate.
  As soon as Senator Exon announced his decision, the political pundits 
were predicting who would run in his place, and which party stands to 
win or lose the most. There will be plenty of time to survey the 
political fallout. Instead, today we should lament the loss of a 
dedicated public servant and the factors that led to his decision. Let 
me underscore the facts that led to his decision.
  I believe the entire institution of the Senate loses when a devoted 
public servant like Senator Exon chooses to leave. But more 
importantly, his reasons for leaving signify an even greater loss than 
his singular contributions.
  Citing the ``ever-increasing vicious polarization of the 
electorate,'' Senator Exon said the ``us-against-them mentality has all 
but swept aside the former preponderance of reasonable discussions of 
the pros and cons of the many legitimate issues,'' eroding the 
``essence of democracy'' in the process.
  Refusing to answer the bell for another race, Senator Exon sent out a 
warning to the citizens of this country that the democratic process has 
become seriously flawed--that using the ``hate level'' in attack ads as 
the ``measurement of a successful campaign,'' can only mean the 
deterioration of the notion of compromise ``for the ultimate good of 
all.''
  It was a price the statesman in him was no longer willing to pay.
  And there can be no doubt that he leaves here a statesman. President 
Eisenhower once said that ``The opportunist thinks of me and today. The 
statesman thinks of us and tomorrow.''
  I know Senator Exon came to the Senate looking only to do what was in 
the best interests of his State and country. He knew that his decisions 
had to pass the test of time, not simply grab attention on the evening 
news. He spent each day meeting that test, knowing, as he said last 
week, that he ``never reached a decision that (he) didn't believe to be 
in the best interests of Nebraska and the United States of America.''
  So perhaps the pundits will put aside their political score cards for 
a moment, and will consider that in his decision to leave, Senator Exon 
the statesman was again thinking of ``us and tomorrow.''
  I certainly hope so, because his intellect, legislative skills, and 
commitment to service will be sorely missed in the U.S. Senate.
  I yield the floor.

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