[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 66 (Monday, April 24, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S5562]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO JOHN STENNIS

  Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, I will just take a moment to talk about our 
departed friend who served here for many, many years, Senator John 
Stennis. When he left the Senate in 1989, he had served in this Chamber 
for 41 years--nearly one-fifth of the Senate's history. And those of us 
privileged to serve with him knew that he was one of the true giants of 
that history.
  Senator Stennis passed away yesterday at the age of 93, and I join 
all Senators in expressing our condolences on the death of our former 
colleague and in extending our sympathies to members of his family.
  Senator Stennis and I came from different regions of the country, 
from different political parties, and we had different views on many 
issues. But no one could know or serve with John Stennis without 
admiring his character, his integrity, or his patriotism.
  John Stennis loved the Senate and worked to make it a better place. 
He was the first chairman of the Senate Committee on Standards and 
Conduct and was the author of the Senate's first code of ethics.
  John Stennis also loved America, and as chairman of the Armed 
Services Committee, he never wavered from his belief that America's 
national defense should be second to none.
  John Stennis was also a man of remarkable courage. In his seventies, 
he was shot and left for dead by robbers outside his Washington home. 
And in his eighties, he lost a leg to cancer. On both occasions, he not 
only recovered, but he was also back at work long before anyone thought 
possible.
  Those of us who were here at the time will always remember the days 
when Senator Stennis returned to the Chamber and the outpouring of 
respect and admiration that he received.
  Mr. President, during his final years in this Chamber, Senator John 
Stennis was asked in an interview how he would like to be remembered, 
and he responded: ``You couldn't give me a finer compliment than just 
to say, `He did his best.'''
  Today, his family, friends, and former colleagues can take solace in 
the fact that he will be remembered exactly how he wished--as a man who 
always gave nothing less than his best.
  Mr. President, if no other Senator is seeking recognition, I suggest 
the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. NICKLES. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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