[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 67 (Tuesday, April 25, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5660-S5661]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        SENATOR JOHN C. STENNIS

  Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, I first want to commend the distinguished 
Democratic leader for his comments about our departed colleague and my 
good friend, Senator John C. Stennis. Today, there was a very 
appropriate editorial published in the Clarion-Ledger, in Jackson, MS, 
describing the effect that Senator Stennis had, by virtue of his 
service in the Senate, on the State of Mississippi.
  I commend the editor for such a fine article and I ask unanimous 
consent that it be printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the article was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

                [From the Clarion-Ledger, Apr. 25, 1995]

          John C. Stennis: Integrity Set Standard for Congress

       The accomplishments of former U.S. Sen. John C. Stennis 
     could fill pages.
       Stennis' long and full life ended Sunday at age 93, and 
     during the next few days, Mississippians, will hear many of 
     the senator's accomplishments recounted.
       His long and distinguished career in government left his 
     mark on many of the policies of the United States, especially 
     in military matters. There are many institutions that bear 
     his name, even an aircraft carrier.
       Mississippi is a much different place, and a much better 
     place, because of the policies and economic development 
     projects he brought to the state.
       But, all of the political achievements, the things that 
     most politicians are measured by, fall short when it comes to 
     Sen. Stennis.
       Stennis was, above all else, a man of integrity, a true 
     statesman, whose adherence to honor and code of conduct made 
     him legendary in the U.S. Senate, which he loved so dearly.
       That is indeed a rare quality, especially in the mean-
     spirited politics of today.
       Sen. Stennis' reputation for fairness made him a trusted 
     colleague and confidant of presidents of both parties. He was 
     known as the ``conscience of the Senate'' because of his high 
     ethical standards and respect for the institution.
       Throughout his long career, integrity and service were 
     watchwords. It is appropriate that, of the institutions that 
     bear his name, the Stennis Center for Public Service at 
     Mississippi State University seeks to encourage young people 
     to public service careers.
       In his 1947 campaign, Stennis stated a simple creed: ``I 
     want to plow a straight furrow right down to the end of my 
     row.''
       Sen. John C. Stennis succeeded with that pledge.

  Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, I want to invite the attention of the 
Senate to a couple of points that are made in this fine tribute. After 
talking about many of the things that Senator Stennis did for the State 
the editorial writer then says:

       But, all of the political achievements, the things that 
     most politicians are measured by, fall short when it comes to 
     Senator Stennis.
       Stennis was, above all else, a man of integrity, a true 
     statesman, whose adherence to honor and code of conduct made 
     him legendary in the U.S. Senate, which he loved so dearly.

  Mr. President, as I was beginning to think about putting this in the 
Record for the information of Senators, I realized that I sit at the 
desk that was occupied by Senator Stennis during the time he served in 
the Senate.
  As you know, there is a tradition here to put your name in the desk 
drawer like schoolboys used to. Senator Stennis' name is in this desk 
drawer which he wrote in there and put the date that he began service, 
1947, and a dash, and never did, of course, 
[[Page S5661]] put the date on which his service ended, which the 
distinguished Democratic leader pointed out was in 1989.
  One other aspect of this desk is that not only has it been occupied 
by many Mississippians over the years, Jefferson Davis, to name one, 
John Sharp Williams, a very distinguished Senator who had served as 
Democratic leader in the House before he was elected to the Senate, and 
then served three terms in the Senate and probably was one of the most 
respected national figures of his day serving in the Congress. And 
serving from Mississippi it made our State very proud. But Senator 
Stennis occupied this desk from 1947--well over 41 years, as the 
Senators know.
  But toward the end of his career he lost a leg to cancer, and this 
desk was located in the rear of the Chamber. So his wheelchair could 
move right up to the desk. But he never failed to rise and address the 
Senate even though he was confined to the wheelchair and had only one 
leg. He had the carpenters put a special place here where a bar could 
be fitted. There are two holes carved for wooden inserts in this desk 
to hold that bar. And the bar would rest inside the desk. Most Senators 
put the rule books of the Senate and a couple of other reference books 
in the top of their desk. But that had simply a bar there. He would put 
it there and pull himself up, and with that one leg stand erect to 
address the Senate because he respected the institution so much, its 
traditions, and its customs, always pointing out to other Senators that 
we should be in order; and having a tremendous influence because of his 
presence in this body.
  The Senate is much better off because of his service here. The State 
of Mississippi is truly blessed to have been the State represented in 
the U.S. Senate by John C. Stennis.
  Mr. President, 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. NUNN. 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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