[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 82 (Wednesday, May 17, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1064-E1065]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                          PERSONAL EXPLANATION

                                 ______


                           HON. MAXINE WATERS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 17, 1995
  Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, yesterday, May 16, during consideration of 
final passage of the Clean Water Act Reform Act, H.R. 961, I was 
outside the building and inadvertently missed the vote. Had I been 
present, I would have voted ``Nay.''

[[Page E1065]]

                        A EULOGY TO MAX McCARTHY

                                 ______


                          HON. JOHN J. LaFALCE

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 17, 1995
  Mr. LaFALCE. Mr. Speaker, former Senator John Culver of Iowa last 
week delivered a eulogy to his friend and former colleague in Congress, 
Richard ``Max'' McCarthy, who died May 5 at age 67 in Arlington, VA.
  Mr. McCarthy represented the Buffalo, NY, area in the House from 1965 
to 1970.
  Senator Culver offered a poignant tribute to Max, who had a many 
faceted career as ``a proud veteran of two wars in two military 
services. A distinguished Member of Congress with a strong sense of our 
obligation to future generations. A diplomat wisely representing our 
country. A journalist who challenged and helped his readers to be 
better informed citizens of our democracy.''
  Speckled with anecdotes, the Senator's remarks captured the depth of 
character of this affable man we all simply called Max. The Hill 
published the Senator's eulogy in its May 17th edition and I would like 
to share it with my colleagues at this point in the Record:
             Max McCarthy: Soldier, Congressman, Journalist

                  (Eulogy by Former Sen. John Culver)

       As we all know, Max grew up in Buffalo. He loved the city 
     and its people. He knew its history and its politics. He 
     always proudly wore that small silver Buffalo in this lapel.
       One of his favorite stories about his home town recounted 
     the election night victory statement of a mayoralty candidate 
     of modest educational attainment who proclaimed:
       ``I wish to thank Jesus Christ and all the other good 
     people of Buffalo who voted for me today.''
       I first met Max 30 years ago when we were both newly 
     elected members of Congress. Although small in stature he 
     possessed a big voice and also a big heart and a big mind. He 
     was intellectually curious and genuinely interested in people 
     as well as ideas.
       He possessed strong convictions and never was half-hearted 
     about anything. He could ask more questions and learn more 
     about a stranger in one conversation than anyone I ever knew, 
     because he was such a good listener.
       As we all know, Max was very fastidious and dapper 
     concerning his dress and I used to kid him. ``I wish you 
     would start to take some pride in your personal appearance.''
       In his own congressional career he was ahead of his time 
     regarding the environment and was also the author of books on 
     subjects like chemical and biological warfare and campaign 
     finance reform decades before others discovered them. As a 
     close observer of foreign affairs, he was perceptive and well 
     informed. Years before the Iranian revolution he warned me 
     that the U.S. was wrong in supporting the Shah.
       Max was proud of being Irish and a genuine authority on the 
     history of Ireland. With affection he often recounted the 
     comment of his father, ``The Irish are not always sure of the 
     particular cause they are fighting for, but they are willing 
     to die for it.''
       But Max did know what was worth living for. After he was 
     diagnosed, Max knew his illness was terminal.
       He eventually moved into the nursing home where his life 
     and possessions were reduced to one room. At such a time one 
     must choose and those choices can tell us much about a 
     person's priorities, character and values.
       Like many of you here today who visited Max in that room in 
     recent months, I recall the many photos of his family. His 
     father and mother pictured with him as a small boy, his 
     sisters, and the individual and group pictures of his 
     children and grandchildren whom he loved so deeply. They 
     reminded me of the joy he always expressed following a visit 
     to one of them--be it in Italy, Chicago, New York City or 
     back in Buffalo.
       There was an American flag in the corner of the room. I 
     assume it was from his congressional office. There were two 
     framed honorable discharge certificates--one from the World 
     War II Navy and the other from the Army for service during 
     the Korean War. Max was devoted to his country, but like a 
     true patriot he could be critical if he felt it as not 
     pursuing a just course.
       Then there was the book case filled with his favorite works 
     on history and political biographies which were the subject 
     of many memorable hours of discussion that we shared over the 
     years. As I left him on what proved to be my final visit I 
     asked if I could get him anything. He said he would really 
     like a copy of a new history book, ``The Age of Extremes,'' 
     by Eric Hobsbawm. He had read an excellent review of it in 
     the New York Review of Books. I got a copy to him last week 
     and it was apparently the last book he was reading.
       He had a keen interest in travel and did so widely and 
     there were various mementos and pictures from those 
     experiences. There was the beloved collection of opera 
     recordings all of which Max knew by heart. A classical music 
     station was always on the radio. Always at hand was a well-
     read copy of The New York Times.
       On a wall hung his notice of induction to the prestigious 
     Gridiron Club, signifying his election to a select group of 
     the nation's finest reporters. The annual club skits, a 
     Washington major event, gave him such satisfaction and 
     pleasure. On a bulletin board were one or two of his recent 
     columns from the Buffalo News that he courageously dictated 
     each week to the very end. The last one which appeared before 
     his death was an appeal for sanity on firearms.
       There was a framed quote by one of Max's heroes, the 
     distinguished journalist Walter Lippmann. I remember Max 
     telling me about how thrilled he was to have been invited to 
     Lippmann's home as a young congressman and pointed out his 
     residence to me in Washington. Max took very seriously his 
     responsibility as a member of the Washington press corps. 
     Lippmann characterized that role as ``no mean calling'' and 
     claimed those involved have a ``right to be proud of it and 
     be glad it is our work.'' Max could agree.
       It is altogether fitting that Max, who served our country 
     with distinction in so many ways, will now be laid to rest in 
     our National Cemetery. He was a proud veteran of two wars in 
     two military services. A distinguished member of Congress 
     with a strong sense of our obligation to future generations. 
     A diplomat wisely representing our country. A journalist who 
     challenged and helped his readers to be better informed 
     citizens of our democracy.
       A funeral ceremony is, of course, a time of sadness, but 
     also a time of celebration and gratitude. Gratitude for the 
     enrichment Max brought to so many of our lives and for the 
     warm personal memories of him which we will always cherish.
     

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