[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 125 (Monday, July 31, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Pages S11038-S11039]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                    A FINAL TRIBUTE TO GEORGE ROMNEY

  Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, in describing the State of Michigan, the 
author John Steinbeck wrote, ``It seemed to me that the Earth was 
generous and outgoing here in the heartland, and perhaps the people 
took a cue from it.''
  One person who Steinbeck may have been thinking of when he wrote 
those words was George Romney. And today Governor Romney's family and 
friends 

[[Page S 11039]]
gathered in Bloomfield Hills, MI, to pay a final tribute to one of 
America's most generous and outgoing public servants.
  An innovative businessman, an effective Governor, a dedicated 
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, a committed members of his 
church, a loving husband and father. George Romney was all of this and 
more.
  But perhaps the title that Governor Romney cherished above all was 
the simple title of American.
  During his remarkable life and career, George Romney was always 
fighting for his country, and for the values that make it great.
  He knew that the free enterprise system was the engine that moved our 
economy forward, and, as a pioneering businessman, he introduced the 
compact car to Americans.
  George Romney also believed in democracy, and he chose to leave a 
very lucrative career for the opportunity to make a difference for all 
Michigan citizens.
  And some three decades before ``Reinventing Government'' became a 
national fad, George Romney fought to reduce the bureaucracy, and to 
see that Government remained close to the people.
  George Romney also was an advocate for the uniquely American 
tradition of neighbor helping neighbor, and after leaving public 
service, he founded The National Center, which was devoted to 
increasing voluntarism in America, and which will stand as one of his 
legacies.
  Another legacy is his family. Governor Romney understood that there 
is no institution more vital to America's survival than the family. He 
fought for policies that strengthened all America's families, and he 
took geat pride in the many accomplishments of his.
  I know all Senators join with me in sending our condolences, to 
Lenore, his wife of 64 years, and to his four children, 23 
grandchildren, and 33 great-grandchildren.


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