[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 163 (Friday, October 20, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Pages S15372-S15374]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       RETIREMENT OF SENATOR NUNN

  Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, it is a privilege for me to place into 
today's Record of the Senate the remarks made by our distinguished 
colleague, Senator Nunn of Georgia, when he announced his future 
intentions, which, to the regret of many, indicated that he would not 
seek reelection to the Senate.
  Mr. President, I say it is a privilege because Senator Nunn has been 
a very, very close personal friend, a valued and respected professional 
partner--I always considered him a partner--for a quarter of a century. 
I first came to know Senator Nunn when I, as Secretary of the Navy, 
worked with Carl Vinson. Carl Vinson was chairman of the House Armed 
Services Committee. He served in the House of Represenatives for 50 
years. I had a role in the naming of a supercarrier after him, the 
U.S.S. Carl Vinson.
  It was in the process of that naming procedure that I first came to 
know Sam Nunn, who at that time was working in a capacity with Carl 
Vinson and the House Armed Services Committee. Of course, when I was 
privileged some 17 years ago to come to the Senate, he was a member of 
the Senate Armed Services Committee, and we worked there together for 
these many years and will continue to work for this coming year. I 
anticipate his contributions in this coming year to our Nation and to 
our Senate will be no less as significant in magnitude as the many 
contributions he has made over his entire career in the Senate.
  As I say, I value his friendship, and for 6 years we were privileged 
to work together with Senator Nunn as chairman of the committee, and I 
had the position of ranking member. We sponsored many pieces of 
legislation, coauthored them together, particularly in the areas of 
personnel and strategic matters. We journeyed together to many foreign 
lands in connection with our responsibilities on the committee.
  So it is with heartfelt thanks that I say to my friend, in joining 
many others in paying him respect, I wish him 

[[Page S15373]]
and his family the very best of good fortune and simply say thank you, 
Senator Nunn, for the many things you have done for our country 
particularly in the area of national security.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to have printed in today's 
Record the full text of his statement. Also, I have a short article 
which appeared in the Washington Times entitled ``Inside The Beltway,'' 
and I will read it. That would be the final, concluding part of the 
entry in today's Record. It reads:

       Family values. On Monday, after Senator Nunn announced that 
     he would not run for reelection next year, we asked him what 
     he felt had been his greatest accomplishment during his 24 
     years in Congress. Mr. Nunn thought about our question for 
     several days and got back to us yesterday. We must concede we 
     were surprised at his response, having expected the Georgia 
     Democrat to cite one of his many legislative accomplishments.
       ``Keeping my family together,'' he said.
       Asked to explain, Mr. Nunn said that, with the multitude of 
     demands on a Senator's family, families have to make many 
     sacrifices. He said he is especially proud to have kept his 
     family together.
       The Senator and his wife, Colleen, recently celebrated 
     their 30th wedding anniversary. They have two children, 
     Michelle, 28, and Brian, 26.

  I think that final comment in connection with his future plans not 
only symbolizes the humility of this great American but it also speaks 
to the life and the challenges of every Member of this institution.
  There being no objection, the statement was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

               Senator Nunn's Statement, October 9, 1995

       I am honored to be in our beautiful State capitol building 
     on the floor of the Georgia house where I began my 
     legislative career 27 years ago. After a lot of thought and 
     prayer, I have concluded that my rewarding and fulfilling 
     legislative career should end at the conclusion of my present 
     term. This has been a difficult decision made much harder 
     because of my deep respect for the many people who have 
     encouraged me to run, but I know in my heart that it is time 
     for me to follow a new course.
       I believe that both voters and incumbents have a 
     responsibility for careful assessment before entering into a 
     new Senate Contract. For me, an election establishes a sacred 
     trust between the voter and the elected official. Each time I 
     have been elected to the Senate, I have committed heart and 
     soul to the full range of duties of a Senator for a full 6 
     years. The job requires this commitment--the people deserve 
     it.
       Today, I look forward to more freedom, to more flexibility, 
     more time with my family, more time in Georgia, and more time 
     to read, write, and think. While I will not continue in the 
     legislative arena, I will continue my involvement in public 
     policy.
       The essence of democracy is much more than just legislators 
     casting votes. It is the action of men and women who take the 
     time to wrestle with the problems of individuals and 
     communites--and do something to solve them. This is the new 
     arena that I will enter--that of a private citizen who also 
     is engaged in the challenges that face our communities and 
     our nation.
       Today, there is no shortage of challenges. These include 
     issues of national security, foreign policy, the environment, 
     health care, and the plight of citizens struggling to fully 
     participate in the economic opportunity of our Nation.
       Too many of our citizens are being left behind as our 
     economy moves from the industrial age to the age of 
     information and knowledge because they lack appropriate 
     education and training. A large part of our economic 
     challenge is fundamentally an education challenge. We must 
     change.
       Too many children in America are born and grow up outside 
     family structures without the attention, nurturing, 
     discipline, and love that every human soul must have. Too 
     many parents who are struggling to provide their children 
     with basic needs have no way to protect them from street 
     violence and drugs. If America is to remain the greatest 
     country on Earth, our children must come first. We must 
     change.
       Too many executives are spending too many corporate dollars 
     paying for television programs that bombard our homes with 
     sex and violence--not thinking or caring about the effect of 
     this bombardment on our children and our nation's future. Too 
     many of us as citizens sit by passively while this 
     bombardment takes place. We continue to buy the products 
     which are advertised and sold at the expense of our culture--
     our values--our children--and our future. We must change.
       We are reaping the harvest from this combination of 
     conditions in soaring rates of child abuse, drug abuse, 
     teenage pregnancies, abortions, and unprecented levels of 
     crime and violence.
       These challenges are made more difficult because our 
     citizens are increasingly concluding that our political 
     system responds primarily to money and special interests. Our 
     system of government is sound, and most public officials are 
     honorable, but there are fundamental problems which must be 
     corrected.
       Too much of the time and effort of Members of Congress is 
     consumed by fund raising. The ability to raise big money and 
     buy saturation tv ads has become the dominant theme of our 
     political races.
       Too often the tactics of obsessive polling, negative and 
     cynical campaigns, and horse race media coverage overwhelm 
     substantive debate, dialogue with the voters, and real 
     leadership. Too much of the time of both Congress and the 
     executive branch is spent budgeting--not enough time is spent 
     in oversight and evaluation of Federal programs.
       The average citizen primarily wants his or her elected 
     officials to use common sense for the common good, but too 
     often those voices are drowned out by the extremes in both 
     parties who are usually wrong, but never in doubt. Our system 
     of government is the best in the world, but our political 
     process is in need of major reform. Continuation of the two 
     party system, as we know it, will depend on whether true 
     campaign reform and congressional procedural reform are 
     undertaken soon.
       America is not perfect, but it is the greatest country in 
     the world. During our 200 year history, when we have faced 
     economic, military, political, or social peril, Americans 
     have demonstrated the unrivaled ability to change and to grow 
     stronger in the process.
       This is a period of transition for our Nation, similar to 
     the historic periods after World War I and World War II. 
     After World War I, decisions and events took place that led 
     to a devastating worldwide depression, and an even more 
     deadly war. After World War II, Americans led the way, in 
     rebuilding war torn nations, in building international 
     institutions that endured, and in containing communism until 
     it collapsed from its own weakness. American leadership 
     opened the door to an unprecedented era of prosperity for the 
     free world.
       We too will someday be measured by how well we meet the 
     challenges we face today at home and abroad.
       I am optimistic about America because the checks and 
     balances built into our constitutional system have stood the 
     toughest tests of time, and I am confident they will again.
       I am optimistic because our military, with the world's best 
     technology, remains ready and well-led, with men and women 
     who reflect our very best in quality and in character. Our 
     military strength represents a strong defensive shield 
     against aggression. Our free society, our free flow of ideas, 
     our energetic people, and our free enterprise system 
     represent a strong offensive sword for democracy.
       I am optimistic because America responds to major 
     challenges. We have the opportunity and responsibility to 
     prove to ourselves and to the world that our ideals of 
     liberty, justice, and human rights can all be made to work in 
     this land of diversity. In a world of ethnic and religious 
     strife, America has no greater mission.
       I am optimistic because we are finally recognizing that our 
     fiscal soundness as a Nation depends on restraining the 
     growth of our entitlement programs. Entitlement reform, 
     including Social Security reform, will be difficult and must 
     be done over time with care--but it must be done.
       I am optimistic because we are beginning a serious debate 
     on fundamental tax reform, and beginning to realize that 
     there is a direct connection between our savings and our 
     standard of living.
       I am optimistic because we are at long last discussing 
     frankly the terrible affliction of family deterioration and 
     illegitimacy. We must reach out as an extended family to the 
     millions of neglected and abused children who desperately 
     need someone who cares. Government must play a role, but I do 
     not believe that it will be the decisive role. This is a 
     battle that must be fought one child at a time.
       I am optimistic because I see our young people tutoring 
     children, helping flood victims, building houses for the 
     homeless, and working with at-risk youth. I see our young 
     military personnel on their own time teaching math to inner-
     city children and mentoring young students.
       I have watched my own daughter, Michelle, and her young 
     friends in Atlanta create an organization of 10,000 people of 
     all ages volunteering 20,000 hours per month for children, 
     the elderly, the handicapped, and others in great need. 
     Volunteers like these are filling a void in America today. 
     They are our real heroes.
       I am optimistic because we have so many energetic, 
     innovative and bold young entrepreneurs like my son, Brian, 
     who are finding their niche in the dynamic new world of 
     information and technology--thereby building jobs and 
     strengthening America's economic future.
       I am optimistic about Georgia's future and Georgia's 
     leadership in both the public and private sector. Our State 
     has benefitted from strong political leadership, sound fiscal 
     policy, and hard-working people. Our leaders in the private 
     sector understand the important role that business must play 
     in strengthening our education system and our communities.
       When I leave the Senate at the end of next year, I know 
     that whatever I will have accomplished during my legislative 
     career will have been because I had a lot of help. I am 
     deeply grateful to Colleen, my wife and partner, for her 
     sacrifice, her patience, her wisdom and for her love which 
     made my life of public service possible--to my children, 
     Michelle and Brian, of whom we are very proud--to my 
     wonderful mother and my late 

[[Page S15374]]
     father who shaped my life by their love, their expectations and their 
     example--to my sister Betty Mori and her husband, Jean, and 
     to my entire family and close friends for their sacrifice, 
     their steadfast support, and for their love.
       I am grateful to my friends and supporters and to the 
     voters of Georgia for their support in each election--for 
     their encouragement and confidence--for their constructive 
     criticism and for their forgiveness of my errors.
       I am grateful to my staff--past and present--who have 
     worked with honesty, skill, and dedication on behalf of the 
     people of Georgia and the Nation.
       I am grateful to the Members of the U.S. Senate and House--
     past and present--of both political parties, who have been my 
     mentors--teachers--and friends, and who have been my partners 
     in many legislative initiatives.
       I am grateful to my friends in the Georgia legislature, and 
     to Governor Miller, Governor Harris, Governor Busbee, and 
     Governor Carter, Speaker Murphy and Lt. Gov. Howard as well 
     as our State constitutional officers. They have guided our 
     State with vision, fiscal prudence and integrity while I have 
     served in the Senate. I am grateful to our leaders at the 
     local level who play such an important role in the daily 
     lives of our citizens.
       I am grateful to Georgia Democrats for their role in 
     leading our State to a point of unprecedented economic 
     opportunity. Georgia Democrats have made education our top 
     priority and brought together people from every region, every 
     walk of life, and every race to work for common goals.
       I am honored to represent a State where the vast majority 
     of our people cast their ballots--not on the basis of one or 
     two issues--but rather on their judgment of a candidate's 
     principles and values, integrity and vision. I can never 
     fully repay the people of Georgia for the trust and faith 
     they have placed in me.
       I have tried to return this trust and faith with hard work 
     and effective representation.
       I hope that I have played a meaningful role in making 
     Georgia a better place to live and to raise our children.
       I hope that I have helped build bridges of understanding 
     and cooperation between people of different races, religions 
     and political beliefs.
       I have tried to help make America stronger at home and 
     abroad. I have tried to help build a safer and more peaceful 
     world with freedom and justice.
       I have tried to instill in our young people by word and by 
     example--the understanding and belief that it remains 
     possible to be involved in the political process and also 
     retain both intellectual honesty and ethical behavior. In the 
     final analysis, this may be the single most important 
     responsibility of public service.
       I look forward to continuing these efforts as a U.S. 
     Senator for the next 15 months, and after that--as a private 
     citizen of Georgia for whatever term God may grant.

                          ____________________