[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 191 (Monday, December 4, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S17877]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO SENATOR MARK HATFIELD

  Mr. HEFLIN. Mr. President, while Mark Hatfield's retirement 
announcement did not take me by complete surprise--for such decisions 
have become virtually a weekly event here in the Congress--I was 
nonetheless disappointed and saddened to learn that he would not be 
seeking reelection to the Senate next year. He is one of the senior 
Members of this body, and has been a national leader of uncommon 
earnestness, moderation, honesty, and principle. He is known for his 
lack of excessive partisanship and for always yielding to his 
conscience on the many difficult matters that come before us. He is 
thoughtful, deliberative, intellectual, and never fails to do what he 
believes to be right and in the best interest of his State and country.
  The people of Oregon have entrusted Senator Hatfield with its reins 
of leadership through State or national office since 1956, when he was 
elected secretary of state at the age of 34. In 1958, he was elected 
Governor, serving for 8 years. In 1966, he was elected to the Senate 
and has been here ever since.
  He is a deeply religious man who has been a spiritual leader as well 
as a public one. His leadership of our Senate Prayer Breakfast group 
over the years has been nothing short of inspirational. I have also 
enjoyed working with him on the National Prayer Breakfasts each year, 
something he had been involved with even at the State level when he was 
Governor back in Oregon. Our friend from Oregon has led by example; his 
religious convictions and quiet, friendly manner have been a powerful 
demonstration of how an ideal public official should conduct himself. 
He has been one for us to look at and emulate, regardless of our own 
political views.
  As a young serviceman, he was one of the first Americans to see 
Hiroshima after it was bombed. This experience left its mark, and 
Senator Hatfield has been an unfailing leader on issues relating to 
nuclear deterrence and non-proliferation.
  Mark Hatfield was born in Dallas, OR in 1922, and graduated from 
Willamette and Stanford Universities. He served in the Navy during 
World War II, commanding landing craft at Iwo Jima and Okinawa. Early 
in his career, he was a teacher of political science and has written 
extensively on public policy issues. Since January, he has chaired the 
Senate Appropriations Committee, a daunting task in its own right, but 
particularly challenging this year. He had previously served in that 
capacity. His graciousness and earnestness have not been diminished by 
the fierce budget wrangling this year.
  Senator Hatfield and I will be leaving the Senate at the same time, 
so I will not be serving here once he is gone. But I do know that those 
Members who do remain after him will find it a much lesser place in his 
absence. I am proud to call him a friend, I congratulate him on his 
outstanding career and for the way he has always conducted himself, and 
wish him and Antoinette all the best for a happy, healthy, and lengthy 
retirement. I also look forward to serving with him over the next year.
  Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. SIMON. 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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