[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 198 (Wednesday, December 13, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Pages S18556-S18557]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   THE DEATH OF THE FORMER CHAPLAIN OF THE SENATE, THE REVEREND DR. 
                          RICHARD C. HALVERSON

  Mrs. HUTCHISON. Mr. President, with sadness, tempered by gratitude, I 
rise today to mourn the passing of the late Chaplain of the Senate, the 
Rev. Richard C. Halverson. Recently he left this Chamber and this 
world, but the impression he left is all around us.
  Mr. President, we all know that national politics is often wracked by 
deep disagreement. The task of steering history's most civilized Nation 
on a wise course through democratic means arouses strong passions. Only 
spiritual guidance and divine grace could steady this Chamber during 
the tempests of every age, and we are fortunate to debate in soft 
tones, and to determine great questions as a civilized community. For 
the last 14 years, America herself was blessed to have Dr. Halverson, 
the Senate's Christian humanist, to keep our civilization decent.
  Whenever a member of out little civilization lost a loved one--or 
gained one--the Chaplain's office was a proven source of consolation 
and hope.
  I took the oath here not too long ago, and I remember, among a flood 
of invitations, one from the good Chaplain asked to come to the weekly 
Senate prayer breakfast. There are many bipartisan meetings in the 
Capitol, but the calm communion of Catholics, Jews, and Protestants was 
tripartisan as well as profoundly contemplative. I treasure those 
Wednesday morning gatherings as occasions to make deep and abiding 
friendships with my colleagues.
  Mr. President, John Stuart Mill wrote that ``one person with a belief 
is a social power equal to ninety-nine who have only interests.'' Here 
in this Chamber, one Chaplain with unshakeable belief was a social 
power equal to all 100 of us, each with a host of interests and 
beliefs. He calmed our fears, he kept us together, and every morning he 
called us to prayer.
  Now, as he taught us, I join my colleagues in praying for his soul.
  
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                      MESSAGES FROM THE PRESIDENT

  Messages from the President of the United States were communicated to 
the Senate by Mr. Thomas, one of his secretaries.

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