[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 203 (Monday, December 18, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Pages S18817-S18818]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  TRIBUTE TO A MAN OF GREAT CONSCIENCE, RETIRING SENATOR MARK HATFIELD

  Mr. DODD. Madam President, Senator Hatfield's recent announcement 
that he would be leaving the U.S. Senate left me disappointed, for his 
departure from this body will mean the loss of yet another of the 
Senate's most honorable Members. For five terms, 

[[Page S18818]]
Senator Hatfield has elevated the caliber of this Chamber's debate, 
frequently taking lonely stands in the process.
  Voting one's conscience often requires courage. Senator Hatfield has 
never wavered in his devotion to what he believes is just, and he has 
always done right by the good people of Oregon.
  Madam President, no one in this body has been a greater crusader for 
peace than Mark Hatfield. A devout pacifist since the beginning of his 
political career, Senator Hatfield opposed President Johnson's Vietnam 
policy, and more than 20 years later was one of only two Republicans to 
vote against United States military involvement in the Persian Gulf. He 
opposes nuclear testing and an extensive military buildup, and authored 
the 1992 nuclear test ban law that is now regarded as an important 
standard for U.S. conduct on nuclear issues.
  More recently, Senator Hatfield was the sole Republican to vote 
against the balanced budget amendment, and he would have paid dearly 
for that stand had the concept of respect for one's conscience not 
prevailed.
  Senator Hatfield's constituents respect his principles just as much 
as his colleagues, which is perhaps why Governor Kitzhaber said Senator 
Hatfield has achieved ``what may be the single greatest public career 
in Oregon's history.'' Senator Hatfield has never lost an election. 
Oregonians have continually returned their Senator to office not only 
because of his righteousness, but also because of his commitment to 
them and their values. As chairman of the Appropriations Committee, 
Senator Hatfield has seen to it that Oregon's pristine parks and clean 
coastlines have the means to stay that way, while other public projects 
such as hospitals, research centers, and roads help to ensure health of 
the State's citizens and the vibrancy of the State's economy. And as 
one of this body's true moderates, Senator Hatfield has also supported 
gun control and motor-voter initiatives, while opposing President 
Reagan's unwise tax cuts.
  Madam President, Senator Hatfield is an outstanding Member of this 
body whose sincerity and strength of character should be emulated by 
all Americans. Widely respected for his independence and well-liked for 
his loyal friendship, Senator Hatfield will be sorely missed. I wish 
him all the best in his retirement.

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