[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 6 (Wednesday, January 10, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S115]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO CONGRESSMAN MIKE SYNAR

  Mr. DASCHLE. The majority leader talked about someone for whom I feel 
a great deal of affection. Mike Synar and I came to the Congress 
together in 1978. He was the very first person I met in the House of 
Representatives. He was the first Member of Congress I accompanied to 
his district. He was the first Member of Congress I brought to South 
Dakota. We got to be very, very close friends. Over the years that 
friendship grew, and our affection for one another grew with it.
  As most people remember, Mike Synar was awarded the Profiles In 
Courage Award just last year for the remarkable display of courage he 
demonstrated on a whole range of issues. Whether one agreed with him or 
not, one would have to say that when it came to standing up for his 
convictions, when it came to his belief that you either come to 
Congress to do something or be something, he chose to do something. You 
could not deny that that is exactly what he was here to do, to make 
what he could out of an opportunity to be a Member of Congress from a 
conservative district in the State of Oklahoma.
  Mike Synar stood up for what he believed. The antithesis of the 
perception of a modern-day politician, he stood up to the special 
interests. Whether you agreed with him or not, he stood up and fought 
for everything he could in the time he was here--campaign finance 
reform, grazing fee reform, tobacco issues that span the spectrum, a 
whole range of issues that he felt and cared very deeply about.
  So, Mr. President, America has lost a fine public statesman today. 
America has lost somebody who came here for all the right reasons. 
America has lost somebody who I was fortunate to call a very close and 
special friend.
  We will miss him. Along with Senator Dole, I send my condolences to 
his family, and to all of those who have had the good fortune to know 
him, to love him, and to count him as their friend, too.

                          ____________________