[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 12 (Tuesday, January 30, 1996)]
[House]
[Pages H928-H929]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO RALPH W. YARBOROUGH

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of May 
12, 1995, the gentleman from Texas [Mr. Doggett] is recognized during 
morning business for 5 minutes.
  Mr. DOGGETT. Mr. Speaker, as this Congress convenes today in 
Washington, many Texans are convened in Austin, TX, to celebrate the 
life of Ralph W. Yarborough. Senator Yarborough, Judge Yarborough, 
Assistant Attorney General Yarborough, a man originally from Chandler, 
TX, but a man now claimed by people across our great State, is one who 
contributed significantly to the lives of those of us who live now in 
Texas.
  Senator Yarborough was the only southern Senator to support the Civil 
Rights Act of 1964. Just as the great Senator and general, Sam Houston, 
once cut across the grain of popular opinion in Texas when the question 
was union in the 1860's, so Senator Yarborough had the courage to cut 
across the grain of popular opinion at the time and do what was best 
for the future of our State by standing up for civil rights.
  Senator Yarborough is a person who served our State with incredible 
tenacity and incredible courage. Many Texans now will perhaps not 
remember his service when they take an excursion to the Guadalupe 
Mountains National Park, when they visit Padre Island National 
Seashore, when as a veteran they benefit from his work on the GI bill 
of rights that extended education services for veterans. But his mark 
is there, an immense mark with reference to legislation.
  I think more than any particular legislative act, those of us who 
continue to participate in public service in Texas will remember the 
role that Ralph Yarborough made in public service in our State, in 
every branch of government. We remember that Ralph Yarborough 
symbolized concern for people, but he recognized that those 

[[Page H929]]
who submit themselves for public service need not began by taking a 
poll but by trying to lead public opinion and mold it, not just to 
react to it.
  Senator Yarborough was a leader in the true sense, a genuine public 
servant. We are fortunate that he came our way.
  There are those, of course, who refer to him as a firebrand, but when 
I visited with him, I always found that the fire that burned was a fire 
of justice, one who responded consistently when injustice affected the 
people of our State.
  We thank you, Senator Yarborough, for a life well lived, and a State 
well served. You have served well not only those of us in Texas while 
you were in the Senate, but have benefited generations of Texans to 
come.

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