[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 51 (Friday, April 19, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S3731]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                PRAISING THE LATE SENATOR EDMUND MUSKIE

  Mr. CONRAD. Mr. President, the death of Ed Mudkie marks a deep 
personal loss for me, and a loss for our Nation. Senator Muskie was a 
close personal friend and leader in both the Senate and our national 
political scene. As a young man, I can remember my admiration for his 
integrity and dedication when I served as a midwestern State 
coordinator for his Presidential campaign in 1972. In the Senate he was 
the leader in urging creation of a Senate Budget Committee so the 
Chamber would have a committee with a board overview of the budget 
process. In this time of public concern over the Federal budget, it is 
important we remember that as the first chairman of the Budget 
Committee, Senator Muskie warned the Congress and the Nation of the 
need to balance our Federal budget to protect America's future. Those 
of us who serve on the committee today are still mindful of the 
foresight he showed, and are working to see that his legacy is 
fulfilled. Americans of this generation also owe a debt to the former 
Senator from Maine for his vision and his tireless efforts in awakening 
Congress and the Nation to the critical importance of enacting 
comprehensive laws to protect our Nation's environment for future 
generations. Our Nation owes him a deep debt of gratitude we can never 
repay.

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