[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 95 (Tuesday, June 25, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6902-S6903]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       PORTRAIT OF HATTIE CARAWAY

 Mr. BUMPERS. Mr. President, last evening more than 200 folks 
braved the weather to pay tribute to a former Member of this body and a 
fellow Arkansan, Hattie Caraway
  Mr. colleague, Senator David Pryor, ably presided over a ceremony 
dedicating a portrait of Hattie Caraway, the first woman ever to place 
her name on a ballot and be elected to the Senate. This portrait is the 
second in the Senate art collection which honors a woman; the first is 
Pocahontas.
  Members of the Caraway family, representatives from the Capitol 
historical and arts communities, congressional staffers, and a number 
of members of the Arkansas State Society heard Dr. David Malone and 
Prof. Diane Blair, both authors of books about this Arkansan, extol the 
many virtues of Hattie Caraway.
  They heard Senator Strom Thurmond tell of her trailblazing 
accomplishments and Senator Nancy Kassebaum tell of how the example of 
Hattie Caraway was an inspiring one to her when she first entertained 
ideas of seeking a seat in the U.S. Senate.
  Hattie Ophelia Wyatt Caraway was appointed to the U.S. Senate on 
November 13, 1931, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of her 
husband, Thaddeus Caraway. She was subsequently elected in a January 
12, 1932, special election to complete the term. She ran for reelection 
to a full 6-year term later that year.
  At first, Senator Caraway spoke so infrequently that she became known 
as ``Silent Hattie.'' As she grew more comfortable in her new role, she 
emerged as a staunch supporter of the New Deal legislation, seconding 
the nomination of President Franklin Roosevelt at the 1936 Democratic 
Convention.
  Senator Caraway was reelected in 1938. Thus, she served from November 
13, 1931, to January 2, 1945. She was the first woman to preside over 
the Senate--on May 9, 1932--and the first to chair a Senate committee. 
Hattie died December 21, 1950, and is buried in her hometown, 
Jonesboro, AR.
  Mr. President, I want to pay tribute to the Hattie Caraway Portrait 
Committee, so superbly chaired by Mary Ellen Jesson of Fort Smith. 
Members of the committee, which Senator Pryor and I were proud to 
appoint to oversee this project--including raising the necessary 
funds--are: Diane Alderson, Diane Blair, Cassie Brothers, Irma Hunter 
Brown, Meredith Catlett, Gwen Cupp, Ann Dawson, Dorine Deacon, Mimi 
Dortch, Jacqueline Douglas, Lib Dunklin, Judy Gaddy, Jane Huffman, Dr. 
Charlott Jones, Chloe Kirksey, Karen Lackey, Bev Lindsey, Donna Kay 
Matteson, Susan Mayes, Clarice Miller, Betty Mitchell, Julia Mobley, 
Nancy Monroe, Sylvia Prewitt, Billie Rutherford, Irene Samuel, and 
Helen Walton.
  Betty Bumpers and Barbara Pryor, were honorary co-chairs of the 
committee and had the honor of initially unveiling the portrait in 
Little Rock back in April.
  Supporting the committee in this project were the Arkansas Humanities 
Council, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the Arkansas 
Community Foundation. Special thanks also go to Thom Hall at the 
Arkansas Arts Center.
  I also want to pay tribute to Senate Sergeant at Arms, Howard Greene, 
Senate Historian Dick Baker, Assistant Senate Historian Jo Quatannens, 
Senate Registrar Melinda Smith, and Frank Wright, an artist and member 
of the advisory panel for the Senate Commission on Art, for their 
support and advice.
  Kelly Johnston, Secretary of the Senate and executive secretary of 
the U.S. Senate Commission on Art, and Diane Skvarla, Senate Curator, 
were the guiding forces behind this project and instrumental in 
bringing us from initial approval of the project to dedication day.
  The U.S. Senate Commission on Art selected J.O. Buckley, a Little 
Rock, AR, artist to paint the portrait. He was selected from among a 
number of fine Arkansas portraitists. I invite my colleagues to step 
outside the Senate Chamber and take a look at this magnificent 
portrait, which hangs at the end of the main corridor.
  Mr. President, last evening was indeed a proud one for Arkansans as a 
portrait of one of our State's most famous citizens was added to the 
prestigious collection of art in these hallowed Halls.
  Mr. President, I ask that a letter that Bob Nash, Assistant to the 
President and Director of Presidential Personnel, read on behalf of the 
President last evening, as well as a letter read on behalf of 
Congresswoman Blanche Lincoln, be included in the Record at this point.
  The letters follow:

                                              The White House,

                                    Washington, DC, June 20, 1996.
       Warm greetings to everyone gathered for the unveiling of 
     the portrait of Senator Hattie Caraway of Arkansas.
       On August 26, 1920, a new era dawned in America. 
     Recognizing that the right to vote is fundamental to 
     democratic citizenship, suffragists succeeded in empowering 
     women with the political voice that was their due. Elected to 
     her seat in the Senate twelve years later in 1932, Hattie 
     Caraway built on the important progress of the women's 
     movement as America's first elected female senator. Since 
     then, women like Hattie Caraway have carved out for 
     themselves positions of leadership from industry and 
     government to academia and the arts, proving time and again 
     that society benefits immeasurably when all people enjoy 
     equal rights and opportunities.
       We must continue the progress she made and urge a new 
     generation to follow the heroic example set by Senator Hattie 
     Caraway and so many other pioneering women. As you install 
     Hattie's portrait into the Senate's permanent are collection, 
     let us dedicate ourselves to building on her legacy of 
     opportunity and achievement.
       Best wishes to all for a memorable event.
     Bill Clinton.
                                                                    ____



                                     House of Representatives,

                                    Washington, DC, June 21, 1996.
     Hon. Dale Bumpers, 
     Hattie Caraway Portrait Committee, Dirksen Senate Office 
         Building, Washington, DC.
       Dear Fellow Arkansans and Hattie Caraway Admirers: It is 
     with deep regret that I cannot share in this historic 
     occasion with you. As I am sure you are all aware, my new 
     family has kept me home in Arkansas, but be assured I am with 
     you in heart and spirit. I join with everyone gathered here 
     today in honoring Senator Caraway for her service to our 
     great state and for her courage to enter a profession which 
     was dominated by men.
       I have both a unique bond with and debt to Hattie Caraway. 
     As the first woman ever elected to the Senate, first woman to 
     chair a Senate committee, and the first woman to preside over 
     the Senate, Mrs. Caraway paved the way for the women who 
     would follow her. By blazing the trail over 60 years ago for 
     other women to pursue a political career and by serving with 
     distinction and diligence, she was an inspiration to me in 
     becoming the first woman elected as Representative from the 
     First District of Arkansas.
       Without the tireless efforts of Senator and Mrs. Bumpers, 
     Senator and Mrs. Pryor, and the members of the Hattie Caraway 
     Portrait Committee, it would not have been possible to bring 
     her portrait to the Capitol. This is a fitting tribute to a 
     great and illustrious citizen whom we so proudly honor today. 
     Many people are surprised to learn that Arkansas elected the 
     first woman to the United States Senate. This dedication is 
     indeed a celebration of the open-mindedness and fairness of 
     the people of Arkansas.
       When I return to Washington and resume my Congressional 
     schedule, one of my first stops on the Hill will be to view 
     the portrait of Hattie Caraway.
       Thank you all for making this unveiling a reality.
           Sincerely,
                                          Blanche Lambert Lincoln,

                                       Member of Congress.

[[Page S6903]]



TRIBUTE TO LT. GEN. GEORGE R. CHRISTMAS, U.S. MARINE CORPS--A MARINE'S 
                                 MARINE

 Mr. NUNN. Mr. President, I would like to take a few moments 
today to offer a tribute to Lt. Gen. George R. Christmas, U.S. Marine 
Corps. General Christmas is currently the Deputy Chief of Staff for 
Manpower and Reserves Affairs at the Headquarters of the Marine Corps 
and will be retiring from the Corps in the very near future after more 
than 34 years of faithful and outstanding service.
  General Christmas was commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1962. 
During the next 34 years, he served in command and staff assignments 
true to the Marine's Hymn--in every aspect of the Marine Corps:
  He has been a student and an instructor;
  He has served at the flagpole in the Marine Corps Headquarters as a 
Special Assistant to the Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps and 
thousands of miles from the flagpole as the Director for Operations for 
the United States Pacific Command.
  In peacetime, he has commanded an infantry platoon, a recruit 
training battalion, an infantry regiment, an expeditionary brigade, a 
Force Service Support Group, and a Marine Expeditionary Force.
  In combat, he commanded an infantry company and participated in the 
now legendary Battle for Hue City. During this vicious fighting, 
General Christmas was seriously wounded. He was awarded the Navy Cross 
for his bravery and actions during this fighting.
  In July of 1994, General Christmas assumed his current duties as the 
Deputy Chief of Staff for Manpower and Reserve Affairs for the Marine 
Corps.
  General Christmas is no stranger to the Armed Services Committee 
having appeared before the committee on many occasions to help us work 
through the many challenging issues that have faced the military 
services in the post-cold war era.
  He is, in every sense, a Marine's Marine--an eager student, a 
dedicated teacher, a superb resources manager, an outstanding leader, a 
combat warrior, a very talented professional and a true gentleman.
  Most importantly, through the years, General Christmas has never lost 
sight of the importance of the individual Marine to our Nation's combat 
readiness. His concern for every Marine, for every family member and 
for every retiree was readily apparent each time the committee has 
sought his views.
  The Marine Corps is a better place, a more ready force, and a greater 
national asset because Gen. Ron Christmas chose to dedicate his life to 
wearing the Globe and Anchor.
  As Gen. Ron Christmas leaves active service, I would like to express 
my sincere appreciation and admiration for a job tremendously well done 
and, on behalf of those who have come to know him and to value his 
counsel, I would like to offer my very best wishes to him and to his 
wonderful family for every happiness and success in the future.

                          ____________________