[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 136 (Friday, September 27, 1996)]
[House]
[Page H11576]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




TRIBUTE TO THE HONORABLE RAY THORNTON AND THE HONORABLE BLANCHE LAMBERT 
               LINCOLN ON THEIR RETIREMENT FROM CONGRESS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Arkansas [Mr. Dickey] is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. DICKEY. Mr. Speaker, I want to take this moment to honor two of 
my distinguished colleagues from Arkansas who are retiring from 
Congress; first, Ray Thornton.
  Ray has served a very honorable career in public service. He served 4 
years in the Navy, during which he saw combat on the U.S.S. 
Philipplines Sea during the Korean war. He served as deputy prosecutor 
in Pulaski and Perry Counties in Arkansas for 2 years and as the 
attorney general for 3 years.
  In 1973, Ray was elected to Congress to represent the Fourth District 
of Arkansas and later in 1990 was elected to the Second District. 
During his 24 years in Congress, Ray sat on the Committee on 
Agriculture; the Committee on the Judiciary; the Committee on Science 
and Technology, serving as Chair of the Subcommittee on Science, 
Research, and Technology; and the Committee on Appropriations. This was 
a committee that I have had the honor of serving on with Ray.
  With Ray's leaving and David Pryor's leaving, we also are losing two 
of the three people who are representing the Fourth District of 
Arkansas, or who have. I am doing that at this present time. He also 
served as president of Arkansas State University in Jonesboro and the 
president of the university system of the whole State.
  It would be impossible to touch on all of Ray's accomplishments over 
his long career in public service, but I would like to relay some 
philosophies to which Ray adhered when legislating for our country.
  Ray Thornton once said: ``I want America to be the mightiest nation 
on earth militarily, the strongest economically, and the strongest in 
terms of personal freedom, dignity, and democracy.'' Ray selflessly 
served with the goal of improving our Nation's productivity, education, 
and infrastructure and, I must say, in a very gentlemanly and 
respectful way.
  Ray recognized the can-do spirit that makes our Nation great. He knew 
that in order to accomplish America's goals, the process must be aimed 
at stimulating the combined efforts of the States, the private sector, 
and the cooperative groups of individuals and institutions.
  The second colleague I would like to recognize is Blanche Lambert 
Lincoln.
  Blanche and I both came to Congress in January of 1993, she being 
from Helena, AR. Blanche has been a role model for all of us in the way 
she has served, repeatedly going to bat for the First District of 
Arkansas, conscientiously serving on her committees and subcommittees, 
tackling complex legislation head-on, putting people above politics, 
handling her responsibilities with tact and grace and with a sense of 
humor and good spirit.
  Blanche has served on the Committee on Commerce, where she has earned 
a reputation as a champion for rural causes, ranging from rural water 
to health care and telecommunications access. She has worked hard to 
eliminate the Federal budget deficit, claiming that she does not want 
to pass it on to the next generation, and she has worked to break the 
cycle of poverty and put welfare dependents back to work.
  Blanche continues to be a role model as she leaves office. In this 
day and age when so many other priorities come before family, Blanche 
has made a very selfless decision to leave this demanding occupation 
and return home to rear her twin boys, Reese and Bennett.
  I was impressed when Blanche was once asked when she would return to 
her career, and she answered, ``When my boys know the difference 
between right and wrong.'' We all need to learn a lesson from Blanche 
Lambert Lincoln in setting priorities. She will always be remembered as 
a trailblazer, whether in Congress or acting as a wife and mom.
  I wish these two beloved Members of Congress all the best, and hope 
to see both of you in Arkansas from time to time. We will miss you.

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