[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 137 (Saturday, September 28, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Pages S11717-S11719]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                             CLAIBORNE PELL

  Around the Senate, we often hear the word ``distinguished'' used to 
describe our colleagues. But in the case of the senior senator from 
Rhode Island, the description truly fits the man. Claiborne Pell has 
served in this body for 36 years. Only two other Senators have served 
longer.
  In addition to his almost four decades of devoted service to the 
people of Rhode Island, Senator Pell has an unsurpassed record of 
legislative accomplishments--a legacy that will benefit Americans all 
over the Nation for generations to come.
  Claiborne Pell is the father of Pell grants, the Nation's premier 
assistance program for needy college students. For many years, he has 
also been one of the Senate's leading voices in support of the National 
Endowments for the Arts and the Humanities, which promote and sustain 
so much of the creative life of this country.
  Throughout his career in the Senate, Claiborne Pell has been deeply 
involved in foreign policy issues. He

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served as chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee from 1987 through 
1994. Through his vision and leadership, the Arms Control and 
Disarmament Agency. His steadfast commitment to reducing the threat of 
weapons of mass destruction led to major international arms control 
agreements, including the Environmental Modification Treaty and the 
Seabed Arms Control Treaty. Senator Pell has contributed immeasurably 
to the development of U.S. leadership in world affairs and to the 
establishment of better relations among the nations of the world.
  Finally, I must pay special tribute to the very special character of 
Claiborne Pell. We live in a time and a place where certain qualities 
of character--courtesy and gentility, decency and kindness, honesty and 
integrity--are are all too rare, in public life or private. But with 
Claiborne Pell, these qualities are ingrained and innate. He is an 
honorable gentleman, and I have been proud to serve with him.


                                SAM NUNN

  The senior Senator from Georgia is among the most respected Members 
of this body--admired for his knowledge, legislative acumen, and 
unparalleled dedication to the men and women who serve our Nation in 
the Armed Forces.
  Sam Nunn is held in such high esteem by the citizens of Georgia that 
they have elected him as their Senator five times. Had he decided to 
face the voters again this year, political commentators unanimously 
agree that Georgians would have re-elected him by a wide margin.
  Senator Nunn will be remembered in this body for his service to the 
State of Georgia and his diligent efforts to reform the Federal 
Government through his work on the Governmental Affairs Committee. 
However, there is no doubt that Sam Nunn will be remembered best as an 
international affairs and military policy expert, whose impact on U.S. 
national security policy will be felt forever. From the cold war to the 
Gulf war, Presidents have sought his counsel and relied on his advice.
  Senator Nunn's retirement will leave the Senate without one its most 
respected voices, but we trust that he will remain active in public 
life and will continue to contribute to the vitality of our Nation. I 
will certainly call on him for his common sense counsel and his deep 
trough of knowledge on so many matters of great importance to our 
country.


                             MARK HATFIELD

  Many words can be used to describe my colleague the senior Senator 
from Oregon, but the one word that most comes to mind in describing his 
service in the Senate is integrity. Early in his career, he said, ``I 
pray for the integrity, justice and courage to vote the correct vote, 
not the political vote.'' The American people witnessed his integrity 
earlier this year when he cast a vote of conscience on the balanced 
budget amendment.
  Senator Hatfield has been a champion for the environment. Throughout 
his career he sponsored legislation to protect the trees, rivers, and 
wildlife in his beautiful State of Oregon as well as throughout the 
Nation. He used his skill to protect the threatened northern spotted 
owl, while at the same time save jobs in the timber industry.
  Senator Hatfield has also been a strong advocate of peace. While he 
served in the military during World War II, he was one of the first 
U.S. servicemen to see the devastation that the atomic bomb inflicted 
on Hiroshima. This episode moved him greatly, and as a result, he has 
devoted himself to arms control and trying to get the United States to 
invest less money in weapons systems and more in our people.

  We need more Mark Hatfields in both parties. The Senate will miss his 
quiet dignity and his quiet strength. Personally, I will miss his 
friendship, and I want to take this opportunity to thank him for all 
the help he gave me as chairman of the Appropriations Committee on 
issues of mutual concern, including the environment, transportation, 
and health research.


                              DAVID PRYOR

  As everyone knows, Senator David Pryor from the great State of 
Arkansas is one of our most beloved colleagues. He is a man who always 
had a kind and generous word to say to everyone.
  David Pryor has devoted much of his public life to improving the 
quality of life for our senior citizens. Last year, I was proud to join 
David and others in the fight to retain Federal nursing home standards. 
He knows that we need minimum uniform standards in order to ensure that 
our seniors continue to receive the best care possible.
  Senator Pryor has also been a leader in the fight to make 
prescription drugs available to all at lower prices. He sponsored 
successful legislation to require pharmaceutical companies to give 
Medicare and Medicaid the same discounts that are available to other 
large purchasers. As a result, prescription drugs are more affordable 
for patients and the Government saves $1 billion a year. Most 
important, this policy saves lives.
  I love David Pryor and I will miss him dearly. I wish for David, 
Barbara and their children all the very best in the years to come.


                                JIM EXON

  It is with a sad heart that I say good-bye to my dear friend and 
esteemed colleague, Senator Exon. Senator Exon came to the Senate after 
a successful 8 years as Governor, where he was highly popular with all 
Nebraskans. His ability to attract supporters from both parties brought 
him to Washington in a landslide Senate victory.
  As a veteran of World War II and a senior member of the Armed 
Services Committee, Senator Exon has fought to ensure a strong defense 
for our country. A significant achievement which exemplifies this is 
the Exon-Florio bill which gives the President the power to stop 
hostile foreign takeovers which threaten national security.
  At the same time, he has been an economizer and a watchdog of the 
deficit. As Governor, he cut the deficit in Nebraska and has continued 
to fight for the same outcome as the ranking Democrat of the Budget 
Committee. It has been my pleasure to work with him on the Budget 
Committee and he will be greatly missed by all of us.


                              ALAN SIMPSON

  Alan Simpson, the Senior senator from Wyoming, will go down in the 
history of the Senate as one of its foremost legislators, but also as a 
man with a unique sense of humor that has added a wonderful dimension 
to the life of this body.
  Time and again, Alan Simpson has demonstrated that he is a man of 
conviction and courage. I am very proud to have served with him and I 
will always especially remember and appreciate the strong support he 
has given over the years to the reproductive rights of women.
  Alan Simpson is a man of his word--straight forward and fair. He will 
be missed in this body.


                            NANCY KASSEBAUM

  It has been my pleasure to be able to serve with now senior Senator 
from Kansas, Nancy Kassebaum, during her final term. As the sole 
Republican woman in the Senate when first elected and for a significant 
portion of the time she has served here, she has become a role model to 
women on both sides of the aisle. In addition, as the chair of the 
Senate Labor and Human Resources Committee, she is currently the only 
woman to head a Senate committee.
  Senator Kassebaum's ability to moderate between different ideologies 
a great asset to this body and one which will be greatly missed. Most 
recently, her work with Senator Kennedy brought the first substantive 
health care reform to the Senate. We all know this legislation passed 
unanimously and has become one of the great achievements of the 104th 
Congress.
  Senator Kassebaum has also been a leader in issues concerning foreign 
affairs. She has been a key negotiator on important decisions such as 
determining sanctions against South Africa and eliminating credit 
guarantees for Iraq which were supposed to be used for food, but were 
in fact being used by Saddam Hussein to buy weapons. Whether Senator 
Kassebaum and I have been on opposite sides of the issue or the same, I 
have tremendous respect for the work she has done here and I know she 
will be missed.


                             HOWELL HEFLIN

  Years from now, when historians review the history of the U.S. 
Senate, one name that will surely stand out as one of the Senate's most 
colorful and foresighted members will be Howell Helflin. Known for his 
cautious deliberation, Senator Heflin has definitely made his mark in 
the U.S. Senate.

[[Page S11719]]

  The judge, as we all know him, has served the State of Alabama and 
this Nation with distinction, courage, and integrity. This Silver Star 
medal recipient will no doubt be remembered as one to the Senate's 
shining stars. His work and personable demeanor has served as a model 
for us all. As chief justice of the Alabama Supreme Court, he 
implemented nationally acclaimed state court reform. Upon retiring from 
the bench in 1977, not one trial or appellate court in the State of 
Alabama was backlogged or congested.
  In the Senate, he has been a champion in every sense of the word. 
From protecting American farmers as the chief architect of the cotton, 
peanut, and soybean programs, to ensuring senior citizens security and 
expanding medical research. His work underscores his compassion and 
commitment to improving the quality of life for us all. It is no wonder 
that the first bill he ever introduced, and continues to fight for in 
each Congress, is for a balanced budget. Without a doubt, Senator 
Heflin has a clear understanding of ensuring that our Nation's 
priorities are in order; and securing a better standard of living for 
ourselves, our children, and for generations to come.
  Those of us fortunate enough to have served with him in this body 
have been enriched by his intellect, fortitude, and personal charm. I 
wish for him and his family all the best in the years ahead, and I 
extend my appreciation for his friendship, and most importantly, his 
service to our nation.


                               PAUL SIMON

  Since 1947, when Paul Simon became the youngest editor-publisher in 
the Nation, he has been one of the most thoughtful spokesmen for the 
public interest. As an editor he railed against the corruption that 
gripped Illinois politics; in his 14 years in the Illinois state 
legislature he was the annual winner of the best legislator award; as a 
Member of the U.S. Congress he has been a leading advocate for children 
and education.
  Since being elected to the Senate, Senator Simon has proven himself 
to be a capable, and at times masterful, legislator. Well-liked on both 
sides of the aisle, Senator Simon's popularity has enabled him to forge 
coalitions and push through legislation. He has fought to help families 
with his legislation supporting children and education. His 
legislation, such as the Job Training Partnership Act, the School-to-
Work Act, and the National Literacy Act has put him in the forefront as 
a leader in education, and helped to ensure a well-prepared workforce.
  Senator Simon is a caring and dedicated legislator. His record 
underscores his dedication to the public good and the future of our 
Nation. Senator Paul Simon's thoughtfulness, his generosity, his 
kindness, will be sorely missed in the halls of Congress.


                              BILL BRADLEY

  One of the most respected thinkers in the Senate, Bill Bradley of New 
Jersey is most comfortable in the world of ideas and ideals. A former 
Rhodes scholar, Senator Bradley has never been content or satisfied 
with the cliches that can sometimes dominate an issue. He continually 
seeks to come up with new and original answers to the problems facing 
our Nation.
  Senator Bradley has been instrumental in shaping America's economic 
and foreign policy. And although he has at times been concerned with 
the direction of Government, he has continued to push our Government 
toward dealing effectively with the needs of our Nation, and with the 
problems that affect people's everyday lives. His role in the 1986 Tax 
Reform Act, for example, was pivotal, and reshaped how we address tax 
issues.
  I especially admire Senator Bradley for his concern about the 
toughest issue of time--race relations. He has shown great courage and 
leadership for all our people.
  America undoubtedly has profited greatly from Senator Bradley's 
leadership in economic, social, and foreign policy. His departure from 
the Senate leaves a big hole which will be difficult to fill.


                            BENNETT JOHNSTON

  The people of Louisiana could not have had a more outstanding 
representative of their interests than J. Bennett Johnston, who has 
been a member of the Senate since 1973. He is, in fact, a Louisiana 
Legend.
  I want to pay tribute to Bennett as one of the most effective and 
skilled legislators in Congress--and also one of the most formidable 
opponents I have ever faced.


                               HANK BROWN

  As the chairman of the Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Near Eastern 
Affairs, Senator Hank Brown has shown great leadership on matters 
concerning one of America's most important allies, Israel. I also want 
to thank him for and recognize the support he has always given to the 
reproductive rights of women.


                             WILLIAM COHEN

  Senator Cohen, following in the tradition of many previous Senators 
from Maine, has become known as a thoughtful legislator and judicious 
thinker on a broad range of issues. His intellect will be missed by the 
Senate.
  One of Bill Cohen's greatest contributions to the Senate has been his 
role as an honest broker in important foreign policy debates. He is 
always willing to work on a bipartisan basis for what he believes to be 
the best interests of the United States.

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