[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 138 (Monday, September 30, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S11965]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO SENATOR JIM EXON

  Ms. MOSELEY-BRAUN. Mr. President, I rise today to talk about the 
distinguished service of my friend and colleague, Senator Jim Exon of 
Nebraska.
  When I think of America's heartland--the great plains, the small 
towns, farmers in the field, hard work, helping your neighbor--I think 
of Senator Exon. No other Senator better embodies the image, the 
values, and the beliefs of rural America. He fights for fiscal 
responsibility. He fights for the family farm. He fights for a strong 
national defense. After 26 years of public service to Nebraska, and a 
stunning record of five winning statewide elections in a row, his 
departure from public service leaves in its wake a record of 
accomplishment that will be difficult to match.
  During his tenure in the U.S. Senate, Senator Exon has worked 
tirelessly on behalf of issues important to Nebraskans. He has 
strengthened the farm economy by fighting to promote ethanol fuels and 
expanding foreign markets for farm commodities. He has fought to 
improve rural health care by fixing unfair Medicare rules. He preserved 
Federal funding for the reformed crop insurance program. And he has 
improved transportation access for rural communities with his 
authorship of the current Essential Air Service law and by fighting to 
strengthen and preserve Amtrak.
  Senator Exon has also left his mark on issues important to our 
Nation. He coauthored legislation passed in 1992 requiring the 
moratorium on nuclear testing and an end to all testing by 1996. He has 
used his position as a senior Member of the Senate Budget Committee to 
help reign in Federal spending and reduce the Federal deficit. He has 
greatly increased safety in the inspection of trucking and railroad 
industries.
  These accomplishments are his legacy. The retirement announcement of 
Senator Exon, widely recognized as the chief architect in the creating 
a strong Democratic party in Nebraska, will leave a void in Nebraskan 
leadership that will likely be felt for years. I know Nebraskans are 
proud of his achivements. I wish Senator Exon the very best in his 
future endeavors.

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