[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 140 (Wednesday, October 2, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Pages S12154-S12155]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO SENATOR HANK BROWN

  Mr. THURMOND. Mr. President, I rise to pay a tribute to Senator Hank 
Brown since he is retiring at the end of the current year.
  If there is one image that people around the world have of a 
Westerner, it is that of an independent man or woman who rides tall in 
the saddle, stands up for what he or she believes is right, and is a 
person of great practicality and common sense. Without question, these 
are the type of attributes that one finds in our friend and colleague, 
Hank Brown of Colorado, who is bringing his career in Congress to a 
close.
  Though a Member of this body for only one term, Senator Brown is no 
stranger to Capitol Hill as he served for 10 years in the House of 
Representatives. Throughout his tenure in both Houses of Congress, he 
demonstrated a commonsense approach to the issues before the Nation. As 
a conservative, he took a hard line against Government waste, an 
excessive Federal budget, and efforts by bureaucrats and 
environmentalists to impede the rights of land owners, ranchers, and 
those who seek to harness the riches of the West.
  I had the good fortune to serve with Hank on both the Committee on 
the Judiciary and the Veterans' Affairs Committee over the past 6 
years, and his commitment to his work and to serving the Nation 
impressed me greatly. Without question, my colleague from Colorado 
approached his duties seriously and sought to represent his

[[Page S12155]]

constituents as best he could. As a veteran of the Vietnam war, Hank 
was especially sensitive and knowledgeable concerning issues that came 
before the Veterans' Affairs Committee, and he worked hard to ensure 
that America never forgets those men and women who have sacrificed so 
much to protect the interests and ideals of the United States. I have 
no question that should Hank Brown have chosen to stand for reelection, 
the grateful voters of his State would have easily and overwhelmingly 
returned him to office.
  Mr. President, in a case of life imitating popular lore, Hank Brown 
is going to saddle up and ride west into the sunset at the end of the 
104th Congress. As he makes his journey back to his home State with its 
glorious Rocky Mountains and crystal clean air, he can reflect on a 
distinguished and well respected career in the U.S. Congress. In the 
course of almost two decades, Hank worked hard to forge compromises, 
reach agreements, and to fight for what is right. His efforts benefited 
the people of Colorado and the United States, and his presence will 
certainly be missed in this Chamber. Some say that Hank may run for 
Governor, and if that is the case, the Mile High State, will be in good 
hands, but regardless of whether or not our friend seeks that office, 
we commend him for his service to the Nation and wish him great success 
in the years to come.

                          ____________________