[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 141 (Thursday, October 3, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S12270]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO SENATOR SAM NUNN

  Mr. THURMOND. Mr. President, over the course of the more than 40 
years I have spent in the U.S. Senate, I have had the good fortune to 
serve with a number of people who have gone from being my colleagues to 
being my friends. Today, I rise to pay tribute to one such individual, 
Sam Nunn, who I am sad to note is ending his career in this body at the 
conclusion of the 104th Congress.
  It is perhaps only natural that Sam would come to be one of my 
closest friends in the Senate, as we have much in common. To begin 
with, we represent neighboring States, and almost immediately after Sam 
arrived in the Senate, we began working together on a number of issues 
that were, and are, of concern and importance to our constituents. From 
1972 to almost literally this day, Sam and I have cooperated on any 
number of matters, such as the Savannah River Site or Fort Gordon, that 
affect both our States. It would probably be safe to say that for many 
residents of South Carolina, Sam Nunn is like a third Senator to them. 
Additionally, I served with his great-uncle Carl Vinson, as well as 
with Sam's predecessor, Richard Russell, both of whom were true legends 
of the U.S. Senate, as well as great Georgians. Finally, we are both 
veterans, Sam served ably in the U.S. Coast Guard and Coast Guard 
Reserve, where he helped to protect our shores and maritime interests 
and undoubtedly learned the importance of a modern, well trained, and 
well equipped military.
  Without question, I think the bond between Sam and I grew strongest 
during the years we spent together on the Senate Armed Services 
Committee, where we worked together to provide for the defense of the 
Nation. In the 24 years he served on that Committee, Sam went from a 
freshman member to one of the Nation's most knowledgable and respected 
experts on defense matters. In the process, he became the Committee's 
Chairman and Ranking Member, and played an important and influential 
role in the shaping of American defense policy during the cold War, and 
post-cold war eras. I have known no small number of committee chairmen 
in my time, and I certainly rank Sam Nunn as one of the most able and 
dedicated men to hold a position of such importance and responsibility.
  Mr. President, Sam Nunn is known by the media, the public, and by his 
colleagues in Congress as a seriousminded individual, who approaches 
matters before him critically and carefully. Undoubtedly, his training 
as a lawyer and his service as a member of the Georgia House of 
Representatives, helped prepare him for his duties in the U.S. Senate. 
During his time in this Body, Sam Nunn has represented the people of 
his State thoroughly and effectively, and he helped to turn the 
American military into the finest fighting force that history has 
known. I know that come January, I will miss Sam both as a colleague 
and friend, but I also know that I am glad he has spent the last 24 
years in the Senate, and I am certain that he will continue to work to 
influence public policy and to ensure that the United States remains 
the strongest Nation in the world.

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