[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 141 (Thursday, October 3, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S12271]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO SENATOR JAMES EXON

  Mr. THURMOND. Mr. President, I doubt that one can get any closer to 
the ``Heartland of America'' than Nebraska, a State which lies in the 
middle of the Nation and is known for its plain talking, and well 
grounded people. One man who has exemplified those characteristics 
during his long and distinguished career in the U.S. Senate is Jim 
Exon, who is retiring this year and returning home to the Cornhusker 
State.
  Jim is of the generation of Americans who are veterans of World War 
II, individuals who understand and honor the notions of public service, 
sacrifice, and patriotism. To men of Senator Exon's generation, there 
is no problem that cannot be solved by rolling up one's sleeves, and 
sitting down and working together toward a resolution. In his three 
terms in the Senate, he repeatedly demonstrated his commitment to 
keeping America strong, helping our Nation's farmers, and ensuring that 
our rural citizens had a voice in Congress.
  Nebraskans have been well served by this Senator during the past 18 
years, because he was well prepared for the responsibilities and 
demands of the U.S. Senate. A veteran, Jim's military experience taught 
him how to be tough, self-resilient, and achieve goals and objectives. 
As a businessman, Jim learned the importance of meeting a payroll and 
operating without undue interference from the Government. As the 
Governor of Nebraska, he combined his military and business experiences 
to be one of that State's most successful chief executives, earning two 
terms in that office, which was followed by his election to the U.S. 
Senate in 1978.
  For the past eighteen years, I have had the pleasure of serving with 
Jim on the Senate Armed Services Committee. In his capacity as a member 
of that Committee, Jim has worked hard to help provide for the defense 
of the United States, and to ensure that our men and women in uniform 
have the resources they need to do their jobs, and to meet any threat, 
anywhere. Without question, his experiences as a soldier and non-
commissioned officer in the World War II Pacific Theater certainly 
helped to shape how he approached making defense policy.
  Mr. President, Senator Jim Exon has served his State and Nation 
admirably and selflessly. He stands as an excellent example of the 
traditions of public service, and I hope that men and women in Nebraska 
and throughout the United States will follow the lead he has set to 
make America a better and stronger place for all her citizens.

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