[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 5 (Wednesday, January 22, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S589]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              PAUL TSONGAS

  Mr. KERRY. Mr. President, I rise today to speak about Paul Tsongas, 
who lost his battle against cancer on Saturday. We have all lost a 
great friend; the Nation has lost an extraordinary American who defined 
the concept of public service and whose courage and conviction set an 
example for each and every one of us.
  Paul was the son of Greek immigrants in Lowell, MA. He worked in his 
father's drycleaning business, and served in the Peace Corps, as a 
Lowell city councilor, as a Middlesex county commissioner, as a U.S. 
Congressman, and as a U.S. Senator in the seat that I am now honored to 
occupy.
  Paul was able to achieve so much in his life because no matter where 
he went, no matter what office he held, he never left the people of 
Lowell. He instinctively understood not only their problems but also 
how government could help provide some of the solutions which were 
necessary to resolve them.
  In 1992, when George Bush looked unbeatable, Paul Tsongas ran for the 
Democratic Presidential nomination because he knew his ideas for our 
future were better.
  We must not forget the timeless principles for which Paul Tsongas 
fought throughout his career in elective office: balancing the Federal 
budget and establishing sound fiscal principles for the Federal 
Government, investing in our country and our children, and building our 
economy so future generations can attain the dreams which seem to elude 
us today.
  Although Paul did not win the nomination, he became the catalyst who 
turned the national spotlight on our fiscal policies and changed the 
political dialog in the United States forever.
  After the campaign, Paul Tsongas joined with Warren Rudman and Pete 
Peterson to found the Concord Coalition to promote fiscal 
responsibility. This organization again and again has drawn national 
attention to our Nation's fiscal agenda.
  Since the 1992 Presidential campaign, we have cut the Federal budget 
deficit by more than half. The question in Washington is no longer 
``Can we balance the budget?'', but ``How soon can we do so?'' Much of 
the progress we have made can be attributed to Paul Tsongas and his 
economic call to arms.
  The rebuilt, reinvigorated city of Lowell, MA is another long-lasting 
memorial to Paul. He as much or more than any other person shepherded 
the revitalization program through the Congress, and by seeing and 
breathing life into a local pride and spirit that were still alive, he 
transformed a rundown mill town into an international destination with 
an amazing story to tell and show visitors from near and far.
  Paul Tsongas' accomplishments only explain part of what made him so 
extraordinary. There is no way to explain the impact on others of his 
decency, integrity, and courage. But that impact was real and 
pronounced.
  In 1983, he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The next year 
he retired from the Senate in order to spend more time with his wife 
Niki, and his three daughters, Ashley, Katina, and Molly. He 
successfully battled cancer for over a decade with a sense of grace and 
a strength of character that are remarkable.
  It is terribly hard to acknowledge the death of such a person. Paul 
will be greatly and genuinely missed because he was greatly and 
genuinely loved. That is a compliment to which all of us can aspire 
when we leave this Earth. But Paul's life took him a step beyond even 
that status among his family and friends and all who know or observed 
him in his public service.
  We can say truthfully and appreciatively that we are better people 
because of the example Paul Tsongas set during his life. In that way, 
he not only improved the lives of many in very direct ways, he will 
continue to live on as an inspiration to us.
  We will miss him, but we are comforted by what he has given to us.

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