[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 13 (Wednesday, February 5, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S993]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             TRIBUTE TO THE LATE AMBASSADOR PAMELA HARRIMAN

  Mr. HARKIN. Mr. President, it was with great sadness that my wife and 
I learned this morning of the death of a dear friend of over two and 
one-half decades, Pamela Harriman, our country's Ambassador to France.
  As I said, for the better part of about 25 years, Pamela and Averell, 
first of all, were friends and two people who encouraged me early on in 
my political life when I first ran for office. Later, after her husband 
Averell passed away, Pamela continued to extend that hand of friendship 
to me, my wife, and our family.
  I remember when I first came to Washington as a freshman Congressman 
in 1975, I was amazed at how Pamela Harriman and Averell at that time 
opened up their home to younger Members. I know a lot has been made 
about how the movers and shakers of the world were always at Pamela 
Harriman's house. But it was not just them; she always made sure her 
home and house was open to the new people who came to Washington. She 
was constantly promoting and encouraging young people, young Members of 
Congress, new people who were here, to showcase their ideas, to 
encourage them, to push harder and to climb up the ladder. So I 
remember her very fondly for the encouragement and support that she 
gave this Senator in my early years of seeking public office.
  During the last decade, the 1980's, Pamela Harriman was always there 
in our party, the Democratic Party, trying to rebuild and to encourage 
people to seek public office. As I said, she was always encouraging the 
formulation of new ideas and approaches. I think our party owes her a 
great debt for all that she did to encourage these younger people and 
to keep us pulled together during the decade of the 1980's. During the 
Presidential election of 1992, she was very active in helping then 
Governor Clinton gain the White House.
  For the last 3\1/2\ years, Pamela Harriman served this country 
honorably and well and I think with great distinction as our Ambassador 
to France. As I have had occasion to travel overseas, I have heard, on 
many occasions, from individuals in different parts of Europe about 
what a great representative of America Pamela Harriman was. She was 
indeed that.
  Pamela Harriman was always proud of her British ancestry and 
heritage. She was even more proud of the fact that she was an American. 
She was always undeniably gracious to all who came within her reach. 
She was always open to new ideas, as I said, of the younger people 
coming into Government and politics. She always found time to give 
encouragement, help, and support.
  So it is a sad day for our country, for all of her friends, and for 
all of those of us in the Democratic Party who looked to her for help 
and support for so many years. Ruth, my wife, and I extend our deepest 
sympathies to the Harriman family. I just want to say that Pamela 
Harriman indeed left a very indelible mark, not only in the city of 
Washington, not only on the Democratic Party, but indeed on the United 
States of America. She will be greatly missed.
  Mr. President, I yield the floor and suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. COATS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mr. COATS. Mr. President, may I inquire what the current order of 
business is?
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senate is in morning business.


                 WELCOMING FORMER SENATOR ALAN J. DIXON

  Mr. COATS. Mr. President, I note the presence of a colleague and 
friend on the floor, the former Senator from Illinois. We are pleased 
to have him come back and visit us. I just want to take this 
opportunity to tell him how much we appreciated his service and how 
much I enjoyed serving with him on the Senate Armed Services Committee. 
I hope he is doing well.

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