[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 105 (Wednesday, July 23, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S7972]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO HAMILTON FISH

 Mr. D'AMATO. Mr. President, one year ago today, our friend and 
former colleague in the other body, Hamilton Fish, died here in 
Washington.
  Ham and his forebears, statesman and patriots to a man, were gifts to 
our Nation's Capital from New York where they emerged from immigrant 
roots that were truly extraordinary in the American experience.
  In the years I knew Ham, I saw reflected in his bearing, his code of 
life, his approach to the law and devotion to public service, a man 
whose very genes held rich lessons of bravery, honesty, integrity and 
patriotism handed down from those who had formed this Nation, nurtured 
and served it since the 17th Century. And yet he never let on about the 
first Mayor of New York, the last Mayor of Brooklyn, a hero of the 
Battle of Yorktown who looks down from the nearby Rotunda's wall, the 
Secretary of State, the Senators, Rough Riders and Members of the House 
of Representatives who filled his family tree.
  An impressive lineage was not what was important to him. To Ham, what 
one did in the time allotted by God was what mattered.
  Officially, Hamilton Fish, was the 13-term Congressman from the 
Empire State's Hudson Valley, who from his earliest years in Congress 
wrestled with the turmoil of Watergate and the Vietnam war, the causes 
of civil rights, refugees, the environment, and a daily concern that 
Washington respond to and be a positive influence for his constituents 
and all Americans.
  He was neither a ``hawk'' nor a ``dove'' in the contentious and 
important issues of his time, but rather an impressive ``owl''--a wise 
owl, using head and heart, with the talons to fight a ferocious battle 
when needed, but possessing the sharp ears and keen eyes to recognize 
and counsel for the strength to be gained from collegial compromise; 
knowing the ways to bridge often great divides of politics and 
ideologies.
  Ham Fish was also a very private figure in our midst. The deep love 
he shared with his wife and family was obvious soon after first meeting 
him; but the little known, almost spiritual way he approached, planned 
and prepared for each and every one of his days until he died, whether 
for legislating, trout fishing or making a favorite soup recipe, being 
with his grandchildren near his beloved Hudson River or meeting with 
the famous or not so famous, was astonishing. Hamilton Fish the private 
man knew each and every day was to be cherished: taken all in all, of 
limited number and deserving to be filled with actions and thoughts 
that were positive, moral and strong.
  His memory will remain strong for all of us that worked with him. I 
hope those who are just beginning their lives of public service will 
take a moment today to think about Hamilton Fish of New York . . . a 
genuine gift to our nation.

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