[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 149 (Thursday, October 30, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2138]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


 EXPRESSING SORROW OF THE HOUSE AT THE DEATH OF HON. WALTER H. CAPPS, 
              REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. LEE H. HAMILTON

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 29, 1997

  Mr. HAMILTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Congressman 
Walter Capps.
  It was with shock and great sadness that we learned last evening of 
Walter's sudden death.
  Walter enjoyed a remarkable career as a professor, teaching religious 
studies for 33 years at the University of California in Santa Barbara 
before coming to Congress in 1996.
  Walter loved being in Congress. He loved his work. He loved serving 
the people of the 22d District. He felt that he had spent his whole 
life preparing for this work. He was right.
  Walter had all the markings of a superb legislator. He combined a 
keen intellect with good judgment and a deep compassion for people. He 
was an extraordinary member of the freshman class. He was an 
extraordinary Member of Congress by any standard.
  Walter was fond of quoting a teaching from the Talmud: That we do not 
see the world as it is, but rather we see the world as we are. Walter 
saw the world as a man of deep moral convictions. He brought that 
perspective to everything he did, whether it was fighting for human 
rights or just improving civility and bipartisanship in this 
institution.
  In September of this year, Walter managed the resolution that the 
House took up following the death of Princess Diana. He spoke with 
eloquence about her life. ``To live in hearts we leave behind is not to 
die,'' he said, quoting from the poet Thomas Campbell. Heavy as our 
hearts may be today, we are ennobled by his presence. We are diminished 
by his passing.
  I would like to extend my deepest sympathies to Walter's family, his 
wife, Lois, and his children, Lisa, Todd, and Laura; to his staff; and 
to his constituents. He was a marvelous man, and I will miss him.

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