[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 11 (Thursday, February 12, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S690]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            ABRAHAM LINCOLN

  Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, no Senator from the State of Illinois 
could rise on February 12 without noting the birth date of Abraham 
Lincoln. Abraham Lincoln never served in the Senate, although he did 
serve in the U.S. House of Representatives. One of his most famous 
political experiences was in 1858 when he ran against Stephen Douglas 
for the Senate seat which I am honored to occupy. Lincoln lost that 
election. Of course, following the course of the lengthy debates with 
Douglas, which became part of the legend of American politics and an 
important part of our history, by 1860 Lincoln was elected President. 
And we all know his leadership was so critical in one of our Nation's 
greatest hours.
  We in Illinois dote on Abraham Lincoln. We have his name on license 
plates. In my hometown, we are consumed with the Lincoln legend and 
with all that he has given to the State and to the Nation. I hope that 
those who are witnessing the events in this Chamber today will reflect 
for a moment on this great man and the great legacy he left to the 
United States. Lincoln was known very well for his leadership at the 
time the Nation was in great peril with the Civil War. He did so many 
things with vision, and I think it is a perfect lead in to my reason 
for standing before the Senate today. I hope those of us who are in 
successor generations to Abraham Lincoln can rise to the challenges and 
can show the same type of vision and leadership on the challenges now 
facing Americans across the country.

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