[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 13 (Monday, February 23, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S860]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      IN MEMORY OF DONALD RUSSELL

 Mr. HOLLINGS. Mr. President, South Carolina lost one of its 
greatest citizens when former Governor, former U.S. Senator, and 
Federal Judge Donald Russell passed away Sunday night. I am both 
greatly saddened and honored to pay tribute today to the exemplary life 
of this extraordinary man.
  In addition to his many years of public service as Governor, U.S. 
Senator, and Federal Judge, Donald Russell also served as president of 
the University of South Carolina from 1952 to 1957. During the Second 
World War, he served in the War Department and as a special assistant 
to James F. Byrnes until 1943. In 1943, he entered upon active duty in 
the U.S. Army; he was decommissioned as a major in 1944 after serving 
with Supreme Allied Headquarters. He was present at Yalta with James 
Byrnes and President Roosevelt. Following the War, he served for two 
years as Assistant Secretary of State for Administration.
  Some in this Chamber remember Donald Russell as an esteemed colleague 
who served with great distinction in the United States Senate in 1965 
and 1966. During his time in the Senate, Senator Russell was known as a 
serious, conscientious, and particularly intelligent lawmaker, 
dedicated to his country and to his state. Both South Carolina and the 
United States benefitted from Senator Russell's wise and vigorous 
leadership.
  Before entering the Senate, Donald Russell served as Governor of 
South Carolina. His governorship was one of the most progressive, most 
active, and most important in my state's history. For example, he 
strongly supported and helped fund the statewide system of technical 
colleges that has been essential to South Carolina's dramatic economic 
growth for the past two decades. But the hallmark of Donald Russell's 
governorship was his commitment to racial reconciliation and fair 
treatment for all in South Carolina.
  Mr. President, the best way to illustrate Donald Russell's caring, 
generous, and just nature and his commitment to equitable and 
progressive policies is to relate a vignette. On his inauguration as 
Governor, Donald threw a barbecue for the people of South Carolina--all 
the people. This was unprecedented: never before in South Carolina had 
a governor thrown a party and invited all the state's people--white and 
black--to attend. For the first time, the Governor shook many black as 
well as white hands in his receiving line. Donald's act was as bold as 
it was wonderful, and it set the tone for his governorship, during 
which he worked to encourage the citizens of South Carolina to accept 
the end of the pernicious system of segregation.
  After leaving the Senate, Donald was appointed by President Lyndon 
Johnson to the United States District Court for the District of South 
Carolina. In 1971, Judge Russell was appointed by President Richard 
Nixon to the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. For 
over thirty years, Judge Russell served with great distinction and 
earned a reputation as one of America's most respected jurists. His 
intellect remained keen to the end and he never accepted senior status. 
His years on the bench set a standard for judicial integrity, wisdom, 
and fairmindedness that will endure for many years. In fact, it was as 
a jurist that Donald Russell found his true calling. I doubt that I 
ever have seen or will see another jurist to surpass him.
  For more than fifty years, Mr. President, I have known Donald Russell 
to be one of the most dedicated public servants in South Carolina's 
rich history. His dedication to improving the lives of everyday 
citizens has inspired me throughout my own career in public service. I 
am proud to have been his friend and colleague, and I send his family 
my sincere condolences.

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