[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 61 (Thursday, May 14, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4845-S4846]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                CONGRATULATIONS THOMAS GERSTLE ABERNETHY

  Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, often we rise on the floor of the Senate 
to pay tribute to a former Member of Congress or former Member of the 
U.S. Senate who has passed away, talking about their career and their 
contributions to our country.
  Today I rise to pay tribute to a former Member of Congress from my 
State of Mississippi who will reach his 95th birthday on Saturday. 
Thomas Gerstle Abernethy is the last surviving member of our State's 
delegation of his generation that was very distinguished, indeed, and 
included in the House of Representatives: Jamie Whitten, Frank Smith, 
Arthur Winstead, John Bell Williams, and Bill Colmer. In the Senate at 
that time, Jim Eastland and John Stennis represented our State.
  For 30 years, Thomas Abernethy was viewed as a prominent and 
influential Member of Congress from our State, and indeed he was. He 
was a member of the Agriculture Committee. He was not reticent or 
bashful in any way. He often spoke on the floor of the House on a wide 
and varied range of subjects, with intelligence, energy, and in a 
conscientious way to serve the interests of our State. He truly was an 
influence in national affairs in the Congress.
  He was born in Eupora, MS, on May 16, 1903. He attended the 
University of Alabama and the University of Mississippi and graduated 
from the Law Department of Cumberland University in Lebanon, TN, in 
1924. He was admitted to practice law in the State of Mississippi that 
same year and began practice in his hometown of Eupora in 1925. He was 
elected mayor of Eupora in 1927. Then in 1929 he moved to Okolona, MS. 
He continued to practice law there, was elected district attorney, the 
prosecuting attorney for several counties in that part of the State of 
Mississippi, in 1936. He served until he was elected to Congress in 
1942. That was the 78th Congress that convened on

[[Page S4846]]

January 3, 1943, a turbulent time in the history of our country. For 
three decades, until his retirement in 1973, Thomas Abernethy served 
with distinction as a member of our House delegation.

  One of the highlights of his career politically came very soon after 
he was elected to Congress. Our State, during the census of 1950, was 
reapportioned and lost a Member of Congress. He was put in a 
congressional district by the State legislature's reapportionment plan, 
with one of the most senior and best known members of the State's 
delegation at that time, John Rankin. Many expected that John Rankin 
would defeat Tom Abernethy in the Democratic primary in 1952. But as it 
turned out, Tom Abernethy won that race and he served for 20 more years 
as a member of our House delegation.
  He retired the same year that I was elected to the House with two 
other new Members of our House delegation--David Bowen, who replaced 
Tom Abernethy; and Trent Lott, who replaced the retiring Bill Colmer.
  Interestingly enough, Tom Abernethy became a close friend and advisor 
to me. I sought his advice on matters involving agriculture, the 
Natchez Trace Parkway, and other issues of importance to me and to our 
State. I always found his advice and counsel very valuable and helpful.
  When I became a candidate in 1978 for the Senate, Tom Abernethy 
continued to be my friend and advisor, for which I was very grateful. I 
will always recall accompanying him to his hometown of Okolona during 
that campaign, meeting with friends of mine and his who had decided to 
become active in my campaign for the Senate. I could tell that he 
enjoyed that occasion. I enjoyed it very much too and benefited greatly 
from his support throughout that campaign.
  Today, I'm pleased to advise the U.S. Senate that Tom Abernethy is 
going to be celebrating his 95th birthday on Saturday. I encourage 
those who remember him as I do and appreciate him as I do to wish him 
well on his birthday on Saturday. I congratulate him for his 
conscientious and effective service to our State and our Nation as a 
distinguished Member of Congress and as a wise and valued citizen in 
his role as a former Member of Congress.
  Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. ALLARD. 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. ALLARD. Mr. President, it is my understanding that I have been 
allocated 15 minutes this morning for comments under morning business.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under the previous order, the Senator from 
Colorado, Mr. Allard, is recognized to speak for up to 15 minutes.

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