[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 71 (Thursday, June 4, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5619-S5620]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO SENATOR BARRY GOLDWATER

  Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, I want to just take a couple minutes to 
express my respects for Senator Barry Goldwater. I was unable to attend 
the services yesterday with Senators. I was just getting over a very 
bad chest cold, and I decided that I would try to recoup a little here. 
I wish I could have been there.
  Senator Goldwater was obviously an unflinching patriot whose life, in 
many ways, mirrored the American experience. He was rugged, 
independent, and unarguably his own man.
  I am deeply saddened by his passing. When I first arrived as a 
freshman Senator, Senator Goldwater offered me encouragement, and when 
I became budget chairman, provided inspiration when I first tackled the 
tough budget issues we faced in the early 1980s.
  He was a dedicated American and Senator, always willing to fight the 
tough battles. I was better for his fine support and his wise counsel.
  ``Barry Goldwater cared deeply about America. He believed that our 
Nation must always remain strong and that Government should stay off 
the backs of our people and not stifle their innovative spirit. As an 
American, he never shied away from honestly stating his beliefs; and as 
a politician, he led by example, not by polls.
  He will be greatly missed. And Nancy and I send our sympathies and 
prayers to his family.
  U.S. Senator Barry Morris Goldwater, born in Phoenix AZ., Jan. 1, 
1909, was elected to the Senate from Arizona in 1952, and later was 
defeated in his bid for the Presidency in 1964 by Lyndon Johnson. 
Senator Goldwater served in the Senate until retirement in 1987.
  I served with Senator Goldwater. He took me under his wing when I 
first arrived in the Senate, and he was a good counsel.
  The first year I was the chairman of the Budget Committee was 1981.
  After the Senate finished the budget bill Senator Goldwater sent me a 
letter that I would like to have printed in the Record.
  He would dictate these notes himself and they sound just like him.
  He was an inspiration to us all and a very, very fine man. He will be 
missed.

[[Page S5620]]

  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that a letter that I cherish 
from Senator Goldwater after my first appearance on the floor managing 
the budget bill be printed in the Record.
  In his own manner, he would go back to the office frequently and 
dictate a brief letter. This is one of those, which he gave to me in 
1981, as I started down this long process trying to balance the U.S. 
budget. He gave me a little encouragement and enthusiasm. I thought it 
might be good to just show what kind of person he was to younger 
Senators like myself back in 1981, along with all the things I wanted 
to say.
  There being no objection, the letter was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                                  U.S. Senate,

                                     Washington, DC, July 3, 1981.
     Hon. Pete Domenici,
     U.S. Senate,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Pete: When your class came into the Senate something 
     inside of me said, this could be the best that every came 
     along since you've been here. As I watched all of you develop 
     through the years, nothing has happened to change that 
     original opinion.
       Your handling of the budget bill was done in a superb 
     manner, probably as well done as any I have ever listened to 
     and that includes some real old pros. You did a wonderful job 
     with it Pete. I am proud of you and I am going to watch your 
     future with a great deal of interest. You are going to go a 
     long way.
           With pride and best wishes,
     Barry Goldwater.

                          ____________________