[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 135 (Thursday, October 1, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1857-E1858]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO LEE HAMILTON

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. DOUG BEREUTER

                              of nebraska

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 28, 1998

  Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, this Member has served in the U.S. House 
of Representatives with our very distinguished colleague from Indiana 
[Mr. Lee Hamilton] for twenty years and this Member has worked closely 
with Lee on the House International Affairs Committee for sixteen of 
those twenty years. As a result of that contact, this Member will tell 
this body that this Member believes he is the most outstanding Member 
now serving in the U.S. House of Representatives. Certainly, he is one 
of the three most distinguished legislators with whom this Member has 
served in that period of twenty years.
  This Member also knows that this Member's high regard for Lee is 
shared by the very wide circle of people who have known and observed 
him, not only by those of us in the Congress, but also by people across 
the country and in the far corners of the earth. His sound and well-
reasoned judgment, his unswerving integrity, his unfailing courtesy, 
his intellect, and his very wise and deep knowledge of matters foreign 
and domestic have built his exceptional reputation that reflects to 
favorably on the people of Indiana who have elected him to Congress an 
amazing seventeen times.
  There have been very few if any Members in the U.S. House of 
Representatives--for

[[Page E1858]]

decades at least--who is more knowledgeable and respected on foreign 
affairs issues than Representative Lee Hamilton. Whether serving as the 
Chairman or recently as the senior minority member of the House 
Committee on International Relations, he has consistently provided the 
leadership our country needed on these international issues. This had 
been true even when his analysis and convictions on such issues 
compelled him to stand almost alone against a tide of emotionalism and 
irrationality. First and foremost, this Member admires Lee Hamilton, as 
others do, for keeping his focus on the American national interest and 
insisting, that against all pressures, it would remain his guide.
  This Member wants Representative Hamilton's constituents in Indiana 
to know, too, that despite his necessary attention to all these complex 
and demanding international issues and despite flattering acclaim, Lee 
Hamilton kept his feet on the ground, his gaze on the horizon, and his 
focus ``away back home in Indiana.'' Always a Hoosier, Lee was born and 
bred to understand and honor the views, interests, and values of his 
constituents. He always has so naturally demonstrated the self-
confidence and judiciousness in decisions and the humbleness in 
demeanor that springs from a deep understanding and respect for what it 
means to truly serve the people who elect one in our representative 
democracy. Indianans and all Americans can take a full measure of pride 
in our distinguished colleague's extraordinary service to America.
  In concluding, this Member wants to convey to Lee Hamilton, our 
distinguished colleague from Indiana, and to his wonderful life, Nancy, 
who undoubtedly has been crucially important to his public service, 
this Member's great appreciation and admiration for the extraordinarily 
important public service you have rendered to our nation. Lee, 
undoubtedly you have so much yet you can offer. All of us, who have had 
the privilege to serve with you in the Congress, wish you every good 
opportunity and success in that respect, and also to Nancy, you, and 
your family in your life together.

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