[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 142 (Saturday, October 10, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Pages S12299-S12300]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             TRIBUTE TO UNITED STATES SENATOR DALE BUMPERS

  Mr. BYRD. Mr. President, in the bustling commotion of the ending days 
of the 105th Congress, members are preoccupied with efforts to enact 
sought after objectives important to their constituents. We are busy 
tying up loose ends, putting the finishing touches on projects, and 
looking forward to going home to our constituents and to a break in the 
hectic schedule of the United States Senate. Regrettably, as this 
session of Congress adjourns, we are also faced with the difficult task 
of saying goodbye to colleagues who have chosen to follow a new path in 
life.
  As I reflect on my years in Congress and on my association with its 
many members and their various personalities, their goals and, yes, 
sometimes, their eccentricities, I am reminded of some very important 
milestones in history made possible by these fine Americans. I am 
reminded of my good fortune to have been associated with men and women 
representing the American people from all walks of life and from all 
corners of the United States.
  In my reflections, I have thanked my Creator for allowing me to serve 
my country with such fine men and women, and I am, indeed, sorrowful at 
the upcoming loss of some of the finest men I have ever known.
  I pay tribute today to an exceptional United States Senator, a man 
with whom it has been my honor to serve and to have been associated 
with--a man of unusual conviction, passion, and resolve. He has been 
called the last Southern liberal, and he is proud of it. He often 
quotes from ``To Kill a Mocking Bird.'' He is THE commanding foe 
against the space station.
  The above discourse clearly references the actions of only one man--
Senator Dale Bumpers, Democrat from Arkansas. He is the United States 
Senator responsible for ``right-turn-on-red,'' his first legislative 
victory and one for which, I am told, he received devilish teasing from 
a colleague who warned that ``many people might want to drive 
straight!''
  I will miss my friend, who is retiring following twenty-four years of 
service. He leaves a legacy that has made a difference, not only to the 
people of Arkansas, but to all Americans. His tireless efforts to end 
federal policies that he believes give away resources that belong to 
the taxpayer will long be remembered by certain mining and ranching 
interests out West. And more than a few NASA space station contractors 
will continue to run when they hear his name! Contractors who worked on 
the now-terminated Superconducting Super Collider can only wish that 
Senator Bumpers had chosen to retire earlier.
  While many a press story covered his crusades against alleged lost 
causes, Senator Dale Bumpers is a man that leaves this Senate with a 
triumphant record for the American people. In particular, Senator 
Bumpers has been a national leader in protecting the health of 
children. In fact, along with his wife, Betty, Senator Bumpers has long 
promoted childhood immunizations, known safeguards in protecting the 
health of millions of children.
  As the ranking Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on 
Agriculture, formerly the Chairman, Dale Bumpers has represented the 
rural heart of America. He has fought for policies to help rural 
families, including securing funding for basic infrastructure projects 
that provide water and sewer facilities to small towns throughout the 
nation. I personally wish to thank Senator Bumpers for being a leading 
advocate for funding on these vital projects, and I share his concern 
for the millions of Americans who do not have access to a clean, ample 
supply of drinking water.
  Senator Bumpers has further made a significant mark on efforts to 
protect family farmers. In particular, we owe our gratitude to Dale 
Bumpers for his efforts to initiate programs to help young Americans 
become this nation's next generation of family farmers, a dwindling 
breed at risk of extinction. In honor of his service to rural America, 
I am proud that this Congress, in the Fiscal Year 1999 Agriculture 
Appropriations Bill, is formally paying tribute to his work by 
designating an Agricultural Research Service facility as the Dale 
Bumpers National Rice Research Center. This action follows the 
recognition by the people of Arkansas in dedicating the Dale Bumpers 
College of Agricultural, Food, and Life Sciences at the University of 
Arkansas.
  Senator Bumpers' noteworthy record also extends to many other 
constituencies. Through his ranking membership on the Senate Small 
Business Committee, he has fought to help self-employed people obtain 
health care. He has also been an advocate of funding for rural 
hospitals; for Medicaid; for the Women, Infants and Children feeding 
program. The list goes on and on.
  Dale Bumpers' legislative skills and record are clear. He is a modern 
hero to the underdog. But there is yet another side of the Senator from 
Arkansas that deserves recognition--the Dale Bumpers who is a husband, 
a father, and a grandfather. Married to Betty Lou Flanagen, Dale's 
``Secretary of Peace,'' for 49 years, he is devoted to his marriage and 
his family. Dale and Betty have three children and six grandchildren, 
and Dale often speaks affectionately of his family and of their 
influence on his consideration of legislative issues. Yes, Senator Dale 
Bumpers of Arkansas has a personal record of which he can be proud.
  It is with regret that I bid farewell to my friend and colleague, who 
is now departing the United States Senate. I believe that the Senate 
has deeply benefited from the work of U.S. Senator Dale Bumpers. As I 
say my farewell to Dale Bumpers, I want him to know that when the 106th 
Congress convenes, I will remember his thoughtful recital

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of the fictional Atticus Finch in ``To Kill a Mocking Bird,'' ``For 
God's sake, do your duty.''

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