[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 102 (Monday, July 19, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Page S8810]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


  JOHN F. KENNEDY, JR., CAROLYN BESSETTE KENNEDY, AND LAUREN BESSETTE

  Mr. DORGAN. Madam President, the Senator from Alaska has offered, on 
behalf of Senator Daschle and Senator Lott, a resolution dealing with 
the issue of the apparent tragedy that has befallen John F. Kennedy, 
Jr., Carolyn Bessette Kennedy, and Lauren Bessette.
  I want to make a comment about that because I know that, along with 
most Americans, this weekend when we heard the news of the 
disappearance of John F. Kennedy, Jr., along with his wife and sister-
in-law, most of us were quite shocked and deeply saddened by the news.
  This was a young man whose life had such bright promise. He was born 
the son of a young, new President of the United States. That 
President's life was cut short by assassination just 3 years into his 
term.
  I and countless thousands of other young Americans were inspired by 
John F. Kennedy, by his energy and by the passion and ideals of his 
administration. The experience of being in high school and college and 
watching the emergence of this new, energetic, young President on the 
scene in this country was something that inspired many young Americans 
towards public service. That includes my early interest in public 
service.
  When John F. Kennedy was assassinated, I think most of us who were 
called to public service, or at least were called to an interest in 
public service back in that period, believed there was kind of an 
unfinished nature to the legacy of his administration and his 
Presidency. I think many thought over the years that this young man, 
John F. Kennedy, Jr., was in some way destined to complete that legacy 
of public service.

  Now another tragedy has visited this family, that has already given 
so much to this country, and has taken from us this wonderful, unique 
young man. I want to join with all of my colleagues in extending our 
sympathies to our colleague, Senator Kennedy, to the entire Kennedy 
family, and to the Bessette family. This is a very difficult time for 
all of them. I know all Members of the Senate probably already have 
individually sent those messages to that family.
  I have said on other occasions in the Senate, that there is a lot of 
public debate that goes on that people see between Members of the 
Senate and they tend to think there is a lack of personal relationships 
that exists in the Senate. Nothing could be further from the truth. 
When something happens to the family of a Member of the Senate, others 
here whose life's work brings us all together, care deeply.
  When I lost a daughter a few years ago, I recall Senator Hatch 
sending me a white Bible and coming to visit with me. Senator Byrd sent 
me one of the most beautiful pieces of prose I have ever received, and 
so many other Senators expressed their sympathies. That is the way it 
is in the Senate. I know Senator Kennedy and his family are going 
through a very difficult time, and our entire country reaches out to 
them now to express our deepest and most profound regrets and 
sympathies.

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