[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 107 (Tuesday, July 27, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Page S9371]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    ON THE KENNEDY/BESSETTE TRAGEDY

  Mr. DASCHLE. Mr. President, last week was one of unimaginable shock 
and sorrow for the families of John Kennedy, Jr., Carolyn Bessette 
Kennedy and Lauren Bessette. We prayed as we first heard the news that 
their plane had disappeared. We hoped against hope as the Coast Guard, 
the Navy and the National Transportation Safety Board conducted their 
``search and rescue'' mission, and we anguished when they shifted to 
``search and recovery,'' Now, as John, Carolyn and Lauren are laid to 
rest in the ocean that claimed their lives, we grieve.
  Much has been said these past weeks--in this Chamber, across the 
country, and around the world--about these three exceptional young 
people. We have heard again and again how John, Carolyn and Lauren 
loved life. We have heard so many stories of their compassion and 
grace, their generosity and their considerable talents. We've heard, 
most heartbreakingly, about their potential. They had, each of them, 
the capacity for greatness. That is part of what makes their loss so 
profound.
  The great poet William Wordsworth wrote:

     What though the radiance which was once so bright
     Be now for ever taken from my sight
     Though nothing can bring back the hour
     Of splendor in the grass, of glory in the flower;
     We will grieve not, rather find
     Strength in what remains behind.

  Nothing can bring back the splendor of their lives, or their 
potential. We are left now with only our memories of John Kennedy, Jr., 
his wife Carolyn, and her sister Lauren. With that in mind, Senator 
Lott and I are introducing a resolution to authorize the printing of 
``Memorial Tributes to John Fitzgerald Kennedy, Jr.'' These are our own 
tributes and condolences offered on this floor, this week, by members 
of the United States Senate. I ask the Senate to pass a resolution so 
that we may share our tributes with the families of John Kennedy, 
Carolyn Bessette Kennedy and Lauren Bessette. I can only hope the 
Kennedy, Bessette and Freeman families are able to find some small 
strength in the memories of their loved ones, and in the words and 
sympathy of those who grieve with them.

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