[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 147 (Tuesday, October 26, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Pages S13184-S13185]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. THOMAS (for himself and Mr. Enzi):
  S. 1794. A bill to designate the Federal courthouse at 145 East 
Simpson Avenue in Jackson, Wyoming, as the ``Clifford P. Hansen Federal 
Courthouse''; to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.


                 Clifford P. Hansen Federal Courthouse

 Mr. THOMAS. Mr. President, I rise today to honor one of 
Wyoming's native sons, former Wyoming Governor and United States 
Senator Cliff Hansen. I am pleased that my colleague, Senator Enzi is 
joining me in sponsoring legislation to name the federal courthouse in 
Jackson, Wyoming, as the ``Clifford P. Hansen Federal Courthouse.''
  Wyoming has enjoyed a long history of outstanding leaders and strong 
individuals. These men and women have sought the best for our small 
towns with big expectations and in turn have exemplified what it really 
means to be a leader in their communities.
  Senator Cliff Hansen stands with the other Wyoming statesmen that 
have helped make our state so special and her citizens proud. Today I 
join my colleagues and Wyoming people to honor him by designating the 
Jackson, Wyoming, federal courthouse in his name.
  Cliff Hansen's career is well known and he has been a fixture of 
public service in Wyoming and the United States for more than 40 years. 
Beginning with the local school board, to Teton County Commissioner, 
the statehouse in Cheyenne as Wyoming's 26th Governor, and finally here 
as a distinguished member of the U.S. Senate.
  Senator Cliff Hansen was so well regarded, his leadership so clear, 
that President Reagan asked him to be Secretary of the Interior not 
once, but twice. With his experience and expertise gained from working 
on issues involving public lands and the environment there is no doubt 
he would have done an excellent job had he chosen to accept.
  His has been a remarkable career with a distinguished record.
  Cliff Hansen and his wife Martha recently celebrated their 65th 
wedding anniversary. What an incredible accomplishment--one of many for 
this singular Wyoming family that continues to play a significant role 
in the Jackson Hole community in which they live.
  With their children, grandchildren, and even great-grandchildren--the 
Hansen family is a colorful part of the fabric that makes Jackson and 
the surrounding areas unique. Cliff Hansen resides and enjoys life in 
Jackson, Wyoming under the immense shadow of the famed Grand Tetons. 
Like the Grand, he stands tall in that close community--dignified, 
multifaceted and solid in his grounding. Our goal as fellow public 
servants should be to aspire to climb to the same personal heights.
  Senator Hansen is a man who embodies a mix of justice and compassion. 
That's a combination we need always to strive for. He is a leader, 
quick to care, astutely understanding and finding the best solutions to 
fit the need. Gracing the Federal Courthouse in his hometown with his 
name--considering that great legacy--is an appropriate symbol for what 
he has always worked for and achieved.
  I join other Wyoming people who consider Governor, Senator, Cliff 
Hansen a worthy citizen. An honorable gentleman who continues to live 
up to the special significance I hope this act will bestow.
 Mr. ENZI. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to one of 
Wyoming's greatest public servants of this century and to support 
legislation introduced today by my colleague, Senator Craig Thomas, to 
designate the federal courthouse in Jackson, Wyoming as the Clifford P. 
Hansen Federal Courthouse.
  When he was elected to the United States Senate in 1966, Clifford 
Peter Hansen had already distinguished himself as a dedicated advocate 
for the State of Wyoming. Born in Zenith, Teton (then Lincoln) County, 
Wyoming, on October 16, 1912, Cliff Hansen attended public schools in 
Jackson, Wyoming and graduated from the University of Wyoming in 1934. 
In that same year, Cliff married his sweetheart, Martha Elizabeth 
Close. For the

[[Page S13185]]

past 65 years the couple has worked side by side to Wyoming's great 
benefit.
  As a successful cattle rancher and industry representative, Cliff has 
served as an officer of the Wyoming Stock Growers Association, the 
American National Cattlemen's Association, and the Livestock Research 
and Marketing Advisory Committee. He also served as both the Columbia 
Interstate Compact commissioner and the Snake River Compact 
commissioner.
  In 1943 Cliff began his first term as a public official where he 
served for eight years in the capacity of county commissioner for the 
people of Teton County. During those same years Cliff became a member 
of the Board of Trustees for the University of Wyoming where from 1955 
to 1962 he served as board president. Then, from 1963 to 1967 Cliff and 
Martha served as Governor and First Lady of the State of Wyoming.
  In 1966 Cliff was elected to the United States Senate where he served 
from January 3, 1967 until December 31, 1978 when he resigned and was 
replaced by my immediate predecessor, Former Senator Alan K. Simpson. 
He passed legislation that still provides for and protects Wyoming. One 
of those, federal mineral royalty sharing, is a major source of revenue 
for the state.
  In April 1979 Cliff was awarded the William A. Steiger Award for 
public service in commemoration of his service to the people of Wyoming 
and the nation.
  This, however, was not the end of Cliff's dedication to public 
service. In 1996, the University of Wyoming celebrated the dedication 
of the Cliff and Martha Hansen agricultural teaching center that was 
made possible by the couple's generous donations to the school.
  One of the best testimonials about Cliff, however, can be found in 
the statement by one of his former employees. For the past three 
decades, the State of Wyoming has benefited by the fine service of 
Correspondence Coordinator Carroll Wood. Carroll was first hired by 
Cliff and has since worked for a total of three Wyoming senators 
including myself. On the subject of Cliff Hansen, Carroll writes: 
``Thank God for Cliff Hansen. He gave me the opportunity to work for 
him and I have survived three different senators from Wyoming. I am 
indeed in his debt for his confidence in me and I will never forget the 
love he has shown me and my family.''
  Mr. President, I too thank God for Cliff Hansen. He has dedicated his 
life to the people of Wyoming and is truly one of the giants of the 
State. Cliff and Martha Hansen are role models for my wife, Diana and 
I. Their continuing concern and consideration for other is unmatched. 
Naming this courthouse after Cliff would provide a small tribute to one 
who has done so much.
                                 ______