[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 3 (Wednesday, January 26, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Pages S97-S98]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        DEATH OF CARL CURTIS, FORMER U.S. SENATOR FROM NEBRASKA

  Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate now 
proceed to the immediate consideration of S. Res. 246, submitted 
earlier by Senators Lott, Daschle, and others.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 246) relative to the death of Carl 
     Curtis, former U.S. Senator for the State of Nebraska.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. KERREY. Mr. President, I rise today to express my sadness at the 
death of Senator Carl T. Curtis.
  Senator Curtis was a lifelong public servant best known for his 
untiring work on behalf of the people of Nebraska. He began his public 
career in 1930 when he was elected Kearney County Attorney. After 
failing to be re-elected as county attorney--the only political defeat 
he would ever face--he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives 
in 1938. The people of Nebraska returned Carl Curtis to the House of 
Representatives for an additional seven terms.
  In 1954, he chose to leave the House and to return to private life. 
But when then-Senator Dwight Griswold died in office, Carl Curtis was 
coaxed into further public service. He was overwhelmingly elected to 
the United States Senate and served as a distinguished member of this 
body until his retirement from public office in 1979.

[[Page S98]]

  Mr. President, Senator Curtis brought to the Senate the plain-spoken 
common sense of rural Nebraska. He understood his roots and he cared 
deeply for the people he represented. While his style did not lend 
itself to self-promotion and banner headlines, his influence in 
Congress was felt on a number of important issues. He was instrumental 
in shaping tax and agricultural policy, he was a staunch advocate of 
budgetary discipline, and he was a fervent defender of his political 
party. Yet, Senator Curtis was most well known for his dedication to 
the people of Nebraska. As many have noted, Senator Curtis set the 
standard for constituent service. He often dedicated hours of his 
personal time to helping individuals and his office was always open to 
Nebraskans visiting the nation's capital.
  As the longest serving Member of Congress in Nebraska history, 
Senator Curtis established a legacy of service unlikely to be matched. 
After retiring from Congress, Senator Curtis returned to the practice 
of law and always remained an active participant in Nebraska politics.
  While Nebraska has lost a statesman, the Curtis family has lost a 
husband, a father, a grandfather, and a great grandfather. I know my 
colleagues will join with me in expressing our sincerest condolences to 
the family of Senator Carl T. Curtis.
  Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution 
be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and the motion to reconsider 
be laid upon the table.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 246) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 246

       Whereas Senator Curtis served with honor and distinction, 
     for the State of Nebraska, in the House of Representatives 
     from 1939 until his resignation in 1954 and in the Senate 
     from 1955 to 1979.
       Whereas Senator Curtis served his country for 40 years.
       Whereas Senator Curtis stood for fiscal and social 
     conservatism.
       Whereas Senator Curtis regarded one of his biggest 
     accomplishments as bringing flood control and irrigation to 
     the Midwest.
       Whereas Senator Curtis served as the Senate Republican 
     Conference Chairman and ranking member on the Finance 
     Committee during his last term in office.
       Whereas Senator Curtis was admitted to the bar in 1930 and 
     had a private law practice in Minden, Nebraska prior to his 
     service in the House of Representatives.
       Whereas Senator Curtis served in Congress longer than any 
     other Nebraskan.
       Resolved, That the Senate has heard with profound sorrow 
     and deep regret the announcement of the death of the 
     Honorable Carl Curtis, former member of the United States 
     Senate.
       Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate communicate 
     these resolutions to the House of Representatives and 
     transmit an enrolled copy thereof to the family of the 
     deceased.
       Resolved, That when the Senate adjourns today, it stand 
     adjourned as a further mark of respect to the memory of the 
     Honorable Carl Curtis.

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