[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 7 (Wednesday, February 2, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Pages S296-S297]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    MEMORIAL OF MRS. JEAN MACARTHUR

 Mr. BOND. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize the passing 
of a wonderful woman and a great American. On the 21st of January, at 
the age of 101, Mrs. Jean MacArthur passed away at Lenox Hill Hospital 
in New York.
  In 1988, President Reagan recognized her contribution to America by 
presenting her the Presidential Medal of Freedom. As you know, the 
Medal of Freedom is the highest award our country can give to a 
civilian. The citation for the award recognized that ``Jean MacArthur 
has witnessed the great cataclysms of our time, survived war and peace, 
conquered tragedy and known triumph.'' President Reagan

[[Page S297]]

also referred to her as ``a shining example, a woman of substance and 
character, a loyal wife and mother, and like her General, a patriot.''
  The General and Mrs. MacArthur were married in 1937. Mrs. MacArthur 
remained devoted to her husband until his death in 1964. Her devotion 
to him was not only emotional, but involved a great deal of physical 
sacrifice. You see, Mr. President, Mrs. MacArthur lived with the 
General in Manila until they were forced to retreat to Corregidor by 
the Japanese. While on Corregidor, she endured daily air attacks while 
raising their 4 year old son, Arthur. Furthermore, when it was obvious 
the Japanese would take the Philippines, the president of the 
Philippines offered passage for her and her son to Australia. She 
replied: ``We have drunk from the same cup; we three shall stay 
together.'' She then continued to stay with her husband in the field 
until General MacArthur finally accepted the surrender of the Japanese 
in Japan.
  After the death of General MacArthur, Mrs. MacArthur lived out her 
life in New York where she remained active in philanthropic activities. 
She even served as the honorary chairman of the MacArthur Foundation, 
which was created in honor of her husband.
  The spouses of our Americans in uniform seldom receive the 
recognition they deserve for their contribution to the valor, 
patriotism, and loyalty of our fighting forces. Her contribution to 
America cannot be quantified, but it must not be forgotten. It's no 
wonder that General MacArthur often introduced her as ``my finest 
soldier.''
  Mr. President, I ask my colleagues to join me today in paying tribute 
to this outstanding woman and her sterling contribution to 
America.

                          ____________________