[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 27 (Monday, March 13, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E288]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              TRIBUTE TO U.S. ATTORNEY GENERAL EDWARD LEVI

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. RAY LaHOOD

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 13, 2000

  Mr. LaHOOD. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of myself and my colleague, Robert 
Matsui, I would like to pay tribute today to the life of former U.S. 
Attorney General Edward Levi. It is with great sorrow that I 
acknowledge his passing, but it is with great privilege and honor that 
I speak about him today.
  U.S. Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens recently said of Mr. 
Levi, ``Wisdom, wit, a quiet grace and tireless willingness to strive 
for excellence have seldom been combined in such measure in one 
individual.'' I could not have summed up a man who has meant so much, 
to so many, better myself.
  Author, professor, devoted father, and husband, Edward Levi is 
remembered by most as the U.S. Attorney General who helped to rebuild 
the Justice Department after Watergate and the resignation of President 
Richard Nixon. But, moreover, he was a man who accomplished more in his 
lifetime than most people dream of.
  Starting out during World War II as a special assistant in the U.S. 
Attorney General's office, Mr. Levi returned to his alma mater of the 
University of Chicago in 1945 to assume a professorship in their 
distinguished school of law. While at the university, Mr. Levi quickly 
rose through the ranks becoming the Dean of the Law School in 1950, 
provost in 1962, and president of the distinguished university in 1968, 
a position he held until 1975. He was the first member of the Jewish 
community to serve as a leader of a major U.S. university.
  In 1975, Mr. Levi was praised for his evenhanded response to the 
student uprising that culminated in the takeover of the school's 
administration building. His unique sense and display of leadership 
surrounding this incident did not go unnoticed. He was quickly 
appointed to the position of U.S. Attorney General, a post he served 
from 1975-1977. Former President Ford, said, ``Ed Levi, with his 
outstanding academic and administrative record at the University of 
Chicago, was a perfect choice. * * * When I assumed the Presidency in 
August 1974, it was essential that a new attorney general be appointed 
who would restore integrity and competence to the Department of 
Justice.'' Mr. Levi did just that.
  Mr. Speaker, words certainly cannot do justice to the life of this 
fine individual. He was an exemplary individual, and it goes unsaid 
that his unmatchable leadership will be missed. I want to express my 
condolences to the Levi family, particularly his wife Kate, sons John, 
David, and Michael, and brother Harry. Let us not forget his impressive 
accomplishments, but above all, let us never forget the kind-hearted 
man behind the distinguished titles.

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