[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 115 (Monday, September 25, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1587]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


               TRIBUTE TO SENATOR DANIEL PATRICK MOYNIHAN

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. NYDIA M. VELAZQUEZ

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 19, 2000

  Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in tribute to the great 
senior Senator from New York, Daniel Patrick Moynihan. Although words 
can not do justice to his many contributions over his decades of public 
service, I wish to offer my thanks for everything he has done on behalf 
of the people of New York State and the entire nation.
  Senator Moynihan gave truth to the cliche of being a gentleman and a 
scholar. After receiving his bachelor's degree (cum laude) from Tufts 
University, he studied as a Fulbright Scholar at the London School of 
Economics. He then returned to the states and completed his studies at 
Tufts University's Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, where he 
received his M.A. and Ph.D. Before coming to the Senate, he served as a 
valued member of four consecutive administrations, starting with the 
Kennedy Administration and serving through the Johnson, Nixon, and Ford 
Administrations, holding various positions within the Department of 
Labor. His lifelong dedication to public service was only enhanced by 
his time in the private sector when he was a Professor of Government at 
Harvard University in the mid sixties. He served the Nixon and Ford 
Administrations as U.S. Ambassador to India from 1973 to 1975 and U.S. 
Representative to the United Nations from 1975 to 1976.
  Born and raised in New York City, Senator Moynihan decided to pursue 
elected office. Upon leaving his position at the United Nations, he was 
elected U.S. Senator from New York in 1976. His many accomplishments in 
that office have been well documented. He has served as a strong 
advocate for welfare reform by promoting the creation of opportunities 
to increase self-sufficiency, while also maintaining a strong safety 
net. He has fought to preserve social security and modernize our 
nation's transportation system, just to name a few.
  However, a listing of his legislative accomplishments can not do 
justice to many of the crucial and intangible qualities he brought to 
the Congress. Throughout his career, Senator Moynihan's high ideals and 
great dignity have served as an exemplary model for his colleagues, 
constituents, neighbors and friends. In a time of increasing 
partisanship, his wisdom is recognized and sought across party lines. 
He stands firm for what is right, despite the ever changing political 
winds. His graciousness and his steadfast reliance on his principals 
have been an inspiration to all of us who are lucky enough to know him.
  New York State, and the entire nation, are better because of his 
public service. He will be greatly missed, but I hope that he will 
continue to serve as a voice for the people of the country and a 
conscience for those of us who represent them.

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