[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 130 (Tuesday, October 17, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Pages S10605-S10606]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                LOSS OF GOVERNOR MEL CARNAHAN AND OTHERS

  Mr. VOINOVICH. Mr. President, I appreciate the Chaplain of the Senate 
opening today's session in prayer for Missouri Governor Mel Carnahan 
and for his son, Randy Carnahan, and for Chris Sifford, all of whom 
were tragically killed last night in a plane crash in Missouri.
  Mel Carnahan and his wife Jean were good friends of mine and my wife 
Janet. We got to know them through the Governors' Association--a 
wonderful man, wonderful family man, one of the finest human beings I 
have ever met. From a personal point of view, my sympathy goes out to 
Jean, his wife, and to the rest of his family and to the citizens of 
Missouri. This country lost a great leader.
  On behalf of the entire Senate, I express our deepest sympathies to 
Governor Carnahan's wife Jean and to their sons, Russ, Robin, and Tom, 
and to their grandchildren, Andrew and Austin. They have lost a father, 
husband, grandfather, son, a brother, and an uncle. This is a terrible 
burden to carry, and we wish them God's strength and courage in so 
doing.
  The entire Senate joins me in expressing condolences to the citizens 
of Missouri who have lost the Governor
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[[Page S10606]]

they elected to serve them at State government. We also extend our 
sympathies to the family of Chris Sifford.
  All of us involved in statewide public office know the dangers of 
flying across our States for different events. So when a tragedy such 
as this occurs, it hits especially hard. When I woke up at 6 o'clock 
this morning to the public radio saying Mel Carnahan and his son were 
killed, it reminded me how fragile life is and how so often we take 
life for granted. It also reminded me that each day we live, we should 
thank God for it and let the people with whom we come in contact know 
that we love them.
  This is a sad day for our country. As I said, Mel Carnahan was truly 
a great leader and made a great contribution also to the National 
Governors' Association.
  Many Senators knew Governor Carnahan and will be making remarks today 
and in the next few days.
  The PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Senator from Nevada.
  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I received a phone call early this morning 
from my personal assistant, Janice Shelton, who indicated to me that 
Governor Carnahan was dead, having been killed in a tragic plane crash 
with his son, Randy.
  I have watched very closely Governor Carnahan for the last 18 months, 
as we have watched the most noted Senate race in America this year 
between two very fine men, Senator Ashcroft, formerly the Governor of 
Missouri, and Governor Carnahan. It was a great race to watch because 
they were so devoted to their different causes. There was distinction 
between the campaign philosophies. It was a race where the numbers 
never changed more than a point or two: For 18 months, back and forth, 
one ahead by a point, the other ahead by a point.
  At this time, we realize that those numbers don't mean a great deal, 
that races in which we are engaged involve good people. Governor 
Carnahan, what a wonderful man. I got to know him very well, and his 
wife attended many functions in which I was in attendance. He dedicated 
his life to public service. The State of Missouri and the country will 
be less as a result of losing this fine man.
  As has been indicated by Governor Voinovich, Senator Voinovich, our 
hearts go out to the entire family and the people of Missouri. Also, as 
Senator Voinovich and I were talking before the Senate convened, we 
have a great amount of sadness for Senator Ashcroft, who is going 
through a difficult time now as a result of this, always wondering, 
having flown around the State himself, as we all have, trying to 
understand this life that we lead. So not only do I extend my sympathy 
to the Carnahan family, but also to Governor Ashcroft, and the fact 
that in this country we can have people who have strong beliefs, 
differing beliefs, yet people of great moral certitude who believe very 
strongly in their causes. That is what makes this country as great as 
it is.
  It is with a great deal of sadness that I came to work today. It is 
with a great deal of sadness I am with the Dean of the Senate and 
Senator Voinovich who is opening the Senate today. This will have an 
impact on my life, always, having known him and suddenly his life is 
snuffed out. I am a better person for having known Governor Carnahan. 
The people of Missouri are better off as a result of his service. I 
wish Godspeed to the people of Missouri and the Carnahan family.
  Mr. VOINOVICH. Mr. President, I would be remiss if I did not also 
mention that I was asked by Senator Kit Bond and Senator Ashcroft to 
also publicly express their sympathies to the people of Missouri on the 
death of Mel Carnahan. Both Senator Ashcroft and Senator Bond served as 
Governors of the State of Missouri and knew Mel Carnahan quite well. We 
know there was a campaign going on, and I am sure this is also very 
heavy on John Ashcroft.
  Mr. DORGAN. Mr. President, I wish to make a comment about the tragic 
death last evening of Governor Carnahan of Missouri. Governor Carnahan, 
of course, was also a candidate for the Senate, a Governor of Missouri, 
Lieutenant Governor, and a distinguished officeholder for many years in 
the State of Missouri. His tragic death last evening is something that 
obviously allows all to say to his family, his widow, and the folks who 
were his friends and relatives, that our thoughts and prayers are with 
them. It is a difficult time, I know. This is a man who gave so much 
service to his country and such distinguished service to our country.
  My thoughts are with him and his family this morning.
  Mr. BAUCUS. Mr. President, I extend my deepest personal sympathies to 
Mel Carnahan's family. He was tragically killed in a plane crash last 
night. All Members want to serve our country as well as we possibly 
can. We go the extra mile to serve our people. We all know the dangers 
inherent with flying in small aircraft to try to attend political 
events and try to make meetings on schedules that are very uncertain.
  All in the Senate are particularly grieved in this tragedy. We extend 
our most heartfelt sympathies to the Governor's wife, his family, to 
his campaign team, and all who were involved. It is difficult to 
explain how deeply we feel about this.
  Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Voinovich). In my capacity as a Senator 
from the State of Ohio, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the 
quorum call be rescinded.
  Without objection, it is so ordered.

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