[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 141 (Tuesday, October 31, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Pages S11417-S11418]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         GEN. RICHARD LAWSON, USAF: IN THE STYLE OF CINCINNATUS

  Mr. BYRD. Mr. President, the great success and continuing strength of 
the United States as a republic is due in no small part to the 
willingness of our citizens to be soldiers and, no less important, of 
our soldiers to be citizens.
  One such soldier-citizen is General Richard L. Lawson, late of the 
Air Force of the United States, now on the verge of a second 
retirement, this time from a productive career in public life.
  On active duty as General Lawson, he held positions of trust at the 
highest levels of responsibility in planning and executing the military 
elements of U.S. foreign policy during times of great tension.
  As Dick Lawson, the envoy plenipotentiary from the most basic of 
America's basic industries to the councils of government that include 
this Senate, he has made useful and durable contributions to policies 
that make the Nation more secure and energy independent.
  Richard Lawson is, in fundamental ways, exceptional, if not unique.
  He is one of few individuals to hold every enlisted and commissioned 
rank in the military structure from enlistee of bottom rank to the 
four-star grade that signifies overall command. He may well be the only 
one to have done this between two services--to rise step-by-step from 
buck private to regimental sergeant major in the Army National Guard of 
Iowa; and then, when commissioned into the Air Force, from second 
lieutenant to general.
  Highlights of General Lawson's Air Force career include the 
following: military assistant at the White House under two Presidents; 
Commander, Eighth Air Force; Director of Plans and Policy for the Joint 
Chiefs of Staff; U.S. representative to the military committee of the 
North Atlantic Treaty Alliance; Chief of staff at Supreme Headquarters 
of the Allied Powers in Europe; and, finally, command of the day-to-day 
activities and deployments of all services in the U.S. European 
Command, the deputy commander-in-chief.
  During his span of service, some important national and international 
developments included the following: the making of plans and the 
acquisition of means to re-establish U.S. strength and flexibility and 
deterrence; the restoration of cordiality among the NATO allies.
  General Lawson left active service in 1986. Early the next year, 
while figuratively behind the plow, like Cincinnatus, he was approached 
by a delegation of coal industry leaders. They found him, in fact, 
clearing undergrowth on his acreage in the Virginia countryside. They 
called him again into service, and he again responded.
  In the 14 years since then, Dick Lawson has presided over the 
unification of what once was both a profusion and a confusion of voices 
that sought to speak for mining. He first blended together within the 
National Coal Association all elements of the coal industry. More 
recently, he joined the many elements of mining represented by coal, 
metals and minerals producers. With the union of the coal association 
and the American Mining Congress to form the National Mining 
Association, two voices became one.

[[Page S11418]]

  It has been America's good fortune to have leaders which exhibit true 
faith and allegiance to the general welfare and the blessings of 
liberty.
  One such leader is Richard L. Lawson. I personally thank him for his 
efforts, for his patriotism, and for his vision.
  His 40 years of combined military duty is rich with decorations and 
honors. It includes the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, the Air 
Force Distinguished Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, and the Legion 
of Merit. On the level of personal service, it includes the Soldier's 
Medal that recognizes an act of courage not involving an armed enemy; 
and the Air Medal and the Bronze Star that reflect combat duty in the 
Vietnam War.
  We owe a debt of gratitude to men like General Lawson, who give so 
freely and so much to this great nation. May this nation always be 
blessed with such citizens.

     God give us men!
     A time like this demands strong minds,
     great hearts, true faith, and ready hands.
     Men whom the lust of office does not kill;
     Men whom the spoils of office cannot buy;
     Men who possess opinions and a will;
     Men who have honor; men who will not lie.

     Men who can stand before a demagogue
     And brave his treacherous flatteries without winking.

     Tall men, sun--crowned;
     Who live above the fog,
     In public duty and in private thinking.
     For while the rabble with its thumbworn creeds,
     It's large professions and its little deeds,
     mingles in selfish strife,
     Lo! Freedom weeps!
     Wrong rules the land and waiting justice sleeps.
     God give us men!

     Men who serve not for selfish booty;
     But real men, courageous, who flinch not at duty.
     Men of dependable character;
     Men of sterling worth;
     Then wrongs will be redressed, and right will rule the earth.
     God Give us Men!

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