[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 141 (Tuesday, October 31, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Page S11421]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          TRIBUTE TO SID YATES

  Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. President, it is a privilege to take this 
opportunity to pay tribute to my friend and colleague, Sid Yates, who 
first came to Congress in 1948 and who served with great distinction 
until his retirement at the end of the last Congress. All of us who 
knew and loved Sid were saddened by his recent death. He was a soft-
spoken leader who demonstrated time and again his unequivocal 
commitment to his constituents in Chicago and his unwavering respect 
for the nation's best principles. He was a public servant in the truest 
and most noble sense, and he was a powerful inspiration to all of us 
who were fortunate enough to work with him.
  During his years as Chairman of the Interior Appropriations 
Subcommittee, Sid skillfully advanced legislation to sustain and 
protect our national parks and historic sites. He was a brilliant 
legislator who has done more to preserve our national historic and 
cultural legacy than any other member of Congress.
  Sid was also well known as Congress's leading advocate for the 
National endowments for the Arts and Humanities. He was a strong and 
courageous defender of these important agencies. Especially during 
times of controversy over the agencies, he spoke effectively and 
persuasively to preserve their vital programs. because of Sid Yates, 
art and music and dance and theater are now more accessible to families 
across the nation through their schools and in their cultural 
institutions. It's an outstanding legacy, and I know I join my 
colleagues in Congress in a commitment to honor Sid Yates' memory with 
a renewed effort to support the endowments.
  Sid Yates will long be remembered as a man who brought graciousness, 
integrity and civility to public service. He is a patriot who is deeply 
missed here in Congress as well as in his beloved Chicago. I commend 
all that he accomplished, and all of us are grateful for his five 
decades of selfless and principled public service. He will be 
remembered fondly for many years to come.

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