[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 152 (Monday, December 11, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2171]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO NEIL STAEBLER

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. SANDER M. LEVIN

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, December 11, 2000

  Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, last weekend a former colleague passed away, 
Neil Staebler of Michigan.
  Neil Staebler was the embodiment of the democratic person.
  His career in the public arena combined a belief in the importance of 
the involvement of citizens at the grassroots and the fullest integrity 
and honesty of political leaders of all levels of government.
  Having achieved financial security in the world of business, Neil 
Staebler joined with G. Mennen Williams and Martha and Hicks Griffiths 
in an effort to transform the Michigan Democratic Party into a modern 
and progressive institution based on broad citizen participation. 
Perhaps even sooner than they anticipated, this small group succeeded. 
Soapy Williams became Governor, Martha Griffiths went to Congress, and 
Neil Staebler began a decade as State Democratic Chairman. In that 
capacity he spread a message of the importance of people becoming 
involved in political affairs to every town and virtually every hamlet 
in Michigan.
  Neil Staebler deeply believed that government must be the people's 
servant, not its master. While there were, of course, many differences 
between the parties over policies during the Williams-Staebler era in 
Michigan government, no one questioned the honesty and degree of 
commitment of the political leadership or the caliber of people--Phil 
Hart and so many, many others--brought into public life in the 
executive, and judicial branch.
  The famous chronicler of Presidential elections and politics, 
Theodore White, summed up Neil Staebler so very well: ``one of the most 
moral men in American politics.''
  It was my deep privilege to know Neil Staebler over a period of 
almost four decades. Like for so many other younger men and woman who 
came into politics in the 1960's, I entered at a time when public 
service beckoned as an important calling. John F. Kennedy became the 
most famous inspiration for a new generation. Neil Staebler stood tall 
among those, many of whom like him had served in World War II, who led 
the endeavor to help the America of the post war period implement its 
promise of freedom and equal opportunity for all its citizens.
  Neil Staebler's generation left this Nation a legacy that it must not 
forget. He was so proud to have served, no matter for only one term, in 
the Congress of the Untied States. We who serve here now join in 
sending our deepest condolences to his beloved wife of 65 years, 
Burnette, to his children, Michael and Elizabeth, and to all the 
Staebler family. They have so many reasons to be proud of the life of 
Neil Staebler.

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