[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 7 (Monday, January 22, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Page S420]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE RESOLUTION 12--RELATIVE TO THE DEATH OF ALAN CRANSTON, FORMER 
           UNITED STATES SENATOR FOR THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA

  Mrs. BOXER (for herself and Mrs. Feinstein) submitted the following 
resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                               S. Res. 12

       Whereas Alan MacGregor Cranston had a long and 
     distinguished career, beginning with service as a foreign 
     correspondent and continuing with service in the United 
     States Office of War Information and in the United States 
     Army;
       Whereas Alan Cranston was a leader in his State before 
     coming to the Congress, serving as State Controller of 
     California for eight years;
       Whereas Alan Cranston served the people of California with 
     distinction for 24 years in the United States Senate;
       Whereas Senator Cranston was a lifelong advocate for world 
     peace and the defense of democratic institutions;
       Whereas Senator Cranston was an unwavering friend of the 
     environment and California's remarkable natural resources;
       Whereas Senator Cranston was a leader in the United States 
     Senate in many areas, including the fields of affordable 
     housing, mass transit, veterans affairs, civil rights and 
     education; and
       Whereas Senator Cranston left a lasting legacy in his post-
     Senate career through his efforts to curb the spread of 
     nuclear weapons and to eliminate the scourge of nuclear 
     weapons from the planet, efforts which continued until the 
     day he died: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate has heard with profound sorrow 
     and deep regret the announcement of the death of the 
     Honorable Alan Cranston, former member of the United States 
     Senate.
       Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate communicate 
     these resolutions to the House of Representatives and 
     transmit an enrolled copy thereof to the family of the 
     deceased.
       Resolved, That when the Senate adjourns or recesses today, 
     it stand adjourned or recessed as a further mark of respect 
     to the memory of the Honorable Alan Cranston.

  Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I would like to take this opportunity to 
share with the Senate my thoughts on the life of a friend and former 
member of this body, Senator Alan Cranston.
  Alan passed away on December 31, 2000 at 86 at home in California. It 
was a quiet end for a man who throughout his career raised his voice 
for so many. Alan enjoyed a long life and was blessed with a keen mind, 
a strong spirit and simple common sense. In return for these gifts he 
worked to his last days to make this world a more peaceful and humane 
place. I will miss him and his example very much.
  Alan was first elected to the Senate in 1968. He served the people of 
California in this Chamber for four terms, eventually retiring in 1993. 
It was my honor to have been elected to the seat he vacated.
  Prior to his Senate service he was Controller for the State of 
California. He served his country in World War II, first in the Office 
of War Information and then in the U.S. Army. After graduating from 
Stanford University and before the onset of the war, Alan was an 
overseas correspondent for the International News Service covering such 
places as England, Germany, Italy and Ethiopia.
  While a correspondent he saw an English language version of Mein 
Kampf, sanitized to hide the truth from Americans. He published his own 
version highlighting the ``worst of Hitler'' and was sued by Hitler's 
publisher. While he lost the suit, a half a million copies had already 
been distributed helping to educate many about the true nature of 
Nazism and Hitler.
  As United States Senator he stood out as a tireless and effective 
advocate for his constituents. No matter how he grew in stature and 
influence within this institution, he never forgot those who sent him 
to Washington and why. Alan cared deeply for people. He pursued 
policies that reflected his unwavering belief in the fundamental 
dignity and worth of others.
  As Chairman of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Alan played an 
invaluable role in America's efforts to assist our service men and 
women and their families. In addition, he was a national leader on the 
environment, civil rights, workers' rights, education and so much more. 
A consensus builder, he achieved success through a firm understanding 
of the issues and a finely developed sense of not only what was needed, 
but what was possible.
  Alan left his mark on many issues, but his true passion was world 
peace. As a witness to the horror and devastation of World War II, he 
committed himself to creating a world where conflicts between nations 
could be resolved without bloodshed. He was an outspoken opponent of 
the war in Vietnam and made the abolition of nuclear weapons a central 
part of his agenda in the Senate. Upon his retirement, he devoted 
himself to the latter cause almost exclusively.
  Encouraged by the end of the Cold War, after leaving the Senate he 
became chairman of the Gorbachev Foundation, which later changed its 
name to the State of the World Forum. Based in San Francisco, the Forum 
has developed into a widely respected organization for the discussion 
of global issues. In recent years, the Forum has hosted multi-day 
gatherings attended by world leaders. This year's gathering occurred in 
New York and coincided with the U.N.'s Millennial Summit. As an 
authority on nonproliferation, Alan Cranston prepared the program on 
the subject for participants who included former heads of state, and 
some of the most influential minds in foreign affairs, business, the 
arts and the media.

  Alan also formed the Global Security Institute. There he and others 
conceived of Project Abolition, the Responsible Security Appeal. The 
purpose of this coalition is to rally people, politicians and 
governments to support policies that lead to a world safe from the 
nuclear threat. I am sure Alan would be pleased that this effort will 
continue even without him.
  Recently, CNN founded Ted Turner and former Senator Sam Nunn 
announced that they were forming a foundation with an annual budget of 
$50 million dedicated to the elimination of weapons of mass 
destruction. This is great news, and further evidence that Alan's 
message of peace continues to resonate. In many ways, this foundation 
is a tribute to him and his legacy.
  Senator Alan Cranston was a leader and citizen that California, the 
United States and the world could be proud of. Although we are all a 
little poorer today at his passing, in the final tally we are all much 
richer for having known him and benefited from this time among us.
  I yield the floor.

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