[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 127 (Wednesday, October 2, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Page S9808]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTES TO STROM THURMOND

  Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire. Mr. President, I rise to congratulate 
Senator Strom Thurmond on his remarkable tenure as a U.S. Senator.
  As a history teacher, I taught my students about Senator Thurmond. As 
a Congressman, I always admired Senator Thurmond's leadership, and his 
willingness to speak out for his beliefs. As a Senator, it has been an 
honor to serve with Senator Thurmond.
  He is a true patriot, a true civil servant. He has served his country 
in countless ways, and in every case, he has pursued this service with 
vigor.
  He showed his dedication to the United States by serving in the army 
during World War II. Senator Thurmond originally signed up for an 
administrative position, but he eventually went to both the European 
and Pacific theaters.
  He served with the storied 82d Airborne Division and landed in 
Normandy on D-Day. His combat service earned him eighteen citations, 
including the Bronze Star for Valor, a Purple Heart, the Belgian Order 
of the Crown, and the French Croix de Guerre. He continued his military 
career as a Major General of the U.S. Army Reserve. He also acted as 
National President of the Reserve Officers Association.
  It is easy to forget this heroism, because it was so long ago and he 
has accomplished so much since them, But, for me, as a Veteran, and as 
someone who lost his father in service to his country, I believe we 
each owe Senator Thurmond our gratitude for his courage in his military 
service.
  Senator Thurmond was first elected to the Senate 48 years ago. It was 
then, in 1954, that the people of South Carolina elected Senator 
Thurmond by a write-in vote, the only time in history that this has 
ever happened.
  However, Senator Thurmond had made his mark well before he was 
elected to the Senate. He showed his dedication to South Carolina by 
serving as city and county attorney, State senator, circuit judge, and 
Governor.
  As a former teacher, coach, and school board chairman, I believe 
there is no more noble public service than teaching. Between heroic 
military service and a half century of political service, Strom 
Thurmond managed to set aside time to teach future generations.
  He was a teacher in South Carolina. He was also an athletic coach. He 
later went on to serve as the Superintendent of Education for Edgefield 
County, SC.
  As a U.S. Senator, Strom Thurmond has accomplished numerous 
achievements. As you all may know, in 1996 Senator Thurmond became the 
oldest serving Senator in history. A few months later, he became the 
longest serving Senator in United States history.
  In 1998 Senator Thurmond cast his 15,000th vote on the Senate floor. 
While these milestones are significant, it is what he did with this 
time that makes these records important.
  Senator Thurmond well remembers the great baseball Hall of Famer Lou 
Gehrig. They used to call him the Iron Horse. He never missed a game. 
He always gave 100 percent. He was the essence of sportsmanship.
  Strom Thurmond is the Iron Horse of the Senate. He is the essence of 
statesman, of public servant. He has given 100 percent for his entire 
career, and those of us who are privileged to know him draw energy and 
inspiration from his example.
  I will always remember any time I came in early in the morning to 
open the Senate. It was always Senator Thurmond presiding. As President 
pro-tempore, he did not have to do that. He could appoint someone else 
to do it. But, that's just how Strom Thurmond is. It is part of his 
character.
  Of course, I have always admired his dedication to his conservative 
values. Throughout his life Senator Thurmond was a Democrat, a 
Dixiecrat, and a Republican, but most importantly he was always a 
patriot.
  His unflinching devotion to his country manifested itself in his 
service and chairmanship of the Senate Armed Services Committee. 
Moreover, his unflagging dedication to justice was represented by 
another chairmanship, that of the Senate Judiciary Committee. As a 
Senator who has served with Senator Thurmond on both of these 
committees, I have had the privilege of seeing a great legislator in 
action.
  As a veteran, I am thankful for all that Senator Thurmond has done, 
such as serving on the Veterans' Affairs Committee for over 30 years. 
As a former teacher, I commend his work with the youth of South 
Carolina when he was an educator. As a Senator, I admire his 
forthrightness and dedication to his principles. As an American, he 
makes me proud.
  Senator Thurmond, thank you for your many years of devotion to this 
country and the ideals that make it strong.
  Mr. GRAMM. Mr. President, when I first came to the Senate, like many 
members, I took my two sons onto the floor of the Senate before the 
session started and found my desk. I asked them if they wanted to sit 
in my chair. One son chose Barry Goldwater's seat to sit in, and the 
other son chose Strom Thurmond's seat. Looking back, that is easy for 
me to understand.
  There are so many things you could say about Strom, but there is one 
thing I can say about Strom Thurmond that I am certain of and that is, 
someday I will proudly tell my grandchildren that I served in the U.S. 
Senate with Strom Thurmond. Like those happy band of brothers who 
fought with King Harry on St. Crispin's Day, I will tell my 
grandchildren how I fought with a great man, a great leader, to 
accomplish great deeds.
  He has had a profound and lasting impact on our country. But there is 
something more remarkable. He is eternally young. Not just in being a 
100-year-old Senator, but young in the ability to adopt new ideas, to 
change as circumstances change, and in the process to grow, even during 
the longest tenure in the Senate in history. I love Strom Thurmond. I 
admire him, and for my whole life, I will be proud that I was able to 
call him colleague and friend.

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