[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 151 (Wednesday, November 20, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Pages S11708-S11710]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
Phil Gramm and Fred Thompson
Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, the time has come--as it does at the
conclusion of every Congress--to honor those members who will be
departing from this body. This is a task not easily done. The Senate is
one of the highest pinnacles in public service to our nation. Those who
serve here have often dedicated their lives--and with great success--to
changing America for better.
Today I wish to honor two Senators who have indeed changed America
for the better--Phil Gramm and my fellow Tennessean and partner in the
Senate for the last eight years, Fred Thompson.
Senator Gramm began his service in Congress as a House Democrat in
1978. Five years later he switched parties. But rather than serve out
his term as a Republican, he resigned his seat and let the people of
his district choose whether they wanted to be represented by a
Republican. Well, they did, and Phil Gramm became not only the first
Republican in history to represent the 6th district of Texas, but the
only member of Congress in the 20th century to resign and then win re-
election as a member of another party.
Phil and I share the same commitment to being a citizen legislator .
. . to bringing professional expertise to public service. In Phil's
case, he's an economist, a college professor, and a public health
expert, and his legislative accomplishments reflect that experience.
He's been a staunch proponent of tax relief, economic growth, and a
balanced budget. And the Gramm-Rudman Act stands as one of the most
groundbreaking pieces of budget legislation in the second half of the
20th century.
Fred Thompson has been a dear friend for many years and great partner
with whom to work on behalf of the people of Tennessee in the United
States Senate. Fred was elected in 1994 to fill 2 years of an unexpired
term. He was then reelected in 1996. And just as he did in Hollywood,
he rapidly rose to become a star in the Senate.
In 1997, Fred was elected chairman of the Governmental Affairs
Committee, making him one of the most junior Senators in history to
serve as chairman of a major Senate committee. As chairman, he held
hearings on issues such as improving the federal regulatory process;
reforming the IRS; exploring ways to eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse
in government; and a number of national security issues, including the
proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and missile technologies.
Senator Thompson has also been a member of the Finance Committee--one
of the most influential committees in the Senate. From that position,
he has focused on reducing taxes, reforming the tax code to make it
simpler and fairer, and restoring the Social Security and Medicare
programs to long-term solvency. Though Fred has served eight years in
the Senate, the scale and number of his accomplishments would lead one
think he has spent an entire career in this chamber.
Phil Gramm and Fred Thompson will be missed by each and every one of
their Senate colleagues. For me it has been an honor, a privilege and a
pleasure to work with them both. They have brought to the Senate a rare
combination of intellect, charisma, political skill and, above all, a
steadfast commitment to principle. And for that they will also be
missed by the American people.
Mr. LIEBERMAN. Mr. President, I rise to honor the Members of the
Senate who will be leaving us at the end of this Congress. They will
not be here in this Chamber next year, but each will leave an indelible
imprint on this body, and on the lives of the American people.
First, I wish to say a few words about my colleague, my compatriot on
the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee, and my friend, Fred
Thompson, who has served the people of Tennessee and the people of
America ably and nobly for the past 8 years.
The man the Screen Actors Guild knows as Fred Dalton Thompson acts--
and acts quite well, I should add--but the man we know as Senator Fred
Thompson has never read off of anyone's script. Again and again, he has
done what he in his heart believed was right for the nation. I will
always admire his clarity, integrity, and intellectual curiosity.
Since his joining the Senate in 1994, I have known Senator Thompson
as a dogged investigator who is always willing to go wherever the
evidence may lead, and as an independent-minded legislator who sticks
to and stands on principle. Senator Thompson was the first Republican
after John McCain to support campaign finance reform--an act that
speaks volumes about who he is and for what he stands.
On the Governmental Affairs Committee, Senator Thompson and I worked
closely together on probing the evidence and then issuing a report on
the government's highly suspect investigation into the alleged
wrongdoing of Wen Ho Lee. Senator Thompson brought a singular focus to
dissecting and fixing the government's computer security problems. And
he has and spared no energy working to ferret out waste, mismanagement,
corruption, and abuse in the federal government. Senator Thompson
understands that the people's Government must do justice to the
people's values--not just in the pronouncements it makes, but in the
way it does business every day.
Every Member of this body respects the quality of Senator Thompson's
reasoning and the strength of his voice. Whether it's on defense,
intelligence,
[[Page S11709]]
free trade, or a wide range of other issues, Senator Thompson's words
are cogent and clear, and his deeds are consistent with those words.
In addition to his career as a Senator, he has practiced law, written
a book, acted in 18 motion pictures and a television show, posted his
mother's recipe for fresh coconut cake on his website, and--in the
midst of it all--managed to find a lovely women to marry. I am in awe
of his energy and vitality.
We know each other as colleagues, as partners, and often as
intellectual opponents. But we also know each other as human beings.
And at every point and in every context, Senator Thompson has brought
wisdom, decency, and a great sense of humor to this Congress. When he
served as chairman of the Governmental Affairs Committee, he treated me
with great consideration and respect, and I hope in my time as Chairman
I have afforded him the same courtesies.
I am disappointed to see him go, but look forward to watching him on
television on Wednesday nights.
Mr. President, I also wish to honor Senator Strom Thurmond.
We all know that the 20th century was the American Century. It was
also the century in which, primarily in his service in the U.S. Senate,
Strom Thurmond left his indelible mark on the history of this nation.
There are not many Members of this body today who bring the breadth
of his experience to the floor. Senator Thurmond began his career as a
farmer, teacher, and athletic coach. He was Superintendent of Education
in his home county. He was town and county attorney. He was state
senator in his great state of South Carolina. He was a judge. He served
in the Second World War, and was part of the Normandy invasion with the
82nd Airborne. He was governor of South Carolina. Then, in 1954, he was
elected to the United States Senate.
The long list of these accomplishments would take most Americans 300
years to accumulate. Senator Thurmond has gotten them all under his
belt in a mere 100. And he has raised a family, to boot.
Through it all, Senator Thurmond has grown not only as a legislator
but as a human being. When we honor him, we pay tribute to human
beings' capacity for growth. After running for President, as I
mentioned, as a state's rights candidate, he later supported the
renewal of the Voting Rights Act and observance of the Martin Luther
King, Jr. Holiday on behalf of his state. That transformation sent a
powerful message that all of us could become better Americans and
better individuals--and that the United States of America, for all its
blessings, can always become a better nation.
I also wish to honor another Member the Senate will miss, my good
friend from Texas, Senator Phil Gramm. Senator Gramm has only served
since 1984, not since 1954 like Senator Thurmond, but his achievements
have been remarkable indeed.
Senator Gramm, who came to the Senate with a Ph.D. in economics and a
distinguished career in teaching, has become one of this Chamber's
foremost experts on fiscal policy, one of its clearest voices on
defense and foreign policy, and one of the most stalwart defenders of
individual liberties.
He has a wonderful intuitive understanding of the value of basic
research and other technological innovation, and I have been proud to
work with him to increase both the Government's total funding
commitment to science and the effectiveness of the money we spend.
Senator Gramm is an ideologue--and I mean that in the best sense of
the word. He fervently defends his beliefs against all challenges.
Senator Gramm relishes debate. Here on the floor, you can see it in his
eyes and hear it in his voice. And let me add--and I say this
reluctantly, having been at the receiving end of more than a few of his
missives--that he is quite good at it. In that way, he has continued
and advanced one of the great traditions of this body. Yes, compromise
is what makes governments great and marriages happy; we all know that.
But without firm principles and intellectual passion to guide us,
without ideals we are not willing to sacrifice, we would never know
what is worth compromising. And Senator Gramm has never forgotten why
he is here or what he is fighting for.
I wish him luck in the private sector, where he will continue to
serve the nation and will, much to his liking, make much more money in
the process.
The Senate is losing many giants at the end of this term. Let me now
say a few words about Jesse Helms of North Carolina--a Navy veteran in
the Second World War, a respected journalist, a businessman, a city
councilman, and since 1973, a legendary legislator in the Senate.
As a Member of this body, Senator Helms has done too much to mention
here today. But he is most respected for his leadership of the Senate
Foreign Relations Committee.
There, he has proven to be a tireless defender of the interests of
America--and an advocate of the inalienable rights of people all over
the world to the basic freedoms and opportunities we enjoy. I have
always admired his steadfastness and his strength. And I have always
known that the goals we seek--a strong America that advances democracy
and increases prosperity around the world--are the same.
And we have at least one other thing in common. Senator Helms' name
was placed in nomination for Vice President of the United States--this
was at the GOP convention in Kansas City in 1976. Although he asked the
convention to withdraw his name, he nevertheless received 99 delegate
votes. A few years later, I could have used those votes.
Another Senator retiring after a distinguished career--in his case
because he is trading the U.S. Capitol for the Governor's mansion in
his great home state of Alaska--is Senator Frank Murkowski. Hopefully
his new challenge will afford him more opportunities to enjoy life with
his lovely wife Nancy, his six children and his 11 grandchildren.
For four terms of office, Senator Murkowski has served the people of
his state with vigorous energy and rigorous attention to detail since
being elected to the Senate in 1980. He delivers for the people of
Alaska--and they appreciate it. I am confident he will continue to lead
with distinction as governor.
My friend and colleague Senator Max Cleland gave elegant departing
remarks yesterday on this floor. Those remarks reminded me how much the
Senate will miss his buoyant personality, his eloquent words, his
principled service to the people of Georgia, and his transcendent
faith.
I was privileged to serve alongside Senator Cleland on the Senate
Governmental Affairs Committee, where he was always courageous,
independent, and tenacious. I also had the good fortune of working with
him on the Armed Services Committee and the Small Business Committee. I
could not have wished for a kinder or more decent man to call my
colleague.
Senator Cleland also was an early supporter of and essential
contributor to the bill establishing a Department of Homeland Security
that we reported out of committee in May. Therefore, the historic bill
we passed yesterday, and the Department it will create to protect the
American people from terrorism here at home, is due in no small measure
to his efforts.
But Senator Cleland will be remembered for the spirit he brought to
this Senate as much as for the many things he accomplished here. His
grit, His wit. His honesty. His willingness to take risks. His never-
failing sense of humor. I wish Max the best of luck.
Mr. President, let me also take a moment to honor my friend and
colleague Senator Jean Carnahan who has added to a long and storied
career by serving the people of Missouri with care, skill, and devotion
over the last 2 years.
Senator Carnahan was not only the proud occupant of Harry Truman's
seat, but was an able custodian of Harry Truman's legacy. She
legislated with an independent mind and a pragmatic personal
philosophy, always putting the well-being of Missouri's working
families first.
I have been fortunate enough to serve alongside Senator Carnahan not
only on the Governmental Affairs Committee, where she quickly proved to
be an invaluable asset, but on the Senate Armed Services Committee.
Senator Carnahan doesn't only talk about bipartisanship. She practices
it. I'm proud to call her a fellow New Democrat, and even more proud to
call her a friend.
[[Page S11710]]
We are losing many women and men of principle from this body; I hope
an equal number replace them. I will fondly remember Senator Bob Smith
for his unwavering adherence to the values of his faith and his family.
And I admired Senator Smith's hard work on the Environmental and Public
Works Committee in defense of New Hampshire's environment and this
nation's. Bob is a man of honor and I was proud to serve with him.
Many of us strive for eloquence here on the floor. But few of us are
as consistently passionate and persuasive as another departing
colleagues, Robert Torricelli, who served seven terms in the House of
Representatives and then here in the Senate since 1996. As a fellow
northeastern and fellow member of the Senate Governmental Affairs
Committee, I will miss his wisdom and great sense of purpose. He is
extremely gifted and gave great service for New Jersey and America.
Finally, Mr. President, a special word for our dear departed
colleague Senator Paul Wellstone--who I want to describe in the best
way I know how, as a mensch--a man, a very good man. He radiated
decency and kindness and commitment to make the world a better place.
That was so not just in what he said and did on camera, but in what he
said and did in quiet moments, small moments, private moments.
Much has been made of the fact that Paul was a teacher. And it is
fitting. I think about all the lessons that Paul Wellstone the
political scientist taught to his students, and how every one must have
come alive when he ran for office--and won--in 1990. That inspiration
will last for generations.
Paul Wellstone taught his students, by example, that Americans who
want change can do much more than carp or complain. They can and should
enter and shape the system. They can and should be a part of the
government of the people, by the people, and for the people.
Senator Wellstone uplifted the Senate and uplifted our democracy, and
he did it with the clarity of his conscience and the power of his
principles and passions.
It's no wonder Paul titled his book The Conscience of a Liberal,
after Barry Goldwater's book The Conscience of a Conservative. Paul had
read Senator Goldwater's book as a boy, and though he found himself at
the opposite end of the political spectrum, Paul admired Goldwater's
decency, his honesty, and his conviction.
The name ``Paul'' comes from the Roman family name ``Paulus,'' which
meant ``small'' or ``humble'' in Latin. And Paul was physically small.
He was spiritually humble. But the scope of his ideals and of his
service was monumental.
In The Ethics of the Fathers, a tome of Jewish law, it is written:
``It is not your obligation to complete the task [of perfecting the
world], but neither are you free to desist [from doing all you can].''
Paula Wellstone, as a Senator, a father, a husband, and a man, lived
these words and lived them well. May he rest alongside his wife and
daughter in peace.
I thank the Chair and yield the floor.
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