[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 116 (Thursday, July 31, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Page S10594]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING THE LIFE OF SENATOR VANCE HARTKE

  Mr. BAYH. Mr. President, I rise today to honor the life of my fellow 
Hoosier, Senator Vance Hartke, who passed away on July 27. Senator 
Harke dedicated his life to serving his country and our home State of 
Indiana, setting an example of personal conviction and political 
courage throughout his 18 years as senator.
  Born on May 31, 1919, Vance Hartke grew up in Stendal, IN. He 
attended the University of Evansville and then earned his law degree 
from Indiana University. Senator Hartke served 4 years as a member of 
the Coast Guard and as a U.S. Navy officer during World War II. Upon 
his return to Indiana, Hartke began practicing law in Evansville, where 
he was elected mayor in 1955. From there, he was elected Senator in 
1958, demonstrating a work ethic on the campaign trail that is 
remembered by Hoosiers still today. Senator Hartke served three 
continuous terms as senator, the first Indiana Democrat ever to do so.
  While serving as Senator, Hartke played a crucial role in requiring 
auto manufacturers to install seatbelts in their cars, and supported 
legislation that created the Head Start Program, which continues to 
provide early education opportunities for tens of millions of children 
from lower-income families. He led Senate support for Medicare, work 
that earned him the nickname ``Father of Medicare.'' Senator Hartke 
also was instrumental in creating the International Executive Service 
Corps, an organization modeled on the Peace Corps that sent retired 
U.S. business executives to developing countries to help expand their 
local businesses.
  During a particularly trying time in our nation's history, Senator 
Hartke remained unafraid to take a bold stance in support of his 
convictions, sometimes in the face of strong opposition. He chose to 
speak out against the Vietnam war, knowing that doing so would cost him 
his friendship with President Lyndon Johnson, because Senator Hartke 
felt it was his moral responsibility to defend his beliefs.
  However, of the many issues Senator Hartke supported during his 18 
years as Senator, family members recall that one of his proudest 
accomplishments was his work on legislation that provided affordable 
treatment for kidney diseases. It was work that was largely 
overshadowed by his personal stances on other issues, but it led to the 
creation of a bill now credited with saving more than 500,000 lives.
  The sense of loss to all those who knew Senator Hartke is tremendous. 
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Martha, four sons, three 
daughters, and 16 grandchildren.

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