[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 124 (Wednesday, September 10, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1754]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    A TRIBUTE TO FORMER REPRESENTATIVE CHARLES E. BENNETT OF FLORIDA

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. E. CLAY SHAW, JR.

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 10, 2003

  Mr. SHAW. Mr. Speaker, I rise today as Chairman of Florida's 
Congressional Delegation to honor the extraordinary life of former 
Congressman Charles E. Bennett. I would be hard pressed, Mr. Speaker, 
to find a better and more compelling individual dedicated to ethical 
reforms than Mr. Bennett in his 44 years in the House. Mr. Bennett was 
a long time proponent of such reforming legislation as the creation of 
the House Ethics Committee and the 1965 Voting Rights Act. Earning the 
title of ``Mr. Clean'' for his unwavering determination to financial 
disclosure, Mr. Bennett set an example for all public servants as early 
as 1950.
  Mr. Bennett attended the University of Florida and graduated in 1934 
with both a Bachelor and Law degree. During World War 11, Charlie 
defended his country with undying patriotism and fearless courage in 
the South Pacific, earning the Silver and Bronze Stars for his 
distinguished service. In 1948, Mr. Bennett was elected to the 81st 
Congress representing the Jacksonville metropolitan area. Forty-four 
years later, Charlie remains Florida's longest serving member of 
Congress. Despite contracting polio from his Army days, Congressman 
Bennett served his country with such fervor and passion rarely seen 
before or since.
  In the early 1990's, Charlie's advocacy for the disabled community 
translated into his strong support and sponsorship of the Americans 
with Disabilities Act. Despite the use of crutches, Charlie only missed 
one legislative vote in 41 years; a remarkable legislative 
accomplishment. Mr. Bennett was also an accomplished author of seven 
books, as well as a passionate advocate of the preservation of 
Florida's natural resources and history. A well-respected member of his 
community, Mr. Bennett has a Federal building and a school dedicated in 
his name for his remarkable service to his country.
  Mr. Speaker, Charlie and I served side-by-side for 12 years before 
his retirement in 1993, and the news of his death has greatly saddened 
our State, our country, and me. I am honored to have called Charles 
Bennett a friend and colleague during his remarkable life and our 
prayers go out to his surviving family; his wife Dorothy; his children 
Bruce, James, and Cindy; and his three grandchildren. Charles Bennett 
will always have a place in the hearts of everyone he represented and 
his memory will no doubt live forever in the State of Florida.

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