[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 131 (Tuesday, September 23, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1868]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




TO COMMEMORATE THE BIRTHDAY, LIFE AND LEGACY OF THE LATE SENATOR CLAUDE 
                             DENSON PEPPER

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. KAREN McCARTHY

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 23, 2003

  Ms. McCARTHY of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate 
the birthday, life and legacy of the late Senator Claude Denson Pepper.
  I first met Congressman Pepper in 1984 when we worked together to 
craft the National Democratic Platform. Even then, at age 84, his 
energy and passion for making life better for others was clear. During 
his near 90-year career, Pepper played a leading role in American 
politics. Pepper won vast victories for all Americans, notably our 
country's elderly population.
  Pepper was elected to the United States Senate in 1935, where he 
gained the respect and friendship of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. 
He stayed in the Senate for 3 terms and served in the House, where he 
represented the greater Miami area. He served his House district for 
almost 30 years, becoming Chairman of the House Select Committee on 
Aging and of the House Rules Committee.
  Claude Pepper did so much for so many, but is best remembered for his 
work on behalf of older Americans. He was their voice and their 
advocate. He led the battle to pass legislation that erased mandatory 
retirement laws. He authorized the bill that created the National 
Institute on Aging. His leadership made passage of Medicare a reality.
  Near the end of his life, Chairman Pepper fought for the enactment of 
a prescription drug benefit in Medicare. Concurrently, he worked to 
enact a long-term home benefit in Medicare to assist the growing number 
of Americans who needed help performing essential activities of daily 
living in their homes. Pepper came away a few votes shy of enacting 
these bills, but his visionary actions shaped the path for future 
generations.
  Pepper's life work was firmly routed in his personal principles. His 
passionate advocacy and unquestionable integrity made him a role model 
for public servants and generations of young men and women to invest 
their lives in giving back to their communities.
  Claude Pepper is a hero to senior citizens and all Americans, and I 
am proud to have known him. As Congress continues to debate the futuer 
of Medicare and other programs, we would do well to remember his legacy 
and his simple philosophy: ``Make it better. Do all you can to make 
life better for others.''
  Thank you, Senator Pepper, for your service to our country, and for 
making our Nation a better place for generations of senior citizens.

                          ____________________