[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 60 (Tuesday, May 10, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E916]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO LLOYD CUTLER

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JOHN CONYERS, JR.

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 10, 2005

  Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in tribute to a friend and champion 
of democracy, Lloyd Cutler. Sadly, Lloyd passed away this past Sunday.
  His accomplishments are too numerous to list. Serving as Counsel to 
two presidents and founding a distinguished law firm are just two of 
the feats he is known for. But Lloyd was more than just the Washington 
insider he is often portrayed as and his legacy extends far beyond the 
highest levels of our government; his connections to Presidents did not 
diminish his resolve to fight for the rights of all Americans.
  At President Kennedy's request, he founded and co-chaired the 
Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law and developed the 
organization's mission to engage private lawyers in securing equal 
justice for all minorities and races in our nation. Indeed, it was 
because of Lloyd's efforts that many of those arrested for protesting 
segregation decades ago received legal representation.
  He also never wavered in his commitment to the preservation of our 
democracy anytime the strength of our democracy came into question. 
After the tragedy of September 11, he was a welcome co-chair of the 
Continuity of Government Commission. After the 2000 elections, he led 
the National Commission on Federal Election Reform to ensure no 
American would be denied the right to vote.
  What many may not know is that even as a young man, Lloyd was not 
content to sit by the sidelines in times of trouble. As a newly minted 
lawyer, he left a high-profile New York law firm at the start of World 
War II to enlist in the Army. Time and time again, the pattern has 
repeated itself; where others saw challenges and setbacks to our 
country, Lloyd saw another opportunity to serve.
  He was a model of civility and bipartisanship that almost seems 
anachronistic in today's strident debates. It has been said that cooler 
heads prevail; it must be true because Lloyd accomplished so much.

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