[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 111 (Thursday, September 8, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Pages S9823-S9824]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       JOSEPH P. ``SONNY'' FOSTER

 Mr. NELSON of Nebraska. Mr. President, I am here today to 
speak about my cherished friend, long time aide, and trusted 
confidante, Sonny Foster, who died unexpectedly on August 25.
  I first met Sonny in 1973 when he and I served together on the Urban 
League Board. Sonny was still a student at Creighton and I was counsel 
to an insurance company. Sonny loved to tell the story of my first 
Urban League meeting at the old Logan Fontenelle Center. When the 
meeting ended and I went to drive home, I found, to my dismay, that 
someone had helped themselves to my battery. Sonny retold the story the 
week before he died. With his unique high-pitched laugh he said ``We 
never expected to see him again!'' But I came back and a friendship 
began that lasted for more than 30 years!
  In 1989, when I was planning to run for Governor, some 16 years 
later, we teamed up. No one ever expected us to win, and we never 
expected to lose. And we didn't. It was his first time to manage a 
statewide campaign and my first time as a candidate for office. Of this 
victory, the Omaha World-Herald said in its August 27, 2005 editorial 
``Foster put his stamp on the political map of Nebraska by the start of 
the 21st Century--not only because of his assistance in planting Ben 
Nelson firmly in the political firmament, but also in his steadfast 
efforts to make the Democratic Party a force in his North Omaha base.''
  Much has been made of Sonny's firsts. He was the first African 
American elected to be student body president at Creighton University 
in 1973. He was the first African American elected to the Omaha Board 
of Education by district. He was also the first African American to run 
a statewide campaign in Nebraska. Sonny had a long and distinguished 
career in public service including serving as a legislative aide for 
Congressman John Cavanaugh and as deputy labor commissioner for 
Governor Bob Kerrey. When I was Governor, he served in multiple 
positions in my administration.
  These are indeed significant accomplishments. And it is indeed 
appropriate that we celebrate them. But you know what Sonny treasured 
most was breaking the ground for others to follow--much more than 
anything he did on his own. In a very real sense, Sonny lived his life 
so others could enjoy their own success. Sonny lit the torch and passed 
it on. We must commit to never let that torch go out because of apathy 
or inaction. He set the standard--it is for others, for us, to now 
uphold.
  I had a lot of time to think about what to say about Sonny in the 
eulogy I delivered at his memorial service hoping to do justice to a 
most remarkable life cut short by some divine plan which we must 
reluctantly accept. I started by listing his many qualities: Sonny was 
brilliant and perceptive. He was loyal, honest, trustworthy, 
dependable, responsible, competent, caring, passionate and 
compassionate.
  He was totally trustworthy. Sonny was honest. He would tell you what 
you needed to know, not what he thought you wanted to hear. This was 
one of his most endearing qualities.
  One time I teased him by saying I preferred to be told that my idea 
was unlikely to work rather than be asked ``who came up with that crazy 
idea?''
  Sonny was focused on getting things done. No task was ever too big or 
important or too small for him. Stories abound about his tackling 
impossible immigration cases and solving them. He met my plane when he 
could have assigned it to someone else. Those 20 minute trips gave us 
uninterrupted time to talk, to catch up, and to tease one another about 
one thing or another.
  Then there is Sonny's passion. Everyone has a story about how 
strongly Sonny Foster felt about each and every cause. He didn't suffer 
foolishness. He possessed the ability to sort things out. Not bashful, 
he told you what he thought and sometimes in colorful terms. Most of 
those terms cannot be repeated here. Some thought Sonny lacked 
patience. I see it the other way around. His dedication, his devotion 
to his work, his dogged perseverance manifested itself in bold and 
bombastic ways. When he cared, you knew it!
  Underneath the bombast and the passion was a deep well of compassion. 
Sonny had a soft, caring side. I think today of all those constituents 
who benefited from his good work in our office. How he cared about 
their problems! He left an indelible impression.
  An e-mail from a young TV reporter who has left Omaha for another 
market

[[Page S9824]]

wrote, ``A few years ago, Sonny took time out of his schedule to talk 
with me about working in politics. I walked away from that evening 
knowing Sonny loved his job meeting and working for all Nebraskans and 
representing Gov./Sen. Nelson. I'll never forget his guidance, career 
advice and passion for his job.''
  What was an everyday meeting for Sonny made a lasting impression on 
this young man. Sonny had that affect on people.
  I will be the first to admit that I wouldn't be standing here today 
after 15 years in elective office without Sonny. He had a political 
sense unmatched in Nebraska. He heard the rumblings long before the 
storms. He didn't need to poll anyone to determine the mood of the 
people. He just knew. His instincts were right on. And that's why 
people sought his opinion and listened when he spoke.
  Mrs. Foster described the last time she was with Sonny as being 
``jolly.'' Have I mentioned that laugh? Sonny filled the room with his 
presence and his persona. It overflowed when he laughed that unique, 
infectious belly laugh. No one enjoyed a practical joke more than 
Sonny, except maybe me! I think Mrs. Foster will forever keep that 
wonderful memory of Sonny and by sharing it with all of us has given us 
a gift we should cherish.
  Thank you Sonny, for all you did for me, for my family, and most 
important, for the State of Nebraska. The ``good life'' will not quite 
be the same without you.

                          ____________________