[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 163 (Saturday, December 17, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2594-E2595]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          IN HONOR AND RECOGNITION OF SENATOR EUGENE McCARTHY

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                      Saturday, December 17, 2005

  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor and remembrance of 
my good friend Senator Eugene McCarthy, former member of the United 
States Congress, presidential candidate, political activist and author.
  Senator McCarthy is a well-known and respected anti-war activist. His 
voice rose above the crowd against the Vietnam War due to his power and 
influence in politics. In 1968, Mr. McCarthy garnered an unprecedented 
number of college students opposed to the Vietnam War to campaign for 
the Presidency against the incumbent President Lyndon B. Johnson. 
College students supported Mr. McCarthy because he believed that 
America should end its involvement in Vietnam. Students from around the 
country campaigned door to door promoting the slogan ``get clean for 
Gene,'' referring to the students shaving off their beards and cutting 
their long hair. While his views sparked many to campaign for him, he 
still had a disappointing defeat in the Democratic primary. Although he 
lost this race, he won a much bigger one. He stood up for what he 
believed in and would not back down, even in the face of adversity.
  Senator McCarthy left politics in 1971 after a distinguished career 
as United States Congressman and Senator from Minnesota. He spent time 
writing his memoirs and other books and poems on politics. Senator 
McCarthy remained active in politics throughout the rest of his life, 
including running for different offices and supporting other campaigns. 
Keeping involved in politics, Senator McCarthy stated his opposition 
for campaign finance laws argued in the Buckley v. Valeo case. In 1980, 
he wrote the introduction to the campaign book of Libertarian 
Presidential candidate Ed Clark. Senator McCarthy continued 
participation in progressive politics with the Consumer party in 
Pennsylvania and the Minnesota Progressive party. He returned to the 
Democratic Party in 1992 as a Presidential candidate in the New 
Hampshire primary. More recently he was a strong and influential 
supporter of Ralph Nader's 2000 Presidential campaign. After his 
political career ended, Senator McCarthy became a prolific writer and 
poet. He authored 30 books and multiple poems about the decline of 
American politics.
  Senator Eugene McCarthy passed away on December 10, 2005, at the age 
of 89. He will be remembered as an influential and respected 
politician. More importantly, his contributions to the anti-war 
movement and influence on college students' political activism will 
live on in future campaigns and protests. His service as a 
Representative of Minnesota in Congress will not soon be forgotten.

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