[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 5 (Wednesday, January 25, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Pages S114-S115]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO W. CLEON SKOUSEN

  Mr. HATCH. Mr. President. I rise today to pay special tribute to a 
man I deeply admire, W. Cleon Skousen. Cleon was a giant of a man. He 
was an exceptionally bright scholar; a wonderful husband, father, and 
grandfather; a special friend; and a true patriot in every sense of the 
word.
  Sadly, Cleon recently passed away leaving a tremendous void in the 
lives of all who knew him. Cleon played a significant role in the 
political and governmental arena throughout Utah, our Nation, and even 
the world. I can state without any equivocation today that Cleon loved 
America. He truly loved our country and its citizens. He deeply 
respected our Founding Fathers, and he had the utmost reverence for the 
document that is the basis of all of our freedoms--our Constitution.
  When I first met Cleon, I was a young, enthusiastic, go-getter who 
wanted to make a difference in our Nation's Capitol. Shortly before I 
announced that I would be running for the U.S. Senate in 1976 as a 
political novice and virtually unknown candidate--Cleon was one of the 
first people of political significance and substance who agreed to meet 
with me and discuss my candidacy.
  A few short years before this time, Cleon had organized a nonprofit 
educational foundation named ``The Freemen Institute,'' to foster 
``constitutionalist'' principles including a drastic reduction in the 
size and scope of the Federal Government, and a reverence for the true, 
unchanging nature of our Constitution. I knew that he had strongly held 
beliefs and I was very interested in what he had to say.
  We found in each other at that first meeting many areas of common 
ground and a shared love for the principles that make America the 
strongest bastion of freedom on Earth. Cleon quickly agreed to help, 
and throughout the coming months he became a true champion of my 
candidacy. He sent a letter to 8,000 of his ``friends'' stating that I 
was running for the Senate ``for the express purpose of waging a fight 
to restore constitutional principles in this country.'' I was humbled 
by his support, and I felt a true need to fulfill his expectations of 
me and to never let him down.
  From that first campaign, to every day I have served in the U.S. 
Senate--Cleon has been there for me, through highs and lows--buoying me 
up, giving suggestions, discussing principles and issues, and above all 
else being a true,

[[Page S115]]

supportive friend. I can never overstate what his support has meant to 
me throughout my years of service.
  A natural outgrowth of the successful Freemen Institute was the 
founding of the National Center for Constitutional Studies which Cleon 
started to further the study of our Founding Fathers and the U.S. 
Constitution. He traveled the globe and spoke to literally hundreds of 
thousands of people each year for many years to promote the ideals of 
this center.
  The mission of the center was so aptly described by our Nation's 
first President, George Washington, when he said: ``A primary object. . 
. should be the education of our youth in the science of government. In 
a republic, what species of knowledge can be equally important? And 
what duty more pressing than communicating it to those who are to be 
the future guardians of the liberties of the country?''
  Cleon took this mission very seriously and spent many hours each week 
educating and imparting his knowledge of his years of study to people 
throughout our Nation, and even the world. He cultivated friendships 
far and wide and became to many the ``Master Teacher.''
  As we all know, Cleon was a prolific author and writer. His books, 
``The First 2000 Years, The Making of America,'' and ``The Five 
Thousand Year Leap'' have been used by foundations, and in forums 
across America for many years. His writings and words leave an 
indelible legacy of knowledge and beliefs that have touched many people 
and will continue to inspire and educate generations to come.
  Many have yearned for even a morsel of his years of study. He was 
learning, studying and writing until the end. I loved an account I 
recently read in the Deseret News from the Rev. Donald Sills, a Baptist 
minister who became close friends over many years with Cleon. He spoke 
of his knowledge and study and recalled a time when he found Cleon 
sitting on the steps of the Jefferson Memorial in Washington, DC. When 
he asked Cleon what he was doing just sitting there, Cleon's fitting 
response was, ``I'm talking to Tom Jefferson.''
  Cleon had a strong desire for good government, and a true love for 
our Savior Jesus Christ and our Heavenly Father. He believed that our 
country was founded on pure principles and that our Heavenly Father had 
a hand in guiding our historic and profound beginnings. He firmly 
believed, as many believe, that God governs the affairs of men. He was 
not shy about sharing this belief with all who would listen. The words 
he shared on this subject were not unlike the words spoken by Benjamin 
Franklin as he arose on the floor to speak at a particularly trying 
time during the Constitutional Convention. He pled with his peers to 
call upon the Father of them all for wisdom and guidance as they 
continued to contemplate and draft this most important document.
  His words remind me so richly of Cleon when Mr. Franklin stated: ``I 
have lived, Sir, a long time; and the longer I live, the more 
convincing proofs I see of this truth, that God governs in the affairs 
of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his notice, 
is it probable that an empire can rise without his aid? We have been 
assured, Sir, in the sacred writings that `except the Lord build the 
house, they labor in vain that build it,' I firmly believe this. . .''
  And Cleon firmly believed it. He had a true testimony of our Savior's 
works and our Father's infinite wisdom and love. He wrote of it. He 
testified of it. And he lived a life following their teachings.
  The wonderful, strong leader General George S. Patton once said: ``It 
is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank 
God that such men lived.''
  I don't believe it is foolish to mourn the loss of this great man--
but I do thank my Heavenly Father that W. Cleon Skousen lived, and that 
he touched my life in so many ways. His example, passionate beliefs, 
and wonderful mind will never be forgotten. His journey was full and 
brought rich rewards to people throughout the world.
  I am grateful that I had the privilege of knowing W. Cleon Skousen 
and working with him. He is a great man, and true American. His life's 
work has touched literally thousands, and his memory will live on 
through the wonderful words and teachings he leaves behind.
  Mr. President, I would like to close with a poem that I wrote for 
him:

                            W. Cleon Skousen

     His life seemed like 2000 years
     By those who feared the truth,
     To us who've loved him through our tears
     And even from our youth,
     This quiet, simple, gentle man,
     Who taught us sacred things,
     He helped us all to understand
     The memories of a thousand springs.

     Within this caring, pleasant soul
     God's glory was refined,
     Experiences had made him whole
     For he had peace of mind,
     So many lives he touched each day
     Explaining holy things,
     In writings left along the way
     A treasure fit for kings.

     He loved the prophets of the Lord,
     The Founding Fathers too,
     And Israel's most sacred word,
     God's children whom he knew,
     His precious Jewell, of greatest worth,
     He'll love eternally,
     He loved his family here on earth
     In loving majesty.

     So many others one by one,
     This giant among men,
     He leaves us now, his work now done,
     We know we'll meet him once again.

                          ____________________