[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 72 (Thursday, June 8, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1051]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO SENATOR LLOYD BENTSEN

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. AL GREEN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 7, 2006

  Mr. GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, today I am honored to extend my 
deepest regrets as we mourn the loss of one of our nation's most 
respected statesmen, Senator Lloyd Bentsen. Senator Bentsen's lifelong 
service to our country was marked by his sharp intellect, skillful 
coalition building, and deep personal integrity. As a World War II 
veteran, public servant, and businessman, Senator Bentsen offered 
strength of character and compassion to his fellow man. His tireless 
work on behalf of the citizens of the State of Texas and our nation has 
made an indelible mark on the institutions and communities he served.
  Senator Bentsen began serving his country in 1942 when he enlisted in 
the U.S. Army during World War II. After briefly serving as a private 
conducting intelligence work in Brazil, he became a pilot and flew 
combat missions from southern Italy with the 449th Bomb Group. Senator 
Bentsen quickly ascended the ranks of the military. At age 23, he was 
promoted to the rank of Major and given command of a squadron of 600 
men. In 18 months of combat, he courageously flew 35 missions against 
highly defended targets that were crucial to the German war effort. In 
total, he flew 50 missions over Europe. Senator Bentsen was shot down 
twice during the war and received the Distinguished Flying Cross, the 
Air Force's highest commendation for valor, among other decorations.
  After the war, Senator Bentsen began his long and distinguished 
political career, returning to his native Rio Grande as a decorated 
veteran. In 1946, he was elected Hidalgo County judge, and two years 
later, at age 27, was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. Mr. 
Bentsen served the residents of Houston in the House for 8 years, and 
then returned to Houston to work in the private sector. After having 
achieved a great deal of corporate success, he decided to return to 
public life in 1970 as a candidate for the U.S. Senate. He won a bitter 
primary and went on to defeat then-Congressman George H.W. Bush for the 
first of four Senate terms. During his tenure in the Senate, Bentsen 
sought the Democratic nomination for the presidential primary in 1976, 
and was the vice-presidential nominee in the 1988 presidential 
election.
  Senator Bentsen's political career was marked by his compassion 
towards those he served, a deep knowledge of economic policy, and a 
propensity to build bipartisan coalitions. As a Member of the House, he 
was only a handful of southern congressmen who voted against the poll 
tax, which was used to prevent blacks from voting. In the Senate, he 
attained the rank of Senate Finance Committee chairman, and quickly 
became one of our nation's most respected voices on tax, trade, and 
economic issues. Throughout his political career, Bentsen earned the 
reputation as being highly skilled at navigating the legislative 
process and crafting deals behind the scenes. As the first Treasury 
Secretary under the Clinton Administration in 1993, he was one of the 
architects of the President's deficit-reduction program. In recognition 
of his service, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 
1999.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my other distinguished colleagues to join 
me in honoring the work and accomplishments of Senator Lloyd Bentsen. 
As a soldier, businessman, elected official, and statesman, Lloyd 
Bentsen served with honor and distinction. His life-long devotion to 
public service will serve as an inspiration to future generations of 
Americans, and his many contributions on behalf of the residents of 
Texas and the nation will continue to offer guidance to the 
institutions and communities he served.

                          ____________________