[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 127 (Monday, November 13, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Pages S10870-S10871]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     A LIFETIME OF NATIONAL SERVICE

 Mr. CRAPO. Mr. President, last month, the State of Idaho lost 
one of its distinguished citizens. Ralph Ray Harding, who served our 
State as the 2nd District Congressman for two terms in the 1960s, 
passed away on October 26 in Blackfoot. He left behind a legacy of 
public service and community involvement, as well as a remarkable 
family. Senator Craig and I want to take this opportunity to commend 
his life and send our condolences to his family and friends.
  From his humble beginnings in Malad, Ralph made the most of his 
opportunities, graduating from college, eventually with a master's 
degree from ISU. He maintained a strong connection with that 
university, serving as a special advisor to the president for nearly a 
decade. He also served our country in the military as a U.S. Army 
lieutenant and was a life member of the American Legion and the Air 
Force Association.
  He was first elected to public office as a member of the Idaho House 
of Representatives and was then elected to the U.S. House of 
Representatives, the youngest Member of Congress serving during the 
Kennedy administration. As a Member of Congress, Ralph worked to ensure 
women received equal pay, supported civil rights legislation and 
authored a bill to establish the Peace Corps. But his service didn't 
end when he completed two terms in Congress.
  Ralph continued his community involvement in many ways. He was the 
cofounder of the Danny Thomas Memorial Golf Tournament, which has 
helped raise millions of dollars for cancer research and is still 
raising funds each year. He looked for ways to improve every community 
and venture he encountered. He was one of the friendliest people you 
could ever meet and remained in contact with friends from all over the 
world through his life. He was active in his church, spending time at 
the local LDS temple and teaching Sunday School each week. Retirement 
was not a word that meant much to Ralph--he had too much energy with 
his activities with family, friends, and other interests to take it 
easy. At 77, he remained active and full of life up to nearly his final 
day.
  Ralph was devoted to his family and his Nation, and he will be deeply 
missed by all those who knew him. Idaho is honored to have counted him 
as one of her native sons. During this time, our thoughts and prayers 
go out to his wife Willa and his children, grandchildren, and great-
grandchildren.

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