[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 133 (Wednesday, December 6, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Pages S11315-S11316]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     HONORING HELEN CHENOWETH-HAGE

  Mr. CRAIG. Mr. President, I rise today to honor a former 
congressional colleague and a personal friend, Representative Helen 
Chenoweth-Hage.
  Just weeks ago, our Nation lost a true American patriot in a tragic 
car accident in central Nevada. On October 2, 2006, Helen Chenoweth was 
riding in her daughter-in-law's car, cradling her baby grandson in her 
arms. The car was overturned, and she and her grandson were thrown from 
it. Helen held her grandson so tightly that he came away with minor 
injuries--but she was not so lucky.
  I take this time to honor Representative Chenoweth and her 
contributions to Idaho and this Nation, as some may not be aware of how 
much she gave of herself.
  Helen was born in Topeka, KS, on January 27, 1938. She graduated from 
Whitworth College in Spokane, WA, and started her lifelong career of 
public service. She ran her own medical and management consulting firm, 
which led to her job as manager at the Northside Medical Center in 
Orofino, ID. In 1975, she was appointed as the first woman to serve as 
the state executive director of the Idaho Republican Party. Soon after, 
she became the chief of staff and then campaign manager for long-time 
friend, First District Congressman Steve Symms. A close friend 
described the Chenoweth-Symms team as a ``fun and inspiring team to 
work with.''
  After establishing herself in Idaho as a trusted leader, she won the 
Republican nomination to Idaho's First Congressional District in 1994. 
A strong advocate for term limits, she pledged to serve no more than 
three terms, if elected. Helen Chenoweth won the 1994 November 
election, beating the Democratic incumbent by nearly 11 percent. She 
was known as one of the ``true believers'' in the 1995 Republican 
freshman class and was one of the most conservative. She even made 
conservative grammatical choices, insisting on being called 
``Congressman Chenoweth,'' instead of Congresswoman.
  Helen easily won reelection two more times and was asked by many to 
run for a fourth term, but having pledged to serve three terms, she was 
true to her word and retired in 2000. Idaho Govenor Jim Risch is quoted 
as saying, ``When the six years were up, she could have easily been 
reelected, she could

[[Page S11316]]

have easily carried on, but she said `no, I made that promise and I'm 
going to stick with that promise.' ''
  I was always impressed by her unwavering ideological positions, even 
if sometimes they were unpopular. I learned that she was driven by a 
clearly defined and articulated philosophy that allowed her to stand 
strong in the middle of a storm of criticism and persist in forcing 
changes for the betterment of Idaho and the Nation.
  She was a strong advocate for the American people and a true believer 
in the balance of powers. During the Balkan crisis in the 1990s, she 
argued for the involvement of the legislative branch, writing, 
``Congress played no role in defining those political aims, which means 
that the American people--in whose name Congress is empowered to act--
were not permitted to play any role in the decision to commit our 
Nation to war.'' She was known for quoting the Founders when giving her 
arguments, pulling her colleagues back to our Nation's constitutional 
roots if they were veering in another direction. On this same issue she 
quoted Alexander Hamilton writing, ``It is the province and duty of the 
Executive to preserve to the Nation the blessings of peace. The 
Legislature alone can interrupt those blessings, by placing the Nation 
in a state of War.''
  Helen Chenoweth was a champion for property rights and constitutional 
government. She fought hard for the rights of property owners and 
against the heavy hand of Federal regulation and taxation that affected 
family farms, ranches, and businesses. In Idaho she was known as a 
``true environmentalist'' who worked to preserve Idaho's natural beauty 
while also balancing the rights and needs of humans. Her passion and 
hard work demonstrated her belief in the inalienable rights of all 
citizens, and she fought to keep them protected by the U.S. 
Constitution.
  On September 21, 2000, she was awarded the first ``Friend of American 
Freedom Award'' by the National Center For Public Policy Research and 
the Committee For a Constructive Tomorrow. The award honored 
Congressman Chenoweth's ``distinguished record of defending the United 
States against environmental treaties, United Nations programs and 
other global policies that pose a threat to the Nation's sovereignty.'' 
Particular appreciation was given for her work on the American Land 
Sovereignty Protection Act, which would require the executive branch to 
seek Congressional approval before designating any U.S. landmark as a 
world heritage site. The director of the National Center's 
Environmental Policy Task Force said of Helen, ``Congressman Chenoweth-
Hage has been one of the leading champions of U.S. sovereignty and the 
U.S. Constitution during her 6-year tenure in Congress. The `Friend of 
American Freedom Award' represents our profound thanks to the 
Congressman for her valiant work defending constitutional liberties.''
  While I served as chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources 
Subcommittee on Forests and Public Land Management, she served as 
chairman of the House Subcommittee on Forests and Forest Health. I 
enjoyed this opportunity to work together on land management issues 
such as the Roadless Initiative. We shared a passion to protect our 
great western lands. Much of her work survives in the Healthy Forest 
Restoration Act.
  Helen was a strong advocate for women and families. She supported 
funding for women's health and also for family health care. Many women 
looked up to her as a woman politician who earned every bit of respect 
she received and held her ground in an environment predominately of 
men. She was known as a true feminist who never asked for special 
treatment because of her gender.
  Even after her retirement from Congress she worked tirelessly with 
her husband, Nevada rancher Wayne Hage, in the lawsuit Hage vs. U.S. 
Wayne had purchased his ranch in 1978 and testified that over the years 
Federal agency interference made it nearly impossible to run a 
livestock operation and ultimately resulted in the taking of his ranch. 
Wayne and Helen's court victory was a triumph for all private property 
owners.
  Helen Chenoweth-Hage was not only a great politician; she was also a 
loving wife and mother and a loyal friend. Her strong Christian faith 
inspired many, guided her throughout her life, and served as a base on 
which she built her philosophy. Among her many endearing qualities were 
her unfailing graciousness, charm, and her warm smile. She will be 
sorely missed, not only by her children and other family members, but 
by legions of friends, colleagues, and admirers.
  Let me end by quoting her daughter Meg Keenan, who spoke for many of 
us when she said: ``Helen was the most amazing, gracious person I ever 
had the privilege to know. She was fearless in life, and I know she 
welcomes the opportunity to be in the presence of God the Father.''

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