[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 168 (Thursday, November 1, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Page S13681]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           HONORING FORMER U.S. REPRESENTATIVE PETER HOAGLAND

  Mr. NELSON of Nebraska. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to 
a good friend and great Nebraskan, former U.S. Representative Peter 
Hoagland, who passed away Tuesday at the age of 66. Peter was a very 
special friend to all who knew him. His tenure in Congress coincided 
with my first 4 years serving as Governor of the State of Nebraska, and 
I will always remember Peter's thoughtful advice and advocacy on issues 
important to our mutual constituents.
  Peter worked to do what he believed was right for his district and 
our state. An Omaha native and alumnus of Omaha Central High School, 
Peter represented the good people of Nebraska's largest metropolitan 
area in one capacity or another for 14 years through two terms in the 
Nebraska Legislature and three representing Nebraska's Second District 
in the U.S. House of Representatives.
  Elected to the Nebraska Unicameral in 1978, Peter later assumed a 
leadership role as chairman of the Judiciary Committee. This role 
suited him well, as he was a Yale-educated attorney, having completed 
his law degree in 1968 after serving our country as a U.S. Army 
intelligence officer. Peter was active on important topics such as 
ground water protection, and he spearheaded the passage of landmark 
drunk-driving legislation.
  Peter was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1988, where 
he served three terms. He focused his efforts on the inner workings of 
his committees. Peter was a workhorse, not a show horse; and he made 
his presence felt on many issues, particularly those pertaining to 
banking and the environment.
  Peter Hoagland was a true leader; and while he may have left public 
service, he never left public life. As a tribute to his immense legacy, 
Nebraska Democrats honored Peter with the Hall of Fame Award at the 
Morrison-Exon Dinner earlier this year. I am grateful we had that 
opportunity to let Peter know how much he meant to all of us.
  I offer my most sincere condolences to Peter's wife Barbara and their 
family. Peter's passion for service, his dynamic leadership, and his 
unwavering dedication will remain a source of inspiration to all who 
knew him.

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