[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 113 (Thursday, July 10, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Page S6553]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                    REMEMBERING SENATOR JESSE HELMS

  Mr. HAGEL. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to our friend 
and former colleague, Senator Jesse Helms of North Carolina. When 
Senator Helms passed away on the Fourth of July, our country lost a 
patriot and a strong conservative voice.
  Senator Helms' life was about public service. During World War II, he 
served in the U.S. Navy, where he first developed his commitment to a 
strong U.S. military and America's security at home and abroad. He 
served in a number of public roles in Washington, DC, and in his home 
State of North Carolina, and in 1972 was elected to the U.S. Senate--a 
position he held for five consecutive terms.
  Senator Helms was chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee 
when I came to the Senate in 1996, where I have served for 12 years. As 
chairman, he consistently maintained a powerful and determined voice in 
his efforts to strengthen America. I will always be grateful for his 
many personal courtesies and his constant encouragement and assistance 
over the 6 years that we worked together.
  Senator Helms was outspoken, strong-minded, and unwavering in his 
beliefs. He was a leader who will be missed. Lilibet and I extend our 
thoughts and prayers to Jesse's widow and our friend Dot and his 
wonderful family.

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