[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 179 (Friday, December 4, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S12460]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        RELATIVE TO THE DEATH OF FORMER SENATOR PAULA F. HAWKINS

  Mr. BAUCUS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
now proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 370, submitted earlier 
today.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 370) relative to the death of Paula 
     F. Hawkins, former United States Senator for the State of 
     Florida.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. LeMIEUX. Mr. President, I rise to express my sorrow at the 
passing of former U.S. Senator Paula Hawkins and to pay tribute to her 
long life and groundbreaking career of public service.
  A resident of central Florida, Paula Hawkins began her political 
career in 1972 when she was elected to Florida's Public Services 
Commission where she served for two consecutive terms and worked to 
become a vibrant voice for consumers.
  Paula Hawkins aspired to continue her public service by running for 
higher office, first for the U.S. Senate in 1974, and then for 
Lieutenant Governor in 1978. Though both times she lost the race, she 
never gave up and never lost the desire to continue working for 
Floridians.
  Paula made history in 1980 when she became the first woman from 
Florida to be elected to the U.S. Senate and the first woman from 
Florida to be elected to Federal office.
  During her tenure in the Senate, Senator Hawkins became an outspoken 
champion for America's victimized children and brought a special focus 
to the problem of child abduction. Driven by the disappearance of 6-
year-old Florida resident Adam Walsh, Senator Hawkins ushered passage 
of landmark legislation focusing on the issue of missing children. Her 
work would ultimately help to establish the National Center for Missing 
& Exploited Children. She also supported a special unit at the Federal 
Bureau of Investigation that would focus solely on profiling serial 
killers.
  Though I am saddened by her passing, I am honored today to serve in 
the same class as Senator Hawkins--a seat she held before being 
succeeded by former Senator Bob Graham, and my predecessor, Senator Mel 
Martinez.
  The citizens of our United States owe a debt of gratitude to this 
great Floridian and we shall not soon forget the work of Senator 
Hawkins.
  Mr. BAUCUS. I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to, 
the preamble be agreed to, and the motions to reconsider be laid upon 
the table.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 370) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 370

       Whereas Paula F. Hawkins was a staunch consumer advocate 
     and served the citizens of the State of Florida on its Public 
     Service Commission for seven years, serving as its Chairman 
     for three years;
       Whereas Paula F. Hawkins was instrumental in passing the 
     Missing Children's Assistance Act of 1984 and worked to help 
     establish the National Center for Missing and Exploited 
     Children;
       Whereas Paula F. Hawkins served the people of Florida with 
     distinction for 6 years in the United States Senate;
       Resolved, That the Senate has heard with profound sorrow 
     and deep regret the announcement of the death of the 
     Honorable Paula F. Hawkins, former member of the United 
     States Senate.
       Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate communicate 
     these resolutions to the House of Representatives and 
     transmit an enrolled copy thereof to the family of the 
     deceased.
       Resolved, That when the Senate adjourns today, it stand 
     adjourned as a further mark of respect to the memory of the 
     Honorable Paula F. Hawkins.

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