[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 108 (Tuesday, July 19, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4672-S4673]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
REMEMBERING CONGRESSMAN ROBERT F. ELLSWORTH
Mr. ROBERTS. Mr. President, today I commemorate the life of Robert F.
Ellsworth--a dear friend and mentor to myself, loving husband to his
wife Eleanor, and leader to many. In his service throughout his life as
a lawyer, officer, Congressman, Presidential aide, and Ambassador, Bob
met challenges as opportunities and transformed ideas into reality. His
memorial service was held at St. Francis Episcopal Church in Potomac on
Saturday, June 11. Along with my own statement, I ask that the
following statements from that day be printed in the Record.
Statement From Senator Pat Roberts
It is both an honor and a privilege to offer just a few
brief thoughts as we friends celebrate the unique and special
life of our friend Bob Ellsworth.
Many people would define happiness in many different ways.
However, a good definition of happiness would be Eleanor in
that she brought so much happiness into Bob's life and, for
that matter, to everyone privileged to meet and know her.
Eleanor, our prayers and thoughts are with you. I really
don't think anyone can capture or fully describe Bob
Ellsworth, but here is my take:
First, he was a friend of the Roberts family dating back to
my Dad and such a loyal friend. Second, throughout his
wonderful and most notable career, Bob was just plain nice; a
true gentleman. The late congressman Bill Emerson of
Missouri, who worked as a staffer for Congressman Bob
Ellsworth, said he was the best and most unique boss he ever
had. Bill often said, ``Bob Ellsworth would come around and
ask us if we were happy with our jobs. I first thought I was
going to be fired but soon realized he really cared about his
staff and wanted them to feel useful and if they thought they
were making a difference.'' As a Senator, I try to follow his
example with my staff today. But, seriously, who does that
today?
Third, he was not only my friend but mentor as well. He
made wonderful things happen for me and gave me so many
opportunities: serving on the German-American International
Exchange just as the wall came down and putting up with a
freshman Senator and later on the Commission on America's
National Interests with the Who's Who of America's foreign
and national security policy makers. This time, with Bob's
help, I think I actually made a difference. And, he was a
mentor and advisor to so many and like so many of his stature
and knowledge, he seldom offered advice and counsel without
first being asked. Bob Dole and I asked a lot and I know Bob
regrets deeply he cannot be in attendance.
I affectionately called Bob Ellsworth the Phantom with the
light bulbs. He would always call, drop in suddenly, like the
Phantom and then give me a rapid fire summary of what others
of like mind were thinking and what he thought. During his
dissertation and wonderful visit, light bulbs would go off in
my head always with the thought, ``Why didn't I think of
that?''
I really think Bob Ellsworth was a genius who somehow let
you believe you really came up with his latest insight. Being
an over the top Kansas State University enthusiast, genius
may be the proper description but we mere Kansas State
graduates simply said he was ``pretty damn smart.''
I will miss my friend and mentor as will so many. We shall
not see the likes of Bob Ellsworth again. I thank the Dear
Lord for allowing me to know, learn from and truly enjoy Bob
Ellsworth during this space and time.
____
Statement From Secretary of State Henry A. Kissinger
As we grow older, life becomes more and more lonely as the
pillars on which we counted disappear one by one. Bob was one
of those patriots who sustained our country and gave meaning
to our personal life. Over the decades of our acquaintance,
he always stood for principles I respect and was committed to
concepts of service that have made our country great.
He will be missed but long remembered.
____
Statement From Former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld
Bob Ellsworth led a life dedicated to service. From his
time as a Naval officer in World War II and in the Korean
War, to his service in the Congress and as U.S. ambassador to
NATO, to his tour in the Pentagon as an Assistant Secretary
and later Deputy Secretary, Bob did not drift from his love
of country and sense of duty. Never one to give in to
pessimism or mistrust, he radiated warmth and solid, common
sense. Our paths first crossed in the early 1960s, a time
when warmth and common sense were not always in ample supply.
We came to know each other in the U.S. Congress, when
differences over civil rights, riots over political
assassinations, and rancor over the Vietnam War peaked across
the country. His was always a steadying hand. A serious
legislator, he believed that his job in representing his
constituents consisted of the often unglamorous work of
working on legislation in committee rooms and at late nights
behind his office desk. Bob wasn't a man short on courage. He
helped a small group of upstart Republicans turn out the
incumbent House leadership in 1964 and elect Gerald Ford as
Minority Leader.
It's been said by Soviet dissident Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn
that ``hastiness and superficiality'' are distinguishing
features of the 20th century, and that nowhere are they on
more display than in the press and in politics. But Bob
Ellsworth was the antidote to hastiness and superficiality.
What he lacked in flash, he made up in substance. As the
senior official in charge of Defense Department intelligence
operations, Bob manned
[[Page S4673]]
the ramparts against white-hot Congressional committee
investigations that often seemed to be excoriating the
intelligence community rather than helping to fix it. He
responded to partisanship with collegiality and to bluster
with thought. Joyce and I regret that we cannot be with Bob's
family and his many friends to mourn, to remember, and to
most of all, to celebrate a life lived to its fullest. Our
thoughts and prayers are with Eleanor, Ann and William. May
God bless Bob Ellsworth, his loving family, and the country
he served so ably.
____
Statement by Former Senators Bob and Elizabeth Dole
Dear Friends of Bob Ellsworth,
Longstanding commitments in Kansas prevent us from being
physically present as you celebrate Bob Ellsworth's life and
legacy. But we are very much with you in spirit and in our
prayers. We share not only the grief felt by Bob's family and
friends--but also their gratitude for all he accomplished in
84 remarkable years. Along the way Bob earned many titles of
distinction. Yet no resume, however impressive, can do
justice to the character of this man. Exactly fifty years
have passed since the two Bobs--Ellsworth and Dole--first
arrived in Washington. We came from opposite ends of Kansas,
and not just geographically. But from the start we were
kindred spirits. Bob loved his country second only to his
family. He made politics a noble calling. His example of
personal civility and respect for his colleagues has much to
teach today's public servants as they strive to be patriots
ahead of partisans. Nor will either of us ever forget the day
in December, 1975, when Bob served as best man at our
wedding. The title might well have been coined for him, and
not in a ceremonial capacity alone. For the odds were great
that, whatever setting Bob graced by his presence, he was the
best man there.
It is customary to address public officials, and
particularly members of Congress, as ``Honorable.'' No man we
know did more to deserve that label than Bob Ellsworth. Much
as we will miss him, we will be forever thankful that our
lives were so entwined with, and enriched by, the life we
celebrate today.
____
Statement From the Center for the National Interest
The Center for the National Interest and The National
Interest lost a leader and a dear friend with the death of
Bob Ellsworth on Monday, May 9.
Center Honorary Chairman and former Secretary of State
Henry Kissinger, a close colleague for many years, described
Ellsworth as ``a great public servant and a valued friend.''
Bob was a key member of the Center's board from its inception
and had been Vice Chairman since 2008. He was also President
of The National Interest, Inc. and a long-time member of the
magazine Advisory Council.
Bob was among the small group who advised Richard Nixon on
the creation of the Center in the early 1990s. Nixon relied
heavily on Bob's advice over the years, both in and out of
government--he knew, as he put it, that Bob was one of the
rare individuals in Washington who would tell him what he
needed to hear, not what he wanted to hear.
As a true gentleman, Bob Ellsworth always delivered his
candid views with grace and tact, to Nixon and to others.
Though very independent-minded--demonstrated in his
opposition to the wars in Vietnam and Iraq, and his
endorsement of Barack Obama after a lifelong career as a
leading Republican--Bob's personal charm and openness ensured
that he was widely respected and admired, even by those with
different perspectives. Bob was rare for one of his stature
and accomplishment in being able to take bold positions on
important issues while always remaining civil and ensuring
that differences were substantive rather than personal.
During his long and varied career, Bob was a soldier, a
politician, a diplomat, an official, a scholar, and, most
recently, an investor. This included service in World War II
and the Korean War, in the United States Congress, as
Ambassador to NATO and later Assistant Secretary and Deputy
Secretary of Defense. In addition to his leadership at our
Center and its magazine, Bob served for many years as
Chairman of the Council of the International Institute for
Strategic Studies (London). He was also a member of the
Council on Foreign Relations, the Atlantic Council, the
American Council on Germany, and many other internationally
focused organizations.
Bob was also a great patriot. He worked and fought
throughout his life to advance American leadership, American
security, and American principles. He believed strongly in
America's exceptionalism--but was convinced that our country
should also be exceptional in its tolerance and humility in
dealing with others. Bob was also a profoundly religious man,
married to an Episcopal priest. Yet as in the case of his
patriotism, his piety was personal rather than public.
Robert Ellsworth was a genuine role model--a man of
uncommon strength, determination, wisdom, and warmth whom all
should emulate. He will be greatly missed. We offer our
deepest condolences to his wife, Rev. Eleanor Ellsworth, and
his family.
____________________