[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 141 (Wednesday, September 21, 2011)]
[House]
[Pages H6277-H6278]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING SENATOR MALCOLM WALLOP

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
Wyoming (Mrs. Lummis) for 5 minutes.
  Mrs. LUMMIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a heart that is both 
heavy and full of pride. On September 14, former U.S. Senator Malcolm 
Wallop passed away at the age of 78. Senator Wallop brought to the 
Congress his considerable influence, outspoken conservatism, and keen 
intelligence. The word ``statesman'' only begins to scratch the surface 
of Malcolm Wallop's accomplishments.
  After serving in the Wyoming Legislature for several terms, Malcolm 
Wallop was elected to the United States Senate in 1976, a seat he held 
for 18 years. In the Senate, he served on numerous committees. He was 
the ranking member of Energy and Natural Resources and was the first 
nonlawyer in the history of the Senate to serve on the Judiciary 
Committee.
  His efforts on the Judiciary Committee led to the enactment of the 
first international parental kidnapping statute, protecting children 
from being abducted overseas by noncustodial parents.
  Through his work on Finance, Congress cut inheritance and gift taxes 
in 1981, which, among other things, ensured that ranching families 
could continue their operations upon the death of a family business 
partner.
  He was also a tireless promoter of free trade, making new numerous 
trips abroad to promote GATT to reduce tariff barriers.
  Due to his service on the Intelligence and Armed Services Committees, 
Senator Wallop served on the Helsinki Commission, which was charged 
with negotiating a number of complex arms control treaties, including 
SALT I, II, and III. Senator Wallop was one of the first persons 
outside of the old Soviet Union to meet with Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn 
while he was still a prisoner in the gulag.
  In the Cowboy State, Senator Wallop was a champion of protecting the 
western way of life, including an amendment to the 1980 Clean Water Act 
prohibiting Federal usurpation of State water rights and an amendment 
to the Surface Mining Control Act that directed the Federal Government 
to compensate owners of mineral rights for the loss of the right to 
mine.
  Senator Wallop was one of the first legislators to lead the charge 
against the ``War on the West,'' which subordinated States' rights and 
severely limited multiple use of our public lands. In 1984, the 
Republican Senator partnered with Democrat John Breaux of Louisiana to 
author the Wallop-Breaux Sport Fishing Restoration Act to promote boat 
safety and fish habitat conservation along with enhancing fishing 
opportunities, including those for the handicapped.
  Senator Wallop was also committed to education and volunteerism. In 
1979,

[[Page H6278]]

Congress passed his legislation establishing the Congressional Award 
Program, which is privately funded and is the only volunteer award 
given in the name of Congress. Wyoming is proud to have the most active 
participation in that program.
  Upon his retirement from Congress, Senator Wallop founded Frontiers 
of Freedom, a conservative think tank promoting freedom, fewer Federal 
regulations, and smaller government.
  He was a man of supreme integrity, incredible intellect and a quick 
wit, humble to a fault and exceedingly kind. I am told he always had 
time to ask a Capitol Hill elevator operator or police officer about 
their family on his way to a vote. He had a tremendously devoted staff, 
many of whom worked for him for the full 18 years of his tenure in the 
Senate.
  Finally, Malcolm Wallop was the descendent of an entrepreneurial 
pioneer family who had roots in Wyoming and the British Isles as well. 
Senator Wallop's grandfather served not only in England's Parliament 
but the Wyoming Legislature. The first polo field in the United States 
was built on the Wallop family ranch at Big Horn, Wyoming.
  Senator Wallop was a man blessed with four wonderful children, many 
grandchildren, and his wife, Isabel. My thoughts and prayers are with 
his family. In their time of sadness, let them be comforted in the 
knowledge that Wyoming stands strong today because of Senator Wallop's 
untiring love of, and commitment to, our great State.

                          ____________________