[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 37 (Wednesday, March 7, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Page S1456]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                REMEMBERING MINNESOTA SENATOR GARY KUBLY

 Mr. FRANKEN. Mr. President, I would like to take a few minutes 
to remember the life of Minnesota Senator Gary Kubly, who died on 
Friday, March 2, after a battle with Lou Gehrig's disease.
  Gary was a model Midwestern politician--one who worked hard, but 
quietly, on behalf of his constituents. He was a strong voice for the 
rural communities that he served, communities whose struggles continue 
to mount and are shared across this country. He cared deeply about 
issues from agriculture and rural development to education and the 
environment.
  In 2010, Gary was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, more 
commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease. As a Lutheran pastor, Gary met 
his diagnosis with strong faith and determination. He chose to continue 
his work in public service, always putting his constituents first.
  Gary wasn't the stereotypical politician whom many disparage so often 
in today's discourse. He kept his head down and just worked for the 
people who elected him, reaching across ideological boundaries to do 
his job. In his 16 years in the Minnesota House and Senate, he didn't 
seek out the limelight. He simply served as a voice for rural 
Minnesota, and he was remarkably effective.
  We in this body have a lot to learn from Gary's style of legislating. 
Minnesota benefited greatly from his work, and we have lost a hard-
working public servant and friend.
  I would like to conclude with a prayer that Gary read at a Minnesota 
Farmers Union convention in 2010, which I think is a perfect reflection 
of his values:
  Creator God, Redeemer Son and Indwelling Spirit, we thank You for 
bringing us together this weekend. Be with us as we attempt to move our 
industry forward in ways that benefit the people of our State and 
Nation.
  Help us to see that the decisions we make in caring for the land, 
marketing local foods, sustaining our resources for all of these things 
are part and parcel of our call as Your people to care for our 
neighbor.
  Help us to embrace once again the values of community that allow us 
to see our neighbors in the same light that You see them for You have 
created all of us in equal standing before You.
  Move us from our tendency to isolate ourselves from one another to 
seeing our neighbors as benefactors along with us of Your love and 
grace.
  Bless us now as we received these gifts of nourishment from Your hand 
that we might be sustained in our call to care for our neighbor coupled 
with our own call to farm the land You have given into our keeping.
  In Your strong name, Amen.

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