[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 77 (Tuesday, June 4, 2013)]
[Senate]
[Page S3921]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    REMEMBERING FRANK R. LAUTENBERG

  Mr. CORNYN. Mr. President, I join others of our colleagues in 
mourning the passing of our friend and former colleague Senator Frank 
Lautenberg. Senator Lautenberg joined this body in 2003 for the second 
time. I was immensely struck by his tenacious work ethic and his deep-
seated devotion to the people of his State, the State of New Jersey. 
These are attributes that would serve all of us well and served him 
well and are something to which we can all and should all aspire.
  Senator Lautenberg's legacy will be forever woven in the fabric of 
America's history. His work on the new GI bill of rights has helped 
ensure that thousands of America's fighting men and women receive the 
support they need when they come home and the opportunity to become 
part of the next ``greatest generation.''
  With his passing, the Senate has lost its final member of what we all 
know or have come to call, as Tom Brokaw did, the ``greatest 
generation,'' the World War II generation, the generation my dad served 
in as part of the Army Air Corps in flying B-17s in World War II, and 
my father-in-law, who landed on Utah Beach on the second day of the 
Normandy invasion. These were great Americans, and it is their 
sacrifice and the contribution they have made to our way of life that 
have made it possible for America to remain the envy of the world.
  We are also reminded that our time in this Chamber is fleeting, and 
we should be humbled by that reminder.
  There have been 43 new Senators who have come to the Senate since 
2007 alone. The reason I counted is because that was the last time we 
took up immigration reform--a subject we are going to turn to perhaps 
next week. Forty-three new Senators since 2007. Perhaps we will have 44 
by the time we turn to that topic next week. We are reminded it is our 
duty as Americans to ensure this Chamber will host future generations 
of great Americans as well.

  As Senator Lautenberg goes to his rest, my prayer is that his loved 
ones can take solace in the fact that he played such an important part 
in the great American story with honor and integrity.

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