[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 47 (Tuesday, March 25, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E433]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 RECOGNIZING ROBERT S. ``BOB'' STRAUSS

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 25, 2014

  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to 
recognize Robert S. ``Bob'' Strauss who passed away last Wednesday, 
March 19 at age 95. Strauss was not only a fixture in Dallas and Texas, 
he was nationally revered as a close advisor to presidents of both 
parties, from Lyndon B. Johnson to George W. Bush.
  Not only was Strauss politically valuable to our nation, his 
personality was unforgettable. Bob Strauss was personally influential 
and I admire him greatly. Strauss' weight on our political world today 
was extremely vast. His contributions to Dallas and to Texas will not 
be forgotten.
  Strauss had early success as a graduate of the University of Texas at 
Austin where he campaigned for a state-assembly candidate and 
volunteered for Lyndon B. Johnson's first congressional campaign. 
Strauss completed his law degree at the University of Texas and worked 
as a special agent for the Federal Bureau of Investigations during 
World War II. At the end of the war, he and fellow FBI agent founded 
the law firm Gump and Strauss which later evolved into Akin, Gump, 
Strauss, Hauer, and Feld. In law school, he met former Texas Governor 
John Connally who helped Strauss cultivate his political career.
  Strauss served as the Chairman of the Democratic National Committee 
between 1972 and 1977. Strauss has been credited for the Democratic 
Party's reunification that helped to elect President Jimmy Carter in 
1976. During the Carter Administration, Strauss served as the United 
States Trade Representative and as Middle East negotiator. During the 
first Bush Administration, he served as the U.S. ambassador to the 
Soviet Union and subsequently as the U.S. ambassador to Russia. Strauss 
played a major role for American interests during the Soviet Union's 
breakdown and the emergence of a democratic Russia. Strauss was awarded 
the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Carter in 1981.
  Strauss had the unique ability to serve presidents and political 
leaders on both sides of the aisle. His political astuteness and skill 
are rare traits and will be fondly remembered. I urge my colleagues to 
recognize and celebrate the life of Bob Strauss.

                          ____________________