[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 101 (Thursday, June 26, 2014)]
[Senate]
[Page S4109]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                        Remembering Howard Baker

  Mr. McCONNELL. Madam President, it is with great sadness that I 
announce the passing of one of the Senate's most towering figures, 
Senator Howard Baker.
  The Senate sends its sincere condolences to the family of Senator 
Baker. In particular, we want to pass along our deep sympathies to his 
wife Nancy Landon Kassebaum Baker. Many of us served alongside Nancy in 
the Senate, and we know this must be a difficult moment for her.
  Senator Baker was a true pathbreaker. He served as Tennessee's first 
popularly elected Republican Senator since Reconstruction. He served as 
America's first Republican majority leader since the time of 
Eisenhower. He served his Nation with distinction as a member of the 
U.S. Navy, as Chief of Staff to President Reagan, and as our country's 
Ambassador to Japan.
  Senator Baker truly earned his nickname, the ``Great Conciliator.'' I 
know he will be remembered with fondness by Members of both political 
parties.
  Again, let me express the Senate's sympathies to the Baker family. He 
will be missed by the Senate and by his country.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The majority leader.
  Mr. REID. Madam President, as the distinguished Republican leader has 
said, this body--the U.S. Senate--has lost a member of its family, 
Tennessean Howard Baker.
  We know of his long and distinguished career. He served three terms 
in the Senate. He served as minority leader and ended his career as 
majority leader. He was an earnest man and worked with any and all 
Members of this body in passing legislation for the good of America.
  As the Republican leader has mentioned, he worked under the direction 
of President George W. Bush as Ambassador to Japan. He was President 
Reagan's Chief of Staff. He was someone who could do everything.
  He was well liked by Democrats and Republicans. He was a fine man. I 
did not know him as well as my colleague the Republican leader or of 
course the two sitting Tennessee Senators.
  He enjoyed an illustrious career in public service and it was 
accomplished, everyone said, by his hard work. He loved foreign affairs 
and did a great job. He was motivated by his heartfelt desire to do 
good in the world. Our thoughts go to his family and his wife, whom I 
had the good fortune to serve with.
  I do say this: The two fine men who now serve in the Senate from 
Tennessee, I am confident, learned a lot from Howard Baker because the 
senior Senator from Tennessee is also a person who wants to try to work 
things out. The junior Senator from Tennessee and I have had many 
conversations. I believe he also wants to be someone who works things 
out.
  So my sympathy goes to Senator Baker's family and friends, especially 
the two Senators from Tennessee, who I am sure are heartbroken as a 
result of the loss of their mentor, friend, one of the great people to 
come out of Tennessee, and there have been plenty.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The assistant bill clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Ms. MURKOWSKI. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the 
order for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Ms. MURKOWSKI. Madam President, I wish to speak very briefly this 
afternoon to acknowledge a hero. I come to the floor just after the 
announcement has been made about a leader in the Senate, Senator Baker. 
While I did not have the privilege of serving at the same time as he, 
my father did. They were close friends, not only Senator Baker but 
Senator Kassebaum. My heart, my thoughts go out to the family. The 
contributions clearly from Senator Baker on so many different levels 
are so greatly appreciated.