[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 122 (Thursday, July 31, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1292-E1293]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                REMEMBERING FORMER REP. CALDWELL BUTLER

                                  _____
                                 

                           HON. FRANK R. WOLF

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 31, 2014

  Mr. WOLF. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remember and honor my former 
colleague, Rep. Caldwell Butler of Roanoke, who passed away on July 29, 
2014 at the age of 89.
  I will always remember Caldwell as a true Virginia gentleman. 
Representing Virginia's Sixth District from 1972 until 1983, I had the 
pleasure of serving with him during my first term in Congress. I 
appreciated Caldwell's golden character and the lasting impact he had 
on this body. He was a good, decent and honorable man--qualities that 
we should all aspire to emulate; qualities that are especially 
important for those in public service.
  Rep. Butler had a great sense of humor and sharp wit. As a member of 
the House Judiciary Committee, he demonstrated these qualities each and 
every day. He served his country and his district with distinction.
  Prior to serving in Congress, Caldwell joined the Navy during World 
War II and later attended the University of Richmond and the University 
of Virginia School of Law. In 1962, he was elected to the Virginia 
House of Delegates, where he served until his election to Congress.
  Caldwell and his wife, June, were always a team. Sadly, June passed 
away just last month. Together, they raised four sons--Manley, Henry, 
James and Marshall--and have seven grandchildren and two step-
grandchildren
  I submit the following article from The Roanoke Times on Caldwell's 
life and accomplishments. I respectfully ask that my colleagues join me 
in extending our deepest condolences to his family and in honoring his 
great service to our country.

                [From the Roanoke Times, July 29, 2014]

 Caldwell Butler, Former Roanoke Congressman Who Cast Key Vote During 
                            Watergate, Dies

       Caldwell Butler, a former congressman from Roanoke who was 
     thrust into the national spotlight when he became one of the 
     few Republicans to favor Richard Nixon's impeachment during 
     the Watergate scandal, has died. He was 89.
       Richard Cullen, a close family friend and former Virginia 
     attorney general, confirmed Butler's death this morning. 
     Cullen said he expects funeral services to be held Friday at 
     St. John's Church in Roanoke. Butler's wife, June, died last 
     month.
       Rep. Bob Goodlatte, R-Roanoke County, who holds the 6th 
     District seat today, remembered Butler in comments before the 
     Judiciary Committee today. Longtime Rep. John Conyers, D-
     Mich., also recalled serving with Butler. Watch the comments 
     here.
       Butler was first elected to Congress representing 
     Virginia's 6th District in 1972, running as a member of ``the 
     Nixon team'' in a district where Nixon amassed 72 percent of 
     the vote. But less than two years later, in a dramatic 
     reversal, Butler voted for Nixon's impeachment.
       As a freshman member of the House Judiciary Committee, 
     Butler was thrown by circumstance into the Watergate scandal, 
     which grew out of Nixon's cover-up of a break-in at the 
     Democratic headquarters in 1972. Through the spring and 
     summer of 1974, as the committee investigated the actions of 
     the president and his advisers, Butler's role became more 
     important.
       Butler had supported Nixon's legislative efforts. And some 
     said he owed his own congressional career to the GOP 
     landslide sparked by Nixon.
       Butler was viewed as one of the half-dozen crucial swing 
     votes on the Judiciary Committee, though. During most of the 
     committee hearings, he had not joined the president's 
     attackers. But neither had he joined the defenders.

[[Page E1293]]

       Butler and the other pivotal committee members were 
     considered bellwethers of support for impeachment. When 
     Butler announced, in July 1974, that he backed two 
     impeachment charges, the president's defense withered.

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