[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 58 (Friday, April 15, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E495]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   REMEMBERING SENATOR EUGENE McCARTHY IN HONOR OF HIS 100TH BIRTHDAY

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                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, April 15, 2016

  Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Senator Eugene 
Joseph McCarthy, in celebration of his 100th birthday this month. A 
native of Watkins, Minnesota, Mr. McCarthy went on to proudly serve 
Minnesota in the U.S. House, representing Saint Paul and surrounding 
communities, the 4th Congressional District for 10 years and U.S. 
Senate for 12 years.
  Senator McCarthy graduated from St. John's University on the shores 
of Lake Sagatagan in Collegeville, Minnesota in 1935. Before he ever 
ran for political office and embarked on his storied career as a 
legislator, he was a passionate educator who taught in high schools, 
and later, at the university level. Beyond being an educator, Mr. 
McCarthy also served his country admirably during World War II while 
working in the War Department's Intelligence division as a codebreaker.
  In 1949 Mr. McCarthy was elected to the House of Representatives as a 
member of Minnesota's Democratic Farm-Labor party. During his ten years 
in the House he was well known amongst his colleagues for his agreeable 
personality and, because of his wit, received the nickname ``the 
Needle''. He developed a liberal voting record which he carried with 
him when he was elected to the Senate in 1958. While there, Senator 
McCarthy earned a national following for his outspoken criticism of the 
Vietnam War and of President Johnson's policies in Southeast Asia.
  In 1967 he announced his candidacy for the 1968 Democratic 
presidential nomination. As a candidate, he possessed the ability to 
energize and inspire legions of young voters, many of whom had become 
disillusioned with our democracy, and felt that their voices were no 
longer being heard. His impact on them was exemplified by the ``Clean 
for Gene'' movement that became popular among his supporters before the 
New Hampshire primary, where male supporters would shave their long 
hair, beards, and mustaches while campaigning for him. His supporters 
put their hopes and inspirations in him, and he did the same of them. 
Of his campaign he said ``I am hopeful that this challenge may 
alleviate this sense of political helplessness and restore to many 
people a belief in the processes of American politics and of American 
government.'' He ran for president not for the sake of his ego, but 
because of the unshakeable belief he had in the power and resilience of 
our democracy. His time in public service changed public discourse and 
policy for the better and left a legacy of peacemaking in Minnesota and 
throughout our country that lasts to this day.
  Residents of Minnesota's 4th Congressional District share special 
pride as the first voters to send Mr. McCarthy to Washington. He was a 
true American patriot who stood up for his beliefs as well as the 
interests of the constituents he represented. It is an honor and 
privilege to represent the Congressional District that he served.
  Mr. Speaker, once again, I rise to honor Senator Eugene McCarthy and 
the legacy that he left on the political landscape both in his beloved 
home state of Minnesota, and across the country.

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