[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 194 (Monday, November 16, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6691-S6692]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                        Remembering Roger Jepsen

  Mr. GRASSLEY. Madam President, today I pay tribute to our former 
colleague and my friend, former U.S. Senator Roger Jepsen. Roger Jepsen 
passed away last Friday, at age 91, at Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House 
in Quad Cities, IA.
  An Iowa native and an American patriot, Roger devoted his life in 
service to his family, faith, and community. He spent his youth on his 
family farm near Cedar Falls, about 5 miles from where I was born and 
grew up. I still reside within 4 miles of the farmhouse where I was 
born.
  Regardless of the close proximity of us as young people, I didn't 
become acquainted with Roger until he represented Scott County in the 
Iowa Legislature. I wish I had known him earlier when we were 
neighbors, as children.
  For 14 years, Roger served our country in the U.S. Army. He was a 
paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division, and then he later served in 
the Army Reserve.
  Roger worked for 20 years in the life insurance business and was a 
member of the National Association of Life Underwriters. Along the way, 
Roger answered the call to public service and civic leadership. For 
more than two

[[Page S6692]]

decades, he climbed the ranks of elected officials in service to his 
community and the State of Iowa.
  He started out as a county supervisor in Scott County, IA, and went 
on to represent his neighbors in Iowa Senate District 15. An active, 
grassroots leader in the Republican Party of Iowa, Roger served as a 
delegate to the national GOP convention of 1972 and 1980.
  In 1968, he was elected as Iowa's 39th Lieutenant Governor, where he 
served with Governor Bob Ray for two terms. Until Iowa adopted reforms 
under a constitutional amendment in 1972, the office for Governor and 
Lieutenant Governor were on the ballot every 2 years in my home State.
  In 1978, when I won reelection to Iowa's then Third Congressional 
District in the U.S. House of Representatives, Roger Jepsen flipped 
Iowa's U.S. Senate seat. He defeated incumbent Senator Dick Clark. At 
the time, political observers gave Roger scant chance of a victory that 
year, but on election day, Roger Jepsen pulled off the upset, beating 
his opponent by more than 26,000 votes.
  In that same election, Roger returned both houses of the State 
legislature to Republican control for what would be Governor Ray's 
final term in office. In the previous legislative session, Iowa 
expanded its historic ``right to work'' law. For decades, this 
instrumental policy has enhanced Iowa's ability to attract businesses, 
create jobs, and grow wages across the State.
  It was under attack in the last election. Iowa voters responded by 
expanding the Republican majority at the Iowa State House under a 
Republican administration led by Governor Kim Reynolds.
  During his 6 years here in the U.S. Senate, Roger Jepsen solidified 
his pro-life, pro-family credentials. He was a fiscal conservative. He 
flexed steadfast support for the military, and he worked to put money 
back in the taxpayers' pockets.
  In 1981, he voted to end ``bracket creep'' by indexing for inflation 
across-the-board tax rate cuts.
  An outspoken advocate for rural America, Roger Jepsen fought to boost 
the economic recovery across the farm belt. He championed farm exports, 
expanded lending and tax relief for farmers.
  He was chairman of the Joint Economic Committee and served on the 
Senate Agriculture and Armed Services Committees.
  After losing his bid for reelection in 1984, President Reagan 
nominated Roger Jepsen to serve as Chairman of the National Credit 
Union Administration, where he served from the years 1985 to 1993.
  Although he and his wife Dee retired to Florida, Scott County was 
what he considered his home. Roger and Dee devoted considerable time 
and effort to end religious persecution and promote religious liberty. 
Alongside Congressman Jack Kemp, they cofounded the Christian Rescue 
Effort for the Emancipation of Dissidents, known as CREED, to promote 
religious freedom as a human freedom around the world.
  Each time I return home by way of Cedar Falls, IA, I pass Jepsen 
Road. In fact, it intersects my street. Over the years, Roger's and my 
paths crossed many times in service to Iowans. Seeing that street sign 
reminds me that no dream is too big for an Iowa farm kid.
  Roger and Dee celebrated 62 years of marriage in September. Together 
they raised 6 children.
  Barbara and I extend our condolences to his family and loved ones. On 
behalf of the State of Iowa, we thank Roger for his service here on 
Earth as he is welcomed home into the hands of the Lord.
  I yield the floor.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The bill clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. CORNYN. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.