[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 130 (Monday, July 26, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E812-E813]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  EULOGY FOR WALLACE ``WALLY'' BARNES

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN B. LARSON

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 26, 2021

  Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Madam Speaker, on Monday June 21, 2021, I 
attended the funeral service for Wallace ``Wally'' Barnes. I wish to 
include in the Record my eulogy for Wally's wife, former U.S. Secretary 
of Commerce Barbara Franklin, who served our Nation with distinction. I 
will always treasure Wally's friendship and am grateful for his 
leadership in Connecticut and across the Nation.

       Barbara, Tom and Melanie, Jarre and Whit, the entire Barnes 
     family--what an honor to be part of this tribute to Wally.
       COVID has certainly turned our lives upside down, and while 
     time doesn't ease his passing, it has provided us time to 
     reflect on the man. Even at 94, he was still an immense 
     resource, whose advice was widely sought by business and 
     civic leaders.
       In this state--the land of steady habits; a state of sturdy 
     Oaks--he was a Giant Sequoia. I guess when you 're a direct 
     descendent of Ebenezer Barnes, the first settler of Bristol, 
     one could argue that Wally was the embodiment of the concept 
     of ``Noblesse Oblige.''
       And that obligation started with love of family and carried 
     over to his beloved community of Bristol, the State of 
     Connecticut, and our great Nation. Any examination of his 
     life in general--both in and out of public office--quickly 
     demonstrates that public service was not some avocation, or 
     hobby for Wally, it was a way of life.
       A value he cherished, practiced, and nurtured in his 
     family, his community, his state, and nation. And was 
     reflected in his business, civic, and charitable endeavors. I 
     was fortunate to first meet Wally when I was in the 
     Connecticut Senate. We shared that common experience of being 
     a part of ``The Circle.''
       As many know, the State Senate is called the Circle because 
     of its geometric shape, but also because unlike the House of 
     Representatives, we sit in a circle of peers, neither 
     distinguished by rank or political affiliation . . . as 
     equals.
       We chuckled over his famous ``Nikita Khrushchev moment.'' 
     This Republican scion of the Prescott Bush era was hardly a 
     Nikita--but his actions worked. He got the public's and 
     press' attention and made us all remember that it's important 
     not to abuse the rights of the minority.
       He first ran for Congress in 1954 against Thomas J. Dodd, 
     and I would like to read a letter to you Barbara from someone 
     familiar with that race:


                     Letter from Senator Chris Dodd

       Dear Barbara, I sincerely regret that I cannot be with you 
     in person today to celebrate Wally's life. He was a good 
     friend.
       Wally and I enjoyed a warm relationship spanning many 
     decades. Like so many others, I admired Wally, I appreciated 
     his counsel, advice, and support. I was also thankful for his 
     willingness to clearly share his views--when we agreed and 
     when we disagreed.
       Barbara, as you and your family know, our families go back 
     many years. It was 67 years ago in 1954 when Wally and my 
     father competed for the same congressional seat, the very 
     seat that John Larson now holds.
       Wally, of course, went on to have a very successful and 
     productive life. The Barnes Group, as all of us in 
     Connecticut are aware, was extremely successful under Wally's 
     leadership. Further, Wally loved his hometown of Bristol and 
     was a treasured, contributing member of the community and our 
     state for many, many years.
       Let me add that Wally Barnes was a great example of what 
     might be called an American original. If I were asked to 
     describe my image of a great American, I could not give a 
     better description than Wally Barnes--patriotic, creative, 
     imaginative, thoughtful, a person who was always willing to 
     help others, with healthy doses of confidence and humility.
       And so, Barbara, we were fortunate that Wally was a part of 
     our lives and we thank you for sharing him with us.
       Christopher J. Dodd.
       Wally and I both served in the Senate for 12 years. He was 
     the Republican Leader and I, as a Democrat- in different 
     times but with a similar result. We were both candidates for 
     Governor for our respective parties--he in 1970, and I in 
     1994.
       In what was a to be a heartbreaking loss for the citizens 
     of the State-he lost to Tom Meskill, and I to Bill Curry. We 
     had both served on various commissions and I can remember a 
     call I received from him after my defeat. But mostly I 
     remember that laugh, when he asked how I felt and I said, 
     ``Hey, Peacock one day, feather duster the next.'' And he 
     laughed that hearty Barnes laugh of disarming approval. Here 
     this giant of industry, presiding over chambers of commerce, 
     the Connecticut Business and Industry Association, this 
     highly respected Republican, was calling to soften the blow 
     that only people who have been through it can grasp. I can't 
     tell you how important that was and what it meant to me 
     personally.
       Wally's sense of humor, his ability to relate to the 
     everyday concerns of ordinary people, was remarkable and 
     endeared him to me and those around him. He was genuine and 
     sincere, believable and had our trust. And his focus was 
     always on getting things done. Quite a contrast to politics 
     today. Barbara I would like to read a letter to you:


                    Letter from President Joe Biden

       Dear Madam Secretary, Jill and I send our deepest 
     sympathies on the passing of your beloved husband, Wally. We 
     are thinking of you and praying for your peace.
       There are few words that I can share to ease the pain of 
     losing a partner--it leaves a hole in our hearts. Wally 
     dedicated himself to the people of Connecticut and the state 
     he loved. He was a leader, a good man, and a great husband, 
     father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. As you reflect on 
     your time together, may the love that you shared be a shining 
     light in the years to come.
       There is an Irish headstone I often quote. It reads, 
     ``Death leaves a heartache no one can heal. Love leaves a 
     memory no one can steal.'' Though the grieving process never 
     quite ends, I promise you that the day will come when Wally's 
     memory will bring a smile to your lips before it brings a 
     tear to your eye. My prayer for you is that this day comes 
     sooner rather than later.
       Sincerely, Joe Biden.
       Time does heal as the President has indicated and has 
     brought a few tears but an equal number of smiles for a man 
     who put service above self.
       A master pilot, he applied to politics what he applied to 
     aviation. And just like George H.W. Bush, he believed in the 
     pilot's team C.A.V.U., which stands for Ceiling And 
     Visibility Unlimited. He inspired others to believe that you 
     could go as far and as high as their vision, imagination, and 
     courage will take you.
       Thank you, Wally Barnes. God bless you, God bless America.

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