[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 76 (Friday, May 6, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E459-E460]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            HONORING SENATOR AND DIPLOMAT ROBERT C. KRUEGER

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOAQUIN CASTRO

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 6, 2022

  Mr. CASTRO of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of 
former U.S. Ambassador and Senator Robert C. Krueger, who passed away 
on April 30, 2022, at the age of 86.
  Born September 19, 1935, in New Braunfels, Texas, Krueger earned 
degrees from Southern Methodist University, Duke, and Oxford. His 
passion for education would play an integral role in his professional 
life, and he spent most of his career in academia--first as a professor 
of English literature and later teaching government and ethics--at Duke 
University, the University of Texas at Austin, Rice University, Oxford 
University, Texas State University, and Texas Tech University.
  In 1974, the people of Texas's 21st Congressional District elected 
Krueger to be their U.S. Representative, and he was voted after his 
first term as the most effective freshman Member. Furthermore, in 1976, 
he was the only other Texan to stand and speak in support of 
Congresswoman Barbara Jordan's amendment to the 1965 Voting Rights Act. 
As the late Congresswoman said, ``He believed that democracy includes 
everybody.'' After two terms in the House, Krueger was appointed by 
President Jimmy Carter to serve as U.S. Ambassador-at-Large and 
Coordinator for Mexican Affairs. He remained in that role through the 
end of the Carter Presidency.
  In 1990, Texas voters elected Krueger to the Texas Railroad 
Commission, a powerful entity that regulates oil and gas. Two years 
later, Texas Governor Ann Richards appointed him to fill the vacant 
Senate seat left by Senator Lloyd Bentsen. In the Senate, Krueger 
introduced anti-stalking legislation, and would

[[Page E460]]

fight to strengthen healthcare for veterans, combat pollution in the 
Gulf of Mexico, and end Federal subsidies for tobacco, among other 
priorities.
  After Krueger's Senate term ended, President Bill Clinton appointed 
him Ambassador to Burundi. At the time, Burundi was suffering from 
intense violence and political conflict, and the assignment represented 
deep faith in Krueger's diplomatic abilities. Krueger served in Burundi 
until 1995, when his convoy was ambushed by gunmen in an assassination 
attempt due to his vocal opposition to the genocide. On his courage, 
President Bill Clinton remarked, `` . . . if we didn't have brave 
people there, like Ambassador Bob Krueger, it would be even harder to 
avoid human tragedy.'' From 1996 to 1999, Krueger served as U.S. 
Ambassador to Botswana and later as a Special U.S. Representative to 
the Southern African Development Community (SADC) from 1998 to 2000. 
After an accomplished career in public service, Krueger returned to 
academia and retired in 2017, living out his days in New Braunfels at 
the same house in which he grew up.
  Madam Speaker, I join my fellow Texans in mourning the loss of a 
stalwart patriot and public servant. Senator Bob Krueger's career took 
him around the world, but he never lost sight of his deep roots in 
Texas. My thoughts are with his wife of 39 years, Kathleen, his 
children, Mariana, Sarah and Christian, and all those who knew and 
loved him.

                          ____________________