[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 36 (Tuesday, February 24, 2026)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E160]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF CONGRESSMAN LEE H. HAMILTON

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. ANDRE CARSON

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 24, 2026

  Mr. CARSON. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor the life and legacy of 
Congressman Lee H. Hamilton, a devoted public servant, a champion of 
bipartisanship, and a true Hoosier icon.
  For 34 years, Congressman Hamilton represented Indiana in the United 
States House of Representatives with integrity, civility, and 
unwavering dedication to his constituents. Throughout his tenure, he 
earned national respect for his thoughtful leadership on foreign 
affairs, intelligence, and national security matters, serving as 
Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and playing a pivotal 
role in the Iran-Contra investigation. Later, as Vice Chairman of the 
9/11 Commission, he helped guide our Nation through one of the most 
consequential inquiries in modern American history.
  Congressman Hamilton believed deeply in representative democracy and 
the responsibility of elected officials to work across party lines. He 
forged lasting bipartisan partnerships, including with Senator Richard 
Lugar, demonstrating that principled collaboration strengthens Indiana 
and our Nation. His commitment to civil discourse and institutional 
integrity set a standard for all public servants.
  After retiring from Congress, Congressman Hamilton continued to serve 
our community through scholarship and civic education at Indiana 
University. Through the Hamilton Lugar School of Global and 
International Studies and the Center on Congress, he helped prepare 
future generations to understand and engage in public life with 
seriousness and respect.
  A son of Evansville, a proud graduate of DePauw University and 
Indiana University, and a member of the Indiana Basketball Hall of 
Fame, Lee Hamilton never lost sight of his Hoosier roots. His life 
embodied service to his district, to Indiana, and to America.
  I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Congressman Lee Hamilton's 
extraordinary legacy. May we follow his example of integrity, 
bipartisanship, and devotion to democratic ideals. May his children, 
grandchildren, and all who mourn his passing be comforted by the 
knowledge that we honor his legacy here in Congress, and treasure the 
incredible leadership he shared with us.

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