[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 115 (Wednesday, July 15, 2026)]
[House]
[Pages H4540-H4543]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HONORING SENATOR LINDSEY GRAHAM
(Under the Speaker's announced policy of January 3, 2025, Mr. Wilson
of South Carolina was recognized for 30 minutes.)
Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, the South Carolina House
delegation is humbled to pay tribute to our beloved late U.S. Senator
Lindsey Graham. We have several Members here tonight to speak.
Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from South Carolina, (Mr.
Norman) of Rock Hill.
Mr. NORMAN. Mr. Speaker, first of all, I thank Congressman Wilson for
organizing this tribute to a dear friend of all of us, not only in
South Carolina but all over every State in this country.
I wish everyone could have been in the Senate well when Darline, his
sister, took the oath of office from the President pro-tempore of the
Senate and then took the desk that Lindsey had occupied for 24 years in
the Senate. It was moving. It was a tribute to Lindsey Graham that she
was able to do this and appointed by Governor McMaster.
Lindsey understood that success in South Carolina meant looking out
for every South Carolinian. Whether it was a major defense project or a
small-town infrastructure need, he fought to bring Federal resources
back to South Carolina and make sure that every corner of our State had
a voice in Washington, D.C.
From securing the Medal of Honor for a marine, Major James Capers--it
was a 5-year timeframe to work to get Major Capers the Medal of Honor,
Lindsey was a part of that--to supporting our military installations,
strengthening our border security, defending the rights of States and
advancing priorities that benefit South Carolina, we worked side-by-
side on issues that mattered to those back home.
{time} 1910
He believed in delivering results, not just making speeches. He knew
that the work of elected officials is measured by what they accomplish
for the people they represent, and he consistently fought to ensure
that South Carolina received its fair share of opportunities.
We didn't have to agree on every issue. Lindsey never had an enemy
that I knew of, and you could disagree with him while not being
disagreeable.
When there was an opportunity to move the State forward, Lindsey was
willing to put the work in. This was evidenced to me when I went on a
trip to Munich, Germany, back in 2020. I think it was a 4-day trip.
I watched him go to every meeting of every country that was there
primarily to share our ideas and to bring companies back to the United
States, which benefited every State in the Union. He had a passion for
that, particularly a passion for Ukraine and other countries that he
had a belief in.
His legacy will include far more than legislation. He will be
remembered in the communities that benefited from his advocacy, the
veterans he fought for, the historic sites he worked to preserve, and
the love he continuously included and worked for for countless South
Carolinians.
Lives were improved, families benefited from the efforts that they
showed. He had a constituency staff second to none. If you called
Lindsey Graham's office, he did what he could to help you out,
regardless of whether you were from South Carolina or not.
He was a funny man. Like any good comedian, it is not what he said,
it is how he said it.
Lindsey Graham made his life work for the betterment of South
Carolina and the betterment of others. He will be sorely missed in this
State and sorely missed by Darline, who he raised and adopted after
both parents died.
We thank him for a life well lived. Again, I thank Joe for having
this moment to recognize a great man.
Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Norman for his
heartfelt comments.
Indeed, I agree with and appreciated talk radio show host Kelly Nash,
WVOC, who correctly began statewide broadcasting Monday that South
Carolinians are heartbroken upon learning of the passing of U.S.
Senator Lindsey Graham on Saturday.
I will always be grateful for my decades-long association with
Senator Graham, as we served together. He was the South Carolina Air
Guard Staff Judge Advocate, and I was the South Carolina Army Staff
Judge Advocate serving together. Courageously, after one of our drill
days, he announced to me his candidacy for the State House from Oconee
County, South Carolina.
I immediately congratulated him, but then I caught myself, and I
remembered that, in fact, nobody from our party had ever been elected
from Oconee County to the State House. Indeed he made history and
became the first Republican elected from Oconee to the State House of
South Carolina.
Sunday morning, when I spoke with President Donald Trump, I knew he
shared the grief of all South Carolinians. It was just heartfelt to
hear him as we reviewed the service of Senator Graham, understanding
that he truly was a champion for peace through strength, dedicated to
public service, his military career, his service as a veteran, and his
service in the State House, U.S. Senate, and in every way backing up
the people of South Carolina.
Senator Graham's last week of life was symbolic of his dedication for
America. He attended the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkiye. While he was
there, he met with President Ahmed al-Sharaa of Syria. It was really
very significant because he had been skeptical, as many people, about
the new Government of Syria. He, upon meeting with President al-Sharaa,
identified that President Donald Trump was correct, give Syria a
chance, and so it was exciting that he announced that he looked forward
to actual progress with the new Government of Syria to be working with
the United States.
Additionally, he next went to Kyiv, Ukraine, where he met with
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. While he was there, it was so impressive
that he had the opportunity to also visit a drone manufacturing
facility to see the extraordinary success of the people of Ukraine, who
are going to be victorious over war criminal Putin.
With the development of drone technology, indeed, the people of
Ukraine are an inspiration. While he was there, he was able to announce
that in working with President Donald Trump that there would be
sanctions on war criminal Putin and on Russia. Indeed, it is so
meaningful that indeed as soon as we got back to Washington, the U.S.
Senate--I thank Senator John Cornyn and others--have made it possible
that there will be a Russian Sanctions Act which, indeed, will be in
the name of Lindsey Graham as the Lindsey Graham Russian Sanctions Act.
It will be so impressive to help back up the people of Ukraine.
Additionally, when Senator Graham arrived back in Washington on
Saturday, how incredible that he had the strength and fortitude to have
a very long conversation with President Donald Trump to review the
activities of the week and the successes that he saw of the Trump
administration to provide peace through strength, but suddenly there
was sudden death right after the phone call.
With that, myself personally, when I learned of the passing of the
Senator, I was at Souda Bay in Greece visiting Navy personnel of the
U.S. Navy to, indeed, thank them for their service. As soon as I heard
about the passing, within an hour, I sent a tweet: ``With the passing
of Senator Lindsey Graham, he will always be cherished as an American
patriot, tireless for peace through strength, successful defeating
totalitarians. All three generations of the
[[Page H4541]]
Wilson family extend deepest sympathy and appreciation of his dedicated
service.''
The three generations of the Wilson family begin with my wife,
Roxanne, and myself. I am really grateful our son, Attorney General
Alan Wilson, who we have really been so appreciative, was to be on the
Lindsey Graham Republican ticket as the nominee for Governor of
South Carolina in November. The Wilson family is so happy to work with
persons and now with Darline Graham, what a wonderful person.
Then our third generation actually, Houston Wilson of SMU served as a
Graham U.S. Senate floor page. Over and over again, our family
appreciates personally and the people of South Carolina are so grateful
for the service of Senator Lindsey Graham.
I am very happy that we have been joined by Congressman Russell Fry
of Surfside Beach, and I now yield to him.
Mr. FRY. Mr. Speaker, I thank Joe Wilson for organizing this
fitting tribute to a statesman who we will surely miss. I join my
colleagues here both from South Carolina but really around the country,
and indeed around the world, in mourning the passing of our senior
Senator, statesman Lindsey Graham.
Lindsey was more than just a Senator. He was a dedicated public
servant, a fierce advocate for South Carolina, and an even better
person and a great friend. His life, his legacy are the people and the
lives that he touched, the energy that he brought to public service,
the dedication to issues, the enjoyment of a good argument, even when
you disagreed with him, and the humor that he always had really in
almost every situation. It really was kind of a hallmark of who he was.
He was from central South Carolina, born to working-class parents who
died very early. He was placed in an incredible predicament, at 21
years of age, to take care of his 13-year-old sister. What an insane
thing to think about in our country right now, that somebody would do
that and that they would not just try to do it--a lot of people would
try to care for their siblings--but that they would be successful in
that endeavor and really stop and take a moment and make sure that your
number one mission was the success of your family and your young
sister.
{time} 1920
Lindsey's entire world was turned upside down when he lost his
parents, but he did a remarkable job. I think that shows who he is as a
person.
He has had a lot of titles, Mr. Speaker. He was in the State
legislature; he was a Congressman; and he was our Senator for 30 years.
In South Carolina, we have Senators for a long time. Thirty years is a
long time in this body, and what a mark it is that he left.
Some people come up to Washington, D.C., and hit ``yes,'' hit ``no,''
and think that they have done something impactful, but Lindsey Graham
was a mover and a shaker. He really understood how to maneuver and how
to work with people to accomplish something.
I think it was said by Mr. Wilson earlier that even when you
disagreed with him, he found something that we could work on together.
That is a hallmark of who he was.
I first saw Lindsey when I was 18 years old, and he was campaigning
for the first time for the United States Senate. It was after 9/11. He
was in Congress at the time but was campaigning. Our President then,
George W. Bush, was campaigning with him in Columbia, South Carolina. I
just remember at such a young age, just the moment after 9/11, how
impacted the country was and the feeling of unity. Certainly, the
President captured that at the time. He captured that, and it really
helped land him in the United States Senate.
I, fortunately, interned for him. It was an interesting summer
because Lindsey always liked to tackle tough issues. He didn't come up
here to not be in the middle of the fray.
President Teddy Roosevelt talks about the man in the arena, that even
if he fails, he does so striving valiantly. That particular summer, Mr.
Speaker, was the summer that he tried to tackle comprehensive
immigration reform, which landed him in a lot of hot water from both
sides of the political aisle.
I just remember that summer. Of course, I loved it. I had never been
to D.C., but I loved the experience of fielding phone calls and seeing
how our government works. That was who he was.
Later, Mr. Speaker, when I got elected to Congress, the Senator
jokingly asked if I wanted my desk back from when I was an intern and
my old headset back, but the scars from that summer were still fresh. I
did not take him up on that offer.
The great thing about the Senator that I would say, just as a person
who grew up watching his career and then being part of Team South
Carolina and fighting for the State, was that he really invested in
people. He would work with Congressman Wilson's office and Congressman
Clyburn, the whole delegation. He would work with our new addition, our
fantastic addition, Mrs. Biggs, to try to find ways to advance issues
that she was working on.
He worked on things that mattered to South Carolina, whether it was
an appropriation for a firehouse in Cheraw, South Carolina, whether it
was a piece of legislation that he and I worked on, the Logan Federico
act, it would be a phenomenally good change in the way that we track
violent criminals in this State.
He always had his finger on the pulse of what was going on. He was
always thinking about how to make the lives of South Carolinians and
the American people a little bit better.
Everyone knows how impactful he was not just in the Senate but with
the White House. He was the unofficial whisperer to President Trump,
how to navigate and have success in this body and in this town, making
sure that you are delivering an agenda that the American people elected
you to do.
That takes real courage, that takes guts, and that takes a lot of
long days and evenings navigating that endless array of traps that you
could fall into, Mr. Speaker, but that was who he was. He didn't sit
around and wait for things to happen. He was always in the middle,
trying to make sure that we were delivering on the things that we said
we would.
It was always an honor, Mr. Speaker, to work with him and Mr. Wilson,
of course, and this whole delegation. It matters greatly. His loss is
going to be tough to deal with just on a personal level but also on the
way that he helped deliver for South Carolina.
In 2 Timothy, the Apostle Paul writes: ``I have fought the good
fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in
store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous
judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all
who have longed for His appearing.''
My friend, Lindsey Graham, has fought the good fight. He has kept the
faith. Although unexpectedly, I know he is reunited with his parents.
He has received that crown, and in the midst of that beautiful reunion,
he has heard the words: Well done, My good and faithful servant.
Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I thank Congressman
Russell Fry from the Seventh District. Indeed, 2 Timothy is a proper
reference from the Bible of a person whom we so admire.
We are so fortunate to be joined this evening by the Congresswoman
from the Third District of South Carolina, Sheri Biggs.
Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from South Carolina (Mrs.
Biggs).
Mrs. BIGGS of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for
yielding. I really appreciate the leadership of Congressman Wilson and
Congressman Fry's friendship.
Mr. Speaker, today, South Carolina mourns the loss of one of its most
dedicated public servants, Senator Lindsey Graham. I can't tell you how
many calls I have gotten this week, some of them not even our
constituents and some of them not even from the State of South
Carolina. I think the impact that Senator Graham made was worldwide, as
my colleagues have already mentioned.
I know this week Governor McMaster appropriately named Darline to
fill her brother's term, and I applaud that decision. We wish her
success and Team South Carolina is here to assist in anything that she
may need during her term.
[[Page H4542]]
Lindsey's story was a South Carolina story. He was raised in the town
of Central, which is in my district. He learned the value of hard work
in his family's restaurant.
After losing both his parents while attending college, he became the
guardian of his younger sister, Darline, putting family before himself
and demonstrating the character that would define his life.
As a healthcare provider, as a psychiatric mental health
practitioner, I can't help but think about what that must have been
like for that young man, the enormous responsibility and how he put
everything before his own self. From that moment on, service became the
defining purpose of his life.
Senator Graham earned his law degree. He served our Nation in the
United States Air Force, retiring as a colonel after more than three
decades. He devoted over 30 years to representing the people of South
Carolina in the statehouse, in the United States House of
Representatives, and in the United States Senate.
His commitment to service, his love for South Carolina, and his
unwavering devotion to the people he represented will leave a legacy
that endures for generations.
I have had members of the military call in this week to express their
sincere condolences for our loss in South Carolina.
He was a friend to South Carolina, but he was also a friend to other
States and other nations. He will be missed dearly.
Throughout his career, he was a steadfast champion of our
conservative principles. Not everyone agreed with his politics and his
policies, but one thing I think that we can agree on is that he did
love his State and loved his country.
He fought hard to shape the conservative Supreme Court as we know it
today. He defended the sanctity of life. He championed our
servicemembers and veterans. He remained one of the strongest advocates
for our allies abroad.
I was thinking earlier today, when we were in Seneca, South Carolina,
with some Members who were supporters of Israel. We talked about our
faith. I remember him standing in front of that congregation. It was at
a church, and he was so passionate about his work and those people. He
didn't hesitate for 1 minute to talk about his faith. Those are the
things that I will remember, how strong he was and how he didn't waver
one bit.
Today, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Senator Lindsey
Graham's extraordinary life of service and in praying for his family
and all who mourn his loss.
Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I thank Congresswoman
Sheri Biggs for her words. Indeed, it is such a great honor for all of
us to serve with the gentlewoman.
Mr. Speaker, may I inquire how much time remains.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from South Carolina has 9
minutes remaining.
{time} 1930
Indeed, I am grateful because I wanted to really bring to the
attention of the American people and to the people in South Carolina
the deep affection that President Donald Trump had for our senior
Senator Lindsey Graham.
In fact, the White House statement upon his death is so clear, and
that is that President Trump reflects on the life and legacy of Senator
Lindsey Graham following his sudden passing this weekend. It is a
really touching situation. President Trump describes the loss as deeply
personal. ``He's a tough one to lose. He was great. He was unique in
every way . . . I just can't believe it. He was like a member of the
family to me. It's very tough, actually. He was such an advocate.''
Additionally, President Trump reflected on his final conversation
with Senator Graham: ``It's devastating. I thought he was fine. He
called me last night . . . What a terrible loss it is. He was a great
politician. He was a natural. There are very few of them. He was a
natural politician. He got along with everybody.''
Additionally, President Trump singled out Senator Graham's passionate
defense of Brett Kavanaugh as a stand-out Senate moment. ``I think his
finest moment was his defense of Brett Kavanaugh, who's a terrific guy
and was treated very, very unfairly by the Democrats . . . I think it
was a top 10, maybe a top 5, moment in the history of the Senate. It
was an incredible display, and he did it from the heart. He felt
strongly about Brett, and he did it from the heart, and he turned the
whole thing around.''
President Trump praised Senator Graham's political skill and ability
to build relationships. The President says: ``He got along with
everybody and yet, he was a tough cookie in a lot of ways. Honestly, he
was a great politician. People don't realize what a good politician he
was . . . This man was a great politician. He really got it.''
Additionally, he reflected on the broader legacy of Senator Graham:
``We lost great man. He was a great man. He was a great politician, and
he was a kind man . . . The real loser was the United States of
America. We lost a great person, a kind person, a very smart person . .
. Everything for him was about work. It was about loving the country.''
It has been really so remarkable to see the outpouring around the
world: There were calls from members of the National Assembly of
Bulgaria, from the Bundestag in Germany, and from the National Assembly
in Thailand.
As Congresswoman Biggs has so carefully and clearly stated, worldwide
Lindsey Graham was appreciated for what he has done for Peace Through
Strength, to our rebuild our military and alliances around the world.
Additionally, I am very grateful that there were a number of
editorials that I hope people will look up. For example, it was very
meaningful to me, the New York Post had a wonderful tribute to him,
indeed: ``Washington in shock as Senate stalwart dies suddenly at 71
Death of a Patriot.'' How clear that is. The article further identifies
what an extraordinary individual the Senator was.
With that, they also had an editorial that truly was meaningful, in
that the sudden passage of Senator Graham ``immediately brought well-
deserved, fulsome tributes from across the political spectrum, but
actions can speak louder than words--and his colleagues in Washington
and his beloved South Carolina have clear opportunities to honor his
legacy by continuing it.
``Specifically, the House and Senate can pass the additional
`secondary' sanctions on Vladimir Putin's Russian war machine that
Graham pushed in recent months.'' Indeed, that is being done today.
Also, I want to commend that there has been a remarkable editorial
that I hope some people read from The Wall Street Journal: Lindsey
Graham, the Senator was an influential voice for global world
leadership.
I want to thank the chairman of the Republican Party, Drew McKissick,
for his heartfelt tribute from the South Carolina Republican Party that
truly indicates the love and affection that the people of South
Carolina have for Lindsey Graham.
Then it goes on to I am really grateful for the National Review--
which was the initial conservative publication for so many of us and
with a South Carolina connection--William F. Buckley, Jr. and the
Buckley family of Camden, South Carolina. The National Review had a
wonderful review by Jeffrey Blehar on July 14, indicating what an
extraordinary individual Senator Lindsey Graham was.
Then it continues with references by other publications from around
the world as to the accomplishments of Senator Lindsey Graham and all
of us that have had the opportunity to serve with him.
I also want everyone to know that the other Members of Congress had
different conflicts, but bipartisan Congressman Jim Clyburn wanted to
extend his greatest sympathy. He and Senator Graham really had a great
working relationship. It was bipartisan.
I am grateful to the Congresswoman from the First District,
Congresswoman Nancy Mace, who indeed has been grief-stricken and
released statements.
I appreciate the statements from Congressman William Timmons of
Greenville, Congressman Ralph Norman, Congressman Russell Fry,
Congresswoman Sheri Biggs, and Senator Tim Scott. We are so fortunate,
the Federal delegation that we have is so tied together with deep
appreciation of the service that each of us have had.
[[Page H4543]]
Mr. Speaker, I am humbled to be here tonight to pay tribute to a
great American, a great patriot, and a South Carolinian who will always
be cherished.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
____________________