[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 1]
[Senate]
[Page 1364]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                         TRIBUTE TO LEO CHERNE

 Mr. MOYNIHAN. Mr. President, I rise today with bittersweet 
feelings to pay tribute to a dear friend, Leo Cherne. Leo died on 
January 12, 1999 at the age of 86. What a huge loss we mourn, but what 
an exemplary life we commemorate. Indeed, I think it safe to say Leo 
Cherne's life helped to redeem the 20th century.
  I met Leo in 1954 when I became director of public relations for the 
International Rescue Committee (IRC). Leo, an enormously successful 
lawyer, economist, and businessman, had become chairman of the IRC in 
1951 (after joining the board of directors in 1946). He took over for 
Reinhold Niebuhr, one of this century's greatest theologians. Leo 
served as chairman for over forty years. Then, indefatigable as he was, 
he served as chairman emeritus until his death.
  Under Leo's stewardship, the IRC grew into the largest refugee relief 
and resettlement organization in the world. His commitment to refugees 
and human rights was steadfast, and made a difference in the lives of 
hundreds of thousands of forsaken people over the last half century. I 
guess he took to heart Niebuhr's observation that ``Life has no meaning 
except in terms of responsibility.''
  Leo co-founded the Research Institute of America in 1936; it grew out 
of his efforts to advise businessmen on how to comply with the new 
Social Security law. He served as its executive director for 
approximately 50 years. At the end of World War II he accompanied 
General Douglas MacArthur to Japan to assist with economic recovery 
there. In 1953, Leo--a fierce anti-Communist--excoriated Senator Joseph 
McCarthy for his demagoguery and disregard for civil rights. In 1956, 
when Soviet tanks rumbled into Budapest to crush the Hungarian 
uprising, Leo was at the border to help desperate Hungarians flee their 
country, and to bear witness. He advised presidents from Franklin 
Roosevelt to George Bush. He served as a member of the President's 
Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board from 1973 to 1991.
  In 1984, President Reagan conferred upon Leo the highest award a 
civilian can receive: the United States Medal of Freedom. President 
Reagan's citation stated,

       Since the 1930s, Leo Cherne has stepped forward with 
     brilliance, energy and moral passion, and helped this nation 
     overcome countless challenges. His lifetime devotion to 
     aiding his country and to serving the cause of human freedom, 
     especially through his work on behalf of refugees, reflects 
     the strong and generous character of a man who deserves the 
     respect and gratitude of all Americans.

In 1989 Elie Wiesel nominated Leo for the Nobel Peace Prize; he 
deserved that too. He did receive France's Legion of Honor award, 
Germany's Commander Cross, and the United Nations' Gold Medal of Peace.
  All the while he was an accomplished sculptor! His bust of Abraham 
Lincoln was in the White House. His bust of Eleanor Roosevelt is in the 
White House. His bust of John Kennedy is in the Berlin square Kennedy 
made famous with his ``Ich Bin Ein Berliner'' speech. One bust, of 
Robert Frost, resides in the Department of the Interior, while another, 
of Albert Schweitzer, is in the Smithsonian.
  How fondly I recall, when I was with the IRC, the evenings Leo and I 
would spend at the White Horse Tavern after work! We recited the poem 
Dylan Thomas wrote to his father, who was dying, ``Do Not Go Gentle 
into That Good Night'':

                 Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night

     Do not go gentle into that good night,
     Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
     Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

     Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
     Because their words had forked no lightning they
     Do not go gentle into that good night.

     Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
     Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
     Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

     Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
     And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
     Do not go gentle into that good night.

     Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
     Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
     Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

     And you, my father, there on the sad height,
     Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
     Do not go gentle into that good night.
     Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

  Leo did not ``go gentle into that good night.'' He fought pronounced 
illnesses for many years while he continued to live a productive life. 
He raged against the ``dying of the light'' with the same tenacity he 
showed fighting totalitarianism as one of our very best ``Cold 
Warriors''.
  My wife, Liz, and I miss Leo dearly. Leo is survived by his brother, 
Jack Cherne, and by his daughter, Gail Gambino, and his granddaughter 
Erica Lynn Gambino. All are in our thoughts and prayers. The 
contributions he made to society cannot be overstated and are not 
likely to be duplicated. He was a giant among men.




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