[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 12]
[Senate]
[Page 16962]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


[[Page 16962]]

             RESPECT AND ADMIRATION FOR THE KENNEDY FAMILY

  Mr. LAUTENBERG. Mr. President, I want to take a few minutes to talk


about the events that have weighed so heavily on all of us. Whether one 
knows Senator Kennedy well or casually through contact in the Senate, 
one cannot but have respect and admiration for the contribution the 
Kennedy family has made to our public well-being for so many years. 
That is why I am sure others share the same feeling of grief as I do, 
and others who know the Kennedy family well, at the loss of John F. 
Kennedy, Jr.
  When the news came--and I was on my way to Martha's Vineyard--that 
the young Mr. Kennedy's airplane was missing, we all, I am sure, had 
the same reaction--let's pray that it is not true, that there is some 
information that will come out that will prove to be worry-unfounded. 
Unfortunately, our worst fears were realized. This day, apparently, the 
discovery has been made that confirms the death of John F. Kennedy, 
Jr., 38 years of age.
  One of the remarkable things we saw in this young man was the way he 
treated his position in life, coming from a famous family, with all of 
the celebrity status one could imagine, from a family that has seen 
tragedy after tragedy after tragedy.
  I had an opportunity, a year ago Christmas week, to sit with Michael 
Kennedy and his young sons on the morning of the day he perished on the 
ski slopes below. We actually skied together for a while in the 
morning. I visited with his brother that night to see if I could be of 
any help to the family in managing the affairs they had to put in 
order. It was very sad.
  When John F. Kennedy, Jr.'s life was just really beginning to 
flourish, it is hard to understand what it was that took this young man 
so full of life. The imagery of John F. Kennedy, Jr., was the same 
imagery that we had, in a way, of John F. Kennedy, Sr., President of 
the United States--attractive, intelligent, concerned about the well-
being of our country, trying always to lift the opportunity and the 
spirits of those who in America depended so much on government and 
individual leadership. John F. Kennedy, Jr., evoked the same imagery--
of this attractive young man, of this bright, intelligent, caring 
person, eschewing the spotlight whenever he could, trying to become 
part of the society in which we all live.
  His early death will prevent what all of us believe was so much 
talent and so much future. Any of us who have worked with Ted Kennedy--
and I have now for 16 years--only gains respect the longer we know 
Senator Kennedy. His accomplishments are legendary, but his commitment 
to people--rich, poor, those who have needed help--is without 
reservation. We have seen an energized Senator Kennedy over at his 
desk, stating the causes and cases he is concerned about. And to see 
them, the whole Kennedy family, put into the grief can only be imagined 
by those who have their family intact without the trail of misfortune 
that has followed the Kennedy family.
  So I just came in, for the Record, to make some comments to register 
my feelings, as I know so many others have, of grief for the families 
of John F. Kennedy, Jr., his wife, and his sister-in-law, the Kennedys 
and the Bessettes.
  We hope his life will inspire us to give whatever we can by way of 
service to our country, to recognize the advantages we have as citizens 
of the United States, not to be discouraged by this untimely tragedy 
but, rather, to be motivated to try to do better.
  Mr. President, I hope we will reserve appropriate time, collectively, 
to acknowledge our share of feelings for the Kennedy family and the 
grief they are going through.
  I yield the floor and suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Bunning). Without objection, it is so 
ordered.

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