[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 19]
[Senate]
[Page 26925]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                   TRIBUTE TO SENATOR JOHN H. CHAFEE

  Mr. SARBANES. Mr. President, I rise today to join my colleagues in 
honoring a distinguished public servant and a revered Member of the 
United States Senate, Senator John Chafee, who died Sunday evening at 
Bethesda Naval Hospital.
  While John Chafee was elected to the Senate in 1976, his public 
service began years before when he interrupted his education at Yale 
University to enlist in the Marine Corps during World War II, serving 
in the original invasion forces at Guadalcanal. He later returned to 
complete his education, receiving a bachelors degree from Yale in 1947 
and, in 1950, a law degree from Harvard.
  In 1951, John Chafee was called again to serve his country, returning 
to active duty to command a rifle company in Korea. Later, John Chafee 
served six years in the Rhode Island House of Representatives, where he 
was elected Minority Leader. He served as Governor of Rhode Island for 
three terms and in 1969 was appointed Secretary of the Navy.
  As a Senator, John Chafee continued his proud legacy of leadership 
and accomplishment. I worked with Senator Chafee perhaps most closely 
in the U.S. Senate in his capacity as Chairman of the Environment and 
Public Works Committee where he labored tirelessly on behalf of many 
critical environmental initiatives, including efforts to strengthen the 
Clean Air Act and the Safe Drinking Water Act.
  Senator Chafee has been recognized for his important contributions in 
the area of environmental protection throughout his service in the U.S. 
Senate and has received nearly every major environmental award. He was 
also a senior member of the Senate Finance Committee where he worked 
hard to expand health care coverage for women and children and to 
improve community services for persons with disabilities.
  John Chafee was a well-respected member of this body who engendered 
the affection of every member with whom he served. He had a unique 
ability to achieve consensus under very difficult circumstances. His 
unfailing courtesy and civility provided a positive and unifying force 
in the Congress which will be sorely missed by his colleagues on both 
sides of the aisle.
  The Senate was a better place because of John Chafee and his devoted 
public service. I would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to 
him and to extend my deepest and heartfelt sympathies to his family.
  Mr. SHELBY. Mr. President, I join my colleagues today in mourning the 
loss of our colleague, John Chafee. John was a good and honorable man 
who served his state and his country with distinction. A devoted public 
servant and member of this body for 23 years, Senator Chafee's 
influence extended beyond the aisles and transcended partisan rhetoric. 
His accomplishments as a lawmaker and his unquestionable influence 
among his peers stand as a testament to his ability.
  Senator Chafee will long be admired and remembered for his devotion 
to this country both as a soldier and public servant. His distinguished 
service in the military, including serving in the Marines at 
Guadalcanal and commanding a rifle company in Korea, were indicative of 
the man who would never shy away from duty or responsibility.
  His record as a legislator, governor, and senator in Rhode Island 
indicate the amount of trust the people of Rhode Island put in John.
  Although political views may vary from person to person, it is easy 
to put these differences aside and to recognize men of strong character 
and integrity. These are qualities which were abundant in John, and his 
steadying influence in the United States Senate will be truly missed.
  My thoughts and prayers extend to his family and all those whose 
lives Senator Chafee touched.
  Mr. MACK. Mr. President, I join my colleagues in paying tribute to 
the memory of our friend and colleague, Senator John Chafee.
  Senator Chafee was the living embodiment of Senate decorum. He always 
honored this body through his thoughts, deeds and actions. His ideas 
and messages were delivered thoughtfully and respectfully. He truly 
followed his heart and soul while representing the people of Rhode 
Island and this great nation.
  His honorable service in both World War II and the Korean Conflict, 
as well as his distinguished tenure as Secretary of the Navy, reflect 
his profound respect for America's armed forces and his deep love of 
country.
  I am especially appreciative for all he did to advance causes near 
and dear to the state of Florida. He took time to visit the Florida 
Everglades, and his work on this important issue will ensure the 
preservation of this unique natural system, and will always be a part 
of his lasting legacy.
  Senator Chafee devoted his life to public service. He will be 
remembered as a thoughtful and patriotic American who cared 
passionately about those he served, the issues he fought for, and the 
institution of the United States Senate. He was not only a fellow 
Republican, but a colleague who was respected on both sides of the 
aisle. He will be sorely missed in the U.S. Senate.
  My heartfelt sympathies go to his wife Ginny, to their five children 
and 12 grandchildren, and to his staff here in Washington and 
throughout Rhode Island.
  Mr. SMITH of Oregon. Mr. President, I extend my sympathies to the 
family of John Chafee.
  It has been my privilege to serve with John Chafee for but 3 of the 
years of his long and distinguished career in the Senate. But I will 
miss him. I do miss him.
  I want to say publicly how much I appreciate the many times he came 
up to me and told me how much he appreciated me and how glad he was 
that I was here.
  I thank him publicly for the many times he came to me and talked 
about environmental issues and told me he had a good environmental bill 
that he wanted me to be on. Many times, I was on them with him.
  I appreciated his looking out for me in that regard, and in so many 
other ways. It was a great pleasure and a high privilege to serve with 
him in the Senate.
  I wish his wife and his family my very best and pray God's comfort be 
with them in this time of their bereavement.

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