[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 15]
[Senate]
[Page 21264]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                      TRIBUTE TO MR. BENNIE THAYER

 Mr. KERRY. Mr. President, Senator Bond and I would like to 
submit for the Record a tribute to Mr. Bennie Thayer, a long-time 
business advocate and remarkable man who passed away Monday.
  Mr. BOND. Yes, Mr. President, Senator Kerry and I would like to join 
in making the following statement recognizing Mr. Thayer's lifetime 
accomplishments.
  The remarks follow:

       Mr. Thayer earned the respect and admiration of the small 
     business community. Until his passing, Mr. Thayer served as 
     the eloquently outspoken President and CEO for the National 
     Association for the Self-Employed. Representing more than 
     200,000 members nationwide, as head of NASE Mr. Thayer fought 
     for relief from unfair government regulations and pushed for 
     legislative action on issues ranging from taxes to retirement 
     plans. I think we will all remember him for his tireless work 
     to get 100 percent deductibility for health insurance 
     purchased by the self-employed. It wasn't easy. In fact, it 
     was a long, long fight, but he managed to build bi-partisan 
     support for 100 percent deductibility. How fitting it would 
     be for Congress to pass such legislation before we adjourn.
       In addition to Mr. Thayer's leadership at NASE, he has 
     chaired and served on the board of many local and national 
     business associations covering economic development, credit 
     development, small-business enhancement, and general business 
     growth. Of course, Mr. Thayer knew what he was doing. He 
     could identify with the needs of small business owners and 
     the self-employed because he himself was co-owner of the 
     Board of Natural Health Options and A.W. Curtis Products, a 
     manufacturer of natural health products. In his distinguished 
     career, Mr. Thayer also was called upon at times to advise 
     the past three Presidents--President Reagan, President Bush, 
     and President Clinton.
       But Mr. Thayer should be remembered for much more than his 
     impressive resume or for being a champion of and advocate for 
     small businesses and the self-employed. He served tirelessly 
     in several capacities as a leader in his community. For the 
     past seven years, Mr. Thayer was Senior Pastor of the United 
     Methodist Church of the Redeemer in Temple Hills, Maryland. 
     He also worked toward community development and youth 
     mentoring as a board member of such organizations as REDEEM 
     Inc. and the Board of Eagle Flight Inc.
       In the most recent issue of ``Self-Employed America,'' 
     NASE's bi-monthly publication, there is an article entitled 
     ``Make Yourself Memorable.'' Mr. Thayer did. His first 
     impression was a lasting impression--a warm, sincere 
     handshake and an incredible, mesmerizing voice. Even if you 
     didn't agree with something he said, you always liked how he 
     said it. We will miss him.
       Our condolences go out to his wife Bernice, his two 
     daughters, his two grandchildren and his home community in 
     Prince George's County Maryland, where he touched the lives 
     of so many. May God bless his family and friends, and may the 
     remarkable Bennie Thayer rest in peace.

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