[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 5]
[Senate]
[Page 6073]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


[[Page 6073]]

                       DR. WILLIAM SLOANE COFFIN

 Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, May 6th marks the 75th birthday of 
Dr. William Sloane Coffin. Protestants for the Common Good is 
celebrating that day with a tribute to Dr. Coffin in Chicago, and I 
want to take a moment to call the Senate's attention to the life of 
this remarkable man.


  I should begin by mentioning that since his retirement, Bill has 
lived in Vermont, and I am proud to represent a man whose dedication to 
peace, the environment, and social justice I have long admired.
  William Sloane Coffin first came to the world's attention during the 
18 years he served as the Chaplain of Yale University. As an outspoken 
and courageous supporter of civil rights and a founder of Clergy and 
Laity Concerned for Vietnam, he often sacrificed his own safety to 
ensure and protect the rights of others. He protested against 
segregation laws in the South, and with Dr. Benjamin Spock against the 
war in Vietnam. Anyone who was fortunate to hear him speak on these 
great moral issues of our time remembers his tremendous eloquence, 
passion and conviction. What many people may not know is that he also 
served his country as an infantry officer in Europe during the Second 
World War.
  From New Haven, Dr. Coffin moved to New York City where he became the 
Senior Minister at Manhattan's Riverside Church. His soaring oratory 
inspired people from all walks of life.
  Regularly challenging those who attended his services to seek justice 
in their own lives, Dr. Coffin set an example by consistently doing so 
himself. He founded the Church's well-known disarmament program, 
traveled throughout the world promoting peace and respect for human 
rights, and remains the President Emeritus of ``SANE/FREEZE: Campaign 
for Global Security.''
  Mr. President, I have been fortunate not only to know of William 
Sloane Coffin but to know him personally. He has had an extraordinary 
impact on his community, his state, his country, and the world. His 
conscience is like a beacon, which challenges and guides us all.
  Not long ago, I celebrated my 60th birthday. I hope that 15 years 
from now I will be able to look back at my own life, and look forward 
to the days ahead, with the sense of accomplishment, pride, and 
commitment to equality, justice and peace that William Sloane Coffin 
should feel on the occasion of his 75th birthday.
  Happy birthday my friend.

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