[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 6]
[Senate]
[Pages 7323-7324]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       GOVERNOR FRANK B. MORRISON

  Mr. HAGEL. Mr. President, Gov. Frank Morrison was quoted in the 
December 5, 1975 Lincoln Evening Journal:

       As long as Frank Morrison's alive, I'll never retire, even 
     though I'm flat on my back. There are too many problems in 
     this world which need attention.

  Much has already been said about the late Gov. Frank B. Morrison and 
his remarkable life. However, I would like to add a couple of thoughts 
from the perspective of a Nebraskan, a U.S. Senator, and a Republican.
  The first time I had the opportunity to meet Frank Morrison, I was a 
young radio station reporter in Omaha during the 1970 Nebraska Senate 
campaign. In my first interview with him, I was drawn to his passion 
and sense of purpose. Frank Morrison believed he could make the world 
better--and he succeeded. His political career and life were about 
enhancing the world around him and solving problems.
  Frank's dedication to Nebraska was, and still is, seen and felt 
statewide. As Governor, he and his wife Maxine encouraged Nebraskans to 
take pride in their State. It was his vision and pride in Nebraska that 
eventually led to the completion of the Great Platte River Road Archway 
spanning Interstate 80 outside of Kearney. He was dedicated to 
recognizing Nebraska's role as an important crossroads in the Nation's 
development and westward migration.
  I stayed in touch with Frank over the years, but it wasn't until I 
came to the Senate in 1997 that I communicated with him on a regular 
basis. He would write or call me, offering suggestions, observations, 
and thoughts on issues of the day. I last spoke with him a week after 
Maxine's death when Frank knew he had very little time left. In our 
last conversation, he never once mentioned his battle with cancer, his 
pain, or his impending death. Our conversations were always about the 
future.
  I told my Senate colleague and Frank's former colleague, Senator 
Fritz Hollings (D-SC), that Frank did not have much time left. Frank 
and Fritz were Governors together during the 1960s. I gave Fritz 
Frank's phone number and he called him. They had a wonderful 45 minute 
conversation as they said their last goodbyes.
  Frank Morrison was a remarkable man for many reasons. The ultimate 
compliment that can be paid to any of us at the end of our lives fits 
him well--he left the world better than he found it.
  Frank's unyielding commitment to his family, State, and country is a 
model for all Nebraskans. He was a dedicated public servant who 
inspired others through his personal conduct and respect for others. 
All of Nebraska thanks Governor Frank and Maxine Morrison for their 
contributions to our State and humanity.
  Mr. HOLLINGS. Mr. President, this week the citizens of Nebraska lost 
a legend with the passing of Governor Frank Morrison, and I rise to 
recognize my plain-spoken friend of 45 years.
  When I was Governor of South Carolina, Frank became Governor of 
Nebraska, and I have admired him ever since. We spoke earlier this 
spring, and his mind was as sharp at age 98, as it was at age 58.
  When I think of Frank I think of a man who knew how to get results. 
He was a progressive Governor, but also a fiscally conservative one. He 
implemented many changes, insofar as creating an educational television 
network and a statewide employee retirement system that modernized 
state government.
  We will miss him, as we miss his wife Maxine, who just passed away 
last month. My wife, Peatsy, joins me in extending our deepest sympathy 
to their family.
  Mr. NELSON of Nebraska. Mr. President, I rise today to honor a great 
Nebraskan, a statesman, and a friend--former Governor Frank Morrison.
  On Monday, Frank Morrison passed away in McCook, NE.
  For a boy growing up in McCook, Frank Morrison was more than a 
governor to me, he was a role model. The Morrisons were friends of my 
family and I still remember delivering my first May Basket to Jeanne 
Morrison at the age of five. Maxine Morrison was my kindergarten 
teacher and Frank was my mentor in my early years in Nebraska politics.
  I would often talk to him about the issues of the day and he was 
always candid and fair in his advice. We didn't always agree, but Frank 
never let politics become personal. He had big dreams and big goals, 
but they were always practical and they became possible through his 
dedication. He worked with folks on both sides and he got a lot done 
because he understood that rhetoric and partisan passions were less 
important than making progress. He was a democrat and he loved the 
Democratic Party. But he loved Nebraska more. Nebraska was always, 
ALWAYS, first in his mind.
  Althought not a native Nebraskan, he loved this state as much as 
anyone and, in every sense of the word, was a statesman. He was as 
synonymous with Nebraska as the Sandhills, the Panhandle, the Platte, 
and the Huskers. All Nebraskans owe Frank Morrison a debt of gratitude 
for the leadership and partnerships he offered us over the years.
  Just last year, we had an illustration for the kind of regard in 
which Frank was held. Last September, the Chancellor of the University 
of Kearney, Dough Christenson, presented Frank with an honorary degree. 
The degree recognized Frank's more than seven decades of public service 
and his tireless advocacy for Nebraska. Frank said that it was the 
greatest day of his life, except the day his wife Maxine said ``yes''. 
Truly a well-deserved honor for a beloved Nebraska statesman.

[[Page 7324]]

  I would be leaving something out if I didn't also talk about Frank's 
sense of humor. His wit was legendary in Nebraska and it was 
undiminished even in his final days. I remember, just after one of my 
first elections--a very close primary race, I spoke with Frank and he 
told me about one of his first races.
  He had been nominated to the local school board by both parties. And 
he said he lost to a write-in candidate.
  But losing an election didn't bother Frank. He was dedicated to 
public service and to promoting Nebraska.
  He brought pride to our State and he was a tireless advocate of the 
natural wonders of a State that he had not been born in, but that he 
called home.
  Frank was 98 years old when he passed and that is a long life by 
anyone's standards. But the measure of his accomplishments is longer 
still.
  Just a little over a month ago, Frank's beloved wife Maxine passed 
away. The loss of these two Nebraska legends had signaled, perhaps, the 
end of an era. They have left a void that will be very difficult to 
fill, but they have also left a legacy and a love of Nebraska and his 
country that will likely outlive us all.
  I conclude with some words from the McCook Daily Gazette, the daily 
paper from the hometown Frank and I share:
  ``Frank had a grand vision, but he was also a down home person who 
loved his family, his adopted hometown, the people of Nebraska and this 
nation and this world.
  ``We will miss you, Frank. But we are very, very glad you lived such 
an abundant life. Thank you for living with purpose and passion. We 
will try, as best we can, to follow your example.''

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