[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 12]
[Senate]
[Page 16837]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  TRIBUTE TO FORMER SENATOR JAMES EXON

  Mr. CONRAD. Mr. President, I wish to take a moment to pay tribute to 
former Senator Jim Exon, a friend and colleague, who passed away on 
June 10, 2005.
  Jim Exon is a legend in his own State. For almost three decades, he 
served the people of Nebraska as both Governor and Senator. And through 
dedication and the force of his personality, he almost singlehandedly 
founded the Democratic Party in his State. In his entire career, he 
never lost an election because his constituents recognized his basic 
decency and common sense.
  However, Jim Exon didn't only serve his Nebraska constituents. He 
also served his country and our Government in ways that we could sorely 
use today. He was, of course, a patriot and World War II veteran who 
brought his wartime experience to his important role on defense 
matters. But beyond his obvious love of country, Jim Exon especially 
loved his country's democracy, which he saw as the crucial spark 
animating the American community.
  Jim Exon relished forthright debate and always had tremendous faith 
in the fairness of our system of Government. But while he advanced his 
beliefs with conviction and passion, he also listened to those with 
whom he disagreed. Indeed, he was renowned as a fair and considerate 
lawmaker who routinely sought common ground with adversaries out of 
genuine sympathy for their concerns.
  Jim Exon's facility for finding common ground with others stemmed 
from his roots in America's heartland. In rural areas and small towns, 
neighbors must depend on one another. People in the country rely on 
pragmatism to solve problems, having little patience with argument for 
its own sake. Jim Exon brought these Midwestern values to his work, 
fighting openly for his beliefs, while still playing a cooperative and 
constructive role in resolving differences.
  Given his ability to see the point of view of others, it's hardly 
surprising that Jim Exon made abundant legislative contributions. I was 
privileged to serve on the Senate Budget Committee with him, where he 
fought to keep our Nation's fiscal house in order. Here, too, his 
approach was balanced, offering a fierce opposition to wasting taxpayer 
money on unjustified spending, while maintaining an abiding faith in 
effective government. Most importantly in this area, he recognized that 
lawmakers must resist the temptation to use public debt to shift 
current burdens onto future taxpayers. To Jim Exon, skyrocketing 
Federal debt was a shameful legacy to leave our children.
  Senator Exon also understood the wisdom of investing in the family 
farmer, the backbone of rural communities. A tireless advocate of rural 
economic development, he was one of the first to recognize the 
importance of ethanol as fuel, a renewable energy source that we 
produce here at home. And he fought for better transportation, better 
medical care, and better schools for rural areas facing special 
challenges.
  Jim Exon also worked to keep America's military strong. A veteran of 
the South Pacific in World War II, he never wavered in his commitment 
to our Armed Forces. He played a crucial role on the Armed Services 
Committee in the aftermath of communism's collapse. Thanks in large 
measure to his efforts, our military remained the mightiest in the 
world, even though its mission was reoriented to face the challenges of 
the post-Cold War world. He worked tirelessly to contain nuclear 
proliferation.
  Jim Exon accomplished much during his three terms here in the Senate. 
That's not surprising given the kind of man he was. He lacked pretense. 
He would tell you straight out what he believed, and he listened 
carefully to others. And he was fair. He brought Senators together by 
focusing on shared interests, rather than differences.
  Jim Exon was a big hearty man who loved to laugh. His deep, rolling 
baritone had an infectious good humor and compassion behind it that won 
over others. He was effective, in part, because people liked to work 
with him.
  I will miss my good friend and colleague. His accomplishments live 
after him. The Nation and the people of Nebraska will long remember the 
standards of integrity and decency that were the hallmarks of Jim 
Exon's service to his country.

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