[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 1]
[Senate]
[Page 334]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




               TRIBUTE TO FORMER SENATOR WILLIAM PROXMIRE

  Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to our late 
colleague, Senator William Proxmire--beloved father, husband, veteran, 
and former member of this body. With over 32 years of service in this 
institution, Senator Proxmire constantly challenged us to remain 
fiscally responsible. As chairman of the Committee on Banking, Housing, 
and Urban Affairs for four Congresses, he was constantly working to 
protect the taxpayers.
  Most Members of this esteemed body recall the steady reminder by 
Senator Proxmire that ``Uncle Sam is the last of the big spenders.'' 
His firm advocacy for good sense and forethought on spending led to the 
creation of the ``Golden Fleece'' awards. Senator Proxmire would hand 
these awards out, to friend and foe, to highlight government waste, 
abuse and scandal. His ``maverick'' attitude toward our 
responsibilities with the taxpayers' dollars should be remembered, 
honored, and, as I am sure he would agree, employed more today. We miss 
Senator Proxmire and his ``Golden Fleece'' awards.
  Our country lost Senator Proxmire this past December as he succumbed 
to the devastating affects of Alzheimer's--a disease he battled daily 
since 1994. He spent his last years at the Copper Ridge Institute in 
Eldersburg, MD. Copper Ridge is a fantastic facility dedicated to the 
study of caring for those suffering from dementia. The goals of the 
Copper Ridge Institute are to share the knowledge it has acquired in 
the field of dementia care. For the last 10 years, staff from Copper 
Ridge, the Copper Ridge Institute and the Johns Hopkins University 
School of Medicine have worked together to develop a model of care that 
respects the dignity of the people battling this disease and that 
provides a better quality of life to them.
  I had the pleasure of meeting and talking with Senator Proxmire's 
wife, Ellen, in September 2004. Mrs. Proxmire sponsors an annual award 
in the name of her husband for those who support this dedicated 
Alzheimer's research. Mrs. Proxmire has truly become the voice for 
those who cannot speak. She has worked diligently to see more national 
attention given to Alzheimer's disease and the important role specific 
care models like that at Copper Ridge play in preserving the dignity 
and quality of life of those with the disease. As Mrs. Proxmire likes 
to point out, ``Until there is a cure for the disease, learning to care 
for those with Alzheimer's is paramount.''
  Mr. President, we have a responsibility, as nearly 4.5 million 
Americans find themselves faced with this terrible disease, to work 
with those involved with research and medicine in this field. Our 
country is stronger today because the name ``William Proxmire'' is 
found on the rolls of the Senate. As we pause to remember this great 
man, true patriot, and fellow Senator, this institution should take 
heed and continue our support in the fight for an Alzheimer's cure.

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