[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 11]
[Senate]
[Page 15950]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    REMEMBERING SENATOR CRAIG THOMAS

  Mr. CRAPO. Mr. President, I was deeply saddened to hear of the sudden 
passing of my colleague from Wyoming, Senator Craig Thomas. The loss we 
all feel at his passing Craig is tempered by the happy memories I have 
of working with him on so many issues of mutual interest. His efforts 
and his leadership on the panels on which we served together--the 
Senate Finance Committee, Senate Agriculture Committee, and Senate 
Environment and Public Works Committee--will remain foremost in my 
memory. I particularly admired his staunch advocacy for the needs of 
rural communities and farmers. Craig brought a special passion and 
expertise to issues affecting ranching families. His focus on their 
unique needs spanned the trade, economic, environmental, and public 
lands management issues of rural communities.
  Craig brought to Congress his vision for the needs of Wyoming and 
rural States, and he became a strong advocate of effective resource and 
energy policies. I am pleased to have partnered with him in applying 
technologies to improving our Nation's energy generation. Although he 
lived his life modestly, he became a leader in national park 
stewardship, and the American people owe him a debt of gratitude for 
his promotion of the underserved national parks system. I also 
appreciated his long and thoughtful counsel on ways to update the 
Endangered Species Act.
  In recent months, Craig took a prime role on the Finance Committee in 
working to simplify the Federal Tax Code and improve entitlement and 
health care assistance to the least fortunate. As one who took to heart 
the importance of protecting the taxpayers' dollars, Craig was a strong 
proponent of restoring the sustainability of our Nation's welfare 
system. And Craig understood that economic development in rural States 
like Wyoming was inextricably linked to trade promotion that ensured 
open and fair markets abroad. I will miss his stalwart and consistent 
advocacy for farming communities as the Senate considered trade 
legislation.
  As a man who represented a small State in population, Craig towered 
large over the landscape of thoughtful conservative Members of 
Congress. I think a fitting tribute and legacy to our late friend would 
be to adopt his resolution making July 28, National Day of the Cowboy. 
My thoughts and prayers are with Craig's family and friends. I will 
miss my good friend and colleague.

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