[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 17]
[Senate]
[Pages 24036-24037]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




               TRIBUTE TO FORMER SENATOR DANIEL BREWSTER

  Mr. CARDIN. Mr. President, the State of Maryland and the United 
States lost a brave and committed public servant last month. Former 
Senator Daniel Brewster, who served in this esteemed Chamber during the 
1960s, died of cancer on August 19.
  Few Americans have the political ancestry of Senator Brewster, who 
was a direct descendant of Ben Franklin and the former Attorney General 
for President Chester Arthur. Public service came naturally to this 
man, whose life and work showed his commitment to our country. He first 
gave to this country through his military service as a decorated war 
hero, wounded seven times during his service in Guam and Okinawa. Then 
he served as an elected official for 18 years. He served in the 
Maryland House of Delegates starting in 1950, was elected to the House 
of Representatives in 1958 and then to the Senate in 1962.
  Senator Brewster first came to politics as an advocate for civil 
rights. In his own Baltimore neighborhood, neighbors complained when he 
invited African-American servicemen from World War II to his home. This 
was an outrage to him. He would never slight a person, particularly 
soldiers who had courageously served to defend the American flag. 
Senator Brewster went on to cosponsor the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 
forever changing the course of history in this country.
  Senator Brewster represented much of what is great about public 
service: a desire and commitment to make this country better and 
stronger for every American, black and white, rich and poor, farmer and 
businessman.
  Senator Brewster had some very trying times in his life: First, at 
the age of 10 when his father died; then when he was beset with 
personal struggles in the very public forum of public life. The lesson 
he left for all of us is one can rise above adversity, even in the face 
of trying times, and continue to serve the people of this great Nation. 
He did that and left this country and this Congress with a lasting 
legacy of accomplishments.
  He left another legacy quite apparent today, introducing some of our 
country's strongest leaders to the world of politics. House Speaker  
Nancy Pelosi and House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer both started their 
political careers working for Senator Brewster.
  I am personally indebted to Senator Brewster for the wisdom and 
advice he shared with me as a newly elected Senator. This past spring, 
he, along with former Senators Joe Tydings and Charles Mathias, Jr., 
met with me to share their insights. For this, I am forever grateful.

[[Page 24037]]

  Senator Brewster and his wife Judy Lynn had five children: Gerry, who 
served in the Maryland legislature, Daniel, Jr., Dana, Danielle, and 
Jennilie. On behalf of the citizens of Maryland and this body, I wish 
to extend our sincere condolences to Senator Brewster's family. He will 
be missed by all.

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