[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 13]
[Senate]
[Pages 17665-17666]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    REMEMBERING SENATOR JESSE HELMS

  Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to a fellow 
Senator, a friend, and a true Southern gentleman, Senator Jesse Helms, 
who passed away on July 4, 2008. He was a man resolute in his beliefs. 
I have heard many say here in the Senate, as well as outside the 
Capitol Grounds, that regardless of what you thought about his position 
or opinion, you always respected Senator Helms for standing up for what 
he believed.
  As a master of the Senate parliamentary procedures, he did not 
hesitate to use this knowledge as a tool when he thought it was 
necessary to get his point across. While inevitably these tactics might 
have frustrated some of his colleagues from time to time, Senators 
couldn't help but marvel at his courageous defense of his beliefs, and 
they never doubted that Senator Helms would treat them with respect. I 
have heard from those close to Senator Helms, and experienced it 
myself, that he was true to his belief that standing up and defending 
one's opinion was never to be confused with, or providing a reason for, 
animosity towards one's opponents.
  His kindness and respect did not stop with his colleagues in the 
Senate. Senator Helms was a true advocate that Senators were here to 
represent and serve their constituents regardless of any party 
affiliation, and his office was known for its impeccable constituent 
services. His beliefs and service to his fellow citizens not only 
endeared him to those he served or those he served with, but also to 
those that had the privilege to serve on his staff. I don't think he 
even referred to them as his staff but as his Senate family--the Helms 
Senate family.
  His dedication to his staff is exemplified by the number of his 
staffers that went on to serve in important positions in federal and 
state government and in the private sector, having been ``tutored and 
trained'' in the discipline of Senator Helms. An excellent example is 
Robert Wilkie, now serving in the Defense Department as Assistant 
Secretary for Legislative Affairs.
  Respect for Senator Helms extends well beyond these Senate halls to 
across the globe. Senator Helms' experience with foreign policy started 
with his service in the U.S. Navy during World War II and continued 
with his efforts to reform the United Nations. His effect was no less 
prevalent when he was the first legislator to address the U.N. Security 
Council. I was privileged to witness his stalwart performance.
  It goes without saying that the Senate, this Nation, and the State of 
North Carolina are better today because of Senator Helms. I extend my 
most heartfelt condolences to the Helms family and his friends.
  Mr. GRAHAM. Mr. President, today I rise to speak about the 
contributions and service of one of the true giants of the U.S. Senate.
  Senator Jesse Helms of North Carolina was one of the longest serving 
and most distinguished Senators in the history of our Nation. During 
his time in the Senate, he was known as a strong advocate for his 
causes and was one of the most tenacious fighters this body has ever 
seen. Senator Helms knew what he believed, why he believed it, and he 
was always prepared to fight strenuously for his cause.
  On those occasions when the Senate was prepared to promote ideas with 
which he disagreed, Senator Helms proved to be one of the most adept at 
slowing the body to a crawl. It was a trait that endeared him to many 
of his supporters and was a source of much consternation for his 
detractors.
  However, if there is one accomplishment for which Senator Helms will 
be long remembered and greatly admired, it is his steadfast warnings 
and commitment to fighting the scourge of communism. Not a day went by 
that Senator Helms was not concerned about the spread of communism 
around the globe.
  Like President Reagan and South Carolina's own longstanding Senator 
Strom Thurmond, Senator Helms understood that communism was an evil 
ideology and, at its most basic form, a means of enslaving millions of 
people. As a nation of freedom-loving people, we had a responsibility 
to stop its spread.
  The struggle against communism continued for decades with Senator 
Helms playing a leading role in encouraging our Nation to confront this 
evil. Eventually, the hard line he took against communism, along with 
Reagan, Thurmond, and others, was

[[Page 17666]]

vindicated. The Berlin Wall tumbled and the Soviet Union collapsed.
  Today, communism has been discredited and millions of people have 
been freed from its bonds. Senator Helms, and the other strong anti-
Communists, deserve our thanks for their steadfast fight and eventual 
victory over communism. It would not have been possible without their 
hard work.
  In closing, I was saddened to hear of the passing of Senator Helms 
and I want to take this opportunity to send my condolences to his 
family and friends. I also want to express my sincere appreciation for 
his long service in the U.S. Senate and to the Nation he loved.
  Mr. SPECTER. Mr. President, I have sought recognition to pay tribute 
to my late colleague from North Carolina, Senator Jesse Helms. I look 
back upon his career in the U.S. Senate and remember a true champion of 
conservative values; a Senator who stood by his convictions with a 
tenacity for which he will long be remembered.
  Senator Helms was initially introduced to public service by his 
father, who served their North Carolina community as both the fire 
chief and the chief of police. After working in print, radio, and 
television journalism and serving on the Raleigh City Council, Jesse 
Helms decided to run for Senate in 1972 and proved his political mettle 
by defeating three opponents to win the seat.
  Senator Helms spent the next 30 years serving five terms in the 
Senate, leaving behind a legacy of uncompromising and unapologetic 
conservatism. He could boast of many accomplishments during his career, 
including being dubbed ``Senator No,'' a moniker he earned for standing 
strong against issues he felt threatened the conservative agenda. 
Senator No chaired the Agriculture Committee from 1981-1987 and the 
Foreign Relations Committee from 1995-2001, where he had a hand in 
cultivating many important pieces of legislation. His firm stance 
against tyranny led to successful negotiations and passage of a bill to 
assist Cuban citizens, organized efforts to bring more countries into 
the NATO alliance, and supported the development of a missile defense 
system to defend our allies abroad.
  Senator Helms also made his presence known on the national campaign 
trail where played a pivotal role in fostering the conservative agenda 
in Ronald Reagan's presidential campaign in 1976. His efforts were so 
effective he was asked to participate again in 1980. Clearly ``Senator 
No,'' a moniker he earned for standing strong against issues he felt 
threatened the conservative agenda, helped the future President shape 
his conservative message.
  Senator Helms and I may have differed on many issues, but I respected 
his wide array of knowledge and the vigor with which he defended them. 
I am glad to say I served in this chamber with Jesse Helms and will 
always honor his passion for life and dedication to service in the 
Senate.
  Mr. ENSIGN. Mr. President, President William McKinley once said, 
``That's all a man can hope for during his lifetime--to set an 
example--and when he is dead, to be an inspiration for history.''
  Of all his accomplishments during his lifetime, the example that 
Senator Jesse Helms set for treating others rises above everything 
else. During my first term in the Senate, I had the privilege of 
traveling to Mexico as part of a congressional delegation with Jesse 
Helms. I saw his kindness and sincerity in the way he treated everyone, 
regardless of position. The foreign dignitaries received the same 
respect and consideration as staff. Not enough Senators treat members 
of their staff like members of their family, but Jesse Helms did. And 
that gentleness extended to all who came into contact with him.
  The kindness with which he touched so many lives stands in stark 
contrast to the harsh and tough image which many had of Jesse Helms. 
Seen as rough and hard-hitting, a more fitting description of Jesse 
Helms is that he was a steadfast believer in the principles of America. 
Jesse Helms was the voice, sometimes the lone voice, of a centuries' 
old vision of a sovereign United States committed to freedom, a strong 
national defense, and free enterprise. He was willing and able to stop 
business in the Senate when the strength of our Nation was threatened.
  But to those whose lives were personally touched by Jesse Helms, 
progress was never paused. Instead, Jesse Helms was a conduit of 
democracy and opportunity. Generations of Cubans, Taiwanese, Iraqis, 
and Africans will always remember the support that a Senator from North 
Carolina dedicated to their causes.
  And countless North Carolinians will remember the meaningful impact 
that Jesse Helms had on their lives as their advocate to a sometimes 
unyielding government bureaucracy. One constituent from Raleigh noted 
her Senator's efforts on behalf of her aging parents. She remembered 
her mother saying if there was a problem that couldn't be resolved, 
``Call Jesse Helms. He won't stop until he gets it solved.''
  His commitment to his constituents speaks volumes about Jesse Helms's 
passion for his job and the people who elected him. He always 
remembered who he represented and why. And he always remembered that we 
ensure the strength of our Nation by inspiring young people to continue 
the work of generations of patriots. He never turned away young men and 
women looking for advice and often engaged them in dialogue. Time and 
again he told them to stand up for their principles. And then he showed 
them by example.
  Very few Americans in our Nation's history have risen to the level of 
accomplishment and reverence as Jesse Helms. During three decades in 
the Senate, he set an example for all Americans as he always stood by 
his principles and extended kindness to friend and foe. Now he is an 
inspiration for history.

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