[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 16691-16692]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  NAMING THE JESSE HELMS FEDERAL BUILDING AND UNITED STATES COURTHOUSE

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. RENEE L. ELLMERS

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 11, 2012

  Mrs. ELLMERS. Mr. Speaker, recently I introduced a bill to rename the 
Century Postal Station in Raleigh, North Carolina in honor of former 
United States Senator Jesse Helms.
   Senator Helms, North Carolina's longest serving Senator, was a 
genuine man who fought for what he believed. He himself said, ``I 
didn't come to Washington to be a `yes man' for any president, Democrat 
or Republican. I didn't come to Washington to get along and win any 
popularity contests.'' His steadfast nature even earned him the 
nickname ``Senator No,'' to which he had no objection.
   While voters would many times disagree with his policies, they 
always knew where he stood. Former North Carolina Senator Elizabeth 
Dole said, ``Even those who disagreed with Jesse on an issue could 
respect the fact that he always stood tall and firm for his 
convictions, his faith, his family, and his home State of North 
Carolina.''
   Despite sometimes being a controversial figure during his 30 years 
in the Senate, Helms faithfully served North Carolina and its citizens. 
He became a leading voice in the United States Senate fighting against 
communism, for a balanced budget, and simplifying the tax code. He 
served on the Senate Agriculture Committee, where he served as chairman 
from 1981 to 1987, as well as the

[[Page 16692]]

powerful Foreign Relations Committee where he served as chairman from 
1995 to 2001.
   His legislative work may have been controversial, but his other 
Congressional duties were the opposite. Constituent service in Jesse 
Helms' office was second to none and set a new standard. Democrat or 
Republican, liberal or conservative, he made sure the constituents he 
worked for received prompt attention. Helms did everything he could to 
be accessible to his constituents, and showed genuine kindness and 
consideration to every one of them. He cared about his state and his 
fellow citizens.
   Born in Monroe, North Carolina, Helms started his career in 
journalism. It was in his 11 years in journalism, including working for 
the Raleigh News and Observer, that he met his wife, Dorothy Coble, and 
went on to marry her in 1942. Senator Helms' first interest in politics 
is said to have come from his conversations with his conservative 
father-in-law. Senator Helms raised his family in Raleigh, and after he 
retired he continued to make Raleigh his home. Helms and his wife had 
three children--Jane, Nancy, and Charles, a child with cerebral palsy, 
adopted at 9 by the Senator and his wife.
   Through this experience with Charles, Senator Helms became involved 
with Easter Seals and fighting for children with disabilities. He 
continued his humanitarian work later in his career by supporting 
efforts to fight AIDS in Africa during his final term. Bono, lead 
singer of U2, even praised Helms' work by saying ``without his taking a 
stance on AIDS, we would have lost a lot more lives.''
   From his humanitarian work, to office's renowned constituent 
services, to his consistently passionate legislative work on Capitol 
Hill, Senator Helms, North Carolina's longest serving Senator was a man 
well deserving of this honor. He was a great North Carolinian and a 
great American. For these reasons, it is appropriate to ensure that 
future generations remember his legacy by having this building bear his 
name.

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