[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 17771]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


                    TRIBUTE TO SENATOR RICHARD LUGAR

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. LUKE MESSER

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 20, 2013

  Mr. MESSER. Mr. Speaker I rise today to congratulate former Senator 
Richard Lugar of my home state of Indiana. Senator Lugar received the 
Medal of Freedom today from President Obama at a ceremony at the White 
House.
  Few other political leaders in our state's history have rivaled 
Senator Lugar's accomplishments during his over 40 years of service to 
Indiana. His work as the chairman of the Agriculture Committee and 
support for biofuels research has helped Hoosier farmers and brought 
jobs to rural Indiana. Senator Lugar is recognized around the world for 
his work on stopping the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. 
In 1991, Senator Lugar partnered with Senator Sam Nunn to establish a 
program aimed at eliminating latent weapons of mass destruction in the 
former Soviet Union. Over 7,500 nuclear warheads have been deactivated 
through the Nunn-Lugar Cooperative Threat Reduction program, making the 
world a far safer place. As the President of the Lugar Center, Senator 
Lugar continues to lead, lending his knowledge and wisdom to policy 
makers working to tackle the foreign policy issues of our day.
  Like so many others, Senator Lugar has played an essential role in 
inspiring my own career in public service. My grandmother Helen Rotzien 
was a Ward Chairman in Indianapolis when Dick Lugar was first elected 
mayor. Throughout my childhood, my grandparents repeatedly cited 
Senator Lugar as a model of achievement and integrity in public 
service. Later, as I began my own career in public service in Indiana, 
Senator Lugar took special interest in a young state legislator and 
Executive Director of the Indiana Republican Party. I will always be 
grateful for his friendship and guidance.
  I ask the entire 6th District to join me in congratulating Senator 
Lugar on receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom. As a Navy 
veteran, Indiana public servant and internationally respected statesman 
Richard Lugar's life has been dedicated to service to his country. 
Senator Lugar's leadership and public service is an example that all 
Hoosiers can aspire to.



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