[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 7]
[Senate]
[Pages 9898-9900]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    REMEMBERING FRANK R. LAUTENBERG

  Mr. HARKIN. Mr. President, with the passing of Senator Frank 
Lautenberg this month, the Senate lost one of its most respected and 
accomplished members--a great progressive driven by a passion for 
justice and a deep love for this country.
  Indeed, Frank Lautenberg's remarkable life is the American dream 
personified. He was the son of poor, hard-working immigrant parents who 
entered America through Ellis Island. He served in the U.S. Army in 
World War II, attended Columbia University thanks to the GI bill, 
founded an enormously successful company, and was elected five times to 
the U.S. Senate.
  Senator Lautenberg will be remembered here in the Senate for his 
tenacity and fearlessness in pursuit of his ambitious legislative 
goals. Frank was a fighter. Time and again, he took on powerful 
interests to improve the health and safety of the American people, and 
countless individuals have led longer, healthier lives as a result of 
his tireless advocacy.
  One of Senator Lautenberg's great early accomplishments came in 1984, 
just 2 years into his first term. As a freshman Senator in the minority 
party, he successfully passed legislation establishing a national 
drinking age of 21. That law alone is estimated to have saved more than 
25,000 lives. Sixteen years later, he championed legislation 
effectively creating a nationwide ban on driving by anyone with a 
blood-alcohol content of .08 or higher, a change that also dramatically 
reduced alcohol-related traffic fatalities.
  I was proud to work closely with Senator Lautenberg in the fight to 
combat the public health threat posed by tobacco usage. He will forever 
be remembered as the author of the landmark 1989 law that banned 
smoking on all domestic airlines flights--and that law was just the 
beginning of his efforts to curb smoking in a broad range of public 
places. In the current Congress, I was proud to join him in an effort 
to stop tobacco smuggling and to increase and equalize tobacco taxes.
  Throughout his career, Senator Lautenberg championed women's health 
issues. He worked to ensure that students have access to comprehensive 
sex education; that woman who go to their neighborhood pharmacy to fill 
a prescription for birth control cannot be turned away because of the 
objections of the pharmacist; and that Peace Corps volunteers have 
access to insurance coverage for abortion services in cases of rape, 
incest, and life

[[Page 9899]]

endangerment. He also fought for women's reproductive rights 
internationally and was a long-time advocate for repealing the ``global 
gag rule'' on federally funded family planning organizations.
  Even in his final months as he battled cancer, Frank was unstoppable. 
He continued the fight to secure relief for victims of Superstorm 
Sandy. In April, using a wheelchair, he insisted on coming to the 
Senate floor to cast votes in favor of tougher gun safety legislation. 
And, to the end, he continued to lead the fight for long overdue 
legislation to keep Americans safe from thousands of toxic chemicals we 
encounter in our daily lives, including in furniture, fabrics and 
cleaning products. I can think of no better way for Senators to honor 
our late colleague than by passing chemical safety legislation for the 
first time in nearly four decades.
  Frank Lautenberg began his career in public service as a citizen 
soldier in Europe in World War II. It must be noted that Frank was the 
last veteran of World War II to serve in the Senate. In January, we 
lost another distinguished veteran of World War II, Senator Dan Inouye. 
The fact is, for nearly six decades, this institution has been enriched 
and ennobled by members of the ``greatest generation''--people like 
Philip Hart, Bob Dole, George McGovern, Fritz Hollings, Dan Inouye, and 
Frank Lautenberg--who began their public service in uniform in wartime, 
and who brought a special dimension to the Senate. They had a unique 
perspective on matters of war and peace. They were motivated by a 
patriotism not of words, but of deeds and sacrifice. And they were 
determined advocates for veterans, including veterans of our most 
recent wars.
  Here in the Senate and across the Nation, there have been many 
tributes to our friend Frank Lautenberg. As I said, he was a passionate 
progressive. He was a tenacious fighter. He was a Senator of many 
landmark legislative accomplishments. But knowing Frank as a true 
gentleman and great family man, I can think of no greater tribute than 
to note that Senator Frank Lautenberg was a man of enormous honor, 
decency, and graciousness. He was a wonderful friend. May he rest in 
peace.
  Mr. REED. Mr. President, I would like to offer some brief reflections 
on the distinguished service and accomplishments of Senator Frank 
Lautenberg.
  He possessed an unwavering commitment to our country and its highest 
ideals of duty and fairness.
  His achievements over a lifetime well lived are impressive. He came 
from very humble beginnings but showed tremendous determination and 
tenacity as he achieved success in business and politics.
  Senator Lautenberg was a World War II veteran--serving honorably in 
the U.S. Army Signal Corps from 1942 to 1946, posted in Europe with so 
many other young Americans to fight in a war that had to be fought. In 
fact, he was the last World War II veteran to serve in the U.S. Senate.
  After the war, he like so many benefited from the GI bill and 
graduated from Columbia University. He had seen the hard work of his 
parents and began a career in business where he recognized the 
importance of computer technology well before the advent of many 
innovations we take for granted today. His success in helping create 
the Nation's first payroll services company, Automatic Data Processing, 
could have led Senator Lautenberg anywhere, but it was his desire to 
give back to his community and to his country that had given him an 
education and a promising future that led him to the Senate.
  When he set his eye on doing something, being on the other side of 
him meant you were in for a battle. That resolve may be a reason why he 
had so many legislative achievements. Indeed, he knew how important 
infrastructure is to the economy, and his work to preserve and improve 
Amtrak has helped millions of Americans who rely on rail for commuting, 
travel, and commerce every day. Growing up in an industrial area, he 
knew how important it was to respect the environment, so he fought, 
even when the odds were against him, for cleaning up Superfund sites, 
improving air quality, and ensuring better oversight of toxic 
chemicals. And when he saw the health damage that smoking can cause, he 
led the way to ban smoking on airplanes.
  The issue of gun safety is where I worked most closely with him. 
Those efforts to stem the flow of guns to criminals, terrorists, and 
others who shouldn't have access to firearms gave me a deeper 
appreciation for the strength of his principles and beliefs. There was 
no one more engaged in this issue, and I know that as the effort 
continues to close the gun show loophole, his commitment to reducing 
gun violence in our country will serve as a true guidepost.
  As so many pointed out in the wonderful service remembering Senator 
Lautenberg, he was tenacious as well as humorous. Indeed, he fought for 
New Jersey and for what he believed was right each and every single 
day.
  The Senate and our country have lost an important voice on so many 
issues, but his work will carry on and not be forgotten. Indeed, the 
benefits to our Nation of all his efforts and dedication will last for 
years to come.
  I extend my deepest condolences to Bonnie; his children, Ellen 
Lautenberg, Nan Morgart, Lisa Birer, and Joshua Lautenberg; his 
stepchildren, Danielle Englebardt and Lara Englebardt Metz; and his 13 
grandchildren, on behalf of myself, my constituents, and the State of 
Rhode Island. Their loss is greater than ours because they have lost a 
husband, father, and grandfather. He will be missed.
  Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Mr. President, earlier this month, we lost one 
of our Nation's most beloved public servants. Senator Frank Lautenberg 
was a World War II hero, a successful businessman, a statesman--and 
above all else, a kind and generous man, one that I am honored to have 
called a friend. Frank will be greatly missed by New Jerseyans, his 
colleagues in Washington and his family and friends across the Nation.
  Much can be said about Frank and the priorities he championed. But 
what struck me most is that Frank fought for the little guy. His public 
career was built on the foundation of being a champion for a safe, 
clean, healthy and economically stable America. In the U.S. Senate, he 
championed efforts to preserve America's landscape and natural beauty. 
Like me, he believed that America's precious land and resources should 
be protected and conserved for future generations to honor and enjoy. 
Frank knew that we don't inherit the land from our ancestors, we borrow 
it from our children. And Frank believed in a sustainable American 
energy system--one that increases energy independence and prioritizes 
renewable energy efforts such as wind, solar and geothermal. As a 
leading voice in Congress on climate change, Frank was acutely aware of 
the harmful effects global warming has on our planet, and he led the 
charge to ensure Americans--and his colleagues--were aware that the 
overwhelming science should spur us to reverse this dangerous trend.
  Frank's contribution to his State and our Nation extends far beyond 
his environmental accomplishments. He led policy reforms that are too 
numerous to catalogue here. For example, Frank fought hard to establish 
health and safety standards and ensured that public health in America 
was a priority for legislators. A key player behind landmark 
legislation establishing a federal blood-alcohol level limit and 
banning smoking on airplanes, Frank's public health initiatives have 
improved the lives of millions of Americans. Generations to come will 
benefit and live longer and healthier lives because of this great 
American statesman.
  Frank was a real champion for the people of New Jersey, but what many 
people may not know is that he is also a true friend to the state of 
Colorado, my home State. From the initial planning stages to the final 
product, the existence of Denver International Airport can be largely 
attributed to Frank Lautenberg. DIA received an unprecedented amount of 
Federal financial help, largely in part to Frank's unwavering support 
of the project. He also publicly supported the construction of C-470, 
maintaining that the major highway was an essential addition to

[[Page 9900]]

Colorado commerce and industry. Throughout the country, he supported 
the development of urban public transportation and pushed to strengthen 
Amtrak. Without Frank's dedication, our national transportation system 
would have not kept pace with our growing population.
  After casting his 9000th vote in 2011, Majority Leader Harry Reid 
recognized Senator Lautenberg as one of the most productive Senators in 
the history of this country. Frank's wisdom and tenacity made him an 
influential figure in the U.S. Senate for nearly 30 years. I am 
grateful to have served alongside him. His enduring spirit and strong 
character will not be forgotten within the halls of Congress.
  My sincerest condolences go out to Frank's family, including his 
wife, Bonnie Englebardt; six children and their spouses, Ellen 
Lautenberg and Doug Hendel, Nan and Joe Morgart, Josh and Christina 
Lautenberg, Lisa and Doug Birer, Danielle Englebardt and Stuart 
Katzoff, Lara Englebardt Metz and Corey Metz; and 13 grandchildren.
  Mr. BLUMENTHAL. Mr. President, it is a great privilege to rise and 
honor the late Senator Frank Lautenberg. I think I speak for many of my 
colleagues when I say he was a true hero to New Jersey and in the 
Senate, a self-made man, and an inspiration to us all.
  I was proud to count Frank as a good friend and mentor. We shared 
similar backgrounds--children of Eastern European immigrations--and 
similar convictions. I will never forget Senator Lautenberg's courage 
when he cast important votes on gun violence prevention just a few 
months before his death. He had a renewed hope that we could save many 
lives and prevent more Americans from facing the senseless violence 
that we all experienced with the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary 
School. In tribute to Frank, and to the Newtown families, I will 
continue to fight for gun violence legislation. I am sure that Frank 
would agree that this battle will be a marathon, not a sprint, and we 
need to keep pushing forward.
  Many have risen over the last few weeks to pay tribute to Frank. I am 
similarly humbled by his many years of service and the number of 
accomplishments that we can attribute to his leadership. As the last 
serving World War II veteran, his bravery in battle will never be 
forgotten. He was a relentless and unremitting fighter for public 
health causes, such as controlling the harmful effects of public 
tobacco use, raising the drinking age to 21, and banning toxic 
household chemicals. He was determined to witness the effects of his 
legislative efforts, and many times he did live to see his tremendous 
work.
  Frank was a champion of the rail community for many years, leading 
transportation safety issues. Throughout his tenure he improved 
passenger rail systems, protected Amtrak, and pushed for improvements 
to high-speed rail. Frank was certainly in my thoughts as I chaired a 
hearing of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation 
yesterday on rail safety. I am grateful for his tenacity and 
proactivity on these issues.
  We have lost Frank Lautenberg's stirring presence on the floor, but 
never in our hearts. For 28 years, he pushed for important changes as a 
force for good, refusing to give up the public fight for his steadfast 
convictions. Cynthia and I send our love to Bonnie and the Lautenberg 
family.

                          ____________________