[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 4]
[Senate]
[Page 5214]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       REMEMBERING ROBERT GRIFFIN

  Ms. STABENOW. Mr. President, today I pay tribute to a towering figure 
from Michigan's political past: former Senator Robert Griffin, who died 
Friday at the age of 91.
  Senator Griffin was born in Detroit and was educated in the Wayne 
County Public Schools. By the time he graduated high school, the United 
States was embroiled in World War II. And in 1943--a year when so many 
American families came to fully comprehend the horrors of modern 
warfare--young Bob Griffin enlisted in the U.S. Army, joining the 71st 
Infantry Division.
  For 3 years, Bob Griffin served our country in a time of war 
unmatched in its intensity, including 14 months fighting Nazis in 
Europe. After returning from war, like so many of our surviving 
soldiers, he turned his attention to his education, attending Central 
Michigan University, then getting his law degree at the University of 
Michigan.
  Bob Griffin decided to begin his legal career in Traverse City.
  After practicing law for several years, Bob Griffin felt compelled to 
practice public service, so in 1956 he ran and won office to the U.S. 
House of Representatives. He distinguished himself in Congress over the 
next decade, and following the death of Michigan Senator Patrick 
McNamara, then-Governor George Romney appointed Bob Griffin to finish 
the 7 months remaining in McNamara's term.
  It did not take Senator Griffin long to earn the support of Michigan 
voters: They elected him to a full 6-year term that fall of 1966. 
Senator Griffin served the people of Michigan loyally for the next 12 
years.
  He authored major pieces of legislation during his career in this 
Chamber, and he was a member of the Republican leadership from 1969 to 
1977. But he is being remembered most for the role he played in helping 
our Nation overcome the shock of the Watergate scandal.
  In August 1974, as that scandal worsened, it became clear that 
President Nixon was in danger of being impeached. The impeachment 
process would be an embarrassing spectacle, not just for President 
Nixon, but for the institution of the President and for our Nation's 
political system.
  Senator Griffin was a close friend of President Nixon, but it was the 
Senator's devotion to the country that led him to write a letter 
strongly suggesting that the President resign and spare the Nation from 
having to endure impeachment. That letter is said to have played a 
major role in Nixon's decision to finally step aside.
  At a time when our Nation's political system was teetering, it was 
Senator Griffin who helped it to recover its balance by doing what was 
best for the country.
  That is the mark of true leadership. Even those who disagreed with 
Senator Griffin's policies never found fault with his integrity or his 
character.
  Although Senator Griffin left office in 1979, he still had a desire 
to serve the people of Michigan, and for 8 years he applied his wisdom 
and judgment on Michigan's Supreme Court, retiring in 1994. Today the 
Grand Traverse County courthouse bears his name.
  Senator Griffin's devotion to our State was rivaled only by the 
devotion he had for his wife, Marjorie, with whom he spent nearly 68 
years, and their four children: Paul, Richard, James, and Jill. The 
couple has 13 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.
  Senator Griffin's loss will be felt not only by his loving family, 
but in his home of Traverse City and in every corner of the State he 
served during his career. Senator Griffin will be remembered for his 
leadership, his fierce integrity, and his unwavering allegiance to the 
State of Michigan and the United States of America.

                          ____________________