November 14, 2006 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S10909 Helen will always be remembered as stage of life we both adhere to the wisdom of as military. It was met by 16 million citizen a champion of the individual—the rug- W.C. Fields, who expressed his philosophy as soldiers, backed by millions more on the ged, self-reliant American that is in all follows: If at first you don’t succeed, try, home front. All of them heroes in the age old try, again. Then give up. No use being a struggle for popular government. of us—and I thank her for that. damn fool about it. The word hero gets thrown around a lot. f Of course, in all that truly matters, George It’s a lot easier to be a hero if someone is has never given up. Neither has his beloved shooting at you, as happened to me on an BOB DOLE ON GEORGE MCGOVERN Eleanor. Sixty-six years after they enrolled Italian hillside—or attempting to shoot Mr. JOHNSON. Mr. President, civil- as undergraduates on this campus, sixty- down your plane, as George will recall from ity is alive and well in the great State three years after they declared their mar- 35 missions with his fellow B–24 bomber pi- of South Dakota. riage vows, the McGoverns of Mitchell are lots. Nor was it any accident that he named During the recess, there was an ex- still making a difference, still living every his plane the Dakota Queen—for the young traordinary, bipartisan celebration day in the spirit of this school’s motto: sac- bride to whom he would return after the war, honoring our former colleague, Senator rifice or service. with a Distinguished Flying Cross pinned to Having been both a candidate and a can- his uniform. When in another context George George McGovern. The occasion was didate’s spouse, I speak from experience said, ‘‘Come home, America,’’ I think it was the dedication of the George and Elea- when I say that for spouses it isn’t sacrifice that America to which he referred—a coun- nor McGovern Library at Dakota Wes- or service, it’s sacrifice and service. But then try that in every generation has produced leyan University in Mitchell, SD. Eleanor McGovern has always been a leader heroes, and is, in turn, a land fit for heroes The dedication brought together and humanitarian in her own right. What to come home to. former President Bill Clinton, former ever else you can say about us, it’s pretty In this America we fight as one, though we majority leader Bob Dole, former ma- clear that both George and I married above vote and pray and speak as many. One of the ourselves. unfortunate aspects of modern politics is our jority leader Tom Daschle, Senator That’s not all we have in common. ‘‘There tendency to label, dehumanize and even de- JOHN THUNE, Representative STEPHANIE is a wholesomeness about life in a rural monize opponents who are, after all, oppo- HERSETH, Governor Mike Rounds, and state. . .life tends to be more authentic and nents—not enemies. George McGovern is a 5,000 of Senator McGovern’s closest less artificial.’’ The words are George’s but leader, not a label. The man we honor this friends and admirers. the sentiment applies as much to Russell, evening is a proud liberal who nevertheless Governor Rounds noted that Senator Kansas as to Mitchell, South Dakota. We found much to admire in such common sense McGovern was a ‘‘patriot’’ and that both can attest to the fact that small towns conservatives as Bob Taft and Barry Gold- ‘‘all of us gathered here today have a nurture large dreams, and a generosity water. A Methodist preacher’s son, raised in unbounded as the Great Plains. Generosity is whole lot more in common than what a republican household, he cast his first vote what this evening’s all about—the generosity for Henry Wallace. As a young activist he divides us as Americans.’’ Senator of donors, and of those who seek their dona- was spellbound by the eloquence of Adlai THUNE noted that his father always tions. I want to congratulate Ambassador Stevenson. But in later years he would voted for George McGovern, even as Kimmelman and President Duffett as well as praise my hero, Dwight Eisenhower, for his the children urged him to vote Repub- the trustees and the campaign committee statesmanship and restraint while in the lican, because George was a decorated and every single individual whose generosity White House. WWII fighter pilot. Perhaps it was Sen- has helped to realize a dream called the George got to Congress ahead of me. By ator Dole, with his characteristic McGovern Library and Center for Leadership the time we served in the Senate, it’s a safe and Public Service. bet that our votes usually cancelled each humor, who best captured the signifi- Since we’re all being so generous, maybe other out. As fate would have it, I was Re- cance of Senator McGovern’s inspiring george would let me borrow his fundraising publican national chairman in 1972, the year career. team. We could use your help at KU. I can’t George ran against President Nixon. In poli- I ask unanimous consent that the re- imagine a more appropriate tribute to the tics, as earlier, I tried to be a good soldier. marks of Senator Dole be printed in McGoverns than a library, and not just be- but there are times when party loyalty asks the RECORD. cause George taught here at Wesleyan before too much. More than once I returned speech There being no objection, the mate- he put classroom theory to the test in a pub- drafts objecting to the official line against rial was ordered to be printed in the lic career that spans half a century. In fact, the Democratic nominee for President. By he and Eleanor are both educators at heart. election day, I think I had upset more people RECORD, as follows: They understand, for they personify, the es- around the White House than George did. Thank you very much for that generous in- sential truth of education—that so long as enough, anyway, so that I became expend- troduction, and for the honor of receiving books are kept open, then minds can never able once the votes were counted. the first McGovern Prize for Leadership and be closed. In years to come, this place will be Come to think of it, George, there’s an- Public Service. It is something that I will an incubator of informed Citizenship. What other thing we have in common. We were cherish, not least of all because of its name- more could any teacher ask for? both left unemployed by the Nixon White sakes who have set the standard—in friend- Generosity takes many forms. In the case House. ship as well as in leadership. This week’s of the McGoverns, it means a lifetime of If ever a candidate was entitled to nurse a events remind us once again that George principled service, and a personal decency grudge, it was George McGovern. Except no McGovern is a uniter and not a divider. Who that transcends any party label. I’m tempted man I know is less inclined to waste time or else could bring together Bill Clinton, Bob to say it transcends generations as well. It energy in holding grudges. His generosity of Dole, Al Neuharth, Tom Daschle, John has been said by this state’s second most fa- spirit extended to the man who defeated him Thune, and Peter, Paul and Mary? mous son, Tom Brokaw, that George and I in 1972. I will never forget a day in June, As you know, at times George and I have belong to the greatest generation. Actually, 1993, when we buried Pat Nixon in the rose had our political differences. Though not the we were fairly average americans, who sud- gardens at the Nixon Library and birthplace. differences you might think. For example, denly found ourselves caught up in the his- After the formal service concluded, we were here at Wesleyan he was twice elected presi- torical whirlwind—a tornado as random and invited inside—away from the prying eye of dent of his class. I have yet to be elected devastating as any that slashed across the television—so that President Nixon could de- president of anything—though I’m thinking prairies of my youth. liver a tribute of his own to his wife of fifty- of running against Bill Clinton for president If we were prepared for the curve balls that three years. Among other things, he spoke of of the Senate spouses. came our way, it was only because of the val- the joys of grandparenting, describing what For me tonight is both an opportunity to ues passed on to us by pioneers and parents happened when their youngest grand- salute an old friend, and to repay an old who had confronted more than their share of daughter, Jennie, asked Mrs. Nixon how she debt. You see, three years ago George came challenges. When hard times engulfed the wished to be addressed. to the dedication of the Dole Institute of American farmer like a Kansas dust storm, After rejecting ‘‘grandmother’’ as too for- Politics at the University of Kansas. What we clung all the tighter to our neighbors. I mal, and ‘‘grandma’’ as a bit too elderly for he said about me then more than made up don’t know about George, but my own com- her liking, Pat suggested to the little girl for what he said about me when I ran for mitment to feeding the hungry is rooted in that she call her ‘‘Ma.’’ Jennie then put the President in 1980, 1988 and 1996. So I figured those distant days when millions of Ameri- same question to her famous grandfather. To the least I could do was to return the favor, cans struggled to put food on the table. Hun- which he replied, ‘‘Oh, you can call me any- and make up for what I said about him, when ger is bipartisan. So is compassion. thing, Jennie, because I’ve been called every- he ran for President in 1968—and 1972—and It wasn’t only economic democracy that thing.’’ At that moment I wasn’t the only 1984. was called into question during those bleak person in the room who was struggling to I’ve long since accommodated myself to a years. Also on the line was the idea—en- control his emotions. Not twenty feet from career pitching Pepsi and other stimulants. shrined in places like Mitchell and Russell— Nixon stood George, dabbing at his eyes with And George has happily resigned himself to that every life is precious because every a handkerchief. the fact that the only presidents in South human is created with a plan and a purpose. Later that day, a reporter approached him, Dakota are on Mount Rushmore. At our The great test of our time was moral as well curious to know why he was there. George

VerDate Mar 15 2010 23:49 Feb 05, 2014 Jkt 081600 PO 00000 Frm 00021 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\2006SENATE\S14NO6.REC S14NO6 mmaher on DSKCGSP4G1 with SOCIALSECURITY S10910 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE November 14, 2006 replied that he had always admired Mrs. HEROICS OF ALAN JOHNSTON civilian, private contractor was award- Nixon, and wished to honor her memory. The Ms. SNOWE. Mr. President, I rise ed this particular medal. Mr. John- reporter persisted. Why should he honor the today to honor and recognize with the ston’s lifesaving response to serve and wife of the man whose alleged dirty tricks sacrifice on behalf of others was some- may have denied him the White House? highest esteem Mr. Alan Johnston of And you know what George told him? In Windsor, ME, for the tremendous cour- thing he chose to do. It was not his what may be the classiest remark I’ve ever age and enormous valor he dem- duty. It was not his responsibility it heard, George looked him straight in the eye onstrated in Iraq in 2004 that helped was his goodwill and American patriot- and said, ‘‘You can’t keep on campaigning save many lives. ism that drove him to put his life at forever.’’ CPT Aaron P. Hill of the U.S. Marine risk in order to assist and save others. Four years later I had my own taste of de- Corps recounted in a witness statement There is only one word that suffi- feat, following a hard fought campaign as ciently describes this exemplary Main- President Ford’s running mate. When it was that Alan Johnston’s heroic actions on over, I got some bracing advice from Hubert August 7, 2004, had he been in military er, and that word is hero. I was ex- Humphrey—yet another proud son of South uniform, would have earned him a tremely proud to present him with the Dakota who knew what it felt like to lose a medal. Mr. Johnston, a civilian con- Defense of Freedom Medal. close one. Hubert, like George, had a gift for tractor who was overseeing construc- Mr. Johnston’s awe-inspiring willing- bipartisan friendship that made him a genu- tion of two medical clinics in Iraq, ness to think of others ahead of himself inely beloved figure in the Senate. We acted swiftly and selflessly to rescue will forever be remembered by those worked closely on issues dealing with agri- others during a suicide attack on the whose lives he touched and saved that culture and nutrition. He was promoting headquarters facility at the Al Kasik day. The courageous commitment and Minnesota dairy farmers, and I was pushing Military Base located approximately 35 valiant care demonstrated by Alan Kansas wheat, but we shared a common vi- Johnston of Windsor, ME, exemplifies sion—the same vision with which George miles northwest of Mosul, Iraq. McGovern gave life to President Kennedy’s Captain Hill was part of a unit advis- the very best of what it means to be a Food for Peace Program—with which he in- ing Iraqi soldiers in Northern Iraq. He Mainer and an American spired school lunch programs and food credits Mr. Johnston with saving a f stamps and which, even now, underlies his number of lives after insurgents drove dream of a world in which no child goes to two water trucks packed with as many TRIBUTE TO ROB MCCLINTIC bed hungry. as 8,000 pounds of explosives to the Ms. STABENOW. Mr. President, I George and Eleanor call this the third free- headquarters building. The blasts from rise today in celebration of my long- dom. They have even set a deadline of 2030 by this insurgent attack lasted over 90 time friend and staff member, Rob which they hope to banish hunger around the minutes and destroyed the 2-level head- McClintic. After 23 years of work in the globe. To some this may seem impossibly vi- U.S. Congress, Rob has decided to re- sionary. Not to the McGoverns. ‘‘People call quarters building, resulting in 14 me an idealist,’’ Woodrow Wilson once said. deaths and an estimated 40 severely to tire from the Senate. ‘‘Well, that is how I know I am an Amer- critically injured people. Rob started with my office on March ican.’’ Acting without hesitation, Mr. John- 13, 1998, while I was still in the U.S. Is it idealistic to insist, as George and I do, ston sounded the alarm, throwing House of Representatives. When I won that school children deserve not only a those around him to the floor, saving the election to the Senate in 2000, I square lunch, but breakfast as well? Is it many lives. In the devastation that fol- couldn’t imagine not bringing Rob to idealistic to demand that the children of low lowed, acting with total disregard to work in the Senate with me. income and working families have the same his own safety, Mr. Johnston emerged Rob is often the first contact with access to basic nutrition as their well-heeled my constituents and visitors. As a staff classmates? Is it idealistic to want to share from the wreckage and began to assist American’s bounty with hungry children in in evacuating and treating the sur- assistant, Rob has been tasked with an- other lands—to feed their bodies out of our vivors. Despite the continuing barrage swering phone calls from constituents abundance, to demonstrate that the freedom of mortars and rockets, Mr. Johnston and greeting visitors. Everyone who we cherish is not the freedom to starve, but continued to offer help with his med- works in Congress knows that answer- the freedom to soar. ical expertise, calm demeanor, and ing phones is an extremely important Is that idealistic—or just plain American? steadfast devotion to helping his fellow job and can be tremendously chal- Here in the Heartland our ideals and our in- man. lenging. This is one of the main ways terests are inseparable. To us freedom is a Mr. Johnston not only reduced cas- that Senators and Representatives theory, a mere abstraction, unless it im- proves the quality of life for those who are ualties and treated the wounded but re- hear how their constituents are feeling set free. Earlier I mentioned Mount Rush- stored critical support systems, includ- on important issues. Rob has at busy more. One of the four Presidents enshrined ing power and water. He also helped to times answered well over 100 or more there is Theodore Roosevelt. One hundred find ways to feed the thousands of Iraqi phone calls a day. In 23 years on the years ago TR professed horror when told of soldiers dependent on the American Hill, Rob surely has answered over Americans who, when traveling abroad, military for support. 600,000 phone calls. This is, needless to apologetically asked their foreign hosts to Alan Johnston, a 6-year veteran of say, a tremendous feat. refrain from judging the United States based the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Rob is also responsible for giving on its politicians. an emergency medical technician for tours of the Capitol building and for But they must judge his country by the ac- tions of its politicians, said TR. Was that nearly 18 years, suffered injuries to his setting up other tours around Wash- idealistic? Or was it simply the old rugged head and leg but treated himself and ington, DC. His knowledge of the his- faith in the ability of so-called ordinary men remained at the base in Iraq for 3 tory of the Capitol is outstanding. He and women to govern themselves? It is easy months after the attack. He left Iraq in knows every corner of the Capitol and to be cynical about modern day politics. But December of 2004 and underwent an- provides a personal touch on each and the easy course will never fix what is broken. other series of leg surgeries once he re- every tour. Rob not only just gave In America, government is nothing if it is turned to the United States. tours, he made sure that the visitors not self-government. For in the mirror of de- As a result of Captain Hill’s eye- from Michigan enjoyed their stay in mocracy we see reflected back to us both our witness account of Alan Johnston’s ac- DC, and experienced the history of Con- noblest, and our meanest, attributes. It is the purpose of this college to promote the tions, last month I had the solemn gress. best that we can be. It is the goal of the privilege of pinning the Defense of Prior to working for me, Rob worked McGovern Center to foster service before Freedom Medal on Mr. Johnston’s lapel for Congressman Phil Sharp from Indi- self. And it is the hope of America that our at a medal ceremony held at my Au- ana, Rob’s home State, from April 1983 politics can be as decent as our people—that gusta, ME, office with Mr. Johnston’s through January 1995 and Congress- civility need never be confused with weak- family present, officially acknowl- woman MARCY KAPTUR of Ohio from ness—nor compromise with surrender. edging these courageous actions. This August 1995 through February 1998. When we come home to this America, we award is a rare and unique commenda- Upon leaving the Senate, Rob will be will fulfill the promise of our birth. We will tion issued only to civilians and is moving back to his home State of Indi- create a legacy to inspire generations yet ana to be closer to friends and family. unborn. And we will uphold the McGovern equivalent to the Purple Heart awarded tradition of idealistic leadership—for that is to military service men and women. I know his family is proud of him and how we know we are Americans. But what is most remarkable is that will welcome him home with open Thank you very much. this occasion marked the first time a arms.

VerDate Mar 15 2010 23:49 Feb 05, 2014 Jkt 081600 PO 00000 Frm 00022 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\2006SENATE\S14NO6.REC S14NO6 mmaher on DSKCGSP4G1 with SOCIALSECURITY