June 10, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE 12395 In the essay which helped her win the Louisiana was blessed with John big heart, who dreamed big dreams and competition over tens of thousands of McKeithen’s strong, determined leader- left an enormous legacy in his wake. others, Leslie wrote that despite the ship at a time when a lesser man, with We know that all our colleagues join us pity, the lack of understanding, and lesser convictions, might have ex- in expressing their deepest sympathy even the alienation of other people, she ploited racial tensions for political to his wife, Marjorie, his children and never once lost faith in her own ability gain. his grandchildren.∑ to focus on her goals. ‘‘In my heart,’’ In fact, throughout the South, f she said, ‘‘I know my dreams are great- McKeithen had plenty of mentors had TRIBUTE TO ELLIOTT HAYNES er than the forces of adversity and I he wanted to follow such a course. But trust that, by the way of hope and for- Governor McKeithen was decent ∑ Mr. JEFFORDS. Mr. President, I rise titude, I shall make these dreams a re- enough, tolerant enough and principled today to pay tribute to Elliott Haynes, ality.’’ enough to resist any urge for race bait- a great American and Vermonter, who And so she has. Yet, what is perhaps ing. In his own, unique way, to borrow passed away on May 19, of this year. even more remarkable than the cour- a phrase from Robert Frost, he took Elliott served his country and his com- age and determination with which she the road less traveled and that made munity in so many ways, and I feel pursued her dreams, is the humility all the difference. blessed to have known him. with which she has accepted her hard- John McKeithen’s wise, moral leader- Elliot and I came from similar back- earned reward. ship at a time of tremendous social and grounds: he lived in my home town of When 1,900 students gathered to economic transformation in Louisiana Shrewsbury, Vermont, where we both honor her achievement, she down- stands as his greatest accomplishment served on the volunteer fire depart- played her accomplishment saying in- in public life. Not only did he encour- ment; we received our BA’s at Yale; stead that everyone possesses the same age the citizens of Louisiana to tol- and we both served our country in the ability to rise above adversity. Rather erate and observe the new civil rights Navy. than dwell on her medical problems, laws passed by Congress in the mid- The list of contributions Elliott she insists that they don’t define who 1960s, he worked proactively to bring made to the International, National, she is. black citizens into the mainstream of and local arenas is impressive not only Emphasizing the power of positive Louisiana’s political and economic life. for its length, but also for its variety. thinking, the Italian author, Dr. Piero Hundreds of African-Americans will This tribute can only touch on a few of Ferrucci, once observed, ‘‘How often— never forget the courageous way that them, but I hope the highlights will even before we begin—have we declared National guardsmen under John give the Senate an impression of how a task ‘impossible’? How often have we McKeithen’s command protected them great a man we have lost. He began his construed a picture of ourselves as in- from harm as they marched from Boga- career writing for the United Nations adequate? A great deal depends upon lusa to the State Capitol in the mid- World Magazine. In 1954, Elliott co- the thought patterns we choose and on 1960s in support of civil rights. And founded the Business International the persistence with which we affirm generations of African-American polit- Corporation in New York. Its purpose them.’’ ical leaders will always have John was to provide information and to help Mr. President, Leslie Jones stands as McKeithen to thank for the way he those who worked in the worldwide a testament to the truth of those words helped open door of opportunity to economic market. In addition to being just as surely as White Station High them and their predecessors. the co-founder, he also served as the School proves that public institutions But racial harmony will not stand as Director, Managing Editor, Editor-in- committed to helping students achieve Governor McKeithen’s only legacy. All Chief, and as Chairman of the Board. can be a major influence in helping of Louisiana has ‘‘Big John’’ to thank In 1959, Elliott joined a group of ex- them shape a positive future for them- for the way our state has become one ecutives called the ‘‘Alliance for selves and others. Both the school, and of the world’s top tourist destinations Progress,’’ who advised then President- especially the student, deserve our ad- by virtue of the construction in the Elect Kennedy on US business policy miration, our praise, and our thanks— early 1970s of the Louisiana Super- towards Latin America. He then served all of which I enthusiastically extend dome. To many—those who did not as the President of the Council for the on behalf of all the people of Tennessee dream as big as ‘‘Big John’’—the idea International Progress of Management and, indeed, all Americans every- of building the world’s largest indoor and as the Chairman of the Board of where.∑ arena seemed a folly, sure to fail. But the International Management Devel- f like a modern-day Noah building his opment Institute, a non-profit organi- ark, McKeithen endured the taunts and zation devoted to managerial training TRIBUTE TO GOVERNOR JOHN jeers of his critics while he forged in Africa and Latin American. MCKEITHEN ahead—sure that his vision for the suc- Elliott was also the manager of nu- ∑ Mr. BREAUX. Mr. President, last cess of the Superdome was sound. merous International business round week Louisiana lost of one its most And today, more than a quarter cen- tables held throughout the years. prominent sons. An era passed into his- tury later, the citizens of Louisiana, While all of these activities would be tory with the death of former Governor particularly those in New Orleans, are enough work for two people, Elliott John McKeithen, who served his state only beginning to understand the enor- found time to create the US branch of with distinction as governor during the mous economic benefits that Louisiana the AIESEC-US, an International orga- turbulent years of 1964 to 1972. had reaped by virtue of the Superdome nization which gave university stu- When he died at the age of 81 in his and the world-wide attention and noto- dents the opportunity to train in busi- hometown of Columbia, Louisiana, on riety it has brought to New Orleans. nesses throughout the world. Later on the banks of the Ouachita River, John Even at that time, Louisiana’s citi- in his life, he served as their Inter- McKeithen left a legacy of accomplish- zens recognized that there was some- national Chairman and was inducted ment as governor that will likely not thing unique and very special about into their Hall of Fame. Throughout be matched in our lifetime. As one po- their governor. And so it was for that all of this, he served as an advisor and litical leader observed last week, with reason that they amended the state’s occasional lecturer for various business John McKeithen’s death ‘‘we have wit- Constitution to allow him to become schools, including Indiana University, nessed the passing of a giant, both in the first man in the state’s history to Pace University, and Harvard Business physical stature and in character.’’ serve two consecutive terms in the School. Indeed, McKeithen was not affection- Governor’s Mansion. Elliott Haynes was also very active ately called ‘‘Big John’’ for nothing. Senator LANDRIEU and I doubt that in the State of Vermont. He was a Like most great leaders, he thought we will ever see the likes of John member the Rutland Rotary, served on big and acted big. McKeithen again—a big man, with a the Board of Directors of the Visiting VerDate Aug 04 2004 14:55 Oct 02, 2004 Jkt 069102 PO 00000 Frm 00070 Fmt 0686 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR99\S10JN9.002 S10JN9.