And I am grateful that he extended to me the opportunity to call him my friend.

Mr. ROSTENKOWSKI. Mr. Speaker, I am deeply grieved as I join with my distinguished colleagues who eulogize today the life and accomplishments of one of America's greatest statesmen, EvERETT MCKINLEY DIRKSEN. Words alone cannot adequately express the contributions that this great man gave to his constituents in Illinois, as well as to all the people in our country.

Senator DIRKSEN was a man who possessed a keen intellect, coupled with a flair for colorful oratory. With these tools he became well known, not only in the hallowed halls of Congress where he lived for 35 years, but also in the highest counsels of the executive branch, as was evidenced by four Presidents who continuously sought his sagacious advice in legislative matters. He was not only a legend in his own time, but his was a reputation that will live on in the annals of American civilization. For whenever men assemble to discuss the history of politics in our Republic, they will not be able to escape the Dirksonian imprint as it was so astutely interwoven through the events of the first half of the 20th century.

On behalf of myself and of Mrs. Rostenkowski, I would like to extend my sincere condolences to Mrs. Dirksen and the entire Dirksen family.

Mr. MCMILLAN. Mr. Speaker, we were all saddened over the news of our colleague, the late EVERETT MCKINLEY DIRKSEN. I always considered Senator DIRKSEN one of my closest personal friends as we served together as members of the House District Committee for 7 years when I first came to Congress. In fact, he was my first Republican chairman during the 80th Congress and I was serving as ranking Democrat on the committee during his term as chairman of that committee. We experienced no difficulty in working out the legislation problems of the Nation's Capital and no one ever mentioned politics on that committee. He understood and I understood that we were members of the House District Committee to serve our Nation's Capital and it actually made no difference. whether a member was a Republican or Democrat.

His only reason for being a member of that committee was to keep our Nation's Capital a safe and clean place to live and a place where

the millions and millions of visitors who visited the Capitol could visit without any fear. I do not remember serving with any Member of Congress who had the full command of the English language as did Senator DIRKSEN. When I first came to Congress, I would listen to the Senator speak on several occasions for 1 hour and the time would only seem like 5 minutes.

I am certain that everyone privileged with Senator DIRKSEN's acquaintance knew that he was first at all times an American. He believed in the U.S. Constitution. He also believed in taking care of America first.

One of the outstanding memories I will have during my term of service in the Congress of the United States is the opportunity to serve very closely with the late Senator DIRKSEN and Mrs. McMillan joins me in expressing our deepest sympathy to Mrs. Dirksen and their daughter.

Mr. WILLIAMS. Mr. Speaker, I join with millions of Americans in grieving the loss of EVERETT DIRKSEN and extend my heartfelt sympathy to his family. Mr. DIRKSEN was a truly memorable spokesman and devoted workman for the people of this country. Even those who did not always agree with him, did always have to respect him.

As minority leader of the Senate, Mr. DIRKSEN has been a powerful spokesman for the Republican Party for better than a decade. The power that he wielded in that position has been the deciding factor in action upon more legislation than can ever be counted. His death creates a void which is felt not only by his colleagues in Congress, but by all America.

We have lost a great leader, a great patriot, a great Republican, and a great American. I join with my colleagues in expressing my dismay at his untimely death and in expressing my deep appreciation for Senator EVERETT DIRKSEN's outstanding service to his country.

Mr. AYRES. Mr. Speaker, the mellifluent voice of EVERETT MCKINLEY DIRKSEN is stilled and this Nation mourns. However, his words shall live on to help us guide this country during the days of crisis that are before us.

We who were privileged to serve with him during his many terms in both bodies of the U.S. Congress felt a deep sense of gratitude to him for the hand of brotherhood that he extended to us all.

Senator DIRKSEN was a great man but more importantly for us he was a good great man-dedicated to service to God and his country.

He began his service to this Nation 52 years ago when he entered the service of the U.S. Army in World War I. Even this early in his life, we can see the pattern that was to follow him during all of his days for though he entered military service as a private he was commissioned in France as an officer. He served 17 months overseas during that conflict.

His service in our Armed Forces gave him great insight into the problems of the veteran and we who served on the House Veterans' Affairs Committee found that he supported our efforts on behalf of the veterans of our wars.

Like many of us serving in the U.S. Congress, EVERETT DIRKSEN used the hoe and the plow during his youth. He never lost his love for the soil and the men who tilled it. He understood full well the problems of agriculture and created legislation that benefited those that remained on the farm.

Again like many of us here, he worked his way through college. He left the university when our Nation called and returned to it when his service was completed.

Here we see his steps followed that of another great American from his State of Illinois, Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln, too, was a son of the soil who became first a fine lawyer and then a reputable statesman.

We Ohioans have long acknowledged the greatness of EVERETT MCKINLEY DIRKSEN. He was the most loyal friend and colleague of our own late great leader, U.S. Senator Robert A. Taft. We in my home city of Akron, Ohio, often welcomed him to our city.

During my 19 years in the U.S. Congress, I valued my friendship with this great spokesman for the people of our country. I am sorry at his passing.

The United States of America is a finer Nation because of his coming amongst us-for this we are grateful not only to him but also to his wonderful family who so unselfishly shared him with us.

Mr. EVINS of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Senator EVERETT DIRKSEN, of Illinois, who leaves as his legacy a brilliant and dedicated career of public service.

Senator DIRKSEN was a courageous, colorful, eloquent leader, a great American and a great statesman, a strong party man and yet a national leader who placed the national interest above party considerations.

When the chips were down on a bill in the public interest, Presidents leaned on EVERETT DIRKSEN to provide the needed margin of support. Senator DIRKSEN, beneath his dry wit and colorful eloquence, was a skilled legislative leader-he knew and understood the art of legislation.

I felt a personal affection and admiration for Senator DIRKSEN, as in recent years he was often referred to as the third Senator from Tennessee. His daughter is the wife of Senator Howard Baker, of Tennessee, and Senator DIRKSEN frequently visited in Tennessee.

Mrs. Evins joins me in extending our deepest and most sincere sympathy to Mrs. Dirksen, Mrs. Baker, and other members of the family.

Mr. PELLY. Mr. Speaker, I share the shock and sorrow of our land today over the passing of Senator EVERETT DIRKSEN. This is a loss shared by all segments of our society, both personal and political.

And, as the voice of this leader is stilled, so is a long and colorful political leadership. EVERETT DIRKSEN was the last of a special brand of political strategists, and his leadership will be missed.

Mr. Speaker, I join all Americans today in expressing my sympathy to Senator DIRKSEN's wife and family in this time of sorrow.

Mr. LANGEN. Mr. Speaker, EVERETT Dirksen would have been the first to stand to say something good about another legislator who had died. It seems almost presumptuous now to reflect on his life and his contribution to government by the people. Few must be the men today who do not feel a sense of inadequacy as they struggle to capture in a few words the loss suffered by this Nation and this world.

Those of us so fortunate as to have been privileged to work closely with the Senator and who find it difficult to think of American Government without thinking of EVERETT DIRKSEN are perhaps the least able to measure his real accomplishments. We are too close to the man as a warm, compassionate, and singular human being to realize he was even more in the larger sense as an American insti

tution. History is better suited to eulogize Senator DIRKSEN than are his contemporaries.

The Senator himself asked what he believed was his greatest contribution to Congress, said it was keeping many bad laws off the statute books. It might be better to say that Mr. DIRKSEN set a standard and a mood that worked to everyone's advantage as it made itself manifest throughout the whole fabric of lawmaking. His voice that became so distinctive grew to represent measured conscientious consideration of issues on their own merit. That voice, described as the sound gravel makes in a jar of honey, will be missed. Missed too will be the "gallant man" behind it.

Perhaps the only man endowed with the gift of oratory equal to the task of eulogizing EVERETT DIRKSEN now lies dead. That may be the most we can say of him. I thank God for Everett Dirksen.

Mr. PICKLE. Mr. Speaker, Senator EVERETT MCKINLEY DIRKSEN, the most colorful Senator, statesman, and legislator of modern times, showed us there is still fun to be had while we grapple with the problems of the world. Our Nation—and especially the Members of Congress and the press-will always be grateful for the life and services of this lovable man.

Mr. BROTZMAN. Mr. Speaker, Colorado has lost a good friend, this Nation had lost a great statesman.

Senator DIRKSEN was a man of sharp wit, deep human compassion, and absolute dedication to this country.

Mrs. Brotzman and I extend our condolences to Mrs. Dirksen and the members of his family.

Mr. CRAMER. Mr. Speaker, it is with great sorrow that I join millions of Americans in paying high tribute to my beloved friend and leader, EVERETT MCKINLEY DIRKSEN.

Senator DIRKSEN's death ends an era in American politics. "Mr. Republican," a title he richly deserved, has passed away. Yet no one who remembers his melodic voice, watched his legislative craftsmanship, observed his forensic ability or was touched by his friendly good humor will soon forget this great Senator from Illinois. In the tradition of the great public figures of this era, he will live on in the hearts and minds of the American people, not only because of the command of his performance, but also because of what he said.