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[Page S2357]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
Remembering Fritz Hollings
Mr. SHELBY. Mr. President, I rise this afternoon in honor of my good
friend from South Carolina, the late Senator Fritz Hollings, who spent
many, many years right here in this Chamber.
As we mourn his passing today, we remember the great impact Fritz
Hollings had both in the Senate and in his home State of South
Carolina, where he served as Governor, as Lieutenant Governor, as a
member of the State legislature, and so forth. From 1966 to 2005, which
was nearly four decades, he also represented South Carolina in
Washington--right here in this body.
Born and raised in Charleston, SC, Fritz Hollings was a distinguished
graduate of the Citadel and served as an Army artillery officer during
World War II, for which he was awarded, among other things, the Bronze
Star.
For 36 years, Fritz Hollings served alongside Strom Thurmond in the
Senate, whom the Presiding Officer will remember. He was the junior
Senator of his State for six terms, which made him the longest serving
junior Senator in the history of the Senate. Throughout his tenure,
Fritz served as a senior member of the Appropriations Committee, where
I served with him. He was also the chairman of the Budget Committee and
the chairman of the Commerce Committee. He was a skilled legislator and
statesman.
In terms of influential policy, Fritz made quite a mark. He was
instrumental in the creation of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration, which we know as NOAA. When he was chairman of the
Commerce Committee, he also helped to enact laws to alleviate childhood
hunger and to expand competition in telecommunications during the early
stages of the internet.
He may have spent nearly 39 years in the Senate, but his time in
Washington was not all that made up his career.
Fritz Hollings served three terms in the South Carolina House of
Representatives. He won his first election in 1948 at the age of 26. He
went on to serve as South Carolina's Lieutenant Governor and then as
its Governor at the age of 36. In 1984, while he was a sitting Senator
here, he ran for President of the United States. He was a true public
servant. He devoted his entire life to the betterment of his country,
to his State, and to his people.
As we honor his lasting impact and achievements throughout his
career, we are reminded that Fritz was what we would call a southern
gentleman. With a distinguished Charlestonian southern drawl and a
quick wit, Fritz was courteous and well mannered. He built his
seniority with patience and respect.
I am grateful for his friendship and camaraderie over the last 40
years. Annette and I join his family as we mourn his passing and
celebrate his life and the legacy he leaves behind in the U.S. Senate.
I yield the floor.
I suggest the absence of a quorum.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for
the quorum call be rescinded.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
