But more than any one issue or piece of legislation, JOHN EAST's legacy in the Senate will be reflected in his contribution to what he termed the "national dialog." From communication, he said, "legislation will flow *** and a better understanding of ideas and philosophy will come forth."

As we go about our business here, it is sometimes easy to become immersed in the more procedural aspects of legislating-the day to day, nuts and bolts issues, if you will. But JOHN EAST was a constant reminder to us that ideas do indeed matter, that they have consequences, and that we need to step back at times and examine the broader philosophical ramifications of our work. In doing this, he reinforced the tradition of the U.S. Senate as a truly deliberative body.

Sadly, the national dialog has lost one of its important voices. But we must not dwell on losses, just as JOHN never dwelled on losses. We must find solace in the fact we had the good fortune of knowing, and serving with, JOHN EAST for as long as we did.

I thank the majority leader for setting this time aside today to pay tribute to our friend from North Carolina.

Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, I join my colleagues in the Senate today in expressing respect and affection for our departed friend, JOHN EAST.

No other Senator, that I know of, brought to this job a greater sense of duty, responsibility, or purpose than JOHN EAST did when he took the oath of office. He worked hard, and long, to uphold the tradition of excellence that the Senate enjoys as an institution.

Senator JOHN East loved and appreciated the Senate, and by his service in this body he added an extra dimension of respect to it.

His work here was in keeping with the exhortation of Edmund Burke, who said a representative of the people owes them more than just his industry, he also owes them his good judgment. JOHN EAST had strong convictions. He was a man of carefully constructed views and principles, and he based all he did here upon those firmly held beliefs.

He was not, therefore, merely a pleader for parochial interests. He spoke up for his State of North Carolina with effect, but his work had substance to it as well. He made that his hallmark here, in the Senate.

I was very impressed with JOHN EAST and his understanding of the traditions and the role of the Senate. We miss him.

My sincerest best wishes go out to his wife, Sis, and his entire family. They all made sacrifices so that our country and the Senate could have the benefit of the excellent service of JOHN EAST.

Mr. CHAFEE. Mr. President, we mourn the passing of our friend JOHN EAST. The biography of him set forth that he is a man of 55, born in North Carolina. He had a distinguished career, Phi Beta Kappa from college. He was a college professor. Then he was elected to the U.S. Senate.

There are three characteristics that I particularly remember of JOHN EAST.

First of all, he was a man of strong beliefs. He was not a passive onlooker at the scene of life. He had beliefs and feelings on what took place, domestically and internationally, and he spoke out about those. So, first, it was his strong beliefs. Second, I remember him for his courage, both his physical courage and his moral courage.

As we all know, JOHN EAST was physically afflicted and was, in a sense, confined to a wheelchair. But why do I say in a sense? Because, in fact, he was not bound by the limitations of his physical afflication. It did not limit him in any way.

His courage was demonstrated, furthermore, by the fashion in which he spoke out. He was not one to trim his sails to popular opinion. JOHN EAST called the shots as he saw them and spoke out vigorously for the beliefs and feelings that he had. So, first it was his strong beliefs and second, was his courage.

Third, the warmth of his personality. JOHN EAST was a man who always had a cheerful and friendly smile and greeting. He was a person you were glad to see. Despite the problems, the physical difficulties that he might have had, it did not cause him to be a sad and glum person.

JOHN EAST was rightfully a hero to many.

The loss of JOHN EAST is so sad. It is sad for his family. It is sad for his friends. It is sad for the people of North Carolina, and the people of the United States likewise. And it is sad for all of us because, obviously, he was discouraged and upset. We can only ask ourselves, could we have reached out our hands and hearts to a greater degree than we did.

I think that is a feeling and question that every single one of us in the Senate have asked ourselves.

So we truly mourn the passing of JOHN EAST. We think of his strong beliefs. We think of his courage. We think of the warmth of his personality. We will miss him. From his loss, we

receive new inspiration to be better Members of this body and of the fellowship of mankind.

Mr. HUMPHREY. Mr. President, JOHN EAST was here among us in the Senate Chamber just days ago. And now he is gone. We miss him.

JOHN EAST was a fine man and a great servant of his State and our country. He was not given to theatrics, he was a sincere man. He was calm and temperate, because he had a consistent set of principles and stuck by them. JOHN was not much affected by the passing fads of this worldly city on the Potomac. He knew his own mind, he knew his principles, and he was confident in both. He was more than confident, he was courageous.

Maybe JOHN EAST was too good for Washington. He was a man of logic, not emotion. He was a man of principle, not political pragmatism. Already burdened by a physical disability, he was, I suspect, further burdened and saddened at the intellectual dishonesty that too often passes for policymaking in this city.

JOHN was a bright man, an intellectual, a scholar. He spoke only when he had something important to say. Historians will find in his remarks clear analyses of the problems facing our Nation in this age.

JOHN was vigilant to see that our Government fulfilled its primary role, to secure the inalienable, God-given rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. In that effort, he was an outspoken defender of the right to life of unborn children.

North Carolina and America were fortunate to have JOHN EAST in the Senate of the United States. Despite his affliction, he stood taller than most of us in this body. God rest his soul. I salute a fine man, a distinguished colleague, and a friend.

Mr. President, I extend my sympathies to Senator EAST'S wife, Sis, and to his children and his family and friends.

Mr. DURENBERGER. Mr. President, I rise regretfully to add my few words to the collective expression of this body of our love and sadness over the passing of JOHN EAST. The only solace I can find is in believing that he is now at rest and that he taught us much while he was among us.

I first met JOHN EAST in 1978, when I was then a long-shot candidate for the Senate. JOHN had traveled to Minnesota as North Carolina's National Republican Committeeman. I gave a speech to a large group at the Governor's residence about the kind of Senator I hoped to be. JOHN came up to me afterwards and told me he was positive that I would win my election. He

may have been the only convert that night. Imagine my surprise when 2 years later this wheelchair-bound professor from North Carolina followed me into the Senate and enabled me to serve in a Senate majority.

JOHN taught me, by his daily example, the capability of the human spirit to overcome and persevere. Afflicted as a young man with crippling polio, he had to cope with countless obstacles of daily life that the rest of us hardly think of. He did so admirably. Even a glimpse of JOHN moving through the Capitol in his wheelchair or exercising in the Russell gymnasium reminded me of how minor were the problems with which I was preoccupied on a given day and how fortunate I was. And I grieved with all Members when his hardship was compounded by the onset of hypothyroidism. It is indeed hard to imagine how a person could sustain himself under such a double blow.

It is fitting on this occasion to praise the courage and determination of JOHN EAST in living out his convictions and serving at great personal cost. It is equally appropriate, Mr. President, that we as a body pause a moment and examine our own lives against the example that JOHN set and learn from the life he lived.

Mr. HELMS. This means a great deal to me personally, and to JOHN EAST's family and to the fine staff that he assembled, to hear words from distinguished Americans such as the Presiding Officer of the Senate at the moment (Mr. Goldwater) and Senator Denton, of Alabama, who will always be a foremost American hero to me.

In all of our tributes to our fallen friend, it ought not to be overlooked that Senator EAST possessed a remarkable sense of humor. I remember his rolling into this Chamber for a vote on one occasion about 3 o'clock in the morning. He motioned to me and I went over and he said, with a broad grin, “You did not tell me it was going to be like this."

Then I heard him say of the media on one occasion-and the media gave him a hard time, constantly-he said, "The nicest thing the media ever said about me is that I am balding."

JOHN, of course, was bald. He said, "Balding? I am not balding. I am bald. Helms is balding."

He was quick witted and he was slow to take offense. As a matter of fact, I know of very few occasions when JOHN was offended by the harsh things that were said by the liberals

about him and the principles in which he believed and for which he stood so gallantly.

JOHN EAST's character, ability, and dedication, Mr. President, were not known merely in this body or in this city or in the State of North Carolina, but throughout the country. In my travels around America, inevitably people would say, "You are blessed with a fine colleague." I would say, "You are certainly right about that." Then statements would be made indicating an awareness of the courage and principles of this remarkable American, JOHN EAST.

As an indication, and just one indication, I have in hand a resolution passed by the legislature of the State of Louisiana, which was received by the Vice President of the United States. I feel it is appropriate at this time to read this resolution into the Record because it is a measurement of the respect in which JOHN EAST was held. I shall read it in its entirety.

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 256

Whereas, Senator JOHN P. EAST of North Carolina, born on May 5, 1931 in Springfield, Illinois, was an exemplary public servant, a man of patriotism, with a keen intellect; and

Whereas, Senator EAST was a man of academic distinction who graduated from Earlham College in Indiana, where he was selected as a member of the honorable and prestigious Phi Beta Kappa Honor Fraternity; the University of Illinois, where he received a law degree; and the University of Florida, where he received a master's degree and a doctorate in political science; and

Whereas, throughout his life Senator EAST exemplified an unyielding belief in principle and the determination to keep our country strong; and

Whereas, this dedication was exhibited through his service in the United States Marine Corps, as a college professor, as the junior United States Senator from North Carolina, and in two campaigns for the United States House of Representatives and for secretary of state for North Carolina; and

Whereas, Senator EAST bravely fought against serious health problems throughout much of his life and dealt with them with the same fortitude and strength that he demonstrated in public life; and

Whereas, Senator EAST was an able and thoughtful leader and modern day philosopher of Republican conservatism in the United States, whose views and positions have been important influences in our political system; and

Whereas, the contributions of Senator EAST and the principles he stood for shall long be remembered by the many persons who were influenced by the reasoning and logical thought of this man of quiet dignity and conviction.

Therefore, be it resolved that the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Legislature of Louisiana do hereby remember Senator JOHN P. EAST for his years of dedication to the finer ideals of life and for his selfless and dedicated service to his community and nation.

Be it further resolved that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby express to his family and his colleagues in the United States Senate its sincere condolences at the loss of this special man who gave so much.