Senator DIRKSEN was a student of the English language and a true believer in the ability of the spoken word to communicate to his fellow man. His mastery of this talent always insured attention to his never frivolous messages.

Senator DIRKSEN was a great American, and a leader among Republicans. Yet his bipartisan approach to matters affecting the public weal coupled with his always eloquent presentations, contributed to the passage of landmark legislation under Democrat as well as Republican administrations.

I have had, for the last 7 years, the distinct privilege of serving with EVERETT DIRKSEN as a member of the joint House-Senate Republican leadership. I have observed in awe and admiration the continuing contributions he has made in our joint leadership meetings prior to the Nixon administration and since that time in joint leadership meetings with the President. His razor sharp mind and ability to grasp, dissect, and give direction to the solution of the most com plex problems will be sorely missed.

I extend my condolences to Mrs. Dirksen and the other members of his family.

Mr. SMITH of California. Mr. Speaker, we mourn today the profound loss of a great American-Senator EVERETT MCKINLEY DIRKSEN. I feel a deep, personal loss in his passing because it had been my privilege to have a close friendship with this great man—a man great not only in his chosen profession, but great in every respect.

My association with him as a member of the Republican leadership brought admiration and respect for his ability and far-reaching foresight to make decisions in a level-headed way. He was direct with everyone. He had friends on both sides of the aisle, and certainly was a tremendous help to the Presidents under whose administrations he served.

The Tournament of Roses is in my congressional district and each January 1, the association honors an outstanding American by asking him to be grand marshal of the tournament. At the request of Mr. H. W. Bragg, the then president of the Tournament of Roses, I asked Senator DIRKSEN to honor my district on January 1, 1968, by serving as grand marshal. He said:

Now, Allen, you know I couldn't ride a horse.

When I explained to him what the Tournament of Roses was, he agreed to be grand marshal.

He and Louella came to Pasadena and attended all of the festivities during the entire week, which few grand marshals have done. He endeared himself to all who were connected with the tournament and they are still talking about the fact that he was the greatest grand marshal we have ever had. I know he did this as a personal favor to me. It was strenuous for him, but in talking with him later, he said it was one of the greatest experiences of his life which makes me very happy and proud.

I had the privilege of working closely with Senator DIRKSEN during the 1968 Republican National Convention in Florida. I have never ceased to be amazed at the tremendous regard and respect everybody had for this great man at every place.

As an example of this respect and regard, even during the Tournament of Roses President Johnson called him to get his opinion on a decision that had to be made.

In my opinion, Senator DIRKSEN rates among the greatest men that I have ever known. Another great era in American politics has now been closed forever.

Elizabeth joins me in expressing our deepest sympathy to Louella and to their daughter, Joy, and family. To us there was, and only will be, one EVERETT DIRKSEN.

Mr. PATMAN. Mr. Speaker, it was not long after my arrival in Congress that the Honorable EVERETT MCKINLEY DIRKSEN came to the House, where he served with great distinction for eight consecutive terms. During this period, I knew him well and came to have great affection and respect for this man whose outstanding statesmanship and tremendous gift for universal friendship have so profoundly influenced the future of America. When he overcame the temporary physical handicap, which had led to his resignation from the House, it was a foregone conclusion that he would continue his fine career, as he then did in the Senate of the United States with rare distinction and epic success.

Mr. Speaker, I join today with the entire membership of the House and Senate, with our Government and our citizens, and with all the peoples of the world who respected and admired this titan among senatorial leaders, in expressing my deep sorrow and heartfelt sym

pathy for the family he cherished. Our prayers are offered in the knowledge that Senator DIRKSEN was a deeply devout and sincerely religious man, and that the God he worshiped has called him home from his years of unceasing and intrepid labors, labors he devoted to exalt the Master he humbly acknowledged, the country he proudly loved, and the wide world of constituents he unselfishly served.

Mr. SCHADEBERG. Mr. Speaker, I speak now not as a member of the leadership of my party; nor as a colleague of that great statesman, EVERETT DIRKSEN in the U.S. Congress; nor even as a personal friend, since I was not privileged to share in this honored relationship. I speak as an American citizen who in limited associations with the late Senator share with millions of citizens a profound respect for his ability; his leadership; his warmth of affection for others; his knowledge; his talent and his dedication to our constitutional institutions.

His death brings over the people of this Nation an inpenetrable pall of sorrow which while difficult to push aside is not all loss, though at the moment there is bared a gaping hole in the legislative processes. These words-the name of the author which at the moment escapes me—are most prophetic in these days:

I walked a mile with Pleasure.

She chatted all the way,
But left me more the wiser

For what she had to say.

I walked a mile with Sorrow,

And ne'er a word said she.

But O, the things I learned from her

When sorrow walked with me.

Today, Mr. Speaker, we walk in silent sorrow, but because of the stature of the man, whose death we mourn, we will learn in this sorrowful journey some of the most prized lessons that will serve us well in the critical times through which we pass.

I am grateful to Almighty God that I have been privileged to have shared this earth with such great and wonderful men like Senator EVERETT DIRKSEN who was to America what Winston Churchill was to Great Britain-one who in travail helped bring our Nation through some of its finest hours.

May his soul rest in pease, for his works bear continuing testimony to his indomitable spirit.

Mr. GRAY. Mr. Speaker, it was with deep sorrow and profound regret that I learned of the passing of our senior Senator, EVERETT MCKINLEY DIRKSEN. He was not just a Senator from our great State of Illinois. He was a tradition.

He had a style all his own. He brought great credit upon our State and our Nation.

Although we did not agree on all matters affecting our State in the Legislative field, we could always disagree in a friendly manner. This was a great trait of Senator DIRKSEN.

I strongly supported his efforts to pass a constitutional amendment to allow prayers in public tax-supported schools and other public buildings.

His mark upon the legislative history of our country is indelible for all time to come. He will be sorely missed by his colleagues and the Nation.

I want to join the minority whip, Mr. Arends, the Speaker, and the Members of both bodies of Congress in expressing deepest sympathy to Mrs. Dirksen, Mrs. Baker, and the other members of the family. Our thoughts and prayers will be with them during this sad time of bereavement.

Mr. DELLENBACK. Mr. Speaker, the Nation has lost a legislator and a statesman of very considerable stature. EVERETT MCKINLEY DIRKSEN was a man of great ability, deeply committed to serving his country, his State, and his party. His loss will be felt by the Nation.

Much of the historymaking legislation passed in recent years would not have become law without Senator DIRKSEN's efforts. The Civil Rights Act of 1964, which completely altered the social fabric of this Nation, owes its passage in great part to this one man.

In 1963 his decision to support ratification of the nuclear test ban treaty was of major significance in assuring its approval. He explained his decision in words that have a special poignancy today.

One of my age thinks about his destiny a little. I should not like to have written on my tombstone, "He knew what happened at Hiroshima, but he did not take a first step."

EVERETT MCKINLEY DIRKSEN did not hesitate to take that step and many others in his long service. He is one of those few men of whom it may in truth be said, "He changed the path of history."

I join my colleagues in expressing deepest sympathy to the members of his family.

Mr. BROYHILL of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, a great American has passed away. EVERETT MCKINLEY DIRKSEN has meant much to me and to my family. I first met him shortly after his election to the U.S. Senate. My father and he were friends through the years. On my election to the U.S. House of Representatives, Senator DIRKSEN was ever ready to counsel and advise a young Congressman. In every contact and meeting I had with him, he was constantly a fair, even-tempered gentleman.

Recently, Senator DIRKSEN paid a particular, personal tribute to my father on the occasion of a special award and recognition program honoring my father. For this I will be forever grateful.

We who knew him, who admired him, who worked with him, will remember him always. He was truly one of the great ones.

To Mrs. Dirksen, and his daughter, Mrs. Baker, I would like to extend on behalf of my entire family, our most sincere and heartfelt condolences.

Mr. ANNUNZIO. Mr. Speaker, I feel that I speak for the people of the State of Illinois as well as for myself, when I express profound sorrow over the death, on September 7, of the senior Senator from Illinois, the Honorable EVERETT MCKINLEY DIRKSEN.

Senator DIRKSEN was one of the most skilled legislators of our time, a great statesman, and a great American. Even those who disagreed with his thinking on the issues of the day could not help but admire and respect the eloquence, the wisdom, the showmanship, the strength and resolute commitment to our democracy that characterized the Senator from Illinois.

At the time of his death, Senator DIRKSEN was serving his 10th year as Senate minority leader, and had served over 18 years in the Senate and 16 years in the House of Representatives. He was an influential member of the Senate Finance Committee, the Senate Judiciary Committee, the Special Committee on Aging, and the Joint Committee on Immigration and Nationality.

He had a genius for finding the key to agreement on conflicting political issues, and because of his flair for bringing divergent views together, he served an invaluable role for President Nixon as minority