Jim Bunning: “it is with great pride and honor that I rise today amongst my fellow colleagues to honor one of America's finest…”

“it is with great pride and honor that I rise today amongst my fellow colleagues to honor one of America's finest citizens, Senator Strom Thurmond of South Carolina. When I look at Strom's career and all that he has accomplished throughout his life, I often find myself wondering how one man could possibly do so much in just one lifetime. Strom Thurmond truly deserves the title of Renaissance man. He has been a farmer, a teacher, a lawyer, a judge, an author, a Governor, a war veteran, a major general in the U.S. Army Reserves, a State senator, a U.S. Senator, a Democrat, a Dixiecrat, a Republican, a husband and a father. Since 1954, when he ran and won a seat in the Senate as a write-in candidate, Strom Thurmond has worked tirelessly and selflessly for the people of South Carolina and the citizens of this great Nation, casting more than 15,000 votes in his time in the Senate. I now ask that my fellow members of the Senate join me in thanking and honoring our good friend and colleague for all that he has done throughout his life and throughout his tenure in the Senate. His brilliance, leadership and unmatched wit will be sorely missed by this legislative body and by the entire Nation. But we will always hold on to the many memories and stories he left behind.”