On the recordJune 29, 2011
I rise today to honor the life and commitment of Senator Richard B. Russell to the State of Georgia and to our Nation. Senator Russell died on January 21, 1971, 40 years ago as of this past winter. Senator Russell devoted 50 years of his life to public service as a state legislator, as Governor of Georgia, and as U.S. Senator. I take great pride in recalling before this body the lasting imprint on the history of Georgia, the U.S. Senate, and our Nation that Senator Russell left behind. He was a natural-born leader who had the persuasive ability to unite men, a quality which aided in his rapid rise to positions of political power. He will be remembered as the most prominent of politicians of his time. He began service in public office early in his life, serving in the Georgia House of Representatives at the age of 24. That was in 1921. His composed demeanor and civil nature quickly led to his nomination for Speaker of the Georgia House a few years later. He was the youngest Speaker ever elected in the Georgia House. Under Russell's guidance, the State of Georgia saw drastic improvements in the organization of State government. He went on to win the largest majority in the State's history for the election of Governor in 1931. It was in the midst of our Nation's most devastating economic downturn, and he was only 33 years old. Despite all this, he succeeded in guiding Georgia out of the Great Depression.…
