Zach Nunn: “A number of us on the floor of the Senate paid tribute to our former colleague, John Stennis, shortly after his death on…”

“A number of us on the floor of the Senate paid tribute to our former colleague, John Stennis, shortly after his death on April 23 of this year. From the days when he was the youngest judge in Mississippi, through his time as President pro tempore of this body, when he was third in the line of Presidential succession, John Stennis was a man of integrity, honor, judicious temperament, and great personal kindness. A robber took the Phi Beta Kappa key he had worn since his graduation from the University of Virginia Law School--and almost took his life--but no one could ever take away the courage, kindness, and humility of this giant who served in this body for more than 41 years. He married a young home demonstration agent who had come to his county to help farm families improve their lives, and together he and Miss Coy demonstrated for 55 years what a happy, loving home could be. He loved his family, his country, and his State, and his great affection for the people of Mississippi was returned in equal measure.”