Bob Dole: “not far from the floor of the House of Representatives is a statue of that great son of Oklahoma, Will Rogers. Rogers…”

“not far from the floor of the House of Representatives is a statue of that great son of Oklahoma, Will Rogers. Rogers, of course, delighted in making fun of politics and politicians--but he believed in democracy, and he loved America. Another Oklahoman who believed in democracy and loved America was former Congressman Mike Synar, who passed away this weekend after a brave fight against brain cancer. Mike served in the House of Representatives with great energy from 1979 to 1995. Since we represented neighboring States, we worked together on a number of issues--especially those relating to agriculture. Since Mike was a staunch Democrat, there were many other issues on which we found ourselves on opposite sides. But Mike knew that you could disagree with someone without being disagreeable. And I never doubted for a minute that Mike was standing up for what he believed. He was, in the words of our former colleague David Boren, truly a 'person of principle.' I know I speak for all Members of this Chamber in extending our condolences to Mike's family, and to his many friends.”