Vernon Ehlers: “I have been in Congress almost 10\1/2\ years, and I have enjoyed the friendship of the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr.…”

“I have been in Congress almost 10\1/2\ years, and I have enjoyed the friendship of the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Bereuter) almost that entire time. I have always been extremely impressed with him. He is a very fine person. Approximately a decade ago, the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Bereuter) pulled me aside in his role as leader of the congressional delegation to NATO. He explained to me what the NATO Parliamentary Assembly was, explained to me that Europeans all had scientists serving on the Science Committee, but no one from the U.S. did. He asked me to serve since I am a physicist by training. I acquiesced rather reluctantly because it seemed like a huge assignment as a brand-new Member of Congress, but it has given me an opportunity to come to know Doug and Louise much better. I would like to talk about the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Bereuter) as a diplomat. He is a consummate diplomat. He is patient, with a calm demeanor. He is always polite, no matter what point of view he is being forced to listen to. He is a careful listener. He is a good negotiator, and a decent person, a man of integrity. All of these are hallmarks of a good diplomat. Doug has served not only Congress but our Nation well as a diplomat in his position of serving and leading the NATO Parliamentary Assembly delegation from the United States. It has been a pleasure to serve with him and to learn from him in that role.…”