Trent Lott: “Today the Senate takes time to celebrate the life and career of one of its most outstanding Members who, though always a…”

“Today the Senate takes time to celebrate the life and career of one of its most outstanding Members who, though always a loyal son of South Carolina, has become, indeed, a nation's treasure. It is not enough to say Senator Strom Thurmond has lived his life well. It has been an extraordinary life. Again and again today, we will hear points made about various accomplishments in his life. Senator Daschle has already noted many of them, but there is so much that can be said about this particular Senator that words are almost inadequate. As I was thinking about him over the weekend, I thought about his life and what he has done and what he has seen and the little acts he does on a human personal basis. First, when one thinks about it, his is a life that has included being an educator, a judge, a soldier, yes, a general, Governor, a Presidential candidate--in fact, when I was 7 years old, Senator Thurmond was already running for President and carried my State as well as four others, I believe--and a U.S. Senator where he has served so admirably as chairman of the Judiciary Committee, chairman of the Armed Services Committee, and President pro tempore.”