Chuck Hagel: “on Friday, Nebraska lost one of the most dominant political figures in our State's history. Former two-term Governor and…”

“on Friday, Nebraska lost one of the most dominant political figures in our State's history. Former two-term Governor and three-term U.S. Senator Jim Exon passed away in Lincoln at the age of 83. Many in this Chamber today served with him and knew him well. Those who served with Jim Exon remember a serious and dedicated public servant who enjoyed life and loved his State. Jim's voice was strong, and he spoke clearly and directly. No one ever had to guess where Jim Exon stood. As a Governor and a Senator, he fought for balanced budgets and restrained Government spending. In the Senate, from his seat on the Armed Services Committee, he was a passionate advocate for a strong national defense. As a member of the Commerce Committee, he was a protector of our natural resources, and he had the foresight to author the Communications Decency Act. Mr. President, today, when politics is too often a race to the lowest political common denominator, Jim Exon was a very effective leader, a partisan leader who always played it straight. He never lost an election. He won five statewide elections in Nebraska, more than any other Nebraskan. Under Jim Exon's leadership, the Democratic Party became the dominant party in Nebraska for 25 years. Anyone who knows Nebraska understands what a remarkable accomplishment that was. He did it by listening to the people. He did it by being a leader. I was Jim Exon's replacement in the Senate in 1996.…”