Thomas Daschle: “the British poet John Donne said that ``every person's death diminishes us.'' That is certainly true, and it is…”

“the British poet John Donne said that ``every person's death diminishes us.'' That is certainly true, and it is especially true today, for yesterday America and, indeed, the world said goodbye to a man whose death diminishes us all, Senator William Fulbright. He served in the Senate for 30 years. He served with distinction. Some in this Chamber had the privilege of working with him. But whether or not we knew Senator Fulbright personally, we were all touched by him. Our Nation and our world are better for him having passed through it. Senator Fulbright understood that the most powerful deterrent to war is not bombs, not some mysterious shield we might try in vain to erect, but simply understanding. The cornerstone of his legacy, the Fulbright scholars program, has created more than 200,000 ambassadors for peace and for progress throughout the world. These are bright young men and women who have traveled from America to study in 130 nations as well as men and women from around the globe who have come here to our Nation to learn. Our world is safer for the work of these Fulbright scholars and for the vision of the man who made their studies possible. He was a son of Arkansas, but his influence was felt throughout the world, and it will be, I suspect, for generations to come. Today, as we remember Senator Fulbright, it is easy to feel diminished by his passing. But let us also remember how enlarged we are by his life.”