Kay Bailey Hutchison: “today we mourn the loss of a great Texan and a true American hero. Lloyd Bentsen passed away this morning, and I rise to…”

“today we mourn the loss of a great Texan and a true American hero. Lloyd Bentsen passed away this morning, and I rise to pay tribute to the life and legacy of a great statesman. Senator Bentsen served this Nation in numerous capacities. Everyone in Texas knew who Lloyd Bentsen was during all of the time that I was in my early years of public service. Many in this body also served with him and knew him well. He put his stamp on Texas, and he put his stamp on our country. Lloyd Bentsen was born in Mission, TX, in 1921, in the southernmost part of our State. He attended public schools and graduated from the University of Texas Law School in 1942. Upon graduation, he served in the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II. He flew more than 200 bombing missions to liberate Europe from the Nazi grasp. For his heroic service, he was awarded the Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters, as well as the Distinguished Flying Cross for valor in combat. He retired with the rank of colonel from the Air Force Reserve. After the war, Lloyd Bentsen returned home to his native Rio Grande Valley. There he began his career as a public servant. As everyone who worked with him will attest, Lloyd Bentsen was a natural. His first office was county judge of Hidalgo County. He was then elected to represent Texas in the U.S. House of Representatives in 1948, serving 6 years before leaving Congress to go into business.…”