CONGRESSIONAL RECORD -- SENATE

June 6, 1968

Page 16161

Mr. MUSKIE. Mr. President, this is a day of profound grief and sorrow for each of us as we mourn the tragic death of a beloved colleague and friend.

It is a day when we seek to marshal all our spiritual resources as we pray for ROBERT KENNEDY and his loved ones, and for our country.

It is a day for grave contemplation of those shortcomings of our society and ourselves which can generate such violent and terrible consequences.

It is a day of foreboding, and disquiet, and uneasiness as we face the uncertainties which tomorrow may bring.

Above all, it is a day to pray for the wisdom, the understanding, the patience, and the will to do what must be done to make our country a just and peaceful place, where each of us is a neighbor to all others.

It is clear that there is much work to be done to deal with grievances, to eliminate inequities, to build a society governed by laws which dispense justice as well as maintain order.

ROBERT KENNEDY was identified in the eyes and hearts and minds of human beings around the globe with a burning desire to do what he could to eradicate injustice. It was for this purpose that he turned to the democratic political process which he understood so well.

As we mourn him -- all of us -- let us dedicate ourselves to that same process to do effectively the work that must be done -- applying reason, balanced judgment, tolerance, and determination to that end.

There is no more appropriate way, Mr. President, to pay tribute to this unusual man of great talent and deep compassion.