September 30, 1976
Page 33789
Mr. MUSKIE. Mr. President; at the end of this session, we will lose to retirement one of our most distinguished Members, STUART SYMINGTON.
During the past 24 years, he has served the people of Missouri and of the Nation ably and faithfully. We will miss his wise counsel and advice.
For few men have been more committed, knowledgeable and articulate for the cause of national security and world peace. Time and again, STU SYMINGTON helped educate and lead this body as we prepared to make momentous and difficult decisions — decisions that not only we, but generations more must live with.
He brought to the Senate an already distinguished record in private business and service in the Truman administration, culminating as our Nation's first Secretary of the Air Force.
And it was not long after that he made a name for himself in the Senate.
That was during the depths of the McCarthy reign — when it was tempting and easy for leaders to stay silent about the irresponsible wrecking of innocent lives.
But STU SYMINGTON did not stay silent. Repeatedly during the McCarthy subcommittee hearings, he pushed for the truth. In the end, the truth prevailed, and the dark career of Joe McCarthy came to an end.
Through his example, STU SYMINGTON taught us that the real danger to this Nation lies in all threats to our personal freedom — and that courageous leadership is needed to protect that freedom.
He served ably and simultaneously in three demanding committee posts — Foreign Relations, Armed Services, and Joint Atomic Energy — a unique record.
In those posts, he was able to synthesize the policies in those areas which could best serve the interests of our country.
His public concern about the growing threat of nuclear proliferation, his early doubts about the wisdom of our involvement in Vietnam, his very instrumental opposition to the ill-advised ABM program, and his exposure of secret commitments to Thailand, Laos, and other nations were some of the hallmarks of his service.
It has been a pleasure to serve with STU SYMINGTON; few men in this body have carried out their duties with more dignity, eloquence, and diligence. We all owe him a debt of gratitude.