Remarks by Representative Hall

Of Missouri

Mr. Speaker, the loss of the dean of the Missouri delegation to our Congress is a profound shock to all of us from the State he loved so well.

He was our next door neighbor on Capitol Hill as an apartment dweller.

Only a few days ago, we had occasion to be on the same plane returning from Missouri to Washington. I escorted him and "Miss Ida” to the apartment. Our conversation turned to Missouri's first Senator, Thomas Hart Benton, and I learned that the forebears of our chairman's wife were related to our first Senator. I had recently read the book, the "Magnificent Missourian,” dealing with the life of Benton; and Chairman CANNON, a profound historian in his own right, expressed an interest in the book. I gave him the book the same night, and only a few days ago received it back with a gracious note and his comments about some of the passages in the book. He was a charming preceptor.

He will be remembered as a man who devoted most of his life to public service for his country and our great State. Mrs. Hall and I want to express our deepest sympathy to his wife and staff.

Remarks by Representative Ichord
Of Missouri

Mr. Speaker, the distinguished and brilliant career of a great man has ended with the passing of the beloved and greatly esteemed CLARENCE CANNON, who has served his district, State, and the Nation so well for so long. who had the privilege to know him personally have lost a dear friend, and the Nation has lost and mourns an energetic and fighting statesman.

Those of us

The illustrious chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, so long associated with the Nation's purse strings, was a man of extraordinary proportions, measured by any criterion. He was forceful and a bulwark by strength in the Congress. He was resourceful. He was animated in his convictions for efficient and effective government. He was a renowned patriot, constantly depicting wisdom and skill in managing affairs of state. CLARENCE CANNON was indeed a legislative technician, and his brilliant career of service to America is a hallmark of dedication and devotion to duty and the people he served so ably and conscientiously. A skillful parliamentarian, a champion of honesty, integrity, and courage, a truly great American, Congressman CLARENCE CANNON will live in the hearts and minds of Americans for years to come. History will record Missouri's CLARENCE CANNON as one of the greatest and most remarkable legislative craftsmen whose influence had a tremendous impact on democratic government.

The life, character, service, career, and principles of ClarENCE CANNON have been monumental contributions to maintaining the ideals and traditions of the House of Representatives for over 41 years. By his very presence he generated a spirit of elevated standards and axioms of highest quality.

In public life and private life Mr. CANNON expressly portrayed the words of William Ernest Henley's "Invictus":

It matters not how strait the gait,

How charged with punishment the scroll.

I am the master of my fate,

I am the captain of my soul.

I shall always cherish my close association with the departed, and I shall miss his wise counsel. In his passing the House of Representatives has lost a "master legislator," and I have lost a dear friend. To his loved ones I extend my heartfelt condolences.

Remarks by Representative McCormack

Of Massachusetts

Mr. Speaker, the remarks of the various Members today are a deserving tribute to a great man, not only a great man but a good man, one of the outstanding figures of American history, particularly on the legislative side of our Government.

CLARENCE CANNON served for over 40 years, representing the people of his district with great credit. He always reflected credit upon them. He served in a dedicated manner. He served the people of his district, his State, and our country during several of the most important periods in our Nation's history. He was here during the days of economic affluence in the twenties. He was here during the days of the great depression. He was in this body during the days of the coming of Hitler across the horizon. He served in this body while Hitler took over Germany and carried on his campaign of wickedness and destruction.

CLARENCE CANNON served in this body during World War II and after World War II, and to this very day of Communist aggression to take over the world and impose that vicious and evil ideology upon all governments and upon all peoples.

During his long and honorable service, CLARENCE CANNON always stood for the national interest of our country. In connection with legislation and appropriations having to do with the strength of America to meet any enemy, actual or potential, we always found CLARENCE CANNON in committee and in the well of this House fighting for such legislation and appropriations that would assure not only the preservation of our country for ourselves, but for future generations of Americans; and at the same time he always stood for and fought for such legislation that would be a warning to any enemy, actual or potential, that America would be prepared.

On the domestic side he fought for progressive measures particularly in the field of agriculture, and he was a leader in strengthening the agricultural life and community of America, to which I can testify, coming from a city district which does not have one farm, and I have consistently supported such legislation during my own years of service in this body.

CLARENCE CANNON represented the spirit of America. He was born of the soil. His thoughts were always connected with the soil of America. His life was somewhat like a Horatio Alger story. In addition to being an inspiration for all Americans to follow and for all good persons everywhere to follow, his life was particularly an inspiration for the youth of America-these youngsters whom we see in the galleries of this Chamber-these youngsters who come to the Capitol. When I see them, I see all young Americans in all places in all the homes and streets of our cities as well as in the rural areas throughout the country. They are the future leaders of our country. They are the ones to whom we must look in the future to take over the reins of Government when those like ourselves and others with responsibility have passed on.

CLARENCE CANNON always had that in mind, always trying to be an inspiration for the youth of America. His dedicated years of service in this body are historical in that respect.

If CLARENCE could speak to us from the great beyond today, I know he would express his pleasure at the depth of feeling that every one of us is experiencing and expressing because of his passing on. And particularly for the beautiful remarks made about that dear sweetheart and wife of his, Mrs. Cannon.

As the poet said:

It is in the arms of a woman we enter life.

In the arms of a woman we gain courage and strength to bear life, It is in the arms of a woman we leave life.

And as for the span between,

How meaningless it would be without her.
And "her" means mother and wife.