PASSED: Sens. Moran, Marshall Lead Resolution to Honor Sen. Nancy Kassebaum

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) secured unanimous consent by the U.S. Senate yesterday to pass the resolution he introduced with Sen. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) honoring U.S. Senator Nancy Kassebaum, who passed away on August 21st. She was the first woman to represent Kansas in the U.S. Senate, and she served from 1978 to 1997.

"During her three terms serving in this chamber, Senator Kassebaum was a trailblazer who perfectly embodied the pioneering spirit of our state and the people who call it home," said Sen. Moran. "She earned the admiration of Kansans not just because of her accomplishments - although they were many, and they were impressive - but because Kansans knew that they could trust her to represent them with integrity and mutual respect. The Senate, our nation and the state of Kansas have been changed for the better because of her service."

"Reflecting on the life and legacy of Senator Kassebaum, I am reminded of what a true Kansan she was. She dedicated years of her life to serving our state and made history as the first woman to represent Kansas in the U.S. Senate," said Sen. Marshall. "Her commitment to Kansas and her legacy of service will be remembered for generations to come. Laina and I continue to keep her family, friends, and loved ones in our prayers."

Full text of the Senate resolution can be found here.

Click HERE to Watch Sen. Moran's Full Remarks

Sen. Moran's full remarks as delivered:

"Mr. President, I rise to request passage of my resolution honoring the life and legacy of United States Senator from Kansas, Senator Nancy Landon Kassebaum.

"During her three terms serving in this chamber, Senator Kassebaum was a trailblazer who perfectly embodied the pioneering spirit of our state and the people who call it home. She made history as the first woman to represent Kansas in the United States Senate, and she served from 1978 to 1997.

"During that time, she earned the admiration of Kansans not just because of her accomplishments - although they were many, and they were impressive - but because Kansans knew that they could trust her to represent them with integrity and mutual respect.

"She was native of Topeka and graduate of the University of Kansas. Senator Kassebaum cared deeply about our state. She understood our state, she understood its people and she knew that our people make this called home special.

"She and her husband raised their four children in Maize, a little town outside of Wichita. There, she also served on the Maize Board of Education - the only elected office she would hold before Kansans chose her to represent them in the United States Senate in 1978.

"I was fortunate enough to know Senator Kassebaum well over the years, and I campaigned for her before she was a United States Senator in my part of the state of Kansas, western Kansas, during her first election and the campaigns that followed. In each of those interactions, I appreciated her friendship, and throughout our time of knowing each other, I appreciated her counsel.

"She was deeply respected across our state, and Kansans remain grateful for the way in which she represented us with such intelligence and dedication.

"Her colleague for most of the time she was in the United States Senate was Bob Dole, and perhaps Bob Dole received more national attention - in fact, I know he did; he ran for president three times - but they were friends and colleagues. They worked well together, though they brought different perspectives to the United States Senate and to the people of our state.

"Senator Bob Dole described that legacy of Nancy Kassebaum. He said in these remarks as they prepared to leave the Senate after serving together for nearly two decades.

"Speaking on the Senate floor, Senator Bob Dole said of Senator Kassebaum, this was June 10, 1996, he said: 'Nancy Kassebaum does not speak in a loud voice. She does not clamor for media attention. But as all senators know, while her voice may be quiet, her will is strong.'

"Senator Dole continued: 'For 18 years, she has simply represented the people of Kansas to the best of her abilities, and she has made a positive difference for Kansans and America in the process.'

"That was the Senator Kassebaum who was so deeply respected by the citizens of our state. She was committed to making certain that her service in the Senate reflected the trust Kansans placed in her - and as we reflect on her legacy today, it is evident that she succeeded.

"Upon her death, Kansans mourned greatly. In much of my time in the United States Senate, I've listened to Kansans who say they wish that Senator Dole and Senator Kassebaum were their senators. And if you're over the age of 50 in our state, those are the people you think of as the senators from our state.

"And in both instances, Senator Dole and Senator Kassebaum, it's our opportunity to try to replicate some of the things that they represented and some of the accomplishments they had here on the United States Senate floor.

"Senator Kassebaum's time in public service embodied the institution of the Senate when it was at its best. This body, our nation and the state of Kansas have been changed for the better because of her service.

"Following her retirement from the Senate, she married another senator, Senator Howard Baker of Tennessee. She continued to invest in the state she loved, and she and Senator Baker continued to represent the United States of America in an ambassadorial position in Japan.

"She remained a familiar face across our state after that retirement and could be seen at the State Fair, speaking with Kansans and hearing about issues that they were facing in those days. That, too, that listening to Kansans, that of being among Kansans, that was Senator Nancy Kassebaum.

"She is deeply missed, but her legacy will never be forgotten. As we pay tribute to her life, we join the entire Kassebaum family in mourning a loss that will be felt deeply. I extend my condolences to her children, Bill and John, her stepchildren, Cissy and Darek, and her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

"I ask the Senate to join me in honoring her life and legacy that she leaves behind from that service, from that commitment and from the respect that she gave and that she earned."

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