I was saddened to learn
this morning of the death of Senator Frank Lautenberg, who for decades
represented the people of New Jersey
He also served his
nation as a member of the United States Army Signal Corps in the Second World
War. Senator Lautenberg’s passing marks a significant milestone: at the time of
his death, he was the only World War II veteran in the Senate – the last of a
group that once included Senators Daniel Inouye, Bob Dole, John F. Kennedy,
George McGovern, Ted Stevens, and John Chafee, among many others. These men,
representatives of a generation forged by battle and sacrifice abroad, came to
understand the value of public service early in life, and continued that
honorable service in the political arena after returning home.
I was fortunate to
serve alongside Senator Lautenberg on the Environment & Public Works
Committee, where I was proud to stand with him in defense of some of the most
critical environmental legislation of our time, such as the Clean Air &
Clean Water Acts and a sensible Endangered Species Act. Senator Lautenberg and
I also shared a belief in the importance of investing in our public
infrastructure, and worked together to secure passage of the Safe, Accountable,
Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act of 2005.
In his three decades in
the United States Senate, Frank Lautenberg upheld that Chamber’s long legacy of
serious, collaborative work carried out for the good of the people. He will be
missed, not just in his home State of New
Jersey
