2000 -- S 2140

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LC01113
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S  E  N  A  T  E     R  E  S  O  L  U  T  I  O  N

HONORING THE LIFE OF SENATOR JOHN H. CHAFEE AND EXTENDING CONDOLENCES ON HIS PASSING

WHEREAS, On October 22, 1922, John Hubbard Chafee was born with the promise of a future that would profoundly affect the State of Rhode Island and the nation; and

WHEREAS, Young John Chafee demonstrated courage and character from an early age, as evidenced by a celebrated incident in 1933 when a companion fell through the ice during a spirited game of ice hockey. As their fellow hockey players ran for help, John Chafee took matters in his own hands and extended his hockey stick through the hole in the ice - a decisive action which saved the life of future Governor Bruce Sundlun; and

WHEREAS, John Chafee's courage was tested, but never failed him throughout military service which was marked by extraordinary leadership and heroism. 19-year-old Lt. John Chafee's service in Guadalcanal during the pivotal campaign in 1942, and later service in Okinawa and Korea, established Chafee's reputation as a war hero and patriot - a distinction that the purple heart recipient was too modest to discuss or publicly acknowledge throughout his lifetime; and

WHEREAS, Upon his return home after World War II, Chafee earned an undergraduate degree from Yale University and a law degree from Harvard before being recalled to active duty in Korea. He returned to Rhode Island after the war to build a family with his young bride, Virginia, established himself as an attorney, and extended his service ethic beyond the military to launch a career in public service; and

WHEREAS, John Chafee cut his political teeth in a campaign to represent part of Warwick in the Rhode Island House of Representatives, where he served for three successive terms. After just one term, Chafee's Republican colleagues elevated him to the post of minority leader, a leadership position which was a natural stepping stone to the Governor's Office; and

WHEREAS, Despite his political identity as a Republican in an overwhelmingly Democrat state, Chafee defied the odds by narrowly winning the race for Governor in 1962. He began building a record based on honest service, commitment to substantive issues, visionary ideas on environmental protection, and a belief that government should be an agent of positive change - and the young governor quickly proved that the voters' confidence was well-founded. He went on to win re-election twice with the most decisive margins in state history; and

WHEREAS, In a defining moment of his political career, John Chafee refused to deny the need for a state income tax during his 1968 re-election campaign. Though his candid statements cost him the election, Chafee's reputation as a man of integrity was solidified when state leaders eventually acknowledged the necessity for new revenue and adopted the income tax after all; and

WHEREAS, The former governor ascended to the national arena in 1969 when President Nixon named Chafee Secretary of the Navy, a position he held until 1972; and

WHEREAS, In 1976 Chafee won a seat in the United States Senate, where he established himself as a moderate Republican with a talent for facilitating compromise on major issues. His stature in the Senate rose through years of work on landmark bills which created the historic Clean Water Act and Clean Air Act, expanded health care for children and the poor, preserved open space, protected wetlands, promoted adoption of special needs children, and helped children raised in foster care to make the transition to lives of adult independence; and

WHEREAS, Senator Chafee's influence in Washington grew as he assumed a number of important roles in the Senate, serving as chairman of the Senate Leadership Conference, chairman of the Environment and Public Works Committee, and as a senior member of the Senate Finance Committee. Yet, regardless of the power he wielded and the ratified environs in which he worked, he never lost his ability to identify with his constituents, never lost his sense of awe about the history of his surroundings, and he never lost his faith in the possibilities that government offered to improve the lives of others; and

WHEREAS, On October 24, 1999, John Chafee's extraordinary journey on Earth came to an untimely end. Scores of Rhode Islanders and national leaders mourned publicly over his passing, saying their good-byes in a manner which was as heartfelt and dignified as the man who inspired their affection and respect; and

WHEREAS, John Chafee will be remembered fondly by Rhode Islanders as an uncommon man with a common touch, one who shunned the trappings of privilege and political success to remain true to his calling. He is also recalled by his Senate colleagues and political leaders as a decent, honest, and humble man who brought humor and good sense to Capitol Hill; and

WHEREAS, Those who knew John Chafee best will always regard him as far more than a great public servant, and their fondest memories will undoubtedly come from the private moments they shared with him. From his devoted wife, Virginia, who cherished the life she shared with him for almost a half century; to his five surviving children, who knew the joy of an impromptu baseball game with a father who was never too busy or tired to remember the important things in life; to his 12 grandchildren, who felt the bonds of a loving extended family; to friends and staff who appreciated his cheerful demeanor and lack of pretension - to all he will be missed for his love of life, his dedication to family, his fierce loyalty, and his sincere desire to always do right by those he loved; and

WHEREAS, John Chafee's legacy extends throughout all of our 50 states, in every community that enjoys the healthful benefits of clean air and water, in every special needs child who is brought together with a loving adoptive family, in every disadvantaged child who is given the opportunity to grow and develop with proper health care, in every individual who enjoys open spaces and the great outdoors, and in every person who learned from a life that is eminently worthy of emulation; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations hereby celebrates the remarkable achievements of John Chafee and extends its deepest condolences to his wife, Virginia, to his family, to his friends, and to all who were touched by his example of honorable leadership and respect for the innate dignity of all people; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is authorized and directed to transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Virginia Chafee.