| Introduced By: Representatives George, McGowan, Anzeveno, Sherlock and Simonian |
| Date Introduced: January 23, 1997 |
| Referred To: Read and Passed |
WHEREAS, "The only courage that matters is the kind that gets you from one minute to the next." Even before he was first diagnosed with cancer in 1983, former Massachusetts Senator and Presidential Candidate Paul E. Tsongas had dedicated himself to bettering the lives of the citizens of the Bay State and all of America. Never afraid to confront problems, be it his health or challenging the prevailing political orthodox, the courage that was as much a part of the man as his soft-spoken eloquence served as an inspiration to countless Americans. Succumbing to pneumonia on January 18, 1997, Paul Tsongas had long ago earned the gratitude and respect of millions for a lifetime of personal and political courage; and
WHEREAS, A native of Lowell, Massachusetts, Paul Tsongas was the son of Republican parents who ran a laundry. A distinguished graduate of Dartmouth College, he was one of the first Peace Corps volunteers in 1962. After graduating from Yale Law School in 1967, Paul Tsongas went home and began his political career by winning election to the Lowell City Council. He would never lose an election in Massachusetts; and
WHEREAS, Elected to Congress, Paul Tsongas served in the House of Representatives for two terms before defeating incumbent Republican Senator Edward Brooke in 1978. He quickly made a name for himself in Washington by allying himself with members of his party that urged tempering idealism with economic common sense. His book "The Road From Here: Liberalism and Realities in the 1980's," published in 1981, called for "compassionate realism," warning that Democrats were in danger of becoming a "permanent minority" by giving special interest groups the social programs they wanted at the expense of the national economy; and
WHEREAS, An outspoken advocate for human rights, who repeatedly called for nuclear arms reduction, Senator Tsongas never lost sight of where he came from, and labored long and hard to secure federal and state funding to help revitalize Lowell. After being diagnosed with cancer in 1983, he ruled out running for a second term in 1984 and returned home; and
WHEREAS, Two years later, Senator Tsongas declared himself cancer free and yearned to re-enter the political lists. In 1991, he became the first Democrat to challenge President Bush. In his campaign, Paul Tsongas stressed the need for the Democratic Party to forge a stronger alliance with business. His enlightened platform included such pro-business planks as a capital gains tax and economic incentives. Though ultimately losing the nomination to Bill Clinton, he won primaries in New Hampshire, Maryland, Utah and Arizona, while overwhelming carrying Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Following the presidential campaign, he joined former New Hampshire Senator Warren Rudman to form the Concord Coalition, a public interest group focusing attention on the nation's economic problems; and
WHEREAS, Three weeks after the November 1992 election, Paul Tsongas suffered a relapse of cancer. The courage and dignity with which he fought this dreads affliction, and the love of life he displayed at this time, engendered hope in thousands of similarly afflicted individuals. A man worthy of our admiration and emulation, Paul Tsongas never stopped fighting for America as he thought it should be; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations hereby honors a lifetime of public service and dedication to solving the problems of the nation by extending its profound sympathy to the family, friends and admirers of former Massachusetts Senator Paul E. Tsongas. In the words of President Clinton, "Paul Tsongas was a great American. He cared deeply about his beloved state of Massachusetts and about our country and its future. In a life devoted to public service, he set an unparalleled example of integrity, candor and commitment."; 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 Mrs. Niki Tsongas.
