Thurmond honored on 97th birthday

Perhaps, one of the most stirring tributes came from Sen. Connie Mack (R.-Fla.). who attributed Thurmond's ability to get,elected and reelected to the fact that Thurmond "is a man who truly cares about others, whose heart is filled with love."

The tributes did not come from just the conservative members of the Senate, but liberals as well.

Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan (D.-N.Y), who usually votes the opposite of Thurmond, paid tribute to his optimism, and courtesy, in an age "when good manners seem to elude us." He added, "Suffice it to say that if Strom Thurmond did not exist, it might be necessary for us to invent him."

Cal Ripken Of the Senate

Sen. Byron Dorgan (D.-N.D.) called him " a man of enormous courage" and noted that he had served in the Senate with "great distinction and great honor."

Sen. Joe Biden (D.-Del.) called Thurmond an absolute gentleman, unfailingly courteous and respectful of each individual's dignity" and observed that "his lifetime in politics has been such a long and productive one."

And probably the most liberal of all, Sen. Ted Kennedy (D,-Mass.), called Thurmond "the 'Cal Ripken' of the Senate" and paid tribute to his "enduring commitment to the nation's highest ideals." He cited Thurmond as an inspiration to all, "not only because of the length of his service, but because of the quality of his work and the depth of his commitment."

Martin noted that the respect held for Thurmond by his colleagues in the Senate is held also by members of the 60s Plus Association.

"We hope that Senator Thurmond will have many more years of service in the United States Senate and that naming him 'Senator for the Millennium' will bring his record to the attention of more and more Americans, especially seniors, to whom he can serve as a lasting example of honesty, dedication, hard work, perseverance and accomplishment."

When Thurmond finishes his current term, he-will bel 00 years-and 29-days-old.

During his last reelection campaign, Thurmond was running against a candidate more than half his age and reminded voters that it would take his opponent 60 years to catch up to what he could do in the next six years. The voters agreed and elected him to another term.

Martin also observed that Thurmond had caused his colleague, Sen. Fritz Hollings (D.-- S.C.), to break a record as well: Hollings is the longest serving "junior senator," now in that capacity for 33 years.

Thurmond was born in Edgefield, S.C., on Dec. 5. 1902. He received a B.S. degree from Clemson University and also holds 27 honorary degrees. Serving as both a teacher and athletic coach, he became Superintendent of Education for Edgefield County (S.C.), He studied law under his father, Judge J. William Thurmond, and was admitted to the South Carolina Bar in 1930. Over the years Thurmond served in the state senate, as a circuit judge, governor of South Carolina and then a candidate for President as a States Rights Democratic candidate, carrying four states and winning 39 electoral votes, the third-largest independent electoral vote in history.