They were men of character and good judgment, more anxious to be right and to do the right thing and to render service to those whom they represented than they were to seek praise or seeming popularity. They would rather subject themselves to criticism and follow a course they believed to be right than to escape that criticism by following a doubtful course. As Representatives in Congress they served their constituents faithfully and well. They commanded the friendship and respect of those with whom they served, and I am sure that the membership of this House feels that in the passing of these honored colleagues we have lost good men; good Representatives, and good citizens have gone from us. They were worthy of all the ambitions of their lives; they were statesmen of high order. They loved their country, their State, their home, their friends. Their friendships knew no party lines. They lived and believed that—

When a man ain't got a cent, and he's feeling kind o' blue

An' the clouds hang dark an' heavy, an' won't let the sunshine through,

It's a great thing, oh my brethren, for a feller just to lay

His hand upon your shoulder in a friendly sort o' way!

It makes a man feel curious; it makes the tear drops start,
An' you sort o' feel a flutter in the region of the heart;

You can't look up and meet his eyes-you don't know what to say
When his hand is on your shoulder in a friendly sort o' way.
Oh, the world's a curious compound, with its honey and its gall,
With its care and bitter crosses, but a good worl' after all;
An' a good God must have made it-leastways that is what I say,
When a hand is on my shoulder in a friendly sort o' way.

They placed their hands on many shoulders of younger and inexperienced colleagues, and we, who but recently obtained the honor of membership in this legislative body, will miss their natural talent, the zeal of their youth, the energy of their middle life, the wisdom of their old age.

We who continue to serve as the Representatives of the people can truly evaluate the service of our comrades and

their contributions to the Nation's welfare and security. We knew them intimately and were daily in their company. We observed them on the line of duty, under fire and facing courageously the crises that daily confronted them. We know of their conduct under the pressure of unprecedented events and problems. Truly, it requires courage, stamina, and stability to withstand the high tension of present-day conditions. They who have passed on possessed these attributes, as we who are assembled here today can testify. But the constant strain, pressure, and burdens exacted their toll and deprived our comrades of the satisfaction and enjoyment of the fruits of their labors in what we all fervently hope will be the dawn of a new era of peace on earth and good will among men. When history is written, let it not be remiss in recording the names of our deceased colleagues high on the honor roll of those who have diligently served their Nation and their fellow men.

Selection as a Representative of the people of this Nation is not only a distinctive honor but also a weighty responsibility and demands the best faculties we can muster to cope with the vital problems of our times. Especially is this true today in these United States when forces both within and without are attempting to destroy our constitutional way and fasten upon us individually and collectively a philosophy and system foreign to us and in which our forefathers, who had faith in our future, would have no part.

At no time in the history of the Congress has there been prevalent such a vicious and strongly organized campaign as that directed today toward belittling and smearing the American Congress in the eyes of the American people and the world at large. Groups and individuals without respect for, nor allegiance to, the constitutional form of government which has made this country great and its standard of living the highest in the entire world are striving constantly to cast the blame on the Congress indiscriminately for any situation which may or may not occur, according to their

wishes or designs. Is it any wonder, then, that the imposition of added burdens and worries, not to mention insults and slander, must be reckoned with, and most certainly constitutes not only a menace to our free Government in these United States but also to the well-being of our membership, beset, as they are, from all sides with an infinite number and variety of tasks, large and small?

I am aware, Mr. Speaker, that we as Representatives of the people are human, and all humans can and do make mistakes, and therefore we are prepared to receive honest criticism. Such criticism may often be deserved, and certainly should not be unwelcome. In many instances, criticism comes from those who lack a full understanding of the requisites of membership in either the House or the Senate. While we are and must ever be receptive to suggestions, advice, and criticism of the people whom we represent in these trying days in these hallowed halls, we should not ignore the efforts of individuals or groups unsympathetic with our representative form of government to poison the minds of the American people against their chosen Representatives. We would be derelict in our sworn duty to protect our constitutional liberties through longer permitting unjustified and indiscriminate attacks upon the Congress as a whole to continue unheeded and unchecked. It is high time, both to preserve the integrity of the Congress and protect the memories and ideals of those who have served here in the past, as well as in days to come, that we scrutinize and investigate thoroughly the persons and groups seeking to undermine and destroy our truly representative form of government.

Mr. Speaker, I could go back through the years and name countless former Members of Congress who sacrificed days, months, and years of their lives by unstinted devotion to their ideals of those who have served here in the past, as well as the tenets of our forefathers and further extend the influences of good and sound government for all.

Our former colleagues stricken during the past year were worthy and honored Members of the most distinguished legislative body in the greatest nation of this day. As we recall them to our minds, we appreciate the qualities of mind and soul that they exhibited among us. Today we bow in reverence and honor to them. Their passing leaves gaps that cannot be filled, although their places be taken by others who will measure up to the high standards of this body.

We are linked to our departed colleagues through pleasant memories of their words, acts, and deeds. We are privileged also to go to the RECORD at any time to derive inspiration from their recorded remarks and actions. Future Members may also know our comrades from the Record, but, unfortunately, they will be limited in their appraisal by the fact of not knowing the personalities and the friendships of these leaders, as we have known them.

Henry C. Churchman has written a poem entitled "What Monument?" which seems to me to summarize the lives and memories of our deceased colleagues in the continual struggle of life and in the service of our fellow men.

Mr. Speaker, I will read this poem in reverence and respect to those whom we today memorialize:

What monument shall you erect

To foil Oblivion's lethal scheme,
When Death his customs shall collect,
And terminate this fleeting dream?

Build not of stone, for stone is cold,

And heartless, through Time's deathless reign;

No tenderness doth mortar hold

Where mem'ries spring to life again.

Build not of tyranny nor greed,

Nor blood-drenched garments of the slain;

Build not of Mother's tears that plead

The safety of their sons in vain.

But build of honesty and grit,

With consciousness of virtue's might,
With force of wisdom, grace of wit,
Determination for the right.

And build of courage, worthy deeds,
With selfless service to your kind;
Yes, build of thoughts for others' needs,
Adorned with cheerfulness of mind.

Thus through the ages shall survive

This monument you've builded then,
Your inmost self kept still alive

Within the living souls of men.

I have one more thought that I would like to leave today. It is the thought that it is more fitting to honor our fellow Members during their days of active service in these halls rather than after they have shed this mortal coil. It has been tritely said thousands and thousands of times that honors mean more to a man when he is alive than when he is dead. But how often do we overlook in these busy and hectic days the simple truth of this statement. How often has the world eulogized in death the man it knew slightly and valued less during his lifetime. There is a moral in our thoughts at this point that we should all take to heart. In all of our relationships and activities of a kindred nature, as representatives of the people, let us strive to become better acquainted one with the other, and when one among us demonstrates qualities of leadership and virtues of rare and unusual worth, let us not permit these virtues to be hidden under a bushel, as it were, but render our acclaim and honor forthwith.

"The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune" to which all men are targets would be easier to withstand if along the highway of life we were more alert and generous to give credit where credit is due.