[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1293-E1294]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

TRIBUTE TO HON. ROBERT C. McEWEN, M.C.

______

HON. JOHN M. McHUGH

of new york

in the house of representatives

Monday, June 23, 1997

Mr. McHUGH. Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I inform you
and our colleagues of the passing of my good friend, Robert C. McEwen
of Ogdensburg, NY, on Sunday, June 15. Bob McEwen served as a Member of
the House of Representatives from northern New York from 1965 until
1980. Prior to that, he served as a member of the New York State senate
for 11 years. Elected to the 89th Congress, Bob McEwen first served on
the Committee on Public Works and the Committee on House
Administration. As he gained seniority, he served with distinction as a
member of the Committee on Appropriations. At the time of his
retirement, he served as the ranking minority member of its
Subcommittee on Military Construction.
Bob McEwen was not the kind of man who could easily retire from
public service, however. President Ronald Reagan called him back into
public service in 1981, appointing him to serve as the U.S. chairman of
the International Joint Commission, an assignment he undertook with
enthusiasm.
I feel privileged to have occupied his seat in the New York State
senate and am honored to represent today the district which he served
with such distinction for so many years. Bob McEwen served in elected
office for three quarters of his adult life and never lost an election.
In making his retirement announcement in 1980, Bob McEwen said,
``Serving in an elected office is more than a way of making a living,
it is a way of life.'' He dedicated his life to public service and
exemplified the very best traditions of this institution. He is
survived by his wife, Peg, and two daughters, Mrs. Nancy McEwen Wax of
Easton, CT, and Mrs. Mary McEwen Fitzpatrick of Lawrenceville, NJ.
Mr. Speaker, I am proud to say that three members of Bob McEwen's
original staff are still serving his North Country Congressional
District as members of my staff, Cary R. Brick, my chief of staff; Miss
Donna M. Bell, my administrative secretary, and Mrs. Joann Ellis
Humphries, my caseworker and office manager, all served Bob McEwen with
distinction and join me in expressing our most sincere sympathies to
the McEwen family.
Mr. Brick delivered a eulogy for Bob McEwen at the interment service
which was held on Friday in Ogdensburg. It spoke eloquently of the high
regard in which he was held by all of those who were privileged to know
him. Mr. Brick's remarks follow:

Tribute to Robert C. McEwen

(By Cary R. Brick)

Thirty-seven days ago, many of us gathered at the Robert C.
McEwen Customs

[[Page E1294]]

House, the oldest building in America occupied by agencies of
the Federal government, to commemorate National Historic
Preservation Week.
I was honored to have been asked to participate in that
ceremony. I took the opportunity to speak about the man whose
name graces the historic structure, our friend, Bob McEwen.
Characteristic of Bob, he called both my wife and my mother
the next day to tell him how pleased he was with the event,
and being the consummate gentleman that he was, added some
gracious comments that any wife or mother would want to hear
about her husband or son.
He called me, as well, to thank me. I remember his words:
``Mr. Brick,'' he said, ``it is not every man who gets to
hear his own eulogy, thank you for letting me hear mine. I
hope I won't give you reason to change your opinion of me
when the time comes.''
I responded by telling him he couldn't change anyone's
feelings for him!
I didn't consciously prepare those remarks of 37 days ago
as a eulogy. I prepared them because I wanted Bob McEwen to
hear what I, and all of his friends, thought of him. But, I
guess Bob knew I would repeat some of those thoughts when the
time came.
One of the displays in the Customs House notes ``historic
buildings serve as symbols of the patriotism and pride
Americans feel for their country.''
I asked then and I ask again today that we acknowledge that
historic building as a permanent monument to one of
Ogdensburg's most prominent native sons, a gentleman who
spent more than a quarter of a century serving in legislative
bodies--11 years in the State Senate and 16 in the United
States Congress.
May that building which Congress determined in 1980 should
bear his name always serve as a memorial to his public
service. May it stand strong and with dignity and class as he
did for so many years.
He served more than three-fourths of his adult life in the
service of New York and the nation. Bob was an American
patriot and a North Country treasure whose senior statesman
status was deserved because it was earned through 16
successive victories in special, primary and general
elections. There might have been 17 or 18 or more, but Bob
McEwen knew when it was time to come home to stay. Today, as
Bob has made his final journey, we join together to celebrate
his life, his contributions and his lessons.
Bob McEwen stood as a symbol of what makes our democracy
survive. He was selected by his neighbors to be their voice
in government, and he met their mandate with distinction.
Success came easily to him because, as several newspapers
have reported in the past few days, he never forgot where he
came from and who he represented. He knew his district,
whether it was one county or ten. His elections took him to
Albany and Washington, but he never forgot his roots.
Bob knew that when the time came for him to answer his
final roll call, as a veteran and former Member of the House
of Representatives, he could be interred beside some of our
nation's greatest national heroes, statesmen, Supreme Court
Justices and other veterans from every American war in
Arlington National Cemetery. He knew that he was entitled to
an interment with pomp and circumstance.
But Bob was a man of our North Country. He wanted it
simple. He wanted it here.
And we honor his wishes today.
Had he let us, we could have filled Ogdensburg's largest
house of worship to the rafters, and then some.
He wanted it private and brief.
And we respect his wishes today. We do so just as Bob
respected the people of the North Country--the men and women
who, he liked to joke, had the opportunity to renew his
employment contract every two years.
Bob McEwen reflected the best of our public servants.
His honesty, his personal integrity and high morals and
love for his family, combined with his respect for others--
even those who may not have shared his beliefs or character--
reflect what our Founding Fathers had in mind when they
created the experiment which we call the American democracy.
I ask you to join me in thinking of the Customs House on
the shore of Bob's beloved St. Lawrence as a monument to his
countless contributions to the North Country. There is not a
community or institution in the vast landscape between Lake
Ontario and Lake Champlain which has not felt the influence
of Bob McEwen.
It was Bob McEwen who singlehandedly laid the groundwork
for the creation of the new Fort Drum which occurred after he
retired from Congress. He built the foundation upon which
Dave Martin and the Army created the only military
installation in the United States built from scratch since
World War II.
In an April, 1985, letter to his successor he called the
new Fort Drum ``the project that had been my greatest hope
for our North Country.'' At this very hour, as we pay tribute
to Bob, John McHugh and his colleagues in Congress are
continuing that effort by debating the 1998 defense bill
which contains nearly $25 million for additional Fort Drum
development.
Bob McEwen served in the Congress during a remarkable and
exciting time in American history. He went to Congress in
1965 when Lyndon Johnson was transforming John Kennedy's New
Frontier into his own Great Society, creating hundreds of new
social programs and expanding the role of the federal
government to address every social ill. Like his neighbors
back home, he supported some and opposed others. He feared
that some of them could contribute to uncontrollable deficits
for future generations. Time has proven him to be a man of
foresight.
He witnessed the expansion of our involvement in Vietnam
and stood behind our servicemen even when the tide was
turning against their involvement in an endless war on the
other side of the globe.
He grieved when his President lost the faith of the
American people. He thought there was no greater offense than
abusing the trust of the people.
Bob McEwen never served in the majority party in the
Congress, but there was never any doubt that he served the
interests of the majority of his constituency--which he saw
as his extended family.
To his immediate family, I say we all share in your loss.
You have lost a husband, father and grandfather. We have lost
a friend.
To Peg, we are grateful that you came into Bob's life when
you did and for being a devoted wife and partner. Illness
presented many challenges to Bob in recent years--challenges
which would have devastated a weaker man. Peg, you were there
to provide the emotional support which allowed Bob to fight
his illnesses with the same vigor that he demonstrated in
every campaign. You were challenged, as well, by illness and
demonstrated that there was always reason to hope for better
days.
To Nancy and Mary: Bob so enjoyed your success as career
women and the successes of your husbands. Having lost your
wonderful mother, a warm and grand lady, you already know
that the loss of a parent creates a void which can only be
filled by memories.
Your father frequently talked about his father, a man from
whom he drew great inspiration and learned many lessons. Your
father was a student of his family's heritage. I recall
walking through the McEwen cemetery in the Town of Lawrence
with him one summer evening and listening to him describe the
life and times of each of your ancestors buried there. (To
really know Bob McEwen, you had to know how to listen!)
Your father understood that the McEwen family tree has very
deep roots, its branches are ever expanding, its leaves
sometimes colorful, as was he, and takes its strength from
the rich earth beneath it.
As you mourn the loss of your father, you will draw upon
the strength of that heritage and you will find peace. You
are, after all, Bob McEwen's daughters. I can think of no
greater tribute to both of you.
To all the McEwen grandchildren, I say you are blessed. I
hope in the years to come, as you become young adults and
mothers and fathers, you will study your grandfather's
career, learn from it, and if you are so inclined, emulate it
in any way you can while maintaining your individuality.
Whatever you do will make him proud.
Lastly, to my mentor and our friend Bob:
Speaking for all of those who were privileged to work for
and with you in Albany and Washington, I thank you for
allowing us the privilege of being a part of your team. We
are better people for having had that honor. We're not here
to say goodbye, as solemn as this moment is for all of us. We
are here to remember you, to celebrate your life and to find
joy in having walked the road of life with you. Our memories
of you shall live forever.
We will pay tribute to you by cherishing your ideals and
your principles.
May God grant that your memory ever inspire us.
And may peace and bliss be granted to you until we meet
again.

____________________