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Proceedings in the House

MONDAY, April 10, 1939.

A message from the Senate, by Mr. St. Claire, one of its clerks, announced that the Senate had passed the following resolution:

Resolved, That the Senate has heard with profound sorrow and deep regret the announcement of the death of Hon. JAMES HAMILTON LEWIS, late a Senator from the State of Illinois.

Resolved, That a committee of 16 Senators be appointed by the President of the Senate to take order for superintending the funeral of the deceased Senator.

Resolved, That the Secretary communicate these resolutions to the House of Representatives and transmit a copy thereof to the family of the deceased.

Resolved, That, as a further mark of respect to the memory of the deceased, the Senate do now adjourn.

Mr. SABATH. Mr. Speaker, it is my sad duty to announce to the House of Representatives the death of the Honorable JAMES HAMILTON LEWIS, the senior Senator from the State of Illinois, which occurred last night here in the Capital City.

The passing of Senator LEWIS SO suddenly and unexpectedly brings to a close a long and distinguished career in the public service, and comes as a great shock, not only to us, his colleagues from Illinois, but to the people of the city of Chicago, the State, and the Nation.

Senator LEWIS was in his third term in the Senate, acting in that body as Democratic whip, a position he was reluctant to accept when it was offered, yet one in which he demonstrated the same ability and understanding which characterized his whole career of statesmanship. No man has served in either branch of Congress who was a more popular, colorful, and effective representative of the people than

JAMES HAMILTON LEWIS. From the time he first came to Washington as a Member of this House, throughout his public career, which has ended so suddenly, his wide knowledge, fine culture, his perfect courtesy, and high character endeared him to all with whom he came in contact and enabled him to serve his city, State, and Nation in an outstanding manner. He was a soldier in peace and war time, in early youth rising to the rank of colonel in the SpanishAmerican War. He was a fearless legislator and an accomplished orator. He was a keen and discerning student of public affairs at home and abroad, and he labored unceasingly in the last few years of his career to aid in the solution of the great problems facing the American people, giving unsparingly of his time and energy to help promote those humanitarian objectives that would make America a better place in which to live.

Mr. Speaker, no man, in my humble opinion, has rendered more unselfish, patriotic, and efficient service to our country than this outstanding citizen of Illinois. His passing came in the midst of his work, in the Capital City of the Nation he so honorably served as a Member of the greatest legislative body in the world.

He died as I am sure he would have wished to die had he the choice to select the manner and time of his going. The people of our State, and especially of Chicago, will mourn with us his untimely passing. The Nation has suffered a serious loss, Illinois has suffered an irreparable loss in the death of a most distinguished citizen.

At a later date, Mr. Speaker, I shall ask that a day be set aside when the membership may offer remarks more protracted and suitable to the occasion in honor to the memory of the respected and beloved senior Senator from Illinois.

Mr. Speaker, I have been requested by several gentlemen to yield to them for a few brief remarks.

Mr. CHURCH. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. SABATH. I yield to my colleague the gentleman from Illinois.

Mr. CHURCH. Mr. Speaker, the Nation has lost a truly great son. I rise to pay humble tribute to the late Senator JAMES HAMILTON LEWIS, who was summoned last night to the eternal beyond. Words are inadequate to express the sadness of this hour to me. I know no man who so completely exemplified the finest things of life. I know no man who was so dearly loved and respected by all.

He was a soldier, a statesman, a gentleman, and a scholar. Of few men may that be said. In the service of his country, in war and in peace, he distinguished himself.

During the Spanish-American War he was staff colonel, and during the World War he was designated by General Pershing as soldier aide in France to Gen. George Bell.

With the sword he ably and courageously served his country. But he was more than a soldier: he was a statesman, devoted to the cause of peace and justice. On many occasions he was sent on diplomatic missions to Europe. He was knighted for his service by Belgium and Greece and was made a member of the Knights of the Round Table at London.

On the library shelves throughout the country will be found his writings. Removal of Causes from State to United States Courts; Constitutions, Statutes, and Their Construction; Two Republics-Rome and the United States; are among the scholarly books that bear his name.

Mr. Speaker, Senator LEWIS, Summoned yesterday at the Nation's Capital to eternal rest just as the Easter sun was setting, was a great American and a statesman of whom Illinois was justly proud. His courtesy and thoughtfulness was always extended without stint to all regardless of their political faith.

Mr. Speaker, his courtly manner bespoke the broad vision and purpose of the Senator. He lived each day to serve, and he has erected a monument of service that time cannot

destroy. His life will be a lasting inspiration to us and to those who come after us.

Mr. SABATH. Mr. Speaker, I yield now to the gentleman from Washington [Mr. Magnuson].

Mr. MAGNUSON. Mr. Speaker, 40 years ago the late JAMES HAMILTON LEWIS occupied the seat that I now occupy in this Congress. To my constituency in the city of Seattle JIM HAM LEWIS is a fond tradition. He went to school there. He taught in our university. He worked on our docks and practiced law in the city of Seattle, and represented that city in the Congress of the United States; and may I say to the gentleman from Illinois that the State of Washington mourns along with the State of Illinois and the Nation the passing of a great statesman.

Mr. SABATH. Mr. Speaker, I now yield to the gentleman from Illinois [Mr. Mitchell].

Mr. MITCHELL. Mr. Speaker, I appear before you at this moment with a heavy heart, filled with sadness because of the great loss which this Nation and the world have sustained. I shall not speak of the late Senator LEWIS simply as a statesman. That has already been done by those preceding me. I shall not speak of him as a diplomat, for the reason a great deal has already been said along this line. During the brief moments allotted me I wish to speak of him as a friend to mankind—as a friend to helpless and downtrodden of all races and nationalities. I am in position to know real friends as many of you might not be. I have come in contact with men of all races and of all nations, in this country and in many foreign countries. Because of the color and hue of my skin and the race with which I am identified, I have an opportunity to see the bigness of men's hearts as a great many people cannot see it. I stand here to tell you that in the passing of Senator JAMES HAMILTON LEWIS this country has lost one of its most outstanding statesmen and diplomats. The world has lost one of its greatest scholars and most pol

ished gentlemen. My race has lost a friend-true and tried. He was not only free from all race prejudice but he was more than that: his heart was filled with charity and sympathy toward suffering humanity wherever he found it, and his heart was filled with interest in those of our Nation, whether Jew or gentile, Protestant or Catholic, black or white. The color of the skin, the shape of the nose made no difference to him. He was truly a friend of mankind.

When I came as a Member to this House and looked around for friends on whose arms I could lean for help and support and when I looked in the direction of the Senate of the United States, it was none other than this great Chesterfieldian gentleman who said to me, "My office door stands wide open to you. Have no hesitancy in calling on me for help whenever you think help is needed." He said to me that in 1913 when the Senate was considering the confirmation of a Negro for judge here in the District of Columbia, "It was my vote and my work that made it possible for a member of your race to sit on the municipal bench in the District of Columbia." I have gone to this great statesman time and again for help and advice. He never refused or failed to help me. Just 2 weeks ago he called my office, an unusual thing, and said to me, "The first time you are on the Senate floor or the first time you have a moment to spare I want you to come over. I want to have a talk with you." I was then rushing to go down South to speak at Tuskegee, and I did not find the time to comply with his request. It is now one of the sad moments of my life to think of the opportunity I lost by not going when I was called by this true friend of my race and true friend of mankind.

As shadows cast by cloud and sun
Flit o'er the summer grass,
So, in thy sight, Almighty One,
Earth's generations pass;

And as the years, an endless host,

Come swiftly pressing on,

The brightest names that earth can boast

Just glisten and are gone.

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