One-Year Anniversary of the Passing of Senator Craig Thomas
Floor Speech
ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE PASSING OF SENATOR CRAIG THOMAS -- (Senate - June 05, 2008)
Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, a year ago yesterday marked the occasion of the loss of our good friend and colleague, Craig Thomas, who was the senior Senator from Wyoming at the time. He lost his battle with leukemia at the age of 74.
Born and raised in Cody, WY, a town named after Buffalo Bill, Craig was brought up on a ranch. He brought those values of America's western small towns to our Nation's Capital.
So the Senator from America's smallest State by population, home to a rugged and independent-minded people, was one of the Senate's leading advocates for a smaller, more efficient, and more responsive government.
Other Senators who got to know Craig found him to be always polite and courteous. Yet that did not make him a pushover. A Marine captain, who rose to that rank from the rank of private, Craig was a man of discipline and a man of principle. He was a perfect fit for the people and the values of his great State.
As accomplished as he was, Senator Thomas was also not afraid to poke a little fun at himself as well. I know he once displayed a series of pictures in his Senate office of himself trying his hand at roping a horse. The pictures depict, one by one, his less than successful attempts, and then his unceremonious fall off his steed and onto the dirt.
Many of my colleagues will remember his subtle sense of humor, his skill at working with others to advance legislation, and his passion for promoting the best interests of Wyoming.
I know my colleagues continue to hold his dear wife Susan, a great friend of all of us, and their four children, Peter, Patrick, Greg, and Lexie, in our thoughts. We still consider them members of our Senate family.
I also know how much Craig would be pleased that Senators Mike Enzi and John Barrasso are holding to the high standards he set and making Wyoming proud.
A man of grit and courage, Craig never backed down from a challenge, not even his final struggle with leukemia. Through the end of his life, he represented Wyoming with honor and dignity. Admired by all who knew him, he leaves behind a legacy of legislative accomplishment, as well as a Chamber full of very dear friends in the Senate. We still miss him a lot.
I yield the floor.
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