Relative To The Death Of Clifford Peter Hansen, Former United States Senator For The State Of Wyoming

Floor Speech

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Mr. BARRASSO. Mr. President, I join Senator Enzi today on the floor to share with our colleagues the profound sorrow that is felt all across the State of Wyoming today as we mourn the death of a western American icon and a former Member of this body, the Senate.

Cliff Hansen, Senator, Wyoming Governor, died last night, October 20, at home at his ranch in Jackson Hole, WY. He was 97 years old. He was at the time of his death the oldest living former Member of the Senate, a career and a life that spanned nearly a century of American history. But it wasn't the length of time he spent on this Earth that makes his life so unique and so meaningful to all of us who knew him and who respected him. It would be difficult to tell the story of Wyoming without also describing the life and the time of Cliff Hansen. They are intertwined, a pioneer State and its patriarch.

If it is true, as many people say, that Wyoming is what America was, Cliff Hansen is the independent spirit, the rugged cowboy who made her great. My wife Bobbi and I wish to offer our deepest condolences to the Hansen and the Mead families, to his beloved Martha, especially, his wife, as Senator Enzi said, of over 75 years. Just last month they celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary. She was with him to the end.

Cliff Hansen is a legendary Wyoming figure, but to his family he was a dedicated husband, father, a special grandfather and great-grandfather, and someone who will be terribly missed.

He was born October 16, 1912. Prior to graduating from the University of Wyoming, he worked for his parents on a cattle ranch in Teton County. It was there we can presume that Cliff Hansen learned the manner and the skills that would take him from Wyoming to Washington and back.

In 1962, Hansen was elected Governor of Wyoming. He served for 4 years. He believed he could do more for the people of Wyoming in Washington than he could in Cheyenne. So he then ran and won a seat in the Senate and was reelected by an overwhelming margin in 1972.

These simple dates hardly tell the story. Cliff Hansen was Wyoming's John Wayne--a proud, commonsense cowboy who spoke to the hearts and the minds of a great State.

As we have the opportunity to reflect more on Governor Hansen's passing, to hear, as well, from his family, there will be much more to say and remember about his extraordinary legacy. But today, on the news of his passing to the Kingdom of Heaven--a phrase he used with great reverence--I want to make sure his friends and his colleagues know that God accepts home a great man today.

To his wife Martha, his son Pete Hansen, his grandsons Matt and Brad and their families, his granddaughter Muffy, the Nation, and Wyoming send you our heartfelt condolences. We hope you and your family are comforted by his strength of character, his convictions, and his grace as a truly great man.

I speak today for thousands--for tens of thousands--of people who knew and who loved Cliff Hansen--all that he stood for, all that he today represents that is good about our Nation, the West, and Cliff's beloved Wyoming.

Mr. President, I yield the floor.

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