50th Anniversary of the Death of Sir Winston Churchill

Floor Speech

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Mr. THORNBERRY. Mr. Speaker, this Saturday, January 24, marks the
50th anniversary of the death of Sir Winston Churchill. Few leaders in
history made such a mark during their lives, and very few have
attracted such study and admiration after their deaths.

Even now, 50 years after his passing at age 90 and 75 years after his
``finest hour'' when Britain and Churchill stood alone against the Nazi
menace, new books and articles about his life and leadership pour
forth.

The Churchill Centre is a growing international organization with a
mission to ``foster leadership, statesmanship, vision, courage and
boldness among democratic and freedom loving peoples worldwide, through
the thoughts, words, works and deeds of Winston Spencer Churchill.''

The Churchill Centre and The George Washington University here in
Washington are building a National Churchill Library and Center.
Hillsdale College is publishing all remaining volumes of The Churchill
Documents.

The list of activities related to Churchill is long, even 50 years
after his death. And, as one measure of popular interest, there are few
historical figures who are more regularly misquoted or falsely quoted
on the Internet than he.

I think there are many reasons that Sir Winston continues to
fascinate and inspire.

In part, there are his monumental achievements, for few statesmen did
as much to shape the world in which we live. Were it not for his vision
and his willingness to stand up to the conventional wisdom of his day,
history could have had a far different outcome.

In part, it is his oratory. Just as his words inspired his nation and
the world to stand up to evil then, they still inspire us today.

In part, there are his writings, which continue to be studied and
referenced as Churchill the politician was a leading figure throughout
the first half of the twentieth century, and Churchill the author
helped shape our understanding of those momentous times.

I also believe that the continuing interest in Winston Churchill
stems in substantial measure from the many ups and downs of his career.
We all draw inspiration from someone who perseveres through higher
accolades and lower derision than us will ever experience.

Finally, Churchill the person remains a dazzling personality, fully
of humor and eccentricities adding to the interest of new admirers.

The qualities that he exhibited are timeless--qualities such as
courage, patriotism, hard work, loyalty, and love of family.

And, many of the principles for which he stood and fought are
timeless as well, such as the need to recognize and confront evil and
to nurture and protect freedom.

He believed that the values of Western Civilization are a force for
good and that the English-speaking peoples had unique contributions to
offer the rest of the world on freedom, democracy, and the rule of law.

As one who was half American by blood, he appreciated America.
That appreciation has been returned by millions of Americans over the
generations.

His bust has been added to the U.S. Capitol's Freedom Foyer, where it
continues to inspire visitors and those of us who work here, thereby
continuing to serve as a major link in the ``special relationship''
between the United States and the United Kingdom.

The lives of great leaders are always worth remembering and studying,
and as long as freedom is cherished, I am confident that Sir Winston
Churchill will be studied long into the future.

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