Mr. HATCH. Mr. President. I rise today to pay special tribute to a man I deeply admire, W. Cleon Skousen. Cleon was a giant of a man. He was an exceptionally bright scholar; a wonderful husband, father, and grandfather; a special friend; and a true patriot in every sense of the word.

   Sadly, Cleon recently passed away leaving a tremendous void in the lives of all who knew him. Cleon played a significant role in the political and governmental arena throughout Utah, our Nation, and even the world. I can state without any equivocation today that Cleon loved America. He truly loved our country and its citizens. He deeply respected our Founding Fathers, and he had the utmost reverence for the document that is the basis of all of our freedoms--our Constitution.

   When I first met Cleon, I was a young, enthusiastic, go-getter who wanted to make a difference in our Nation's Capitol. Shortly before I announced that I would be running for the U.S. Senate in 1976 as a political novice and virtually unknown candidate--Cleon was one of the first people of political significance and substance who agreed to meet with me and discuss my candidacy.

   A few short years before this time, Cleon had organized a nonprofit educational foundation named ``The Freemen Institute,'' to foster ``constitutionalist'' principles including a drastic reduction in the size and scope of the Federal Government, and a reverence for the true, unchanging nature of our Constitution. I knew that he had strongly held beliefs and I was very interested in what he had to say.

   We found in each other at that first meeting many areas of common ground and a shared love for the principles that make America the strongest bastion of freedom on Earth. Cleon quickly agreed to help, and throughout the coming months he became a true champion of my candidacy. He sent a letter to 8,000 of his ``friends'' stating that I was running for the Senate ``for the express purpose of waging a fight to restore constitutional principles in this country.'' I was humbled by his support, and I felt a true need to fulfill his expectations of me and to never let him down.

   From that first campaign, to every day I have served in the U.S. Senate--Cleon has been there for me, through highs and lows--buoying me up, giving suggestions, discussing principles and issues, and above all else being a true, supportive friend. I can never overstate what his support has meant to me throughout my years of service. 

   A natural outgrowth of the successful Freemen Institute was the founding of the National Center for Constitutional Studies which Cleon started to further the study of our Founding Fathers and the U.S. Constitution. He traveled the globe and spoke to literally hundreds of thousands of people each year for many years to promote the ideals of this center.

   The mission of the center was so aptly described by our Nation's first President, George Washington, when he said: ``A primary object. . . should be the education of our youth in the science of government. In a republic, what species of knowledge can be equally important? And what duty more pressing than communicating it to those who are to be the future guardians of the liberties of the country?''

   Cleon took this mission very seriously and spent many hours each week educating and imparting his knowledge of his years of study to people throughout our Nation, and even the world. He cultivated friendships far and wide and became to many the ``Master Teacher.''

   As we all know, Cleon was a prolific author and writer. His books, ``The First 2000 Years, The Making of America,'' and ``The Five Thousand Year Leap'' have been used by foundations, and in forums across America for many years. His writings and words leave an indelible legacy of knowledge and beliefs that have touched many people and will continue to inspire and educate generations to come.

   Many have yearned for even a morsel of his years of study. He was learning, studying and writing until the end. I loved an account I recently read in the Deseret News from the Rev. Donald Sills, a Baptist minister who became close friends over many years with Cleon. He spoke of his knowledge and study and recalled a time when he found Cleon sitting on the steps of the Jefferson Memorial in Washington, DC. When he asked Cleon what he was doing just sitting there, Cleon's fitting response was, ``I'm talking to Tom Jefferson.''

   Cleon had a strong desire for good government, and a true love for our Savior Jesus Christ and our Heavenly Father. He believed that our country was founded on pure principles and that our Heavenly Father had a hand in guiding our historic and profound beginnings. He firmly believed, as many believe, that God governs the affairs of men. He was not shy about sharing this belief with all who would listen. The words he shared on this subject were not unlike the words spoken by Benjamin Franklin as he arose on the floor to speak at a particularly trying time during the Constitutional Convention. He pled with his peers to call upon the Father of them all for wisdom and guidance as they continued to contemplate and draft this most important document.

   His words remind me so richly of Cleon when Mr. Franklin stated: ``I have lived, Sir, a long time; and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth, that God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without his aid? We have been assured, Sir, in the sacred writings that `except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it,' I firmly believe this. . .''

   And Cleon firmly believed it. He had a true testimony of our Savior's works and our Father's infinite wisdom and love. He wrote of it. He testified of it. And he lived a life following their teachings.

   The wonderful, strong leader General George S. Patton once said: ``It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived.''

   I don't believe it is foolish to mourn the loss of this great man--but I do thank my Heavenly Father that W. Cleon Skousen lived, and that he touched my life in so many ways. His example, passionate beliefs, and wonderful mind will never be forgotten. His journey was full and brought rich rewards to people throughout the world.

   I am grateful that I had the privilege of knowing W. Cleon Skousen and working with him. He is a great man, and true American. His life's work has touched literally thousands, and his memory will live on through the wonderful words and teachings he leaves behind.

   Mr. President, I would like to close with a poem that I wrote for him:

   W. Cleon Skousen
His life seemed like 2000 years
By those who feared the truth,
To us who've loved him through our tears
And even from our youth,
This quiet, simple, gentle man,
Who taught us sacred things,
He helped us all to understand
The memories of a thousand springs.

Within this caring, pleasant soul
God's glory was refined,
Experiences had made him whole
For he had peace of mind,
So many lives he touched each day
Explaining holy things,
In writings left along the way
A treasure fit for kings.

He loved the prophets of the Lord,
The Founding Fathers too,
And Israel's most sacred word,
God's children whom he knew,
His precious Jewell, of greatest worth,
He'll love eternally,
He loved his family here on earth
In loving majesty.

So many others one by one,
This giant among men,
He leaves us now, his work now done,
We know we'll meet him once again.