Click here or on the image above to download video of Senator Fischer’s floor speech.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) delivered remarks on the Senate floor today honoring the life of Nebraska Governor Charles Thone. Governor Thone passed away yesterday at the age of 94.
Senator Fischer’s full remarks as prepared for delivery are below:
I rise today to pay tribute to a great public servant who passed away last night: former member of Congress and Nebraska Governor Charley Thone.
I think the Omaha World-Herald summed up his outlook well, "Official biographies list Thone’s first name as Charles. But Nebraskans knew him better as Charley, the unpretentious farm boy who adopted 'Accentuate the Positive' as his personal theme song."
Governor Thone was born near Hartington, Nebraska. He served our country in the U.S. Army Infantry during World War II.
While serving in the House of Representatives, then Congressman Thone fought on behalf of farmers and ranchers as a member of the House Agriculture Committee.
When tragedy struck with the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, he served on the Warren Commission to investigate the death of our president.
As Governor of Nebraska, his love of our state was always evident during his time in office. He guided Nebraska during a tough farm economy in the 1970s, but he always looked ahead.
Governor Thone led by example and he empowered and encouraged others. He was a mentor to a Nebraska woman named Kay Orr.
She became his chief of staff and then went on to be the first woman governor of Nebraska.
Governor Orr herself has said she should would not have been governor if it weren’t for the opportunities Governor Thone gave her along the way.
His legacy of service and the mark he left on Nebraska will never be forgotten.
The motto that Governor Thone held so dear, “accentuate the positive” is a good one.
It reminds us to find the good in every person and every moment.
His positivity made Nebraska a better place both while he served and afterward as he worked in his community.
Govornor Thone served the state of Nebraska with dignity. He was an exemplary public servant and dear friend to my family and me. I join all Nebraskans in praying for his wife Ruth and the entire Thone family.
