Smith speaks for Helms

By Max Heuer

WASHINGTON, Oct. 02, 2002--Sen. Bob Smith was among a collection of senators who honored retiring Sen. Jesse Helms Wednesday on the Senate floor.

Smith called Helms (R-NC) a "treasured friend, a confidant and a great senator" and added that Helms was a role model.

Smith, who will be leaving the Senate as well after losing the GOP primary last month to Rep. John Sununu (NH-01), spoke passionately of the long-serving Helms.

"You are an irresistible force for liberty," Smith said. "You are an immovable object against big spending and morality."

Helms has served in the Senate since winning election in 1972. He is the senior minority member of the Foreign Relations Committee and is a member of the Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry and the Rules and Administration Committees.

A staunch conservative leader, Helms was recognized by Smith for his dedication to a variety of issues, specifically his advocacy of school prayer, his opposition to abortion and his support for lower taxes. Smith even evoked a comparison to famed New Hampshire Senator Daniel Webster.

"I'm standing now at the desk of Daniel Webster, and there are going to be a lot of people following the senator from North Carolina that are going to be proud to stand at the desk of Senator Helms," Smith said. "You don't worry about the opponents or distorted reports by the news media. You follow your heart."

Published in The Manchester Union Leader, in New Hampshire.