president Lyndon B. Johnson today issued the following statement on the death of former Senator Lehman:
“I am grieved to learn of the death of Herbert Lehman, a distinguished leader who ably and effectively served his state and nation. Perhaps his best epitaph can be the citation on the Presidential Medal of Freedom which he was to receive tomorrow:
“‘Citizen and Statesman–he has used wisdom and compassion as the tools of Government, and has politics the highest form of public service.'”
Mr. Lehman had been nominated for the medal, and arrangements had been made for its presentation at the White House tomorrow. It is the highest civil honor conferred by the President for service in peace time.
Mr. Lehman was one of 31 prominent Americans scheduled to receive honors at the White House tomorrow for contributions to the nation.
President Johnson served with Mr. Lehman during the New Yorker’s tenure in the Senate.
The Senate today paused to pay tribute to former Sen. Lehman, with remarks of tribute offered by both Senate Majority Leader Mike Mansfield of Montana, and Minority Leader Everett Dirksen, of Illinois.
Sen. Jacob K. Javits, New York Republican, announced Mr. Lehman’s death in the Senate chamber, and delivered a eulogy. He said Mr. Lehman’s contribution to humanitarian causes and good works were “a matter of history.” The other New York Senator, Republican Kenneth B. Keating, also spoke.
The Majority and Minority leaders of the Senate voiced sorrow at Mr. Lehman’s massing, and spoke words of praise. A number of other former colleagues joined in he eulogies.
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
