Thune Eulogizes Senator Lindsey Graham at Capitol Memorial Service

Click here to watch the video. WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today delivered a eulogy at Sen. Lindsey Graham’s (R-S.C.) memorial service at the U.S. Capitol. Thune’s remarks below (as delivered): “Mr. Vice President, Darline – Senator Graham – Larry, members of the Graham family, ladies and gentlemen, good morning. “It’s difficult to believe that we’re here today to say a final farewell to Lindsey as he leaves the Capitol for the last time. “My heart is heavy. “I feel his absence every day – and I know so many of my colleagues do as well. “Senators on both sides of the aisle counted him as a friend. “And Republicans and Democrats alike – including the Democrat leader – are here to say farewell. “Lindsey was a towering figure here in the Senate – and on the international stage. “His leadership on national security and on our national defense is well-known. “I traveled with Lindsey all over the world as part of congressional delegations, and I saw firsthand just how much he was respected by our allies – and just how well he was able to connect with foreign leaders around the globe. “Striking too was the instant connection he had with the military men and women that we met. “They recognized him immediately as one of their own. “Lindsey’s work on these issues would be enough to cement his place as a leader in the Senate. “But he was a leader on many other issues too. “As chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee in the 116th Congress, he fought tirelessly to advance well-qualified judges. “He was serving as chair of the Budget Committee at the time of his death and was responsible for getting important tax relief legislation to the floor. “And no tribute to Lindsey’s work is complete without mentioning that he was a powerful voice for the pro-life movement. “‘Until my last breath, I will be fighting for this cause,’ he said. “And he was. “He was a fierce defender of Ukraine. “He was a fierce defender of the unborn. “And on the surface, these might seem like two completely separate issues. “But it strikes me that in another way they are both of a piece. “In both cases, Lindsey Graham saw injustice. And he spoke up. “And, as was typical of Lindsey, he spoke up fearlessly. “‘I don’t apologize for being pro-life,’ he said in an interview in 2022 – and probably on a number of other occasions. “It didn’t matter to Lindsey whether an issue was popular or unpopular – whether he had the full support of his colleagues or whether he was standing alone. “If he believed he was in the right, he spoke up. “He told things the way he saw them. “And he didn’t mince words. “But lest anyone think it was all work and no levity with Lindsey … “Let me just say that there was no one – no one – who took his job more seriously than Lindsey Graham. “But also no one was more capable of cracking up a room. “During the workweek here in Washington, a lot of us are away from our families, so we often get together in groups for dinner. “And let me tell you, Lindsey was always the first call. “The conversation and the laughs always flowed at any meal where Lindsey Graham was present. “He was entertaining, always. “And pretentious, never. “‘There are a lot of so-called “self made” people in this world,’ he once said. ‘I am not one of them. My family, friends, neighbors and my faith picked me up when I was down, believed in me when I had doubts. You made me the man I am today,’ he said. “Ladies and gentlemen, Lindsey will be remembered as a senator and as a statesman. “But for me, most of all, I will remember him as my friend. “It’s hard to think that there will be no more Senate dinners with Lindsey. “That he won’t be dropping by my office to discuss some piece of legislation, or make me laugh with his witty commentary. “But I cling to the same faith that Lindsey had. “To the sure and certain hope of the Resurrection, and the knowledge that death is not the end. “‘I am the resurrection and the life,’ says the Lord. ‘The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die.’ “To Darline and the Graham family, to Lindsey’s beloved staff members, be assured of the prayers of my wife, Kimberley, and I – and the prayers of so many in this room. “And to Lindsey, rest in peace, my friend. “I look forward to the days when you make us all laugh again.”