[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 15] [Senate] [Pages 19893-19894] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]JOSEPH P. ``SONNY'' FOSTER Mr. NELSON of Nebraska. Mr. President, I am here today to speak about my cherished friend, long time aide, and trusted confidante, Sonny Foster, who died unexpectedly on August 25. I first met Sonny in 1973 when he and I served together on the Urban League Board. Sonny was still a student at Creighton and I was counsel to an insurance company. Sonny loved to tell the story of my first Urban League meeting at the old Logan Fontenelle Center. When the meeting ended and I went to drive home, I found, to my dismay, that someone had helped themselves to my battery. Sonny retold the story the week before he died. With his unique high-pitched laugh he said ``We never expected to see him again!'' But I came back and a friendship began that lasted for more than 30 years! In 1989, when I was planning to run for Governor, some 16 years later, we teamed up. No one ever expected us to win, and we never expected to lose. And we didn't. It was his first time to manage a statewide campaign and my first time as a candidate for office. Of this victory, the Omaha World-Herald said in its August 27, 2005 editorial ``Foster put his stamp on the political map of Nebraska by the start of the 21st Century--not only because of his assistance in planting Ben Nelson firmly in the political firmament, but also in his steadfast efforts to make the Democratic Party a force in his North Omaha base.'' Much has been made of Sonny's firsts. He was the first African American elected to be student body president at Creighton University in 1973. He was the first African American elected to the Omaha Board of Education by district. He was also the first African American to run a statewide campaign in Nebraska. Sonny had a long and distinguished career in public service including serving as a legislative aide for Congressman John Cavanaugh and as deputy labor commissioner for Governor Bob Kerrey. When I was Governor, he served in multiple positions in my administration. These are indeed significant accomplishments. And it is indeed appropriate that we celebrate them. But you know what Sonny treasured most was breaking the ground for others to follow--much more than anything he did on his own. In a very real sense, Sonny lived his life so others could enjoy their own success. Sonny lit the torch and passed it on. We must commit to never let that torch go out because of apathy or inaction. He set the standard--it is for others, for us, to now uphold. I had a lot of time to think about what to say about Sonny in the eulogy I delivered at his memorial service hoping to do justice to a most remarkable life cut short by some divine plan which we must reluctantly accept. I started by listing his many qualities: Sonny was brilliant and perceptive. He was loyal, honest, trustworthy, dependable, responsible, competent, caring, passionate and compassionate. He was totally trustworthy. Sonny was honest. He would tell you what you needed to know, not what he thought you wanted to hear. This was one of his most endearing qualities. One time I teased him by saying I preferred to be told that my idea was unlikely to work rather than be asked ``who came up with that crazy idea?'' Sonny was focused on getting things done. No task was ever too big or important or too small for him. Stories abound about his tackling impossible immigration cases and solving them. He met my plane when he could have assigned it to someone else. Those 20 minute trips gave us uninterrupted time to talk, to catch up, and to tease one another about one thing or another. Then there is Sonny's passion. Everyone has a story about how strongly Sonny Foster felt about each and every cause. He didn't suffer foolishness. He possessed the ability to sort things out. Not bashful, he told you what he thought and sometimes in colorful terms. Most of those terms cannot be repeated here. Some thought Sonny lacked patience. I see it the other way around. His dedication, his devotion to his work, his dogged perseverance manifested itself in bold and bombastic ways. When he cared, you knew it! Underneath the bombast and the passion was a deep well of compassion. Sonny had a soft, caring side. I think today of all those constituents who benefited from his good work in our office. How he cared about their problems! He left an indelible impression. [[Page 19894]] An e-mail from a young TV reporter who has left Omaha for another market wrote, ``A few years ago, Sonny took time out of his schedule to talk with me about working in politics. I walked away from that evening knowing Sonny loved his job meeting and working for all Nebraskans and representing Gov./Sen. Nelson. I'll never forget his guidance, career advice and passion for his job.'' What was an everyday meeting for Sonny made a lasting impression on this young man. Sonny had that affect on people. I will be the first to admit that I wouldn't be standing here today after 15 years in elective office without Sonny. He had a political sense unmatched in Nebraska. He heard the rumblings long before the storms. He didn't need to poll anyone to determine the mood of the people. He just knew. His instincts were right on. And that's why people sought his opinion and listened when he spoke. Mrs. Foster described the last time she was with Sonny as being ``jolly.'' Have I mentioned that laugh? Sonny filled the room with his presence and his persona. It overflowed when he laughed that unique, infectious belly laugh. No one enjoyed a practical joke more than Sonny, except maybe me! I think Mrs. Foster will forever keep that wonderful memory of Sonny and by sharing it with all of us has given us a gift we should cherish. Thank you Sonny, for all you did for me, for my family, and most important, for the State of Nebraska. The ``good life'' will not quite be the same without you. ____________________