The promptness and fairness of his dealings here were no small contribution to the expedition of important public business, and the lucidity with which he revealed his exceptional, encyclopedic knowledge of a great, intricate world, its history, and its complex affairs was a constant source of pleasure and satisfaction.

In his expoundings on this floor and before his committees he employed the purity, grace, and exactitude of Addison; the richness, splendor, eloquence, and music of De Quincey; the fluency, flexibility, and finish of Lamb.

I knew Dr. SIROVICH Well from the day he became a Member of this House until he passed away. Our relations were very intimate, and I was always inspired by his selfless constructive plans. He was an indefatigable worker, as if he had a premonition that his days on earth would be shortened, as they were, and he must work exceedingly hard to accomplish many important things that rested near his heart. Measured by the most exacting standards, our honorable dead was a very useful, good citizen and a sagacious legislator. He never became weary in welldoing.

When in a narrow circle of friends our departed friend was, in addition to being courtly, grave and reflective. He was an enviable entertainer, ranging widely and deeply in subjects proposed for discussion.

This good man was devoutly religious, and methinks that his illumined spirit now whispers from the heaven, with wellknown eloquence, the solemn admonition, "Mortals, hastening to the tomb, and once the companions of my pilgrimage, take warning and avoid my errors; cultivate the virtues I have recommended; choose the Saviour I have chosen; live disinterestedly; live for immortality; and, would you rescue anything from final dissolution, lay it up in God."

Let us believe that such teaching and influence have not been ineffective, but death has made them more solemnly impressive and has added a kind of consecration to the lofty example which we have too listlessly seen builded in our midst.

If we may hope that this teaching and example have been endued by death with new potency, as forces creating better and purer citizenship, with graver import as instrumentalities in the creation, stimulation, and harmonization of patriotic ideals, and if we may hope that our countrymen will with sincerity heed the way of duty they point out, we may not only be doubly assured that our dead is not lost to us but may confidently renew our faith in the American people as custodians of their scheme of free government.

In conclusion, let us realize our obligation to make safe and secure the government of the people which has been committed to our keeping. Let us remember that it can thrive and grow only in an atmosphere of popular devotion and unselfish attachment and, above all things, let us open our hearts to such influences and teachings as emanate from the life and death which we today memorialize.

Remarks by Representative Celler

Of New York

Mr. CELLER. Mr. Speaker, my good friend and colleague, WILLIAM I. SIROVICH, is with us no more. His untimely demise a number of weeks ago brought to a close the brilliant career of one who combined within himself the virtues of a great leader, an outstanding American, and a true statesman.

His profound intellect and persuasive eloquence were known even beyond the Halls of Congress, which he had adorned with honor for many years.

His sympathies were always with the underprivileged, the poor, and the oppressed. Their problems were his problems, and he died as he had lived, working in their interests.

Our good friend was a true soldier in the service of humanity. A lifetime of good deeds will be an everlasting tribute to his memory.

Remarks by Representative Dickstein

Of New York

Mr. DICKSTEIN. Mr. Speaker, under leave to extend my remarks in the Record, I include the following brief remarks together with a letter and resolution of the Marine Firemen, Oilers, and Water Tenders and Wipers' Association in connection with the death of Dr. SIROVICH:

Seamen present were J. Follette, Leonard Harrison, John Boyles, Alfred Chavez, members of the Pacific Coast Marine Firemen, Oilers, Water Tenders and Wipers' Association, and Walter D. Fisher, former legislative representative for the West Coast Maritime Union, now a regular seaman, who read the following presentation:

Congressman DICKSTEIN, we are here for one purpose, and that is to honor the memory of the late Congressman WILLIAM I. SIROVICH. We, as seamen, realize that Congressman SIROVICH was very instrumental in trying to better our conditions, and for some of the special legislation which he sponsored we are very grateful.

I think his most outstanding accomplishment was the legislation relating to unemployment compensation for seamen. We have never had it, and Congressman SIROVICH went so far as to introduce a bill and call it the Sirovich bill. He planned at the next session of Congress to champion this bill and get it through for us. We all know that Congressman SIROVICH had no seamen in his district, and in his loss we mourn the loss of a true friend and champion. These seamen here with me are the rank-and-file men on the Pacific coast, and we wish to state that Congressman SIROVICH'S work has even reached the seamen on the Pacific coast, who have benefited also.

I have here a letter which I would like to read and a resolution which I would ask you to kindly introduce into the Congressional Record.

PACIFIC COAST MARINE FIREMEN, OILERS, WATER

Hon. SAMUEL DICKSTEIN,

TENDERS AND WIPERS' ASSOCIATION,

San Francisco, Calif., December 19, 1939.

70 Pine Street, New York, N. Y.

DEAR SIR: Attached herewith you will find copy of resolution memorializing the late Dr. WILLIAM I. SIROVICH, Member of Con

gress.

We hope that you will find the opportunity to read it into the Congressional Record as some expression of appreciation of this union of the lifelong sympathy of Dr. SIROVICH With the aspirations of organized labor.

The undersigned wishes also at the same time to convey to you my personal sense of loss. In my contacts with Dr. SIROVICH I have always found him to be warm, sympathetic, and understanding. He was a devoted public servant.

The attached resolution is brought to you by three rank-and-file members of the union who have been selected as a committee to convey this memorial to you, inasmuch as you have always been so closely associated with him in his work.

Sincerely yours,

WM. L. WELCH, Agent, New York Branch.

Whereas the late Honorable Dr. WILLIAM I. SIROVICH met his untimely death on December 17, 1939, it now becomes the sad duty of this organization to give expression to our sorrow and to pay a just tribute to his memory.

Dr. SIROVICH served not only the entire Nation and all of his fellow citizens, regardless of race, class, or creed, but rendered an unusually important service to the cause of organized labor.

The late Dr. SIROVICH has labored devotedly for many years in behalf of the American seamen. His efforts have contributed to an unusually important extent in the amelioration of working conditions and the improvement of the health and social position of our brothers who pursue the sea as a calling.

His training as a physician and his profound insight into public affairs and social problems combined to equip him in outstanding manner to perform his duties in the National Legislature. He was an outstanding figure in Congress.

He was warmly sympathetic and understanding with the problems of labor. He was readily accessible at all times and labored incessantly at tasks of great public importance.

With the greatest of regret we have noted that he passed away in the midst of his labors and that he was prevented by his untimely end from bringing to a successful conclusion cherished plans for further betterment of the lot of the American seamen. The loss of such an able and distinguished friend cannot be easily replaced: Therefore be it

Resolved, That we, the members of the Pacific Coast Marine Firemen, Oilers, Water Tenders and Wipers' Association, do declare that by the untimely passing of this eminent physician and legislator the citizens of this Nation have lost a faithful, distinguished, and able servant of outstanding integrity; and be it further