old. He came up the hard way in this great land of opportunity. Beginning as a messenger boy, he successfully became a telegraph operator, news writer, reporter, city editor, and a radio news commentator before being elected to Congress. In these Halls he has served with honor and distinction for almost 17 years.

In the passing of KARL STEFAN I have lost a dear friend. I shall miss him very much in the days to come. The House of Representatives has lost one of its most valued Members, the Third Congressional District of Nebraska has lost an able and conscientious Representative, and the State of Nebraska and the Nation have lost a great patriot and citizen. My deepest sympathy goes out to Mrs. Stefan and members of the family. May God give them strength and courage

in their hour of sorrow.

Mr. CURTIS of Nebraska. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from North Carolina [Mr. Kerr].

Mr. KERR. Mr. Speaker, it is with deep sorrow that I attempt to pay a tribute to our devoted friend and to one of the most outstanding Members of this body for more than 20 years. He was brought to the United States when he was 1 year old-he knew but scant information of his native birthplace until he became one of the first citizens of this great Republic. He would have been a great man had he never come to the United States. God endowed him with characteristics which would have been great and important in any intelligent nation.

During his congressional life, in my opinion, no Member of this body ever adhered more intuitively and consistently to the highest standards of conduct. KARL STEFAN was successful in whatever he undertook to accomplish; he had the confidence of his fellow man and those who knew him best did not hesitate to join in matters he advocated and follow him with complacency. He was loyal to his party but never hesitated to disagree with those he conceived to be wrong.

He was above reproach in his record and commanded the respect of all even when few were in agreement with him.

His great State, Nebraska, has lost a great citizen who sought always to fulfill the duties assigned to him. This Nation will always be great when Representatives of KARL STEFAN'S type fulfill the duties assigned to them.

May God bless and keep his loved ones. I cannot appraise his friendship and I shall cherish his friendship until we meet in that "city which has foundations whose builder and maker is God."

Mr. CURTIS of Nebraska.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the

gentleman from Kansas [Mr. Hope].

Mr. HOPE. Mr. Speaker, it was a great shock when late yesterday I heard of the death of my dear friend, KARL STEFAN. I remember well when he first came to Congress. I was anxious to meet him at that time because his election had been something of a political upset, and I wondered what manner of man he was. And I also wanted to welcome him as one coming from a neighboring State and from a district with problems similar to those of the one which I represent. It was easy to become acquainted with KARL STEFAN. He was a friendly person, and I can readily understand why he was so popular then and since with his Nebraska constituents.

KARL STEFAN had such a sweet, gentle, and lovable personality that it was impossible to be his acquaintance without being his friend. He came to Congress after a wide experience in working with people in all walks of life not only in this country but in other parts of the world. He was a self-made man in the very best sense of the word, and his life could very well be cited as exemplifying the opportunities which exist in America. It is a great success story and should be an inspiration to every boy and girl and young man and young woman in America today.

KARL STEFAN came to Congress at a time when great economic and political problems were confronting this country and the world. He played a conspicuous part in dealing with those problems. I think it is fortunate that during these years we have had a man with the temperament, the ability, and the experience of KARL STEFAN occupying important positions here in the Congress. He was active in many lines, but I am thinking particularly of his work on the Committee on Appropriations, and as chairman and ranking minority member of the subcommittee dealing with appropriations for the State Department. This was a position for which his wide experience, broad outlook, and keen intelligence peculiarly fitted him.

KARL STEFAN was a man with a great heart. He had a genuine love for humanity, and his every thought and action demonstrated this. I feel that the Nation and the Congress have benefited tremendously because of his service, and as an individual I am better for having known him during these years. Although he is gone his work will live on; and much as we shall miss him, all of us who have had the privilege of being associated with him will treasure many happy memories.

To his wife and children I extend my most sincere sympathy and the hope that they will be given the strength to carry their heavy burden.

Mr. CURTIS of Nebraska. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may extend their remarks at this point in the Record.

The SPEAKER. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Nebraska?

There was no objection.

Mr. RAYBURN. Mr. Speaker, KARL STEFAN's passing has brought deep sorrow to all of us. Knowing him has enriched the lives of all of his colleagues in this House.

His was a great and a lovely soul.

doors of opportunity opened to him.

An immigrant lad, the
This is truly a land of

opportunity for all, that is why we love this country so.

I shall miss him always, and to his devoted family I offer my very deepest sympathies.

Mr. MAHON. Mr. Speaker, I join with my colleagues in mourning the passing of KARL STEFAN and in paying tribute to his memory. I had a special affection for him. He and I were in that group of 100 new Members of Congress who were first elected to the House of Representatives in November 1934. KARL STEFAN was a Republican, but I soon learned that he had little time for and little interest in strictly party matters. He was an American in every sense of the word and the welfare of the country was his consuming and paramount interest.

After a time KARL and I were appointed to the House Appropriations Committee and we served together for a period as members of the Subcommittee on Appropriations for the District of Columbia. KARL STEFAN was a great friend of the people of the District of Columbia and he deserves the praise of the people of the District for his fine and unselfish service in matters involving the District.

KARL STEFAN was a statesman. He served well, and with unceasing industry, the people of his home district in Nebraska. But his interests were world-wide. He was greatly interested in the cause of world understanding and peace. He had traveled widely in Asia and Europe. He had a grasp of world conditions which marked him as a leader in this field in the Congress.

KARL STEFAN was much beloved for his fine personal qualities. He was gentle and kind. He was thoughtful and tolerant. He was friendly and of an understanding nature. He was a good companion. I join with my colleagues in expressing deepest sympathy to Mrs. Stefan and their two children.

Mr. WOLVERTON.

Mr. Speaker, it is with a feeling of deep personal regret and sorrow that I learn of the passing from our midst of our honored and respected colleague, KARL STEFAN.

KARL STEFAN was a man of strong convictions. His sincerity of purpose was recognized by all who have served with him in the House of Representatives. At no time, was he willing to compromise his allegiance to any cause where a fundamental principle was involved. He was careful to ascertain all pertinent facts that had a bearing upon any subject before the Congress. His opinion upon matters of legislation was respected for the reason that his decision was always the result of studied judgment. It was based upon facts. Once his mind was made up he followed the course his judgment dictated to the end. The great influence he exerted in the House was due to the knowledge upon the part of the Members that he was well informed on the facts of the issue under consideration, and was sincere in the conclusions he reached. His service to the country, his State, and the Third Congressional District of Nebraska has been able, sincere, and distinguished.

It is also appropriate to make reference to the deep love he had for this country, its free institutions, and its people. His patriotism was of a high order. It was a part of his heart and soul.

Throughout the years that our colleague has served with us we have observed the close and happy relationship that has existed between KARL and his good wife. We can readily understand the deep sense of loss she feels in the sudden passing away of her faithful and considerate husband. We extend to her and other members of the family our deep and sincere sympathy.

Mr. AUCHINCLOSS. Mr. Speaker, I find it very difficult to express in words my feelings about KARL STEFAN which, perhaps, is due to the suddenness of his death that has