Friends, we are all privileged to share in honoring Senator Alan Cranston tonight. He is an inspiration to anyone who values public service.

After Alan graduated from Stanford, he became a foreign correspondent for the International News Service. He quickly noticed while in Europe, the grave danger of fascism and published a version of Mein Kampf to alert Americans. Hitler sued him for copyright infringement.

In the 1950's, Alan revived the California Democratic Party. He has been one of the most influential members of the Democratic Party in the last half a century. Elected to the United States Senate in 1968, he served there for four terms with extraordinary effectiveness on numerous significant committees. He was even the Democratic whip. He is considered a leader in many positive causes: civil rights, human rights, women's rights, protecting the environment and others.

His retirement from his position in the Senate has not diminished his intense public service. He helped found the Gorbachev Foundation/USA as well as the State of the World Forum. In 1996, he organized a statement calling for the abolition of nuclear weapons signed by 63 generals and admirals from 17 countries. In 1998, he organized a statement on the same subject that was issued by 130 current and former heads of state of 48 nations. Currently he is at work on a third worldwide appeal for nuclear disarmament to be executed by the mayors of the world's major cities.

When he was a Senator, Vice President Walter Mondale said, "The saint of the Senate is now Senator Alan Cranston of California. He is the most decent and gifted member of the United States Senate. His commitments are in tune with the deepest values of our nation. There comes a time in almost every person's public life when you have to decide finally what's more important -- your conscience and your nation or yourself. I never worry where Alan Cranston will be on that decision."

It is that spirit of selflessness that inspires us here tonight. Senator Cranston consistently demonstrates that one who does not seek credit for their good deeds accomplishes the greatest amount.

He carries a quotation from the ancient Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu with him
in his wallet. It says,

"A leader is best when people barely know that he exists.
Less good when they obey and acclaim him.
Worse when they fear and despise him.
Fail to honor people, and they fail to honor you.
But of a good leader, when his work is done, his aim fulfilled,
they will all say, We did it ourselves."

Senator Cranston, Alan, you are the wind in our sails. We are gratified to have the privilege of working with you, inspired by your leadership. On behalf of Lawyer's Alliance for World Security, I am honored to present to you the Averell Harriman Peace Award. Senator Alan Cranston!