Honoring the life of James Ralph Sasser, former Senator for the State of Tennessee.

Congress
senate

Introduced on September 25, 2024 by Marsha Blackburn

Cosponsors (99)

Legislation Details

  • Honors the life of James Ralph Sasser, former Senator from Tennessee.
  • Born in Memphis, Tennessee, in 1936.
  • Attended the University of Tennessee and graduated from Vanderbilt University in 1958.
  • Received a law degree from Vanderbilt University Law School in 1961.
  • Married Mary Gorman for over 60 years.
  • Served in the United States Marine Corps Reserve from 1957 to 1963.
  • Elected to the Senate in 1976, serving three terms.
  • Chaired the Senate Committee on the Budget from 1989 to 1995, negotiating budget deals under Presidents George H. W. Bush and Bill Clinton.
  • Served as Ambassador to China from 1996 to 1999, improving U.S.-China relations and managing protests against the U.S. Embassy in Beijing.
  • Worked as a visiting professor at George Washington University and later at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
  • Left a legacy of distinguished service to the State of Tennessee and its citizens.
  • Survived by his wife, son, daughter, two sisters, and four grandchildren.
  • The Senate expresses profound sorrow at his passing and requests communication of the resolution to the House of Representatives and his family.

Last updated 11/24/2024