[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 24 (Tuesday, March 8, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: March 8, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                   TRIBUTE TO SENATOR GEORGE MITCHELL

  Mr. CHAFEE. Madam President, last Friday, we all received the 
startling news that Senator George Mitchell of Maine will not be 
seeking reelection. He, of course, as we all know, is the majority 
leader in the Senate.
  I want to note that I consider this to be a tremendous loss to the 
Senate and to the Nation. George Mitchell has clearly been a towering 
figure in this U.S. Senate. He is very, very bright and is very, very 
wise. Those are two completely separate qualifications.
  I think we all know people who are very bright but they are not all 
that wise. But George Mitchell combined intellectual brilliance with a 
wisdom that has given great benefit to this Nation of ours.
  George Mitchell further, in my judgment, is one of the best speakers 
in the U.S. Senate. When he comes on the floor to argue a point, few 
Senators can match his skill as a proponent of a measure.
  Madam President, it has been my privilege to have served with George 
Mitchell when he first came here, on three committees at the same time; 
the Intelligence Committee, the Environment Committee, and the Finance 
Committee. Then, of course, due to the changes that have to be made, we 
both moved off the Intelligence Committee. But ever since he came here, 
he and I have served on the Environment Committee and the Finance 
Committee.
  I want to particularly discuss for a few minutes his role in 
connection with the environment and the protective measures that have 
been taken since he has been on that committee. Every single 
environmental measure that has come out of that committee has the hand 
of George Mitchell upon it.
  I particularly think of the major measures, such as the clean water 
bill and especially the clean air bill. We have a clean air bill now in 
the United States because of two Georges; George Bush, our President, 
who said he would sign such a measure, as opposed to his predecessor 
President Reagan, and George Mitchell who brought that measure through 
the committee and on to the floor.
  There is not a single Senator who was involved with that measure who 
does not recall the countless hours of meetings that we had in Senator 
Mitchell's office with him there as frequently as he could be, and 
Senator Baucus there when Senator Mitchell could not be. Senator Baucus 
was there all the time. But Senator Mitchell was presiding when he 
could get free from his onerous duties as majority leader. We now have 
an excellent clean air bill, and that is because of George Mitchell.
  Madam President, I just want to say as a member of the Republican 
Party that I feel it has been a tremendous pleasure for me to have been 
associated during the years that George Mitchell was here, and I look 
forward to the remaining months that he will be here. We have all been 
greatly touched by his presence.
  So as he leaves--and, of course, we are fortunate he is going to be 
here for the remainder of this year--but when he does leave he can 
leave with a feeling that he has contributed in immeasurable ways to 
the benefit of our Nation, to the upholding of the standards of this 
Senate, and to the great good of so many causes with which he has been 
deeply involved.
  Madam President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. HOLLINGS. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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