[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 38 (Tuesday, April 12, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[Congressional Record: April 12, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
TRIBUTE TO CHARLES E. SEAGRAVE
Mr. SASSER. Mr. President, on April 15, the Congress will lose a
valued resource because that day marks the retirement of Charles E.
Seagrave of the Congressional Budget Office. For more than 15 years,
Chuck has been the chief of the human resources cost estimating unit at
CBO and responsible for the budget estimates provided to our committee
and the others of the Congress that deal with topics ranging from
Social Security and Medicare, to education and training, to welfare. I
am sure my good friend the Senator from New Mexico [Mr. Domenici],
would agree with me on this, that this is a tremendous responsibility
that Chuck has fulfilled with dedication and excellence. It was with
Chuck's efforts that the Budget Committee and others were able to
navigate the minefields of Social Security reform, Medicare
reimbursement changes, unemployment compensation benefit extensions,
and the annual budget resolutions and reconciliation acts. When we
needed help with budget figures, regardless of the hour of the day or
day of the week, we were always able to rely on Chuck and his staff to
supply us with the information we required.
It is important to recognize the devotion of Americans like Chuck
Seagrave who have given so much of themselves for the public good. We
hope and trust that Chuck will enjoy his well-earned retirement. While
Chuck will be missed, his service to this body will not soon be
forgotten.
Mr. DOMENICI. I want to join with the chairman of the Budget
Committee, Senator Sasser, in extending my congratulations to Charles
E. Seagrave on his retirement from the Congressional Budget Office.
When the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Act was signed into law
20 years ago this year, Congress had the good sense to establish the
independent Congressional Budget Office [CBO] as its budget research
arm. We have continued to rely on CBO and indeed continue to stretch
their resources to the limit by asking that they do more and more with
less and less.
I am a supporter of CBO and their work. I have not always agreed with
their analyses but I have always respected their work and indeed have
agreed more often than I have disagreed. CBO's work remains
professional and of the highest quality.
But people make up organizations. And the only reason CBO is able to
do such a superb job is through the committee, dedication, and hard
work of people at CBO like Chuck Seagrave. His name may not have made
the headlines these last many years, but those of us who understand
this process, know it could not have survived 20 years without people
like Chuck.
Chuck has headed the human resources cost estimating unit for almost
the entire existence of CBO and thus has been an instrumental part of
building CBO's well deserved reputation for excellence in public
service. This is the unit at CBO that has had to develop some of the
most important estimates of legislation related to health care,
welfare, employment, veterans and education programs--clearly some of
the most controversial and complicated cost estimates anybody could be
expected to produce. But they have been produced under Chuck's
leadership, they have been used, and they have affected the course of
policy. In total, I am sure they have affected the course of policy in
a positive manner.
I have no doubt that we are going to miss Chuck's invaluable
experience, patience, and good judgment. He should not leave, however,
without it being known, that he is leaving with the respect and
admiration of this Senator, and many others for a job well done.
Thank you Chuck for your service to CBO, to the Congress, and to the
country. I wish you and your family all the best in the years ahead as
you return to your home State of Wyoming.
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