[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 143 (Wednesday, October 5, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: October 5, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                SENATOR GEORGE MITCHELL: A GREAT LEADER

  Mr. HOLLINGS. Mr. President, the next Senate can elect a new majority 
leader, but what it cannot do is replace George Mitchell. We cannot 
replace George Mitchell the leader or George Mitchell the politician or 
George Mitchell the man. In each capacity, he has achieved a stature in 
the eyes of his colleagues that is unique in the contemporary Senate. 
To appreciate that unique stature and standing, bear in mind that this 
is an institution of 100 highly accomplished men and women--every one 
with a robust ego and high regard for his or her talents and intellect. 
Yet I dare say that if you polled the Members of the Senate, you'd get 
a near unanimous opinion, on both sides of the aisle, that George 
Mitchell is the best Senator and the consummate leader. In the 20th 
century, no other man save Lyndon Johnson rose more rapidly to the post 
of majority leader. In both cases, the propellant behind the ascent was 
the same: Raw talent, rare intellect, sheer ability.
  By any measure, George has done an extraordinary job during his 6 
years as leader. In an institution notorious for the independence and 
waywardness of its Members, he's about as close as we get to adult 
supervision. He has been unfailingly fair, unfailing respectful of the 
rights of the minority party. That said, I don't think anyone has ever 
forgotten that George Mitchell is a Democrat. The fact is, George is 
about as partisan a Democrat as you'll find--a partisanship bred in the 
bone and learned at knee of his immigrant, working-class parents. But, 
with George, it is partisanship with a difference--partisanship with 
passion and force, but never with a jagged edge. George doesn't 
personalize his political combat. He has adversaries not enemies. He 
fights to win, but--even under the most trying of circumstances--he 
fights clean.
  In short, Mr. President, in the old-fashioned sense of the word, 
George Mitchell is an honorable man. He is a unique combination: The 
sagacity of a first-rate judge plus the savvy of a first-rate 
legislator, the appearance of a professor plus the heart of a prize 
fighter. The Senate has been ennobled by his daily presence at the 
majority leader's desk, and the Senate will be diminished by his 
departure.
  I would like to take this opportunity to thank George Mitchell for 
his many kindnesses and courtesies to me personally. He has been a 
great leader, and I have no doubt he will take his special qualities of 
mind and character to other high offices in the service of our Nation. 
We all wish George Mitchell the very best.

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