[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]

 
                        TRIBUTE TO ROB McDONALD

  Mr. DANFORTH. Mr. President, on Friday, one of my most trusted aides 
is leaving the Senate. Rob McDonald has worked for me since 1982. For 9 
years, he worked as the head of my St. Louis office. He helped me and, 
more importantly, he contributed to the life of St. Louis in countless 
ways. Rob ensured that the Valley Park levee received a $15 million 
appropriation and that the St. Louis North Riverfront project received 
Federal money for needed improvements. He also was essential in 
securing Department of Transportation approval for the St. Louis Light 
Rail project and obtaining appropriations from the Congress.
  Since joining my Washington office as administrative assistant in 
1991, Rob has maintained his dedication to St. Louis while also looking 
out for the rest of Missouri. He has helped ensure that a healthier TWA 
remains in St. Louis and Kansas City. He has helped the commuters of 
St. Charles, MO by negotiating legislation providing a waiver for the 
$150 million Page avenue project. He was central in the effort to 
ensure that biotechnology development was not set back by opponents of 
BST. To this day, he is working tirelessly to find funds for the Union 
Station project in Kansas City. The people of Missouri should not only 
be grateful to Rob but disappointed that they are losing such a 
successful advocate for their interests.
  More important than these many accomplishments, however, is Rob's 
running of my office. In 1991, when my former Administrative Assistant 
Alex Netchvolodoff left, I called Rob and asked him to come to 
Washington. This must have been a difficult decision for the McDonalds. 
Yet, he came, and with him came his wife Cathy, and his two wonderful 
twin girls, Lauren and Rachel. He arrived in the middle of a tumultuous 
period in my Senate life. In only a few months, I would be involved in 
two contentious issues, the Clarence Thomas nomination and the Civil 
Rights Act of 1991. Throughout this period, Rob, as my new 
administrative assistant, ran my office with grace and civility. For 
that, I will always be grateful.
  Rob fosters the kind of positive, optimistic attitude that 
Missourians cherish in their Senator's office. He has an indefatigable, 
can-do attitude. He simply never quits. He is an understanding person 
who is always willing to take the time to address the needs and 
concerns of every member of my staff. It is largely because of Rob that 
my staff functions together as well as it does.
  I will miss him. His new company, Emerson Electric, has gained quite 
an asset. Along with my thanks for his friendship and his service, I 
wish Rob and his family all the best.

                          ____________________