[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 144 (Thursday, October 6, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: October 6, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
              TRIBUTE TO THE HONORABLE GEORGE J. MITCHELL

  By unanimous consent Mr. Gephardt was given permission to proceed out 
of order for 5 minutes.
  Mr. GEPHARDT. Mr. Speaker, I rise as will the Speaker and the 
minority leader to pay our tribute to a friend and colleague of every 
Member of this House, Senator George Mitchell, who will be retiring as 
majority leader from the Senate at the end of this session.
  I am going to begin with a risky proposition in this age of anti-
incumbency.
  I am going to begin by saying that, to me, George Mitchell is the 
consummate politician.
  And I am going to tell you what it means to me to be a politican--and 
then maybe you'll understand how I feel about George Mitchell.
  You see, some people may think that politics is about power. And by 
that measure, you'd have to say that the Senate majority leader is one 
of the most powerful people in the world.
  But a true politician knows that real power comes form only one 
place--from the people who vest it in you, when they give you their 
votes, their voices, and their trust.
  As high as George Mitchell has risen in our Government's hierarchy, 
those are the voices he heeds--and their cares have been his constant 
concern.
  Some may think that politics is about partisanship--that the best way 
to lay a foundation is to throw down a gauntlet.
  But a true politician knows that the hallmark of progress is 
partnership--that a quiet word, a calm gesture, a call for consensus 
mean more than any partisan posture or pressure tactic.
  George Mitchell isn't just respected by his colleagues from the other 
side of the aisle--he isn't just liked by them--he's admired by them. 
And that's one of the rarest testaments this town can offer.
  Some may think that politics is about ambition.
  But a true politician is never ambitious for himself--only for the 
people he serves.
  Pundits all over this country were stunned when George Mitchell 
turned down a seat on this Nation's highest court, for the simple 
reason that he had unfinished business on the Senate floor--the 
people's business. But those of us who know George weren't surprised. 
For him, service is its own reward--and self-service just isn't part of 
the job description.
  Some may think a politician strives to erect monuments to himself.
  But a true politician knows that the greatest monuments to a man's 
progress are not of chiseled stone, but of flesh and blood--that no 
plaque or statute can compare to a helping a hard-working family claim 
their stake in the American dream.
  Today, in the State of Maine, and all across America, there are 
millions of families with better jobs and better futures; with college 
loans for their children; with cleaner air to breathe, and safer 
streets to walk. And they bear in their hearts the silent dedication: 
to senator George Mitchell, with love and gratitude.
  This isn't an easy time for politicians. Too often, in our zeal to 
find everything that's wrong with our political system, we forget about 
everything that's right with it. And the result is that, sometimes, 
there is a dignity and a decency missing from our public discourse--an 
appeal to a higher conscience, and a greater good.
  But George Mitchell is the very soul of dignity, and decency, and 
conscience.
  Each and every day, he reminds us why we came here, and why we are so 
grateful for the promise of our country.
  Each and every day, he reminds us that if the son of a janitor can 
lift himself up, to do so much good for so many people--then surely the 
rest of us can learn a little from his example.
  So I rise today to pay tribute to one of the finest politicians the 
world has ever known. A man who gives politics a good name. A 
politician's politician.
  And Senator Mitchell, believe me, from the bottom of my heart--that's 
the highest compliment I know.
  Obviously, none of us is irreplaceable. But you come as close to that 
as anyone I know. We will miss you, and miss you very, very much.
  Best wishes, and Godspeed.

                              {time}  1010

  (Mr. MICHEL asked and was given permission to speak out of order for 
5 minutes.)

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