[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 145 (Friday, October 7, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: October 7, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                 THE RETIREMENT OF THE MAJORITY LEADER

  Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, it is with great admiration and respect 
that I rise today to honor our esteemed Majority Leader, Senator George 
Mitchell, on his retirement from the Senate.
  When I first came to the U.S. Senate almost 2 years ago, I was unsure 
what my reception would be. The Majority Leader and his staff quickly 
put me at ease. He treated everyone, veterans and newcomers alike, with 
dignity and respect. He dispelled many of the myths about the good old 
boys network. The Leader immediately gave every member of my freshmen 
class a part in the decisionmaking process.
  I have had the privilege of serving with him for only the past 2 of 
this 12 years. Even in this short time, I have stood in awe of his 
unending patience, fairness and perseverance. Nowhere were these 
qualities more apparent than in his effort to shepherd comprehensive 
health care reform through the legislative and political thicket. 
Although the legislation did not pass, his leadership laid a strong 
foundation upon which we will build a successful bill next year.
  He has championed numerous other issues during my tenure. His 
commitment to women's issues and a woman's right to choose has been 
unshakeable. He made the landmark Family and Medical Leave bill the 
first order of business of the 103rd Congress. He withstood filibusters 
and threats from the gun lobby to push the Brady bill to passage, and 
his persistence brought us a major anti-crime bill with an 
unprecedented ban on assault weapons.
  High on his accomplishments list should also be many significant 
environmental and infrastructure bills, and his unceasing attempt to 
reform Congress and campaign financing. His roots as a son of immigrant 
parents are reflected in his deep devotion to defending civil rights 
and to improving education and the lives of average, working Americans.
  It is with fondness and some sadness that I wish the Majority Leader 
well on his departure from the Senate.

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