[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 146 (Saturday, October 8, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: October 8, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                       TRIBUTE TO GEORGE MITCHELL

  Mr. DASCHLE. Mr. President, this may be the final day of the regular 
schedule of the second session of the 103d Congress. Except for the 
short lame duck session to be held at the end of next month, it is also 
one of the last days of the remarkable leadership provided to the U.S. 
Senate by a very special man, George Mitchell.
  This institution has never been served more ably than during the past 
6 years. Our majority leader has demonstrated skill which has been 
rarely seen in our Nation's recent history. His intellect, his 
patience, his diplomatic skills, and his great affection for the Senate 
have served the Members of the Senate in an exceptional manner.
  He has also been a special friend to this Senator. My admiration for 
the majority leader began to grow long before he attained this 
position. I came to know him in 1986, during his tenure as chairman of 
the Democratic Senate Campaign Committee, as I was a candidate for the 
Senate that year. George Mitchell was an extraordinary chairman. Under 
his leadership, 11 new Democratic Senators took their seats in January 
1987. It is widely recognized that he was directly responsible for our 
success. His dedicated efforts brought about a return of the Democratic 
majority in the U.S. Senate.
  George Mitchell has always been willing to accept additional 
assignments. Who can forget the memorable role which he played on the 
Iran-Contra investigative committee? His probing questions, his 
remarkable response to Oliver North, and the professionalism which he 
demonstrated, served the Senate exceedingly well and made us all very 
proud.
  The Senator from Maine has made his greatest contribution, however, 
as our leader. After 6 years, this country owes him a significant debt 
of gratitude. His leadership brought passage of landmark legislation 
affecting health, the environment, the economy, trade, and education. 
Indeed, his has been an extraordinarily productive tenure as leader.

  No one has given this Senator more of an opportunity to contribute 
than has out leader. I have expressed my gratitude to him privately. 
But I also wish to do it publicly.
  Thank you, George Mitchell. Your willingness to appoint me as co-
chair of the Democratic Policy Committee has created opportunities and 
challenges which are rare for any Senator. The past years of service 
with you have been as meaingful and satisfying as any in my lifetime.
  The Senate will miss him. I will miss his good nature, his sense of 
humor, and the daily demonstration of his remarkable dedication to his 
work and his country. They say that life has no blessing like that of a 
good friend. That is certainly true. In the past decade, my colleagues 
and I have been richly blessed with the friendship and the leadership 
of George Mitchell.
  We wish him well in all that he does in the months and years head. 
May he enjoy good health and much success. He leaves this place with 
the love and gratitude of the Senate and of his country.

                          ____________________