[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 BOB MICHEL

  Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, serving as Senate Republican leader is a 
true honor. And one of the most rewarding aspects of my job has been 
the opportunity to work on a daily basis with Congressman Bob Michel.
  As the Members of the Senate know, Congressman Michel, who has served 
as House Republican leader since 1981, is retiring from Congress after 
38 years of service. And I know I speak for all Senators in saying that 
he will be greatly missed
  ``Gentleman'' is a term that is often used in the House and Senate. 
And in Bob Michel's case, that word fits him perfectly. For in the 
often rough and tumble world of politics, Bob Michel was first and 
foremost a gentleman.
  Yes, he could be tough when it was needed--you can't serve as a 
member of the minority party for 38 years and not be tough. But when 
you dealt with Bob Michel you always knew you were dealing with someone 
of total integrity and honesty.
  And when the day was done, no matter if you agreed or disagreed with 
him on the issues, you knew that Bob Michel was your friend.
  Though his service in Washington has been long--spanning nine 
Presidents--Bob Michel has never been of Washington. He has always been 
Bob Michel of Peoria.
  In January of this year, Bob and I cohosted a luncheon for President 
Nixon on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of his Presidency. It was 
to be the President's last visit to the Capitol.
  And at that luncheon, Bob quoted from a eulogy that President Nixon 
gave in 1969 for the great Senator Everett Dirksen, who also once 
served Peoria in Congress.
  And the quote centered around a word that is not very much in favor 
these days--the word ``politician.'' And that is unfortunate. Because 
there are many outstanding qualities to the word ``politician.'' And 
each of those qualities that President Nixon used to describe Everett 
Dirksen, also describes Bob Michel. I would like to share that quote 
with you:

       A politician knows that more important than the bill that 
     is proposed, is the law that is passed.
       A politician knows that his friends are not always his 
     allies, and that his adversaries are not his enemies.
       A politician knows how to make the process of democracy 
     work, and loves the intricate workings of the democratic 
     system.
       A politician knows not only how to count votes, but how to 
     make his vote count.
       A politician knows that his words are his weapons, but that 
     his word is also his bond.
       A politician knows that only if he leaves room for 
     discussion and room for concession can he gain room for 
     maneuver.
       A politician knows that the best way to be a winner is to 
     make the other side feel it does not have to be a loser.
       And a politician knows both the name of the game and the 
     rules of the game, and he seeks his ends through the time-
     honored democratic means.

  By being that kind of politician, by being that kind of man, Bob 
Michel became the leader of our party, and one of the leaders of our 
nation.
  I know all my colleagues join with me in saying ``thank you'' to Bob 
Michel for his remarkable service to Congress and to America.
  Mr. MITCHELL addressed the Chair.
  The PRESIDENT pro tempore. The majority leader.
  Mr. MITCHELL. Mr. President, I had the privilege of attending a 
retirement dinner in honor of Representative Michel with Senator Dole 
and many other of our colleagues and have made a statement about him 
previously as well. But I want to add my voice in praise of 
Representative Michel.
  One of the pleasures of our task has been the opportunity to work 
with him as the Republican leader in the House of Representatives. He 
is truly an outstanding person and, I think, really does qualify for 
the phrase ``a nice guy,'' and a man who has done an outstanding job 
for his constituents, his party, and his country in the Congress. I 
will not repeat the earlier statement that I made in his behalf but I 
wanted to take this opportunity to associate myself with the remarks of 
Senator Dole and our other colleagues in Representative Michel's 
behalf.

                          ____________________