[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 4 (Monday, January 9, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S617]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               REFLECTIONS ON TENURE OF SENATOR JOHNSTON

  Mr. BENNETT. Mr. President, I was sitting in my office catching up on 
paperwork when I was literally caught by the announcement that the 
distinguished former chairman of the Energy and Natural Resources 
Committee would not seek reelection.
  I had to come over and add my voice to those that have already been 
raised in tribute to this fine man, this outstanding Senator and, for 
me, close friend.
  As I came to the Chamber, I was reminded of his words to the former 
ranking member on that committee, Malcolm Wallop, who made a similar 
announcement. As Senator Wallop came into the committee, Senator 
Johnston looked at him and said, ``You did not ask my permission.'' I 
had the same feeling here. He did not ask my permission. Not that he 
would have or should have.
  This is, obviously, a personal decision. I am sure from seeing how 
well he makes decisions, that it is the right decision. I wanted him to 
know, and the country to know, that I will feel a sense of personal 
loss. I am not saying goodbye as some have said, because I am looking 
forward to the next 2 years.
  I was sorry that, in the reorganization of the committees, I missed 
going back on that committee by exactly one slot. If there had been one 
more slot, I would have been there as I have been there the last 2 
years. And I look forward to going back there when the next 2 years are 
gone.
  It will not be the same without Bennett Johnston. A year ago, just 
about this time, we were in China, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Thailand 
together. I said to him, after one of the meetings we had had with the 
head of state on that trip, ``Mr. Chairman, if you want to run for 
Secretary of State, I will be happy to handle your campaign.'' He is an 
outstanding diplomat, an outstanding servant of the citizens of the 
United States. He has 2 years left to go. We will not turn this into 
his funeral eulogy because I know he will spend the next 2 years in the 
same kind of service that he has rendered in the past 22.
  I am one who believes in term limits. I think we need to open up the 
process to get new blood in. When people say to me ``Yes, but won't you 
lose some people that are precious to the United States?'' I always 
say, ``Yes, we will. That is the down side of term limits.'' Then I go 
on to list, privately, of course, some people that I think term limits 
would be good for. Bennett Johnston is in the first group. That is, 
those who would be precious to the United States who would be lost, and 
for whom, if I could, I would waive the term-limit requirement.
  He is a fine gentleman, a fine friend, a fine Senator. I look forward 
to 2 more years at his side and, indeed, at his feet, for he has taught 
this junior Senator a very great deal. I look forward to learning a 
very great deal more. Mr. President, this is a time of pride for the 
United States that we can look back on the career of one of our finest. 
I did not want to let the occasion pass without adding my voice to 
those that have been raised in tribute to this fine public servant. I 
yield the floor.


                      Tribute to Senator Johnston

  Mr. PELL. Mr. President, I rise to pay tribute to our distinguished 
colleague, the senior Senator from Louisiana [Bennett Johnston], on his 
announced intention to retire from the Senate at the end of his current 
term. His departure will be a loss to this body.
  Senator Johnston has served here ably and well for over 20 years, 
most notably as chairman of the Committee on Energy and Natural 
Resources and of the Appropriations subcommittee having jurisdiction in 
the same area. He has mastered the intricacies of much difficult 
legislation in this capacity, and the Nation has benefited from the 
perspective and wisdom which he brought to the task.
  I am privileged to have had a long friendship with Bennett Johnston 
and I admire him for the manner in which he conducts himself as a 
Senator and as a person. And, particularly, as a tennis player. In the 
best sense of the word, he can be called a straight shooter.
  I regret, honor, and sympathize with his decision to end his 
distinguished political career and I wish him and his lovely wife Mary 
all the best for the future after he leaves the Senate in 1997. In the 
meantime, we are fortunate to have the benefit of his talents for at 
least 2 more years.


                      tribute to bennett johnston

  Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, I rise to pay tribute to my good friend, 
Bennett Johnston, who announced his decision yesterday to retire from 
the Senate.
  Senator Johnston has been a terrific friend and ally for me on a 
myriad of issues during his service in the Senate. I have always found 
him fair in all his dealings as chairman and ranking member on the 
Energy and Natural Resources Committee, where a public lands State like 
Utah is always tremendously affected by the committee's activities.
  For example, last year, Senator Johnston's help was essential in 
getting a bill through the Senate that will allow Utah's public school 
system to receive from revenues generated from Federal lands and 
royalties. He recognized the importance of this piece of legislation to 
education in my State and did everything he could to help it through 
the committee. I am convinced the bill would not have been signed into 
law by President Clinton last year without his support, and Utah's 
school children will be indebted to him for many years.
  He has a keen sense on issues related to the energy security of this 
Nation. It was his leadership that led to the development and passage 
of the Energy Security Act of 1992, which should allow us to meet the 
energy demands of our growing population for many years to come. His 
expertise in this area will be sorely missed by the Senate.
  He also recognizes that many States are financially dependent on the 
appropriate development of their natural resources, especially when 
these resources are located on Federal lands. Of course, Louisiana is 
as rich in these resources as my own State of Utah. And, by recognizing 
this dependence, Senator Johnston has been willing to work with 
Senators on resource issues that are unique to that particular State, 
whether the subject matter was precious metals, coal, petroleum, 
natural gas, or, in the case of Utah, tar sands and oil shale. He has 
provided tremendous leadership in showcasing and supporting our 
national parks, forests, and recreation areas. While we have not always 
agreed on every single issue, I will miss his manner of doing business.
  In addition, he has been successful in focusing this body on the 
important issue of risk assessment related to environmental 
regulations. With the total cost for all 54 Federal environmental 
regulatory agencies totaling $14.3 billion last year, it is critical 
that Congress determine the benefit associated with the cost of each 
and every environmental regulation we pass. Senator Johnston has 
provided leadership on this matter, and I hope that this body will 
again pass his amendment during this session to require a risk 
assessment on new regulations.
  Obviously, the Senator from Louisiana has been a leader in many areas 
during his tenure in the Senate. For this, I thank and applaud him. We 
are losing a true expert on these issues, and I am losing a true friend 
in every sense of the word. I understand why he has made this decision 
to leave the Senate; and, while 2 years remain for us to collaborate on 
important issues, I want to express my thanks to him and wish him well 
in all his future plans. He has been a great asset to his State and to 
the Senate.

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