[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 53 (Wednesday, March 22, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S4358]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                        RETIREMENT OF JOHN LAHR

  Mr. BAUCUS. Mr. President, yesterday's edition of the Montana 
Standard contained an article that I especially enjoyed reading. Let me 
share part of this article with my colleagues:

       A special passenger train ran from Helena to Garrison and 
     back Sunday to honor retiring Montana Power Company lobbyist 
     John Lahr, a train buff * * *. Montana Rail Link furnished 
     the engines; Burlington Northern provided several refurbished 
     passenger cars * * * and the engineers union furnished the 
     engineers for what was billed with banners on the engines as 
     the ``John Lahr Special.''

  When I read this I could not help but think how appropriate this 
tribute is; a special train to honor a very special man.
  We hear a lot of bad talk about lobbyists these days. And, both in 
Helena and in Washington, there are some bad lobbyists; some who use 
strong-arm tactics; some who urge elected representatives to vote 
against the public interest.
  But anybody who knows John Lahr has seen living proof that lobbying 
can be a noble profession. He is a class act. He's a Montanan through-
and-through. And he wants what is best for our State.
  For almost 30 years, John has represented Montana Power Co. 
Legislative session after legislative session, John has been there in 
Helena working tirelessly. And, while he has always been an advocate 
for Montana Power, he sticks to the facts; he's honest; he levels with 
people; and he's got what may be the best--and certainly the driest--
sense of humor in all of Montana.
  So perhaps it is not surprising that John--though a lifelong 
Democrat--enjoys universal respect from both Republicans and Democrats 
in Helena.
  While John may be retiring from the power company, I have no doubt he 
will continue to play an important role in the life of our State. He 
has too many friends; he has too much talent and he cares too deeply 
about Montana to quietly retire.
  I wish both John and his wife, Beverly, the best of luck as they 
begin a new chapter in their lives. And I feel very fortunate to count 
them as friends and trusted advisers.


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