[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 108 (Thursday, June 29, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Pages S9410-S9411]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    COMMENDING C. ABBOTT SAFFOLD (ABBY) FOR HER LONG, FAITHFUL, AND 
                  EXEMPLARY SERVICE TO THE U.S. SENATE

  Mr. DASCHLE. Mr. President, it's my sad duty today to announce to my 
colleagues the retirement of Abby Saffold, who has served as Secretary 
to our caucus since her appointment to that post by then-majority 
leader, Senator Byrd, in 1987.
  Together with the majority leader, Senator Dole, Senator Ford, 
Senator Lott, Senator Byrd, Senator Thurmond, and all other Senators, I 
send a resolution to the desk to express the gratitude of the Senate to 
Abby Saffold for her years of service to the Senate of the United 
States.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 143) commending C. Abbott Saffold 
     (Abby) for her long, faithful and exemplary service to the 
     United States Senate.
       Whereas Abby Saffold has faithfully served the Congress in 
     many capacities over the past 28 years, 25 of which were 
     spent in service to the Senate;
       Whereas Abby Saffold was the first women in the history of 
     the Senate to serve as Secretary for the Majority and the 
     first to serve as Secretary for the Minority;
       Whereas Abby Saffold has at all times discharged the 
     important duties and responsibilities of her office with 
     great efficiency and diligence;
       Whereas her dedication, good humor, and exceptional service 
     have earned her the respect and affection of Democratic and 
     Republican Senators as well as their staffs: Now therefore, 
     be it
       Resolved, That the Senate expresses its appreciation to 
     Abby Saffold and commends her for her lengthy, faithful and 
     outstanding service to the Senate.
       Sec. 2. The Secretary of the Senate shall transmit a copy 
     of this resolution to C. Abbott Saffold.

  [Applause, Senators rising.]
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection to the immediate 
consideration of the resolution?
  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The minority leader.
  Mr. DASCHLE. Mr. President, Abby's service to the Senate covers a 
quarter of a century. Her service to the Congress runs from 1967. When 
she became Secretary to the majority in 1987, she was the first woman 
to hold that post in the history of the Senate.
  The Democratic caucus has been extraordinarily fortunate to have 
Abby's services for so long. It is no exaggeration to say that Abby has 
prevented more than one disaster from becoming a debacle. We, who rely 
on her, know 

[[Page S 9411]]

that much of the Senate operation depends on her knowledge and skill in 
making certain that the procedural hurdles do not become roadblocks.
  I believe the entire Senate, not just the Democratic caucus, owes 
Senator Byrd a large debt of gratitude for the fact that it was his 
excellent judgment that first brought Abby to the floor staff in 1979 
and the caucus 8 years later.
  I am extremely sorry that it falls to my lot to have to announce 
Abby's retirement.
  It is well known that the great American author, William Faulkner, 
served as the postmaster in Oxford, MS. What is not as well known is 
why he decided to quit the job after many years of service, 
particularly at a time and in a place where good, stable jobs were hard 
to come by.
  Asked why, Faulkner replied: ``I couldn't stand for one minute longer 
being at the beck and call of anyone just because he has three cents in 
his pocket.''
  I would not want to think Abby Saffold made the decision to retire 
because, after 16 years, she could not stand for another minute being 
at the beck and call of anyone just because they had been elected to 
the U.S. Senate.
  But it is a fact Abby has served Senators--and been at their beck and 
call--for a long time. I believe I state the sentiments of Senators on 
the Republican side as well as Members of the Democratic caucus when I 
say that Abby has been unfailingly cheerful and helpful to Senators 
regardless of party.
  Abby Saffold's departure is a sad day for everyone in the Senate, 
most particularly for Senators, who have come to rely on Abby's advice, 
seek her counsel, and listen to her jokes. Somehow, because Abby served 
the Senate so well and for so long, we had come to think she would 
always be here for us.
  Although many of the men and women with whom she worked elected, and 
unelected alike, may be better known to the American people than Abby, 
not many will be more well-loved by those who know her. Few will have a 
record of service and integrity to match hers.
  I have been an admirer of Abby's since my first days in the Senate. 
She has been a good and tireless friend to me and other Members of the 
Senate. It is with great regret that I say goodby to Abby Saffold 
today.
  Mr. DOLE addressed the Chair.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The majority leader.
  Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, there's a story told about an incident that 
occurred here on the floor several years ago, when Howard Baker was 
Senate majority leader.
  Senator Baker was leading a floor debate, while Republican and 
Democrat Senators worked out a timetable in back of the Chamber.
  Finally, Senator Baker could proceed no further until negotiations 
were finished.
  He looked to the back of the room, sized up who was involved in the 
negotiations, and who was key to their successful conclusion, and said 
for the record, ``We're just here waiting for Abby.''
  He was, of course, referring to Abby Saffold, who has served as 
Secretary for the Democrat side of the aisle for more than 8 years, and 
who served as manager of the Democrat floor staff for the 8 years prior 
to that.
  As has been indicated by my good friend, Senator Daschle, Abby is 
retiring this Friday afternoon, after nearly three decades of service 
on Capitol Hill--a career that saw her rise from serving as a 
caseworker to a Congressman to becoming the first woman in the history 
of the Senate to occupy the post of Secretary for the majority.
  I know I speak for all Members of the Senate in saying that she will 
be greatly missed.
  We spend a great deal of time here on the Senate floor. And 
frequently, negotiations and discussions can get a bit tense. Abby has 
been involved in hundreds of those negotiations and discussions.
  Even though Abby's duties here on the floor require her to look after 
the interests of the Democrats, there has never--there has never been a 
moment where I questioned her professionalism, fairness, or honesty.
  And through all the discussions and debates, Abby has always 
exhibited a great deal of courtesy, and an unfailing good humor. In 
short, as my good friend, George Mitchell, once said, ``Abby helps to 
make our long days on the Senate floor more tolerable.''
  I share the view expressed by my colleague, Senator Daschle, and I 
know that all Senators join with me in wishing Abby good luck, and in 
thanking her for her service to the Senate and to America.
  Thank you.
  [Applause, Senators rising.]
  Mr. LAUTENBERG. Mr. President, I join with my colleagues in paying 
tribute to Abby Safford on her retirement from the Senate. Knowing 
Abby, I can only imagine that when she leaves us, she is planning a 
full life of travel and continued learning and challenge. Anyone 
familiar with her energy, sharp intelligence, political commitment and 
love of the Senate knows she will continue to follow our activities 
with close attention. I know all of us are going to miss her advice, 
incredible attention to our needs, her knowledge of the Senate and her 
ability to help make this institution work.
  On the eve of her retirement from the Senate I want to wish Abby the 
very best and hope that her next 25 years will be as satisfying as 
those she spent in the Senate, and filled with challenge, satisfaction, 
love, and contentment. She has made an enormous contribution to this 
institution and the many Senators who have occupied these desks since 
she began here many years ago, sitting in the staff gallery following 
the Senate floor for her Senator. It is a pleasure to simply say, in 
return, ``Thank you, Abby.''
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, the resolution is agreed 
to.
  Without objection, the preamble is agreed to.

                          ____________________