[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 109 (Friday, June 30, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S9513]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




[[Page S9513]]


      COMMENDING SCOTT BATES ON 25 YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE SENATE

  Mr. BYRD. Mr. President, I thank the Chair. I rise to commend Scott 
Bates, our legislative clerk, on his outstanding 25 years of service to 
the U.S. Senate.
  Scott Bates began his career in Washington as a summer intern in the 
bill clerk's office under Senator John L. McClellan's patronage in 
1970. It was the beginning of a most auspicious match for both Scott 
and the Senate.
  From the beginning, politics was in Scott's blood. His father, Paul 
Bates, served as a member of the Arkansas Legislature. Scott loved 
politics in school, and he served as a page in both the house and the 
senate of the Arkansas Legislature.
  In 1975, Scott first began working at the Senate desk where he has 
continued working ever since. His contributions to this body and to its 
workings have been many and notable.
  As the bill clerk of the Senate, Scott was instrumental in developing 
the first automated recordkeeping system in the Senate, later known as 
LEGIS. Scott Bates established the current method used here in the 
Senate for numbering amendments, and he has left his innovative mark on 
much of the printed material used on the Senate floor to aid us in our 
work, from rollcall tally sheets to the Senate calendar.
  Although public service in general and careers in Washington have 
fallen out of favor, I believe that Scott Bates' life and work 
experience present a compelling case against the current cynicism about 
the many fine people who serve here in the Congress in various 
capacities. Their names are never in the papers. They experience few 
public kudos, and yet they work as long hours, probably longer, than we 
do. They are dedicated, capable, patriotic individuals who represent 
the best that America produces from all over this Nation.
  Scott Bates is a fine example of what I am talking about. He was born 
and grew up in Pine Bluff, AR, where his parents, Paul and Mae Bates, 
still reside. As a lad, he participated in the Boy Scouts, achieving 
the high honor of Eagle Scout. He went farther than I went in the 
Scouts.
  Scott personifies what we politicians like to refer to as ``family 
values.'' He has always been active in his church and has been married 
to his wife, Ricki, for 20 years this July. Scott and Ricki have three 
wonderful children--Lisa, Lori and Paul.
  As all of us know, one of Scott's official duties as legislative 
clerk is to call the roll of the Senate during votes and during quorum 
calls. To his young son, Paul, this is obviously the most fascinating 
part of his dad's work. When once asked what his father did for a 
living, young Paul responded: ``My dad calls other people names.''
  And he gets by with it. Nobody quarrels about it. Nobody criticizes 
this man for calling other people names.
  Of course, the calling of the roll is only one small part of Scott's 
many duties and responsibilities, and he handles them all with aplomb 
and dignity.
  To one of the very best of the many fine individuals who serve their 
country with distinction as dedicated employees of this body, I extend 
my heartiest congratulations on 25 years of outstanding service.
  Along with the Members of the Senate and the legislative floor staff 
of the Office of the Secretary of the Senate, among whom Scott Bates is 
perceived as a leader and as a teacher, I express my hope that he will 
continue his fine work with the Senate for many more years to come.
  Mr. President,

       It isn't enough to say in our hearts
       That we like a man for his ways;
       Nor is it enough that we fill our minds
       With psalms of silent praise;
       Nor is it enough that we honor a man
       As our confidence upward mounts;
       As going right up to the man himself
       And telling him so that counts.

       Then when a man does a deed that you really admire,
       Don't leave a kind word unsaid.
       For fear to do so might make him vain
       And cause him to lose his head.
       But reach out your hand and tell him, ``Well done.''
       And see how his confidence swells.
       It isn't the flowers that we strew on the grave,
       It's the word to the living that tells.

  Mr. President, I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, I have a series of short statements that I 
would like to make. I know the hour is late.


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