[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 123 (Thursday, July 27, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S10774]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    CONGRATULATIONS TO SENATOR BYRD

  Mr. DORGAN. Mr. President, I want to add my congratulations to those 
of my colleagues for Senator Byrd today. He was celebrated for casting 
his 14,000th vote in the U.S. Senate. I know this is a time when it is 
popular sport to denigrate both the body politic and politicians. But 
we ought to understand that our country for nearly 200 years has been 
served by a wonderful array of statesmen and women who have often 
provided decades of service to preserve and strengthen our democracy.
  When I hear these days of the slick ideas that some people put 
forward in order to solve the political dilemmas in our country, 
whether it is term limits or some other quick fix, I am reminded of the 
history of our country. I am reminded of the history of service by 
Clay, Calhoun, Webster, Goldwater, Humphrey, Taft, yes, Byrd, and Dole, 
and so many others, who come and serve, often with great distinction, 
and contribute a great deal to our country.
  It is not purely an accident that our country has become a world 
power, a country that tackles problems most other countries will not 
even admit exist, a country that is incredibly self-critical from time 
to time, but nonetheless a country that has progressed in many areas 
beyond most countries in the world.
 It is not an accident.

  It results, I think, partly from the genius, inventiveness, and risk-
taking ability of those in the private sector in a capitalistic system, 
who advance this country's interests. But it also results from the 
judgment and compassion and wisdom of the line of leaders that 
stretches back 200 years, leaders who were willing to serve in the 
public sector and help create a democratic form of Government that 
works--and works better than any in the previous history of the world.
  So I wanted, today, to stand and commend and pay tribute to Senator 
Byrd. I did not know much about him. I did not know what to think about 
him, frankly, before I came to the Senate. I obviously knew about him, 
read a lot about him, and watched him work. But I have had an 
opportunity now to study more closely his contributions to this Senate, 
and he, in my judgment, has created a lasting legacy of great 
significance to this body. He, of course, has many years yet to serve. 
But let me join Republicans and Democrats today in saying 
congratulations to someone who has devoted so much time to performing 
his duty for our country.

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