[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 134 (Thursday, August 10, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S12314]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                              LAURA HUDSON

   Mr. JOHNSTON. Mr. President, for almost 23 years I have been 
privileged to serve in the U.S. Senate. For some 20 of those years I 
have been blessed with the able assistance of Laura Hudson, who 
completes her Senate service this week, as my legislative director and 
indispensable right hand.
  In so many ways, Laura personifies the best tradition of Senate 
service--beginning in one capacity and growing into so many more. The 
young history post-graduate, who took a legislative-correspondent 
position in my office in 1975, quickly grew beyond that and has been my 
invaluable counsel on a variety of legislative challenges over the 
years.
  Her knowledge of the budgetary process is legendary among her 
colleagues. And her command of the appropriations process has no equal 
among those who serve on personal staffs in the Senate.
  There are parks and preservation projects, in Louisiana and beyond 
which exist solely because of the personal commitment and legislative 
skill of Laura Hudson, whole regions of the globe, such as Micronesia, 
routinely neglected by many in the Congress, receive a respect and 
recognition in Washington due heavily to Laura's devotion. That 
component Closeup Program, which brings hundreds of students and 
teachers each year from the former Trust Territories of Micronesia, is 
but one example of Laura's passion.
  Moreover, I am convinced that the relationship between our country 
and many of the developing and emerging economies of the world, such as
 China, Viet Nam, and Indonesia, profit in immeasurable ways from the 
understanding and leadership of staff persons such as Laura.

  This is a woman, Mr. President, who has forsaken many opportunities 
in the private sector because of a deep belief in the merits of public 
service, and a belief in the simple tenet that she could make a 
difference. More than we often acknowledge, it is the Laura Hudsons who 
made a qualitative difference in our daily work product.
  I know that Laura will continue to contribute, as only she can, to 
public policy. But I will miss her in a way immediate and direct, as 
will so many of her longtime colleagues in the Senate. But I know they 
join me in expressing appreciation and best wishes as Laura enters an 
exciting new chapter of her life.


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