[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 144 (Friday, September 15, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S13672]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


        SPECIAL RECOGNITION FOR SENATOR KENNEDY AND SENATOR DODD

  Mr. DASCHLE. Mr. President, let me make a couple of additional points 
on the agreement we have reached with regard to modifying the original 
Dole bill.
  A lot of people deserve recognition this afternoon for their 
contribution. I think on our side there are two Senators who certainly 
deserve special recognition for the contribution and leadership they 
have shown.
  Of course, I refer to Senators Dodd and Kennedy. First on children's 
issues and, second, on work. On a number of the legislative provisions 
relating to work and job skills, they have done a remarkable job over 
the years and have certainly shown, again, their leadership, and the 
tremendous effort they have put forth to allow us the progress that we 
have made this week on welfare reform. But, in particular, on child 
care itself, it would not have been possible were it not for their work 
and their effort. I applaud them and publicly want to thank them for 
all of the help and leadership that they have given on that issue.
  Let me also say we will have some time to talk about the overall 
agreement next week. I intend to vote for this bill. I do so with mixed 
feelings, frankly. I think there are many things in the bill we can 
cite with some satisfaction. There are many concerns that I have, as 
well.
  I hope as people take a look at the overall context of what it is we 
have attempted to do, that they appreciate the difficulty that we have 
under any circumstances to come to agreement and to actually accomplish 
as much as we have done here.
  In my view, it goes a long way to doing what we all want to do: 
fundamentally reform the welfare system. It does not go anywhere near 
as far in some areas as we would like it to, but that is the essence of 
compromise. I will have more to say on that on Tuesday.
  I appreciate the good work that everyone has put forth to get us to 
this point this afternoon. I yield the floor.


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