[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 152 (Wednesday, September 27, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S14401]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          THANKS TO THE STAFF

  Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, last Thursday, the Senate passed the fiscal 
year 1996 foreign operations bill. The vote was 91 to 9. That is the 
largest number of Senators to vote for a foreign aid appropriations 
bill that I can recall. I want to congratulate Senator McConnell for 
his efforts in getting the bill done, and for the overwhelming 
bipartisan vote. I think it shows that despite assertions to the 
contrary, the Senate and the American people do support foreign aid.
  I also want to thank a number of other people who contributed greatly 
to putting this bill together, and getting it passed.
  In the Congress, the majority clerk of the Foreign Operations 
Subcommittee, Jim Bond, was indispensable. Jim has been around here a 
long time, and has gained the unqualified respect of both sides of the 
aisle. Senator Hatfield could not have a more competent and dedicated 
adviser to the subcommittee. Jim was very ably assisted by Juanita 
Rilling, who has also gained an expertise in the foreign assistance 
programs.
  On Senator McConnell's personal staff, Robin Cleveland was 
instrumental in preparing the fiscal year 1996 bill, and in finding 
common ground with my staff in developing a product that Senator 
McConnell and I could support and defend. Robin did a superb job in her 
first year as the subcommittee chairman's principal adviser on a wide 
range of foreign aid issues. Robin also had the very able and tireless 
assistance of Billy Piper.
  On my side, Tim Rieser, who was a member of the subcommittee staff 
during my 6 years as chairman, gave me fine assistance throughout. Dick 
D'Amato, a member of the committee staff, expertly handled several 
important and difficult issues, including the compromise that was 
reached on the language concerning Korea and several amendments on the 
former Yugoslavia. I want to thank him and Senator Byrd for his 
contribution.
  Janice O'Connell and Diana Olbaum of the Foreign Relations Committee 
staff helped resolve several difficult issues. Pam Norick on Senator 
Murray's staff and Robin Lieberman on Senator Feingold's staff were 
very helpful in preparing for the contentious debate on international 
family planning.
  There are many people in the administration who deserve mention. 
While I cannot name them all, I do want to recognize Wendy Sherman, the 
Assistant Secretary for Legislative Affairs at the State Department. 
Wendy has been a tireless advocate for the Secretary, and for the 
American people. Her deputy, Will Davis, was an indispensable link 
between me and my staff, and the State Department. Will's good natured 
manner and willingness to search for the answer to any question we had 
was greatly appreciated.

  At the Agency for International Development, Jill Buckley, Assistant 
Administrator for Legislative and Public Affairs, with the assistance 
of Bob Boyer and Marianne O'Sullivan, and so many other people, made it 
possible for us to manage with a very difficult budget situation. I 
also want to single out Bob Lester, whose extraordinary knowledge of 
the Foreign Assistance Act prevented us from making any egregious 
drafting errors. Without Bob, I hate to think what kind of laws we 
would pass.
  At the Treasury Department, Robert Baker and Victor Rojas did their 
best to convince a skeptical Congress of the importance of maintaining 
U.S. leadership in the international financial institutions.
  At the Defense Security Assistance Agency, Michael Friend and Vanessa 
Murray were always ready to help.
  Mr. President, I am sure that I have left out people I should not 
have. For that I apologize. let me simply conclude by saying that I 
have greatly appreciated the help of all these dedicated people in 
getting the foreign operations bill through the Senate. I often wish 
that critics of the Federal Government would come to Washington and see 
what people like those I have mentioned do every day. They would see 
that they are exceptionally intelligent, committed people who work 
extremely long hours at a fraction of the pay many of them could earn 
in the private sector. They deserve our respect, and our thanks.

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