[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 205 (Wednesday, December 20, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S18971]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      SINCERITY IN THE U.S. SENATE

  Mr. SIMON. Mr. President, first, if I may comment on the remarks of 
our colleague from Florida. It was a gracious and generous statement on 
his part. I think all of us--Paul Simon has been guilty, like most of 
us have been guilty from time to time, of getting--you know, we get a 
little wrought up more than we should from time to time.
  Part of the answer to the question raised by Senator Mack is, if we 
assume that our colleagues are just as sincere about their position as 
we are, it makes for a different kind of an atmosphere.
  If my colleagues have real good memories, you may remember I was a 
Presidential candidate at one time. I remember a reporter for one of 
the major newspapers telling me that he had been talking to Senator 
Helms and Senator Thurmond, with whom I frequently disagree, and both 
of them spoke very highly of me. He wanted to know how that could be, 
and I mentioned, whenever I get into a debate I try to remind myself 
that the other person is just as sincere as I am.

  I think that helps. But that is not the sole answer. The question 
that Senator Mack poses is, How can we work together more? It is not a 
question easily answered. But I think it is very important for the 
future of the Senate and the future of our country, and I thank him for 
posing the question.

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