[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 16 (Tuesday, February 6, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S890]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             THE RETIREMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE PAT WILLIAMS

  Mr. BURNS. Mr. President, I rise today to salute my colleague from 
Montana, Congressman Pat Williams.
  Pat surprised all of us last month when he announced he would not 
seek his 10th term in the U.S. House of Representatives. Pat says he 
wants to get back to Montana to do a little fishing and hiking. Well, 
few people know better than me what it is like to miss Montana, so his 
annoucement--although unexpected--was understandable.
  Mr. President, it is no secret that Pat Williams and I come down on 
opposite sides of just about every issue. He is a New Deal liberal and 
proud of it. While I may not always like where he stands, at least I 
know where he stands. I respect him for that and I think the people of 
Montana do too.
  Despite the differences between us, I think there is a unique 
civility in the Montana congressional delegation. Our debates over the 
years have been passionate and heated, but I believe they have never 
been personal. Pat has been a worthy adversary during my 7 years in the 
U.S. Senate, and I will miss that relationship.
  This does not mean that Pat and I were not able to come together on 
some issues. In fact, when outsiders tried to impose there will on 
Montana, I would bet that Pat and I were on the same side more often 
than not.
  We both agree that fair trade does not always mean that our neighbors 
to the north can run roughshod over the Montana farmers and businesses. 
We both agree that NAFTA and GATT are bad news for Montana. Any State 
that is on the border feels the effect of that. We both agree that our 
Nation's job-training programs need to be streamlined and consolidated. 
We both agree in the need to repeal a federally mandated speed limit, 
of which my State caught a little criticism. And even though he 
supported his President, he broke ranks with his Democrat colleagues by 
opposing the Brady bill and the President's crime bill.
  So, Mr. President, I commend Pat for his service to my home State of 
Montana. In addition to his legislative duties, he has been a servant 
of our constituents. Montanans of all stripes could count on Pat to 
answer their questions. They might not have liked the answers all of 
the time, but he always answered them. And when they had problems with 
the Federal Government, he was there, too. So for 18 years he has 
traveled one of the largest congressional districts--both the western 
district when he first came to Congress, and then, of course, the full 
State in the last two terms. So I think he will be missed by the State 
of Montana.
  This kind of public service can take its toll on a person. Pat would 
show up at countless meetings, and I can remember them. There might be 
5 or 500; it did not make any difference, Pat was always there.
  So I wish him the best as he chooses retirement. If you come across 
him fishing in one of our prized trout streams in Montana or hiking a 
scenic trail, I hope you tip your hat and say, ``Thanks, Pat, for a job 
well done here in the House of Representatives of the U.S. Congress.''

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