[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 29 (Wednesday, March 6, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S1552]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO TRUDY VINCENT

  Mr. BRADLEY. Mr. President, I rise to offer my warmest thanks, 
respect, and heartfelt congratulations to my legislative director, 
Trudy Vincent, who will leave my staff at the end of this week. For 3 
years, in her second tour of duty in my office, Trudy has been the 
anchor of my legislative work, and deserves much of the credit for the 
legislative accomplishments of my office since 1993.
  Although Trudy will be leaving my staff, she will not be leaving the 
Senate, and my office's loss is the gain of my colleague Senator 
Bingaman of New Mexico, who will undoubtedly grow to depend upon her 
much as I have.
  Like many of the most gifted and successful of the staff members who 
serve this institution, Trudy first came here as a fellow through an 
academic program, having first pursued and succeeded in another 
demanding field. In her case, Trudy first attained a doctorate in 
psychology, then joined my office in 1987 as a legislative fellow, 
working on innovative education and health initiatives.
  When her first tour of duty in my office ended after a year, Trudy 
joined the staff of her home State Senator, Senator Mikulski, rose to 
legislative director, and returned to my staff as legislative director 
in 1993. I have found her good sense, her wide knowledge, her broad 
network of friends and professional contacts, and her sense of humor to 
be of invaluable help in all that I do for the people of New Jersey and 
the Nation.
  The most important attribute a Senator or legislative staffer can 
possess, I have found, is persistence and dedication. You have to be 
entrepreneurial, always looking for opportunities to move a good idea 
forward and never giving up when things look bleak. Trudy exemplifies 
these qualities. Her persistence and dedication has helped us move 
forward most of my urban initiatives of 1993, the funding for the high 
school student exchange with the republics of the former Soviet Union, 
student loan reform, several nominations, and very soon, I hope it will 
lead to final passage of my bill to prohibit new mothers from being 
discharged from the hospital before they or their babies are ready.
  In addition to these qualities, there is an intangible between a 
Senator and a staff member. It is related to loyalty and knowledge, but 
it also is something more. It is the phenomenon of being confident that 
the staff member knows how to further the Senator's goals in a way that 
is consistent with the Senator's values and style. I've always felt 
that way about Trudy. I could truly leave it to her and know that it 
would be done as I would want it done. I guess I'm saying that at the 
core of a Senator-staff relation is trust. That's clearly the way it's 
been between us, for which I am lucky and very grateful.
  I want finally to thank Trudy again, express my appreciation for all 
her long hours and hard work, and wish her all the best fortune as she 
continues to contribute to the workings of this democratic institution 
after I leave.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. DeWINE). The Senator from Utah.
  Mr. BENNETT. Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The bill clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. BENNETT. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

                          ____________________