[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 34 (Wednesday, March 13, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1992-S1993]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              TRIBUTE TO STU CARMICHAEL ON HIS RETIREMENT

 Mr. SMITH. Mr. President, I rise today to honor a dear friend 
and faithful staffer in my Portsmouth Congressional office --Stu 
Carmichael. Stu has worked for me since I first entered politics in 
1980, over 16 years ago. He is retiring next week and we will all miss 
him dearly.
  Stu Carmichael joined the Air Force in 1950 upon graduation from East 
Providence High School in Rhode Island, and served for 4 years as a 
radio operator in the Korean war. Occasionally, he still proudly wears 
his flight jacket into the office and asks the staff to take note of a 
special shiny pen in the left sleeve. He quickly yanks at this writing 
utensil and proceeds to show everyone how it was made to write upside 
down. ``Something every astronaut cannot live without'' he always 
notes.
  We all know Stu for his delightful sense of humor and his wit. He 
impresses everyone he meets with a new anecdote or joke that usually 
leaves his friends laughing long after he has gone. Many of my staff 
can still recount some of his original stories and humorous incidents 
he concocted. We love him for that. That is Stu's legacy--one we will 
fondly remember for years to come.
  When Stu graduated in 1958 from the University of Rhode Island with a 
bachelor's degree in business, he quickly went on to pursue an 
extensive career in the benefit management business. Several actuarial 
firms sent him all over the country and he ended up on

[[Page S1993]]

the west coast. In 1980, he returned to New England and purchased the 
Kingston Country Store in Kingston, NH. It was there in 1980, that I 
met Stu and we began to talk about politics. In fact, it was Stu 
Carmichael and his good friends, Louis and Lois Beaulieu and other 
early supporters, who encouraged me to run for Congress in 1980. That 
year, Stu served as my first finance manager. As our mutual friend, 
Lois Beaulieu, remembers, ``Stu was a motivator, hard worker and loyal 
to Senator Smith. He has been with Bob Smith through the worst and the 
best. Our motto during that first campaign was `Fake it until we make 
it' and with many thanks to Stu, our loyal grassroots people and the 
Good Lord, we made it.''
  In 1985, after I was elected on my third attempt, Stu joined my 
congressional staff and has served me in a variety of capacities both 
when I was a Congressman and now as a Senator.
  Over the years, Stu has also unselfishly served the people of New 
Hampshire by helping countless veterans with their benefits and working 
on a variety of other cases for constituents who need assistance 
cutting through Government bureacracy. He also was instrumental in 
establishing a veterans cemetery in Boscawen, NH.
  I am truly indebted to such a hard working and admirable friend. Stu 
helped me with my start in politics, and stayed with me all these years 
until his retirement. Every Senator wishes for commitment like this and 
I am sorry to see him go.
  The Granite State will feel a void with Stu's absence. New 
Hampshire's loss is South Carolina's gain. In fact, if Stu wanted to 
start another career, he could always work for Strom Thurmond for 
another 20 years.
  Our Portsmouth, NH, staff, his other fellow coworkers, and the 
citizens of New Hampshire whom Stu has helped will miss this character 
we have come to love. My sincere appreciation to you Stu, for all the 
years of friendship and for your service to the people of New 
Hampshire, especially your fellow veterans.
  As a dedicated father, husband and grandfather, Stu Carmichael will 
now have plenty of time to spend with his family and grandchildren. He 
and his wonderful wife, Priscilla, have carefully built a special new 
home in Pickens, SC and plan to enjoy their retirement there. As an 
avid golfer, Stu will undoubtedly be a consant sight on the golf 
courses he has yet to discover in South Carolina.
  And Stu, remember, ``Golf is a love affair; if you don't take it 
seriously its no fun; if you do take it seriously it breaks your 
heart.''
  May all your putts be swift, stable, and accurate, and may all the 
greens rise to meet you whether you are in New Hampshire or in South 
Carolina.
  Stu, you are one of the very best and I wish you every happiness as 
you embrace retirement. 

                          ____________________