[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 86 (Wednesday, June 12, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S6141]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO SENATOR ROBERT DOLE

  Mr. JEFFORDS. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to Senator 
Robert J. Dole of Russell, KS for his 35 years of service in the U.S. 
Congress. Tuesday was a sad day for the U.S. Senate, for we lost one of 
our great leaders. It was also a sad day for me personally, for I lost 
a trusted colleague and a valued friend in the Senate. As the 
Republican leader in the Senate for 11 years, Senator Dole has left his 
fingerprints on every piece of legislation that has passed the 
Congress. His legacy will be remembered forever as one of vast 
legislative achievement.
  I got my first glimpse of Senator Dole's legislative abilities when I 
came to Congress in 1975. In the wake of Watergate, and the massive 
congressional turnover that ensued, I was secured the position of 
ranking member of the House Agriculture Subcommittee with jurisdiction 
over the dairy industry. As a member of the Senate Agriculture 
Committee, Senator Dole and I worked closely together on many issues. I 
remember well the bonds we formed as conferees together on farm bills 
and working together to pass legislation for food stamps and child 
nutrition.
  Later, as I gained seniority on the House Education and Labor 
Committee, we worked together again on disability policy. Senator 
Dole's commitment and determination to the passage of legislation 
ensuring that all Americans, regardless of physical disability, had 
equal opportunity was inspirational.
  In 1989 when I became a member of the U.S. Senate, I had the 
privilege of seeing Senator Dole's leadership abilities first-hand 
everyday. I have watched with amazement his ability to pull legislative 
initiatives out of the fire, and prevail on issues from civil rights to 
Social Security reform. In Vermont there's a saying, ``You can't get 
there from here.'' Well, Senator Dole proved that adage wrong time and 
time again as he has moved legislation through the Senate.
  In an institution where you are only as good as your word, Senator 
Dole prospered. His ability to build coalitions and form consensus on 
some of this Nation's most pressing issues is a testament to his 
integrity and character. In a world that has become ever more crude and 
impertinent, Senator Dole has defined ``the word'' civility.
  Tuesday was a bittersweet day, for although I'm sad Senator Dole has 
left us in the Senate, I know he'll be close by as he seeks higher 
aspirations. I only hope that he knows that this is one Senator who 
feels that the U.S. Senate will never be the same without him.
  Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

                          ____________________