[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 98 (Friday, June 28, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S7296]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO MOLLIE BEATTIE

  Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, I wish to commend the distinguished Senator 
from Rhode Island for those very gracious, warm, and honest thoughts 
about Mollie Beattie. The Senator from Rhode Island was privileged to 
know her, as was I. Of course, we in New England had a special feeling 
for her. Senator Jeffords and I--as in so many other things in Vermont 
where we have joined together--were absolutely joined in our admiration 
of Mollie Beattie.
  Even though we knew that the end was near for Mollie, I know that 
both Senator Jeffords and I felt sorrow this morning when we heard the 
news that she had died. Just a few minutes ago, Mr. President, I talked 
with her husband, Rick, and told him that we were about to pass, this 
evening, the legislation that would honor her in Alaska. And Rick told 
me that he had talked with Mollie as she lay dying and told her this 
legislation was moving forward. The distinguished senior Senator from 
Alaska, Mr. Stevens, had introduced it a few days ago in this body, 
cosponsored by Senator Jeffords, myself, and others, and we had been 
assured that it would eventually pass. He said she was well aware of 
that and so humbled by it, saying that she could not imagine such a 
great honor, which was so typical of her.

  Mollie always thought to do what was best for our country, not just 
for this generation, but for the next generation. She did that 
continuously, and did it without ever looking at what it might do for 
her. She was affected and did feel honored and humble by what this body 
was doing. Frankly, we should feel honored that we have the opportunity 
to do this for Mollie Beattie.
  I should tell my colleagues that following a memorial service for her 
in Vermont this coming week, Wednesday afternoon, and one here in 
Washington with the Department of Interior, her ashes will be divided 
between Vermont and Alaska. She said to her husband that this was a 
case where she was going to be part Vermonter and part Alaskan. It was 
a way of talking of her deep affection for the State of Vermont, but 
her great appreciation for magnificent parts of the wilderness in our 
Nation that she was involved with.
  Also, in talking with Rick--and I think I give away nothing in this--
he talked about the fact that when she was ill, when it was more 
difficult sometimes to work, she would ask herself at the end of each 
day of work, ``Was it worth it to come to work today?'' She always had 
the same answer: ``Yes, it was.'' She was able to do good for the 
country in the mission that had been entrusted to her.
  When Senator Jeffords and I, and others, sought her confirmation, I 
know that some Senators--especially from the western part of our 
country--wondered who was this eastern woman coming in to fill a 
position that was always held not only by men, but oftentimes men from 
the West. Those same Senators are the ones who have come up to me on 
the floor in the past couple weeks, as the news of Mollie's final 
illness reached us, and said, ``I am going to miss her.''
  She has done, as the Senator from Rhode Island said, a superb job. 
She has dedicated herself and has been a true professional, a true 
public servant.
  So, Mr. President, I thank the distinguished senior Senator from 
Alaska, Mr. Stevens, for his help in this, and Senator Jeffords for 
joining as a cosponsor of this, and other Senators who worked with me 
until late last night, and again this morning, to release whatever 
holds might be on this legislation, to allow it to go forward. I thank 
the distinguished Republican leader and the distinguished Democratic 
leader for their help in clearing this. It is a worthy tribute to 
Mollie Beattie.
  It is, more than that, a worthy tribute to what is best in America.
  Mr. President, I yield the floor and suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The assistant 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 (Mr. Chafee). Without objection, it is so 
ordered.

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