[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 99 (Monday, July 8, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S7366]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       FAREWELL TO PATTY DEUTSCHE

  Mr. BURNS. Mr. President, I rise today to say farewell to my 
legislative assistant, Patty Deutsche. She has been with me for over 7 
years and I will certainly miss her.
  She arrived in my office with almost no knowledge of Montana but 
quickly became one of us. It did not take long for her to figure out 
that 60 miles on a map did not necessarily mean a car ride of 60 
minutes. And since she began as my scheduler, that was important. She 
ran my life for 2 years--both in the office and on the road--and made 
my new life in Washington, DC, that much easier.
  When she moved to the legislative side, I knew she would attack the 
issues with just as much energy and competence. Though the issues she 
handled fell under committees on which I did not serve, they tended to 
be the hot topics. From health care to welfare, Medicare to Social 
Security, small business to labor unions, veterans and the aging to 
abortion, education and family issues--she learned the issues, knew 
them well, and was always my dependable source when I needed an update. 
She had her finger on the pulse here in the District of Columbia and 
her finger on the pulse in Montana and I know my constituents 
appreciated that and benefited from that.
  Being a Californian in Montana is not easy, but she was quickly 
accepted by even the most ardent Montana natives. They never had an 
opportunity to question her loyalties. She worked for Montana and 
Montana's residents as if it were her own home State.
  After 5 years handling these many legislative issues, she has 
accomplished a lot. She has been instrumental in promoting rural health 
care, from the fight over health care reform in 1994 to the promotion 
of telemedicine. She has helped me fight for small businesses--and that 
is crucial to my State. And she has always been a voice of reason when 
it comes to questions of morals, ethics, family values, and what is 
right. I have teased her about being to the right of Attila, but I 
always knew I could count on her opinion to be well thought out, 
strong, and conservative.
  But aside from her tremendous dedication to her work, her sense of 
humor will be missed. She brought levity to stressful times. Her 
counseling chair was always available, not just to me but to other 
staff as well. Whether providing an open ear, objective advice or a 
funny story, Patty managed to find time for others as well as get her 
work done.
  Mr. President, longevity is not the norm on the Hill and keeping 
staff as long as 7 years is rare. I have been lucky to have Patty on my 
staff almost since I first arrived in town. And though I will miss her 
terribly, she knows she will always have a home here and in Montana. 
She is moving to Louisville, KY, to be the manager of government 
relations for Vencor, Inc. And I hope they realize what a treasure they 
are getting in Patty. I have no doubt that she will embrace her new job 
and that Louisville will embrace her.
  Patty Deutsche has served me well and she has served Montana well. I 
know the folks with whom she has built relationships in the Big Sky 
Country will feel her absence, but Patty is the type that will continue 
to nurture those relationships, whether she represents Montana or not. 
That is just the way she is.
  Today is her last day working for me and she will soon leave for 
Kentucky. I wish her the best of luck and all the happiness in the 
world. God bless you, Patty.

                          ____________________