[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 108 (Monday, July 22, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S8489]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           SINGING SENATORS TRIBUTE TO SENATOR MARK HATFIELD

 Mr. KEMPTHORNE. Mr. President, last Thursday evening was a 
special night in the life of the U.S. Senate. That night the Senate 
paid tribute to Senator Mark Hatfield in anticipation of his retirement 
from the Senate at the end of this Congress, and in recognition of his 
outstanding service to Oregon, the Senate, and to the Nation.
  Thursday night was one of those evenings that makes service in the 
U.S. Senate a privilege. As the accompanying article from the 
Washington Post reports, ``How many politicians could get both Bill 
Clinton and Trent Lott to sing their praises. Senator Mark Hatfield, 
for one.'' The entertainment was also a highlight. The Singing 
Senators--Trent Lott, Larry Craig, John Ashcroft, and Jim Jeffords--
brought the house down as they sang in near perfect harmony such tunes 
as ``Dig a Little Deeper'' and ``Elvira.''
  The evening of course belonged to Senator Hatfield. The evening's 
quiet humor, graciousness, thoughtful remarks, and kind words were 
perfect for the witty, gracious, thoughtful, and kind Mark Hatfield. I 
ask that the article from the Washington Post be printed in the Record.
  The article follows:

                [From the Washington Post, July 19 1996]

                       Hats Off to Mark Hatfield


   Senators Gather to Sing Praises of Retiring Gentleman From Oregon

                          (By Roxanne Roberts)

       Short of giving away millions of dollars, the best way to 
     ensure lavish tributes this year is to resign from the United 
     States Senate.
       But how many politicians could get both Bill Clinton and 
     Trent Lott to sing their praises? Sen. Mark Hatfield, for 
     one.
       ``Because he has tried to love his enemies, he has no 
     enemies,'' said the president last night, thanking the 
     retiring Oregon Republican for his unwavering conviction, 
     humanitarian spirit, faith and 30 years of consensus 
     building. ``This town is the poorer for his leaving, but the 
     richer for his legacy.''
       One could also detect a serious undertone in the Sheraton 
     Washington ballroom that went beyond the loss of this one 
     ``remarkable man,'' as Clinton called him. Hatfield is one of 
     14 senators who have decided not to return, the largest 
     exodus from the august institution in 100 years.
       ``I approach this evening with an inescapable nostalgia,'' 
     said a subdued Howard Baker. Hatfield is the last of the 
     class who, with Baker, came to the Senate in January 1967. 
     ``With his retirement, not only a distinguished career, but a 
     political era, is ending,'' said the former majority leader.
       Heads in the audience of more than 700 nodded in agreement. 
     The dinner for Hatfield was the second in what promises to be 
     a continuing lovefest for moderate politicians on both sides 
     of the aisle: A black-tie dinner in May for Sen. Alan Simpson 
     (R-Wyo.) kicked off the tributes, with most of the Senate and 
     former president George Bush in attendance.
       ``It was very, very touching,'' said Simpson last night. 
     ``I loved it.''
       Sen. Howell Heflin (D-Ala.), who is also leaving, noted 
     that a retiring senator can do almost no wrong. ``Most people 
     wish you well,'' he said.
       ``They're not as demanding. Maybe they figure now you can 
     tell them to. . .''--he paused and smiled broadly--``. . . 
     whatever.''
       Hatfield's dinner and the entertainment were delayed by --
     what else?--a Senate vote. So the honoree and the president 
     opened the program with a little mutual admiration.
       Hatfield, characteristically, talked about what he had in 
     common with Clinton: both small-town boys, both governors and 
     ``both of us, in our time in Washington, have managed to 
     irritate both the Republicans and Democrats,'' said the only 
     GOP senator to vote against the balanced-budget amendment 
     last year on principle.
       ``If all of us could be more like you, America would be an 
     even greater nation,'' Clinton returned.
       Once the ``entertainment'' had cast its votes, they arrived 
     to take the stage. The ``Singing Senators''--Majority Leader 
     Lott, Larry Craig (R-Idaho), Jim Jeffords (R-Vt.) and John 
     Ashcroft (R-Mo.)--are a cross between a barbershop quartet 
     and IRS auditors.
       ``It sort of epitomizes the Senate,'' said Lott. ``We don't 
     always make great music, but we keep working on it.''
       There were high fives after the first medley. ("Anytime we 
     start together and end together, we celebrate,'' Lott 
     explained). Then they belted out three spirited but dreadful 
     selections, including ``Dig a Little Deeper'' (a nod to 
     Hatfield's chairmanship of the Appropriations Committee), and 
     capped the performance with Lott soloing on ``Elvira.''
       ``Think of it this way: It's in a good cause,'' observed 
     emcee Cokie Roberts wryly.
       The cause, the Mark O. Hatfield Library at Willamette 
     University in Hatfield's home state, received the proceeds of 
     the $500-per-seat event. Even lobbyists contributed solely 
     out of admiration for Hatfield.
       ``Hatfield's leaving, so there's nothing he can do for 
     us,'' said one who declined to identify himself. ``He has 
     been a straight-shooter his entire career. He's a good guy 
     and deserves the recognition.''
       After dinner, a video chronicled Hatfield's career, 
     including his opposition to the death penalty and his work to 
     ban nuclear testing.
       When it was his turn to speak, Hatfield didn't crack a 
     smile. ``He's always reserved and serious,'' said Sen. Jay 
     Rockefeller (D-W.Va.). ``And yet, when you're alone with him, 
     he's gentle, thoughtful, kind. He's just a splendid human 
     being.''
       Calling himself truly blessed, Hatfield thanked his family 
     and staff. The son of a blacksmith and a schoolteacher also 
     thanked long-dead teachers and voters, then moved on to his 
     colleagues.
       ``For your diversity--Republicans, Democrats, 
     Independents--you have helped keep me in the political 
     center,'' said Hatfield.
       ``And I'm grateful.''

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