[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 117 (Friday, August 2, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S9530]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        A TRIBUTE TO LEADERSHIP

  Mr. KERRY. Mr. President, I would like to pay a special tribute to 
the leadership of two Senators on the issues that we have just passed. 
There are a lot of people who often question what happens around here 
and the meaning of the life of being a Senator, and some people have, 
obviously, chosen to engage in a different life and move on, some out 
of frustration from what you can get done around here.
  I think the example of my senior colleague, Senator Kennedy from 
Massachusetts, on the legislation that we have just passed, both the 
health care bill and the minimum wage, is precisely what being a U.S. 
Senator is all about and why it is so important for people to be able 
to make a difference in the lives of our fellow citizens.
  Both of these bills have happened because of many people, and Senator 
Kennedy graciously mentioned many of those involved in it.
  But I think all of us know that on day after day after day he was 
down here on the floor blocking, pushing tenaciously, advocating on 
behalf of people who do not often have a loud voice on the floor of the 
U.S. Senate. Millions of Americans will now earn more and millions of 
Americans will preserve more of their income as well as the fabric of 
their lives as a consequence of his extraordinary commitment to these 
two issues. I think the entire Senate should salute the meaning that he 
has given to being a Senator and a legislator in the course of these 
efforts.
  For Senator Kassebaum, who will be leaving the U.S. Senate, I think 
that this health care bill would not have been on the floor, 
notwithstanding Senator Kennedy's great efforts, had she not stood up 
and made it clear that this bill was going to find its moment on the 
floor of the U.S. Senate. She stood up to the leadership on her side 
and made that clear.
  So this bill is a legacy to two Senators who have cared and remain 
steadfast in their sense of priorities and of public rectitude. I 
wanted to pay tribute to both of them for those efforts. And there are 
many, many Americans whose lives will be better because of what has 
been achieved here today.
  I yield the floor.
  Mr. DASCHLE addressed the Chair.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Democratic leader.
  Mr. DASCHLE. Mr. President, the Senator from Massachusetts has said 
it so well. I wish to associate myself with his remarks.
  This is a very important day for all of us. But I cannot think of 
anyone who deserves more credit and more commendation for the 
tremendous work that it has taken to get us to this point of passage of 
essential health reform than the senior Senator from Massachusetts, 
Senator Kennedy.
  It has been my great pleasure to work with him, not only on this 
legislation but on so many other matters. In the view of many of us, he 
is a professional's professional. His dedication, his intelligence, his 
integrity, his willingness to compromise and work with Senators from 
both sides of the aisle on both sides of the issues has been proven 
throughout this effort to pass this health bill.
  His persistence and perseverance to ensure that at some point in this 
session we would enact the Kennedy-Kassebaum bill is a tribute to him 
and to the extraordinary effort that he has put forth. So I want to 
commend him, commend his extraordinary staff and all of those 
responsible for bringing us to this point this afternoon.
  As the distinguished junior Senator from Massachusetts indicated, the 
Senator from Kansas also deserves our thanks and a great deal of credit 
for working so diligently with Senator Kennedy and all of us to bring 
about this very important accomplishment.
  This is a day that will affect many, many millions of Americans, 
Americans who care deeply about their health and the health of their 
families, Americans who deeply need help to find and afford adequate 
health insurance. We are going to be able to help families do that in 
large measure, thanks to the accomplishments and to the extraordinary 
leadership demonstrated today by Senators Kennedy and Kassebaum.
  I yield the floor.
  Mrs. BOXER addressed the Chair.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from California.
  Mrs. BOXER. Thank you, Mr. President.

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