[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 131 (Friday, September 20, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S11087]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
ON PUBLIC SERVICE
Mr. HATFIELD. Mr. President, in the last days of this session, as I
reflect on the past 30 years in which I have been priviliged to serve
here in the U.S. Senate, my thoughts turn time and again to the many,
many individuals who not only have enriched my experience here but have
been exemplars of public service. I cannot possibly name them all or
thank them all. There are two gentlemen, however, who have been
integral to the work of the Appropriations Committee in my time as
chairman and ranking minority member these past 15 years, and I want to
take a few minutes today to thank them, particularly, today.
Bill Hoagland has served as the staff director of the Senate Budget
Committee for 11 years. In that time, he has grappled with Gramm-
Rudman-Hollings, played a significant role in the 1987, 1990, and 1995
``budget summit'' negotiations, and fought daily battles with virtually
every committee in the Senate and the House of Representatives to
nurture an effective congressional budget process and keep the fiscal
policy of our Government on a sound foundation. The legislative process
during his tenure in the Senate has been nearly consumed with budget
legislation of one sort or another, and he has been in the midst of it
all.
Bill Hoagland has epitomized the qualities and character of an
outstanding public servant and Senate staffer. He has been unfailingly
honest. He has considered opposing views of issues dispassionately. He
has been a staunch defender of the budget process, and a loyal advisor
to his chairman, Senator Pete Domenici. Like his chairman, he has been
courageous in holding his convictions despite harsh criticism from
certain quarters. The Senate is fortunate to have his able assistance,
and I salute him.
A sound relationship with the Office of Management and Budget is very
important to the work of the Appropriations Committee, and in the past
10 years that relationship has been enhanced by the work of Chuck
Kieffer, a career employee of OMB. Chuck started at OMB when Mr. David
Stockman was named Director, and he has served under every Director
since, through Republican and Democratic administrations alike. He has
been the principal OMB liaison with the House and Senate Appropriations
Committees under Republican and Democratic majorities.
By virtue of that experience, Chuck Kieffer has become the single
person in OMB most knowledgeable about the appropriations process. He
is the institutional memory of the Executive Office of the President on
what we have done, and what we have left undone, in appropriations
acts. More important, he is the honest broker between the Congress and
the administration, faithfully characterizing the differences between
us, and providing accurate information to bridge those differences. He
works impossibly long hours keeping track of myriad issues, and does so
with a degree of professionalism that meets the highest standard. For
that, he has earned the respect and appreciation of the committee
members and staff in both Houses on both sides of the aisle, and I want
thank him for his service.
Mr. President, there are many other people throughout our Government,
at all levels, who perform demanding jobs under difficult
circumstances. They do so with integrity and diligence to duty. Those
of us who serve here, in the House of Representatives, and in the
highest levels of the executive departments, could not do without them.
All of the citizens of this Nation owe them more than we ever
effectively express. By expressing my appreciation to Bill Hoagland and
Chuck Kieffer, I mean to convey that appreciation to all those other
public servants as well, who perform day after day these many duties
staffing our committees and our personal offices.
(The remarks of Mr. Hatfield pertaining to the introduction of S.
2100 are located in today's Record under ``Statements on Introduced
Bills and Joint Resolutions.'')
Mr. HATFIELD. Mr. President, I 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. DORGAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for
the quorum call be rescinded.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
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