[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 134 (Wednesday, September 25, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S11234]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 RETIREMENT OF SENATOR BENNETT JOHNSTON

  Mr. CONRAD. Mr. President, with the scheduled adjournment of the 
104th Congress quickly approaching, I wanted to say a few words about a 
very accomplished legislator who, unfortunately, will not be returning 
to this body next January: Senator Bennett Johnston.
  I was saddened to hear of his decision to retire at the conclusion of 
this Congress, and I know he will be missed by his colleagues as well 
as his constituents in Louisiana. Senator Johnston does not depart, 
however, without leaving a significant legacy of accomplishment. He is 
a skilled negotiator, and has demonstrated a tremendous ability to 
navigate the tumultuous legislative waters, even when faced with the 
most difficult obstacles.
  I had the privilege of working closely with Senator Johnston while I 
served on the Energy and Natural Resources Committee with him during my 
first term as a Senator. As chairman of the Energy Committee, and now 
ranking member, Senator Johnston has been a leading advocate of a 
comprehensive national energy strategy. Under his leadership, Congress 
passed the landmark 1992 Energy Policy Act, which promoted increased 
conservation, increased competition in the wholesale electricity 
markets, and encouraged additional development of domestic sources of 
energy. With this country now importing more than 50 percent of the oil 
we consume every year, Senator Johnston has been fully committed to 
developing new domestic sources of energy to help reduce our dependence 
on foreign oil.
  Senator Johnston has also addressed a myriad of other energy-related 
issues during his distinguished Senate career. He shepherded 
deregulation of the natural gas industry through the Congress; he 
helped defeat the ill-conceived Btu tax; and he has been a leading 
advocate of maintaining our Strategic Petroleum Reserve, an important 
investment in protecting our Nation's energy supply from disruption.
  Senator Johnston's work in the Senate has not been limited to energy 
issues. I have also had the privilege of serving with the Senator on 
the Budget Committee, where he has served with great distinction. As 
the past chairman, and now ranking member, of the Energy and Water 
Development Appropriations Subcommittee, Senator Johnston has 
demonstrated a strong commitment to developing and maintaining our 
Nation's water resources, an issue of great importance to Western 
States like North Dakota. Senator Johnston has also been a leading 
advocate of maintaining an adequate B-52 bomber fleet, our most cost-
effective, reliable, and only battle-tested bomber.
  Mr. President, Senator Johnston will be long-remembered as an 
extremely capable and responsible public servant, who addressed issues 
with a zeal few can bring to this body. All in public life owe Senator 
Johnston a debt of gratitude for his tremendous contributions, and I 
wish the senior Senator from Louisiana all the best in his future 
endeavors, no matter what path he chooses to follow upon departing this 
body.

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