[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 134 (Wednesday, September 25, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S11246]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO SENATOR BRADLEY

  Mr. CONRAD. Mr. President, today I want to pay tribute to Senator 
Bill Bradley's distinguished service in the U.S. Senate.
  From his election to the Senate in 1978, Bill Bradley has influenced 
the policymaking agenda in Washington by plunging into the intricacies 
of an impressive array of interests and learning the strengths and 
weaknesses of his opponents' arguments better than they did. His sheer 
intellectual dominance of issues has allowed him to succeed against the 
political odds on issues as far-ranging as tax reform and water-use 
policy.
  Senator Bradley has been a true leader on tax reform and fiscal 
responsibility. He was an early and persistent voice urging us to put 
our fiscal house in order. If we had had more Bill Bradley's in the 
Senate in the early 1980's, we could have avoided the deficits of the 
Reagan era and subsequent years that have left us with our enormous 
national debt. Last year, I was privileged to work closely with Bill 
Bradley in putting together a fair share budget plan that would have 
balanced the unified Federal budget. His advice was absolutely central 
to developing the specifics of the plan and bringing together a 
coalition of supporters.
  In 1986, Bill Bradley almost singlehandedly pushed through a tax 
reform bill that dramatically reduced the number and size of tax 
loopholes, gave middle-class American families tax relief, and greatly 
simplified the Tax Code. Since joining the Finance Committee, I have 
had the opportunity of working with Bill on tax policy, and his 
knowledge of the intricacies and politics of our Tax Code is truly 
astounding. We will sorely miss his knowledge on these issues as we 
consider tax issues in the future.
  Senator Bradley has also been a courageous voice on other issues that 
many politicians choose to avoid. For example, he has been one of a 
very few Members of Congress to move beyond sound bites and talk 
honestly and directly about the issue of race in America. And he was a 
strong voice criticizing those who seek to use race to divide us for 
political purposes.
  Senator Bradley also devoted a great deal of time to foreign policy. 
Whenever a complex foreign policy issue forced itself upon the Senate, 
it seemed like Bill had found time to think through the options and 
U.S. and regional interests involved.
  In short, Mr. President, Bill Bradley has been an intellectual giant 
in the Senate. The U.S. Senate is losing a champion for average 
American families and particularly for the least fortunate among us. 
But I do not doubt that he will continue these fights. As he said when 
he announced his decision not to seek reelection, there are other 
places where he can put his skills to work making our country better 
and stronger. I wish him well as he seeks out the best place and way to 
continue his calling to public service.
  Mr. BIDEN addressed the Chair.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Delaware.
  Mr. BIDEN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that I be able to 
proceed for up to 10 minutes as if in morning business.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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