[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 134 (Wednesday, September 25, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S11260]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO SENATOR CLAIBORNE PELL

  Mr. DASCHLE. Madam President, I know that a number of our colleagues 
this morning and this afternoon called attention to the retirement of 
our colleague, the senior Senator from Rhode Island, Senator Pell. I 
want to commend Senator Helms and the others for their comments and 
identify with the remarks made earlier today by the distinguished 
senior Senator from West Virginia, Senator Byrd.
  There are few people who can claim the record, the respect, or the 
admiration of all of their colleagues as can Senator Pell. Senator 
Pell, as most people know, came to the Senate in 1960. Someone entering 
the Senate today, in order to have the same record in terms of numbers 
of years served, would retire in the year 2033. Thirty-six years from 
now, our country--and perhaps this body--will be much different, and I 
daresay 36 years from now, there will still be those who will recall 
the contribution and, again, the remarkable record of this very gentle 
man.
  Senator Pell came during turbulent times. He became a U.S. Senator 
under then President Kennedy, served under President Johnson, President 
Nixon, President Ford, President Carter, President Reagan, President 
Bush, and now President Clinton. He has seen leadership of all kinds, 
Democratic and Republican, liberal and conservative, good and bad. 
Through all of this, his gentle nature, his remarkable ability to find 
common ground, his willingness to reach out to all sides in an effort 
to govern is something we can all be thankful for. He has a deep-seated 
belief in good Government, in democracy, and knows what it takes in 
this democracy to govern well. I don't recall how many times, but I can 
recall many occasions when Senator Pell would lecture us in our caucus 
about how ill-advised people are to pursue negative campaigns in Senate 
elections. He would remind us of that time and again. In spite of all 
the advice he got to be a negative campaigner, he adamantly refused. In 
spite of all that advice, and perhaps because of his determination to 
override that advice, he won every election by more than 60 percent of 
the vote. I think, in large measure, that is because the people of 
Rhode Island know him the best. We know him, but they know him better. 
They know his decency, they know his commitment to them and to all of 
us, and they know of his record. They are proud in so many ways for all 
that he has done for them and for our country in the time that he 
served.
  So it is with regret that we note his departure in this Congress. It 
is with a great deal of gratitude that many of us have been able to 
call him our friend. It is with admiration that we look at his record 
and aspire to the heights and to the accomplishments that it 
represents. We thank him for his friendship. We wish him and Nuala well 
in their life ahead.
  In my view, there are still opportunities for Senator Pell to serve 
his country. I hope that that might happen. But regardless of what the 
future holds, no one can take away the 36 years of accomplishment, the 
36 years of contribution to democracy, to the strength of this country, 
to the breadth and depth of the affection and love he has for it. Madam 
President, he will be missed. We don't wish him farewell. We only wish 
him Godspeed as he continues in his role--whatever it may be.
  I yield the floor and suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. MURKOWSKI. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the 
order for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mr. MURKOWSKI. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that I may 
proceed as if in morning business.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mr. MURKOWSKI. I thank the Chair.

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