[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 136 (Friday, September 27, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Pages S11533-S11534]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   RETIREMENT OF SENATOR ALAN SIMPSON

  Mr. THURMOND. Mr. President, I rise to pay tribute to one of the 
finest men I have had the privilege to serve with in the U.S. Senate. I 
refer to my very good friend, the senior Senator from Wyoming, Alan 
Simpson, who is retiring from the Senate. Al Simpson comes from a 
family with a rich Wyoming heritage.
  Mr. President, from territorial days to the present, the Simpsons 
have made Wyoming justifiably proud of their distinguished public 
service. His father, Milward, served as Governor and then came to the 
Senate in 1962. Like his father, Al has a wonderful sense of humor, 
even if it is sometimes a bit ribald. He calls a sense of human ``the 
universal solvent against the abrasive elements of life.'' I know of no 
one who lives up to that motto like my friend, Al Simpson.
  Al has other sterling qualities that have made him one of the best-
liked members of the Senate on either side of the aisle. His personal 
warmth, his integrity, his loyalty, his sense of fairness, and his 
willingness to listen to the concerns of his colleagues were attributes 
that allowed him to do a superb job as assistant Republican leader for 
10 years.
  Bob Dole could not have had a more loyal ``deputy'' than Al. 
President George Bush never had a more loyal friend than Al. Al spent 
countless hours on the floor of the Senate and in the media as an 
advocate and defender of his friend, President Bush.
  I have served many years in the military and in combat as well and I 
can attest that Al is the kind of loyal friend who you would want by 
your side in battle. That includes legislative battles, too. For 18 
years--at my initial urging--he served with me on the Senate Judiciary 
Committee. We have been through a great deal of controversial 
legislation and nominations together. We have worked together side by 
side with never a cross word and always the highest level of mutual 
respect and friendship.
  When he leaves the Senate, he will leave behind a legacy of great 
legislative achievements, particularly in the area of immigration. 
Early on, Al was willing to take on the tough job of being the 
Republican's subcommittee leader on immigration. While serving as 
chairman of the Judiciary Committee, I appointed Al as chairman of the 
Immigration Subcommittee. No one appreciates his work more than I. 
Immigration issues are often emotionally charged. It takes a very 
talented legislative leader to shepherd significant immigration 
legislation through Congress. Al has done it with great effectiveness 
throughout his career, and in this last week of the 104th Congress he 
once again is about to lead us in the passage of an illegal immigration 
reform bill of which he can be very proud. He authored the Senate bill, 
and his influence on the final conference report is without peer.
  He is tough, but fair, and his word is his bond. Accordingly, he is 
justly recognized by his colleagues on both sides of the aisle as an 
incredibly skillful legislator.
  He is married to one of the most gracious, attractive ladies I have 
known. As Al tells it, Ann Simpson got more votes for him than he did 
for himself. She is much more than an effective campaigner. She has 
made wonderful contributions to her State and the Nation through her 
work on mental health issues, through her efforts on behalf of Ford's 
Theater, and in her work for the University of Wyoming, particularly 
the art museum there.
  I know that cowboy Al Simpson is not going to ``ride off into the 
sunset.'' He will maintain an active, stimulating life. His first 
venture will be a professorship at Harvard University. I am sure his 
students will be treated to some unforgettable Al Simpson stories which 
will evoke both laughter and warmth.

[[Page S11534]]

  I will deeply miss that daily dosage of Al's humor and warmth. 
However, I am confident that we will continue to see each other and the 
real friendship which we have will endure.
  God bless both Al and Ann Simpson in all their endeavors.
  Mr. President, I yield the floor.
  Mr. KYL addressed the Chair.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Arizona.
  Mr. KYL. I certainly join with the distinguished chairman of the 
Senate Armed Services Committee in that tribute to Senator Simpson. I 
think we will all miss his daily dose of wit. And I certainly share 
those sentiments.
  Mr. THURMOND. I wish to thank the able Senator.

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