[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 136 (Friday, September 27, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S11536]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
TRIBUTE TO HOWARD GREENE
Mr. BIDEN. Mr. President, last week the Senate took a few moments to
pass a resolution honoring the service of Sergeant-at-Arms Howard
Greene, who is leaving after a 28 year career with this body. I was
away from the Senate floor during the discussion of that resolution,
but I did not want this Congress to adjourn without having had the
opportunity to share my appreciation for Howard Greene's service to the
Senate, and for his personal friendship during my tenure here.
Mr. President, much of the important work which we do here in the
Senate could not be accomplished without the dedication of the
professional staff members who serve the Senate, and Howard Greene has
been the consummate professional. His love for the Senate; his keen
understanding of its workings and its constitutional role; his
discretion and his tact, have gone hand-in-hand with Howard Greene's
fundamental decency and sense of public service to make him one of the
Senate's greatest assets for many, many years. I doubt that there is a
single Member of this body who has not benefited from Howard's counsel,
his industry, his knowledge of the Senate, or his friendship. I know
that I have gained a great deal from each.
I am especially proud that Howard is a fellow Delawarean, and have
always believed that his sense of public service embodies the
bipartisan tradition that is the hallmark of our State. As Sergeant-at-
Arms, or Secretary to the majority, or in any of the roles he has
undertaken during his long career here, Howard has been a source of
wisdom and assistance, counsel and comfort to all Senators, Republican
and Democrat alike. He has been a fundamental believer in the idea that
once the election is over, we are all public servants, and he has
worked tirelessly to enable us to fulfill the trust that the people of
our States have placed in us.
Mr. President, the halls of Congress are filled with idealistic young
people who have come to Washington hoping for a career in public
service. They are the lifeblood of this institution, and are the
democratic system's hope for the future. For any of those young people
searching for a model of integrity, commitment, and public spiritedness
upon which to base their career, I would suggest that they look to the
long and distinguished career of Howard Greene.
We will miss him a great deal. And I will always be proud to call him
my friend.
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