[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 137 (Saturday, September 28, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Pages S11707-S11708]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            RETIRING MEMBERS

  Mr. KYL. Mr. President, I just wanted to take a moment to speak a few 
words about three of my colleagues in the House and Senate who are 
going to be retiring at the end of this year. I know many of us have 
spoken about our colleagues and there have been many fine words 
describing the attributes of those who have served here with such great 
distinction. It is very difficult to decide who you are going to talk 
about because there are so many fine people who have served here. I 
have chosen to talk about three people very briefly because, first of 
all, I know them quite well. I have worked with them. Second, because I 
think they exemplify the characteristics that American citizens would 
like to see in their public servants. Third, because in a way they are 
so different and yet they are all three so much alike in that the one 
word that describes each of the three of them is ``integrity.''
  The reason I select these three people, one is from the House, one is 
a Democrat in the Senate, and one is a Republican in the Senate. My 
purpose for selecting these three people is, therefore, to illustrate 
that it does not matter which body you are in or which party you are 
in, you can serve the American people well if you have that 
characteristic of integrity and you can be respected by your peers as 
well.
  The three people I want to say a word about are Senator Hank Brown 
from Colorado, Senator Paul Simon from Illinois, and Representative Bob 
Walker from Pennsylvania, all three of whom will be leaving at the end 
of this session. As I said, one could talk about many others. I heard 
some great statements about our colleague Al Simpson. I think we all 
get a smile on our face when we think of the many stories he has told 
us--and Judge Heflin and so many others. Again, let me focus on these 
three.
  First, Senator Hank Brown from Colorado is leaving after one term in 
the Senate. I find it interesting that he says he is leaving because 
the decisions that he is making now, he says, are just not as objective 
as they were when he first came. He feels that his decisions are now 
more influenced by having been in this body. Mr. President, I think all 
of us here would say that if Hank Brown is concerned that he is not 
deciding things on an objective basis, it might say a great deal about 
the rest of us, because I am sure, Mr. President, you would agree there 
is not anybody in this body who tackles issues on a more objective 
basis than Hank Brown.
  He does not come with a great deal of bias. He certainly is not very 
partisan. He says what is right, what is wrong, what do I know about 
this and what should we do, and if he is the only one who takes that 
position, he takes the position because he thinks it is the right thing 
to do. When he thinks he has been, in effect, slightly corrupted by the 
institution in a political way, what does it say about all of the rest 
of us? I know we all hold ourselves up to his standard as being the 
standard for judging issues.
  I just want to compliment Senator Brown for being independent, for 
being

[[Page S11708]]

smart, for being honest, for being wise, for having integrity, and 
finally, Mr. President, for his unfailing courtesy. I have never known 
Senator Brown not to be courteous to those around him regardless of 
party, regardless of circumstance. We will miss him in the U.S. Senate.

  Another person with the same unfailing courtesy and integrity is 
Senator Paul Simon from Illinois. Now, Paul Simon and I are of 
different political parties and certainly our philosophies differ a 
great deal, yet I think working with Senator Simon is a good example of 
how significant philosophical differences do not mean that you cannot 
work with each other and respect each other. He has been as courteous 
to me as any Member of this body, notwithstanding the fact we are of 
different political parties.
  In the tension-filled atmosphere we sometimes find ourselves in, I 
find that to be a comfortable refuge. I do not think anyone here is 
given more respect in either body than Senator Simon because of his 
integrity and his unfailing courtesy. I hope I have reciprocated in my 
dealings with him.
  He has also, I think, influenced us because when he speaks, we 
listen. He always has something important to say. That is especially so 
because we know that he approaches issues honestly. As I said, Mr. 
President, I will miss his company in this body.
  Finally, my colleague in the House, Bob Walker. I served with 
Representative Walker when I was a Member of the House. I worked with 
him on mutual matters of interest since I have been in this body. Like 
Hank Brown and Paul Simon, Bob Walker is a man of unquestionable 
integrity. He knows what he believes. He knows why he believes it. He 
acts upon those beliefs without undue influence by the forces around 
him. His actions have always been characterized by courage and by 
adherence to principle, which is somewhat in short supply in Washington 
on occasion.
  He, too, has had enormous influence on the legislation in this 
Congress, much of it behind the scenes, because people know him to be 
well-versed in the issues and to be very honest in his approach to 
them. I also want to say one last thing about Representative Walker. As 
much as anyone I have known, he represents an attitude about the future 
that I think we can all emulate. He has great confidence in the future 
of this country because he has great confidence in our ability to 
advance based upon the technology that is there for us to discover, and 
he has supported a great many projects as chairman of the Space, 
Science, Technology Committee in the House, because of his confidence 
and optimism in our future.

  Mostly, Bob Walker has been my personal friend, and I will miss him a 
great deal, as well. So, Mr. President, much has been said about a lot 
of the people who will be leaving this body and the House. I mention 
these three because I have worked closely with all of them. I respect 
them very much. In some respects, they epitomize the qualities that we 
respect as colleagues, and I know the American people respect. We will 
miss them and all of the others who will be retiring at the end of this 
year.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Stevens). The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. DASCHLE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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