[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 139 (Tuesday, October 1, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Pages S12061-S12062]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO SENATOR AL SIMPSON

  Mr. PRESSLER. Mr. President, we near the close of the 104th Congress 
will adjourn. Adjournment also will bring to a close the distinguished 
Senate career of Wyoming's senior Senator, the honorable Al Simpson. I 
am confident that Senate historians will see Al Simpson the way his 
colleagues already see him: as one of the truly great Senators of his 
era. I will miss Al Simpson--his leadership, his guidance, his wit, and 
most of all, his friendship.
  Al Simpson and I entered the Senate at the same time--in 1979. At 
that time, he already had accumulated some Senate experience as the son 
of another legendary Wyoming Senator, Milward Simpson.
  A story is told that Abraham Lincoln once began a meeting of his 
closest advisors by reading to them a piece from the humorist Artemus 
Ward. Lincoln seemed to be the only one who enjoyed the piece and found 
himself the only one laughing. Lincoln was said to have chastised his 
colleagues: ``Why don't you laugh? With the fearful strain that is upon 
me night and day, if I did not laugh I should die, and you need this 
medicine as much as I do.''
  All of my colleagues would agree that the medicine of humor is best 
dispensed by our senior colleague from Wyoming. Perhaps not since 
Abraham Lincoln has Washington had a better practitioner in the art of 
medicinal humor. It has become a fond and regular experience to come to 
the floor for a vote, or visit the cloakrooms and see a small group of 
Senators listening delightfully to the yarns spun by our friend from 
Wyoming. When Senator Simpson formally addresses the Senate, we can 
count on his statements to be both informative and entertaining. I will 
miss Al Simpson's good nature and quick wit.
  The full measure of Al Simpson is more than good humor. He is a man 
of enormous intellect and profound leadership. Al Simpson is sharp--as 
sharp as a tack, and as tough as a good piece of saddle leather, as he 
would probably say. But to see how tough Al Simpson is, and to 
understand his deep belief in the cause of public service, one need 
only take a look at the issues he has championed. Senator Simpson's 
extraordinary career no doubt will be remembered for his efforts on 
three very challenging issues--immigration, veterans affairs and 
entitlement reform. Each of those issues is vitally important, but 
frankly each can be thankless tasks.

  It is appropriate that the 104th Congress will conclude with the 
passage of a comprehensive bill to address the serious problem of 
illegal immigration. This is the third major immigration bill 
shepherded in large measure by our friend from Wyoming. That is quite a 
record of legislative achievement given the volatile emotions that 
underlie this issue and the diverse interests involved. It's even more 
amazing when one considers that Senator Simpson hails from a great 
State not known for being a magnet for illegal immigrants. The 
tremendous leadership he has demonstrated on this issue is a testament 
to Senator Simpson's commitment to pursue what's in our Nation's 
interest, and to pursue such issues vigorously.
  The same vigor is shown in Senator Simpson's commitment to our 
Nation's veterans. The Senator from Wyoming, like myself, is a veteran 
of the U.S. Army. Few have the level of understanding, the strong sense 
of compassion and fairness, that Al Simpson has displayed toward our 
veterans. As chairman of the Veterans Affairs Committee during a time 
of tremendous budgetary constraints, Al Simpson has made sure that this 
Nation maintains its commitment to the brave veterans who answered the 
call and made sacrifices for their country. All men and women who once 
adorned a military uniform to defend our country, as well as this 
Senate, and this Nation will miss this true friend of the American 
veteran.
  Finally, Senator Al Simpson is a man of great vision--a man who 
believes that Congress has a duty to anticipate and prevent future 
problems.

[[Page S12062]]

 He's right. No example demonstrates this belief more than his almost 
lonely effort to address the lurking problem of Federal entitlements, 
from Social Security to Medicare. Along with our friend from Nebraska, 
Senator Kerrey, Senator Simpson chaired the Bipartisan Commission on 
Entitlement and Tax Reform. This commission found ominous signs that 
indicate now is the time to begin the process of reforming our Social 
Security and Medicare systems. It's no secret that both systems are 
incredibly important to our senior citizens. No doubt, this Nation owes 
a great debt of gratitude to Al Simpson for embarking this Senate, this 
Congress, and this Nation on what we all hope is the road toward true 
reform of Federal entitlements.

  Now our dear friend from Wyoming soon will be speaking not from the 
Senate floor but from a Harvard lecture hall. The Senate's loss is 
certainly Harvard's gain. No doubt the fortunate young people who 
attend Professor Simpson's class will be entertained and informed. I 
hope the academic world will appreciate one basic fact: Al Simpson 
tells it like it is. For that, he has my admiration.
  I will miss my Senate classmate. My wife Harriet and I always have 
enjoyed Senator Simpson and his wife Ann. They are great friends, and 
we look forward to seeing them should our travels take us to Cambridge 
or their's to Washington or South Dakota. I hope my friend from Wyoming 
doesn't mind if I drop in on his class on occasion, not just to gain 
the benefit of his thoughtful insights, but to hear again his homespun 
stories and receive yet another dose of his tremendous good humor. I 
wish Al and Ann Simpson the very, very best.

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