[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 141 (Thursday, October 3, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Pages S12281-S12283]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           RETIRING SENATORS

  Mr. KERRY. Mr. President, I have spoken on the Senate floor in a 
personal tribute to Senator Claiborne Pell of my neighboring State of 
Rhode Island, and I wish him well in his retirement, but this year we 
in the U.S. Senate are losing 12 other colleagues, all of whom have 
left a unique mark on this institution and have served their states and 
the American people with dignity and integrity. All have been committed 
to the concerns of their constituents and have fought for issues that 
have moved this Nation forward and kept us strong, safe, and powerful. 
We shall miss each of them, and we shall miss their friendship, 
camaraderie, and counsel.


                           Senator James Exon

  I want to pay tribute to the Senior Senator from Nebraska, Senator 
Jim Exon. The institution of the U.S. Senate is the hallmark of 
American democracy. Few Members with whom I have served have more 
skillfully represented national concerns and constituent interests 
during the long and arduous deliberations and debates in committee and 
on the floor of the U.S. Senate than Jim Exon.
  As Senator Exon leaves this body, he leaves a long and distinguished 
public service record, a legacy of independence, dependability, and a 
tough, common sense approach to policy as well as politics which will 
not be forgotten. As ranking minority member of the Budget Committee 
during the challenging early days of the 104th Congress, Senator Exon, 
knowing full well the shortcomings of the Republican budget, withstood 
the early onslaught of positive publicity for the new majority, and 
tirelessly devoted his efforts to leading the charge in committee not 
only to point out, line by line, what was wrong, but to convince the 
American people that he was right.
  Senator Exon has been an anchor of reasoned debate and bi-
partisanship on defense, transportation, and business issues as well as 
on budget issues; and with his characteristic firmness, perseverance, 
and drive, he has always reflected the best of the pioneer tradition of 
his beloved Nebraska. With his retirement, we will have lost a skilled 
and committed colleague who cares about public service and whose career 
is a symbol of institutional pride and personal responsibility to the 
common good.


                         Senator Mark Hatfield

  I want to pay tribute to the senior Senator from Oregon, Mark 
Hatfield, who has been a beacon of bi-partisanship in this Chamber. 
Senator Hatfield has always been, above all, a statesman dedicated to 
the Senate tradition of reasoned debate and responsible bipartisan 
solutions. In seeking common ground, whether on the budget or on issues 
of arms control and peace or on issues affecting the day to day lives 
of his constituents and families across America, Senator Hatfield has 
never been afraid to exercise his legendary independence, even if it 
meant risking the wrath of his party.
  Another word that aptly describes the long and distinguished public 
service career of Senator Hatfield, is ``independence.'' In every one 
of his votes he has shown extraordinary integrity, and I have been 
especially inspired by his work on arms control and his commitment to 
common sense in national and international affairs.
  At a time in this institution when we hear partisan politics in a 
shrill crescendo, we shall miss his quiet, steady voice of reason and 
his humanity, for he has been, in many ways, the conscience of the 
Senate. Mark Hatfield has left a mark on this place. I am hopeful we 
all will remember the standard he has set.


                          Senator Bill Bradley

  I want to pay tribute to Senator Bill Bradley of New Jersey whose 
intellect and passion for ideas tempered by a common sense perspective 
have made him a calm voice for bipartisanship and logic. Senator 
Bradley has never been bound by the way things have always been done. 
He has always found a way to break new ground, find a better way, reach 
higher, and strive harder to help redefine and restructure our response 
to children in the inner city, to race relations in America, to tax 
reform and campaign finance reform.
  He led the 1986 tax reform bill and led the effort to delink human 
rights in China from the need to extend most-favored-nation status. I 
worked with him in that effort and recognized the keen, sharp 
historical perspective that he brings to human rights, international 
economics, and international relations.
  We have shared a commitment to Campaign Finance Reform and, again, 
his extraordinary ability to find a new way, try a different idea, and 
devise a better solution to our common problems has been inspiring as 
has been his commitment. We have learned to respect his judgment and 
analysis.
  Mr. President, the quality of leadership and service embodied in the 
life

[[Page S12282]]

and career of Senator Bradley serves as a model for every young 
American, and he shall be missed in the 105th Congress.


                           Senator Hank Brown

  I want to pay tribute to the distinguished Senior Senator from 
Colorado, Hank Brown with whom it has been a pleasure to serve. When I 
was chairman of the Subcommittee on Terrorism, Narcotics, and 
International Operations and he was the ranking member, we developed an 
extraordinary working relationship and I welcomed his friendship and 
his counsel.
  Senator Brown is thoughtful and deeply committed to the truth. He is 
fearless in his willingness to buck the system and ignore political 
pressures to do what he believes is right. His commitment and counsel 
in finding the truth in the BCCI investigation led to legislation that 
tightened the banking laws and addressed narcotics trafficking.
  Mr. President, in my work with Senator Hank Brown, I do not recall a 
time when he lost his sense of humor or the twinkle in his eye. His 
calm forceful commitment to his county, to his constituents, and to 
this institution will be missed. I am grateful to have had the 
opportunity to serve with him.


                            Senator Sam Nunn

  I want to pay tribute to the Senior Senator from Georgia, Senator Sam 
Nunn. I do not believe there is any Member of the Senate who is more 
studious and astute. Any American who believes that a strong national 
defense is a necessity in this changing world, will look to the career 
of Senator Nunn with respect and admiration. His specific knowledge and 
keen analysis of defense issues, international relations, and armed 
services is without equal. When it comes to NATO, his undertaking of 
the complex historical relationships and potential policy alternatives 
that have developed during the evolution of our involvement in NATO 
have made him a world leader and the voice of reasoned debate.
  Senator Nunn has led the fight for more efficient uses of defense 
resources and greater accountability of defense contractors. He has 
been an invaluable ally in this institution to every American in 
uniform. He has been a calm, reasonable leader in the defense debate of 
the post-cold-war era.
  Senator Nunn is as thoughtful as he is astute, as committed as he is 
wise, and as influential as he is fair. We will miss the kind of 
leadership that Senator Nunn has brought to this institution. We can be 
sure that debates on the floor of the Senate in the 105th Congress and 
thereafter will echo his leadership, his resolve, and his commitment. 
His influence in defense policy--his legacy--will be felt for years to 
come. I join my colleagues in wishing him well.


                           Senator Bill Cohen

  I want to pay tribute to the Senior Senator from Maine, Senator Bill 
Cohen, a fellow New Englander, and our most renowned author, who has 
been respected on both sides of the aisle for his intellect and his 
down-east devotion to his beloved Maine. Senator Cohen's intelligence 
and his substantive approach to the issues are surpassed only by his 
extraordinary range of talents.
  Senator Cohen is known in this chamber for his devotion to detail and 
reasoned analysis of the issues, and recently he has expressed his 
concerns about partisanship and the political atmosphere which has 
dominated debate on the Senate floor. But his concern has never led to 
criticism of the process, people, or promise of this institution or of 
the purpose and function of government. He has always been a positive 
influence and has sought to make government in general and the Senate 
in particular responsive, efficient, and accountable. Negativism has 
not been a part of Senator Cohen's vocabulary.
  He is going home to New England, and we know how much he loves his 
State of Maine, the beauty and the majesty of the rocky coast that 
reaches out into the Atlantic. As a fellow New Englander, I understand 
his love for it. His roots are as deep as his commitment to his beliefs 
and principles, and whatever he chooses to do, we wish him well.


                         Senator Howell Heflin

  I want to pay tribute to the Senior Senator from Alabama, Senator 
Howell Heflin--Judge Heflin, or just Judge, as he is known to his 
colleagues--whose long public service career has shaped the judicial 
system in this Nation. His temperance, knowledge, experience, and 
constitutional scholarship have helped preserve the integrity of the 
word ``justice'' in our democracy and taught us the lesson of judicial 
temperament and legislative leadership.
  If there is one word that describes Senator Heflin it is 
deliberative. He weighs the issues, individually without concern for 
party or political expedience. He evaluates, analyzes, reevaluates and 
makes a decision based on the facts and only the facts. Senator Heflin 
has represented the people of Alabama with grace, charm, intelligence, 
and integrity. His service and his character represent the best of the 
U.S. Senate and his leadership and perspective shall be sorely missed 
when the Judiciary Committee convenes in the 105th Congress.


                        Senator Nancy Kassebaum

  I want to pay tribute to the Senator from Kansas, Nancy Kassebaum, 
one of this institution's most respected authorities and most effective 
leaders on Labor and Human Resources issues. She is an extraordinary 
person whose quiet commitment and personal integrity have marked a 
public service career that has lived up to her family name and to the 
expectations of the people of her beloved Kansas.
  Her bipartisan leadership culminated this year in passage of the 
Kennedy-Kassebaum health insurance bill that protects health benefits 
for million of working Americans and relieves them of the fear of 
losing their health insurance if they lose their jobs or have a 
preexisting condition. She was instrumental in giving America this 
landmark health reform legislation when many said it could not be done 
this year. I have also known Senator Kassebaum to be deeply committed 
to foreign affairs and especially to concerns of African nations.
  Her name has become synonymous with education, public health, labor, 
and employment policies, but her devotion is to her family and to 
Kansas. The Senate will miss her, but the people of Kansas will have 
her home.


                        Senator Bennett Johnston

  I want to pay tribute to Senator Bennett Johnston of Louisiana who 
has served for 24 years on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources 
Committee. He has been either the chairman or the ranking member of 
that committee for 16 of those 24 years and every year he has left his 
mark on this Nation's policies on the preservation and development of 
natural resources.

  His legislative skills and his knowledge of energy and natural 
resource issues are extraordinary and have led to the development of 
policies and programs that have had a deep and lasting impact on our 
Nation.
  He has served the people of Louisiana faithfully, fairly, and with 
diligence, and his legislative skills, leadership, and knowledge will 
be missed in the 105th Congress.


                          Senator Alan Simpson

  I want to pay tribute to my friend and colleague from Wyoming, 
Senator Alan Simpson, who has always brought his unique perspective to 
bear on the critical issues of our time. His carefully reasoned and 
focused approach often has helped this Chamber see the essential center 
of issues with which he has been associated during his years on the 
Judiciary and Finance Committees.
  I have worked with Senator Simpson on camping finance reform and the 
candor, humor, and skill with which he approached the issue was 
refreshing, insightful, and direct. He is the kind of Senator whom the 
American people seek and re-elect because he reflects their interests 
and their ability to weed through the details to find the essential 
truth.
  Senator Simpson has served the interests of the people of Wyoming and 
of the West with profound skill and style and his personal commitment 
to immigration policy will mark a long and distinguished public service 
career. The Senate has been a better place because of the leadership of 
Senator Alan Simpson.


                           Senator Paul Simon

  I want to pay tribute to my colleague from Illinois, Senator Paul 
Simon. We shall long remember the Senator who wore a bow tie every day. 
He brought to this Chamber a dignity and scholarship that has lifted 
the level of debate

[[Page S12283]]

and preserved the grand traditions of this institution.
  Senator Simon has been a national leader on literacy and on the power 
of the written word. His career and his life are a tribute to 
knowledge, learning, and the pursuit of excellence. Senator Simon has 
walked these corridors with a quiet dignity and brought to them a sense 
of decency that we shall long remember.
  Senator Simon is truly a skilled teacher. He has taught us, in the 
U.S. Senate, the lesson of civility and he has taught us and every 
American who has heard his message that it is in the best interest of 
this Nation to put a premium on intellect again. He has done so in his 
actions, words, and deeds, and he shall be missed not only for his bow 
ties but for his honorable public service, his powerful independence, 
and his skill as a leader, a debater, and a quintessential U.S. 
Senator.


                          Senator David Pryor

  I want to pay tribute to my distinguished colleague from Arkansas, 
Senator David Pryor who is a skilled and effective legislator with a 
gentlemanly southern charm and a modesty that belies his extraordinary 
skills and accomplishments.
  Of his many accomplishments, not the least of which is his 
agricultural record for the people of Arkansas, Senator Pryor became an 
outspoken critic of the prices that pharmaceutical companies charge for 
prescription drugs and his leadership on the issue brought national 
attention to the problem and gave hope to millions of elderly Americans 
who could not afford their medication.
  Senator Pryor's record of leadership in public service is marked by 
compassion and civility. I wish him all the best as he leaves the 
Senate and takes on new challenges.

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