[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 141 (Thursday, October 3, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S12332]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO J. MARK TIPPS

 Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I rise to pay tribute today to a 
member of my staff who has served me and the State of Tennessee with 
dedication and excellence for the past 2 years. When I came to the U.S. 
Senate, I had no previous political experience. That meant that I had 
no staff waiting for their next assignment, no idea how to set up an 
office, and no time to learn. Luckily, I did have Mark Tipps.
  To my great benefit, Mark Tipps agreed to take a leave of absence 
from his law partnership at Bass, Berry, and Sims in Nashville and 
bring his wife Joi and two beautiful daughters, Annie and Grace, to 
Washington to serve as my Chief of Staff.
  I first came to know Mark when he volunteered to help me clarify and 
articulate my position on various issues during my campaign. Although 
he also had no direct previous political experience, I was instantly 
impressed by his ability to bring complicated state and national issues 
into focus and his level-headed, common-sense approach. Throughout his 
tenure in Washington, he has used these qualities to help me put 
together and maintain a first-rate staff; keep a strong presence in 
Tennessee, even when the Senate schedule keeps me in Washington; 
develop a successful, focused legislative agenda; and make the right 
decisions for Tennesseans on tough issues.
  Most importantly, Mark has played a major role for me and my entire 
staff in making sure these past 2 years were not only challenging, but 
also enjoyable. I remember the first trip I made to Washington with 
Mark after my election. We were late to a meeting because we were 
wandering around the Capitol looking for the Russell Building. We 
eventually found it, but it has been the source of many jokes over the 
past 2 years as we recount just how far we've come. Mark is known among 
my staff and throughout the office for his open-door policy and good 
judgment. Staff members know that if they have a problem or need 
advice, personal or professional, all they have to do is knock. With 
his easygoing, affable personality, Mark is more than just a boss to my 
staff--he is a friend. Mark has also become far more than just a staff 
member to me and my wife, Karyn. He is a personal friend and we look 
forward to staying in touch with his family during our frequent visits 
to Nashville.
  The one request that Mark made of me when he came to Capitol Hill was 
that I not make him stay more than 2 years. I am begrudgingly and with 
much hesitation keeping that promise, and I wish Mark the very best of 
luck as he returns to his home in Nashville to resume his law practice. 
If Mark takes nothing else back home with him after his 2-year 
``baptism by fire'' here, he is at least taking a fifth family member 
and his first son. John Alfred Tipps was born on May 29 and may not 
remember much of his stay here, but can hopefully read this tribute and 
know how much his Dad contributed to this country. The whole Frist 
office will miss Mark, but we all send him off with our very fond 
memories, sincere gratitude and best wishes.

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