[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 143 (Monday, October 21, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Pages S12418-S12419]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           TRIBUTE TO THE SENATE STAFF OF THE 104TH CONGRESS

 Mr. DASCHLE. Mr. President, as the 104th Congress comes to a 
close, I want to recognize some of the people without whom the Senate 
simply could not operate--the loyal staff who served this institution 
with great dedication and pride.
  The sacrifices staff make are largely unknown to most people outside 
the Senate. For instance, during the final weeks of this session, many 
of the staff of the House and Senate appropriations committees worked 
over 100 hours straight to finalize the omnibus appropriations bill. 
When I leave for home after a late night, I generally pass by the 
Official Reporters of Debates, who face several more hours in the 
office to finish up that day's Congressional Record.
  Anyone who understands the Senate understands the crucial role staff 
plays. Today, I want to thank all Senate staff for their service to the 
Senate and to the Nation.
  In particular, I want to mention some of the people who are 
responsible for the daily operations of the Senate. I begin by 
expressing my gratitude to the office of the Secretary of the Senate. 
We have a new Secretary of the Senate, Gary Sisco. Though he has been 
on board only a few days, I am confident that Gary will be as easy to 
work with and will demonstrate the same dependable professionalism of 
his predecessor, Kelly Johnston.
  We also have a new Sergeant at Arms, Gregory Casey. We will miss 
former Sergeant at Arms Howard Greene's valuable knowledge of the 
Senate, but I am sure that Greg will approach the job with the same 
love for the Senate that Howard demonstrated. The Sergeant at Arms has 
been supported by the capable assistance of the former Deputy Sergeant 
at Arms, Joyce McCluney, and the current Deputy, Larry Harris. The 
Sergeant's office is also assisted by the work of Marie Angus and Patty 
McNally. I would like to give special thanks for the hard work and 
consummate professionalism of Jeri Thomson, the executive assistant for 
the minority, who has provided invaluable assistance to me and to my 
Democratic colleagues.
  All Senators, I am sure, are grateful for the counsel and support 
they receive from the staff who work the Senate floor and Cloakrooms. 
That assistance has become even more valuable to me since I became 
Democratic leader.
  Our Democratic floor staff works under the excellent leadership of 
Marty Paone, the Secretary for the Minority. Under great pressure, 
often with little time and with little margin for error, Marty has time 
and again provided wise counsel to me and to my Democratic colleagues. 
Despite the pressures, Marty always finds time to respond to questions 
from Senator and staff alike--everything from the routine question 
about timing of votes to the most complex analysis of parliamentary 
procedure. The rare combination of a sharp mind, even temperament, and 
indepth experience makes Marty one of the most valuable officers of the 
Senate, and I want to thank him and recognize him for that. Marty is 
assisted by the hard work of Maura Farley McGee and Sue Spatz.

  Day-to-day management of the floor operation is in the capable and 
energetic hands of Lula Davis, the Assistant Secretary to the Minority. 
Lula's ability to juggle multiple tasks--from negotiations over bills 
that we seek to clear by unanimous consent, to advising Senators and 
staff on legislative strategy, to acting as informal fashion adviser to 
many of my colleagues--demonstrates her tireless dedication to making 
things work around here. Working on the Democratic floor staff with 
Marty and Lula during the 104th Congress have been Art Cameron and 
Kelly Riordan, both of whom we have since lost to the Treasury 
Department and law school, respectively, and Gary Myrick and Paul 
Brown, who have moved from the Cloakroom and the Democratic Policy 
Committee, respectively. They were all assisted by the hard work of 
Brad Austin, who leaves shortly for a professional adventure in Malawi.
  Our Democratic Cloakroom staff, Lenny Oursler, Paul Cloutier, 
Christina Krasow, and Brian Griffin, also provide invaluable assistance 
in many aspects of our Senate life. Among other things, they field 
countless queries about what the Senate is doing and when votes will 
occur, including that age-old question, ``Will there be any more 
rollcall votes tonight?'' They help us stay on schedule and where we 
are supposed to be, all while keeping track of the flurry of 
legislation that moves through here and keeping most of us entertained. 
I salute them for their hard work and good humor and thank them for 
their assistance.
  It is no exaggeration to say that our ability to navigate the 
complexities of Senate rules and procedures would be

[[Page S12419]]

impossible without the assistance of our Parliamentarians. Senate 
Parliamentarian Bob Dove, with the outstanding assistance of Senior 
Assistant Parliamentarian Alan Frumin, Assistant Parliamentarian Kevin 
Kayes, and Parliamentary Assistant Sally Goffinet, provides an 
unparalleled level of expertise and understanding of Senate procedure.
  Our growing C-SPAN audience has no doubt become familiar with the 
commanding voice of Legislative Clerk Scott Bates and his assistant 
David Tinsley; Bill Clerk Kathie Alvarez has also become a notable 
presence. Kathie is assisted in her duties as bill clerk by Danielle 
Fling and Mary Anne Clarkson. Our legislative and bill clerks deserve 
the thanks and respect of all Senators for their keen attention to 
detail and their patient professionalism.
  Journal Clerk William Lackey and his assistants Patrick Keating and 
Mark Lacovara; Enrolling Clerk Tom Lundregan and his assistant Charlene 
McDevitt; Executive Clerk David Marcos and his assistant Michelle 
Haynes; Daily Digest Editor Thomas Pellikaan, Assistant Editor Linda 
Sebold, and Staff Assistant Kimberly Longsworth, all have my gratitude 
for their long hours and hard work.
  I also would like to thank and commend again our official Reporters 
of Debates for their hard work: Chief Reporter Ronald Kavulick and 
Assistant Chief Reporter--and Congressional Record Coordinator--Scott 
Sanborn; Morning Business Editor Ken Dean and Assistant Editor Lee 
Brown; Expert Transcriber Supervisor Eileen Connor and her assistants, 
Donald Corrigan and Eileen Milton; and the Official Reporters of 
Debates: Jerald Linnell, Raleigh Milton, Joel Brietner, Mary Jane 
McCarthy, Paul Nelson, Katie-Jane Teel, and Patrick Renzi.
  I also want to thank our Senate Doorkeepers, directed by Arthur 
Curran and Donn Larson, for the friendly, and helpful attitude they 
bring to their jobs, often in the face of long and uncertain hours. 
Without their assistance and that of all of our Senate support staff, 
our work simply could not get done.
  Finally, Mr. President, I want to thank my own staff and the staff of 
the Democratic Leadership Committees, whom I share with Senators Reid, 
Rockefeller, and Kerry. These bright, talented people are dedicated to 
the effort to serve the people of South Dakota and the Nation, as well 
as every Democratic senator and their staffs. They do a tremendous job, 
and I owe each of them a debt of gratitude.

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