[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 6 (Thursday, January 23, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S673]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO SENATE PAGES

  Mr. DASCHLE. Mr. President, today the Senate must bid farewell to a 
great group of young people who served as U.S. Senate pages during the 
fall semester.
  These young men and women from across the country witnessed history 
during their service to the Senate. Among other things, this class of 
pages saw the inauguration of President Clinton, the first Democrat to 
be reelected President since Franklin Roosevelt. They also were here 
for the confirmation of the first woman to become Secretary of State, 
Madeleine K. Albright.
  These pages witnessed the final weeks of Senate service of our 
colleagues who retired at the end of the 104th Congress, many giants of 
the Senate among them. In the last few weeks, they also saw the 
swearing in, the first speeches, and the first votes of our new 
freshmen Senators, any one of whom may be a Senate giant of the future.
  Having seen our debates and deliberations up close, this group of 
pages will take away from here many memories and valuable learning 
experiences. But they also should take with them our gratitude for 
everything they have done for us and recognition for a job well done.
  Mr. President, a page's life is not easy. They are up before dawn, at 
page school at 6:15, then here in the Senate for the rest of the day. 
While they are here, their duties run the gamut. They help set up the 
Chamber, deliver messages all over the Capitol complex, help things 
work here on the Senate floor, and pack up the Chamber at the end of 
the day. Then, it is back to the dorm for homework, a little down time, 
and a little sleep before they wake up and do it again the next day.
  On behalf of all Democratic Senators, I would like to thank the 
following Democratic pages for all their hard work and contributions to 
the Senate: Rachel Bravman of Massachusetts; Cameron Crow of South 
Dakota; Taylor Fitzgerald of Montana; Lewis Golden of Mississippi; Amy 
Kitzmiller of Vermont; Amanda McMenamin of Maryland; Kevin McMillan of 
California; Melissa Schultz of New Mexico; Kathryn Sheldon of 
Wisconsin; Nathan Sydnor of Virginia; William Wright of Maryland; and 
Nathan Zukas of Wisconsin.
  I hope that each member of this page class takes back to his or her 
home State a better understanding of how this government works and a 
better appreciation of the need to work together to achieve a common 
goal. These young people are our future leaders. Measured by their 
brief service here in the U.S. Senate, we can all feel confident about 
our country's future. Perhaps someday, one or more of them will return 
as Members of the U.S. Senate.
  I yield the floor.
  Mr. WELLSTONE addressed the Chair.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Minnesota.
  Mr. WELLSTONE. I thank the Chair.
  First of all, let me associate myself with the remarks of the 
minority leader. I never really had a chance to serve with Senator 
Tsongas, and I really never had a chance to get to know him, but it is 
hard not to admire his work. He will be missed by his family and loved 
ones, and he will also be missed by our country. As a Senator from 
Minnesota, I certainly want to send my love to Paul Tsongas' family.

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