[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 30 (Tuesday, March 11, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2127-S2128]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             TRIBUTE TO SENATOR WENDELL H. FORD OF KENTUCKY

  Ms. MIKULSKI. Mr. President, with sadness, I rise today to pay 
tribute to a remarkable Member of this body and a very dear friend, the 
senior Senator from Kentucky, Wendell Ford. Senator Ford has announced 
his retirement after a third of a century in public service, including 
the last 22 years in the U.S. Senate. When Wendell Ford leaves the 
Senate at the end of next year to return to his family and his beloved 
Kentucky, I will miss his leadership and his friendship tremendously.
  For the past 3 years, it has been my pleasure to serve with Senator 
Ford in the Democratic leadership in my capacity as conference 
secretary. Since 1990 Senator Ford has served in the leadership as 
Democratic whip, where he has been an energetic leader and has had a 
positive impact on the Senate's agenda. During the years I have served 
with him I have appreciated his good advice and his no-nonsense style. 
Senator Ford's insights into the issues and problems we address in the 
Senate, as well as his good word, have made him a valuable and trusted 
leader. Our leadership, the Senate, and most of all the State of 
Kentucky have greatly benefited from his service.
  Throughout his career in public service, Senator Ford has remained 
true to his constituents by being a strong advocate for his home State 
of Kentucky. He knows that a Senator's ultimate responsibility is to 
the people of his State. As a result of his advocacy and his honesty, 
Kentucky voters have returned him to Washington three times with 
landslide election victories.
  Senator Ford has also served as an advocate for the Senate. As 
chairman of the Rules Committee he has helped ensure the smooth 
operation of the Senate and has been a leader in looking for ways to 
make the Senate work more efficiently. As a member of the Committees on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation, as well as Energy and Natural 
Resources, Senator Ford has been at the center of many of our most 
important national debates.
  I believe that I speak for all of my colleagues when I say that the 
departure of Senator Ford will leave a huge

[[Page S2128]]

void in this institution. He has been an effective leader, a strong 
legislator, a fearless defender of his State, and a good friend. As he 
approaches retirement, I want to thank Wendell Ford for his service to 
his country and congratulate him for his extraordinary career. We will 
truly miss him.

                          ____________________