[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 33 (Friday, March 14, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S2319]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO SENATOR WENDELL FORD

  Mr. DASCHLE. Mr. President, Harry Truman once said, ``It is amazing 
what we can accomplish if we don't care who gets the credit.''
  That kind of selfless leadership is not found much in Washington 
anymore. But it is the essence of my great friend, Wendell Ford.
  Earlier this week, Senator Ford announced he would not seek a fifth 
term in this body.
  For me, the news is bittersweet. I know how much Senator Ford looks 
forward to spending more time with his wife Jean and their family. I 
know how much he misses Kentucky, how much he simply just wants to go 
fishing with his grandchildren.
  But I also know how much I will miss him and how much the Senate will 
miss him.
  It is one of the traditions of this Senate that we carve our names 
inside our desks. Carved inside Senator Ford's desk is the name of one 
of this body's towering giants, Senator Henry Clay, ``the Great 
Compromiser.''
  It is fitting that Wendell Ford and Henry Clay should share the same 
desk--not just because they are both sons of Kentucky, but because they 
both understand that democracy requires compromise.
  We can never compromise on principle. But we can--and we must--be 
willing to negotiate details if we are to accomplish anything of 
consequence.
  That is one of many lessons I learned from Wendell Ford.
  It is ironic that Wendell Ford comes from Kentucky, home of the great 
racehorses, because he is not a racehorse; he is a workhorse.
  He has served the people of his State for more than 32 years as State 
senator, Lieutenant Governor, Governor, and now for the last 22 years 
as U.S. Senator. But he has always remained a public servant.
  When he announced his decision not to seek reelection, Senator Ford 
said he loves this Senate as much as life itself.
  The reason he loves it, though, is not because of the power or the 
glamour; those things have never really interested Wendell Ford. He 
loves this institution because of the history that has been made here 
and because of the potential that exists here.
  The potential to help people.
  To make the promise of America a reality for every American.
  To include those who have been left out.
  That is why Wendell Ford loves this Senate.
  His great pride is not that he has sat with Presidents, but that he 
can sit and talk with friends at every creek and in every holler in 
Kentucky, and that Kentucky is better and, frankly, America is better 
because of his efforts.
  He is truly a leader among leaders. We need more people like Wendell 
Ford in the U.S. Senate today.
  During his years here, Senator Ford has distinguished himself as a 
leader in areas from energy to aviation to election reform.
  As chairman of the Senate Rules and Administration Committee, he 
helped reduce Senate committee spending.
  He has been a long and persistent advocate of a 2-year Federal budget 
to help this body look beyond the immediate and plan better for our 
future.
  He was the chief force behind the creation of an independent Federal 
Aviation Administration.
  He was a prime sponsor of the motor voter registration bill which has 
brought millions of new Americans into the electoral process.
  He was the chief sponsor, in 1990, of a Democratic campaign finance 
reform package, and I fully expect him to spend the next year and a 
half working to make bipartisan finance in campaigns a reality.
  As Democratic whip since 1990, Wendell Ford found yet another way to 
serve his caucus and his country. Whenever there has been a need, he 
has stood ready to fill it. Every Democrat --indeed, every Member of 
the Senate--has his or her own story to tell about how Wendell Ford has 
made a powerful and positive contribution to this institution and to 
the Nation.
  On a personal note, let me say that Wendell has been a very special 
friend to my wife Linda and me. He has been a constant source of 
wisdom, of strength and perspective. I must say, I could not possibly 
express the gratitude that I feel for the great blessing that that 
friendship has meant to me now over all these years.
  Years from now, when we are all gone from here, a new Senator will 
open the desk now occupied by Senator Ford and see his name carved 
there. He or she will be reminded not just of what this Senate was, but 
what it can be. As he looks at the names of Henry Clay and Wendell 
Ford, and recognizes the greatness that that desk represents now, not 
caring much about who gets the accomplishment credit but just who gets 
the work done, they, as we, will thank Wendell Ford for his 
contribution, for his vision, for his commitment to public service, and 
for his friendship.
  Mr. President, I yield the floor and suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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