[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 37 (Thursday, March 20, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S2629]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO SAM ADCOCK

  Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I take this opportunity to recognize and say 
farewell to an outstanding staffer and dear friend of mine, Sam Adcock.
  For the past 7 years, Sam has served not only as my national security 
advisor, but as one of my most-trusted and able advisors. Sam is moving 
on to other challenges, but it is my privilege to commend him for the 
service he has provided me and the Senate as a whole.
  The youngest of four children born to Pat and Larry Adcock, Sam was 
born in Baton Rouge, LA, and although Sam was not a native 
Mississippian, he assured me he had relatives in the Magnolia State.
  I am not sure what effect being the youngest in such a large family 
had on Sam, but I think it must have played some part in cultivating 
his competitive nature.
  It is this, combined with a gut instinct for effective legislation, 
which has made Sam Adcock such an important part of my team.
  Sam joined my staff as a full-time employee in 1990, after serving 
for a year as a military liaison. He served as my legislative assistant 
while I was a member of the Armed Services Committee, and quickly sank 
his teeth into the complicated process of military appropriations.
  Mississippi's shipyards and military bases owe Sam Adcock a debt of 
gratitude for the countless hours he spent arguing on their behalf.
  During the 1991, 1993, and 1995 Base Realignment and Closure [BRAC] 
procedures, due in large part to Sam's hard work, Mississippi was the 
only State that had no bases closed.
  Among the many areas where Sam's expertise was invaluable to me were 
the development of the LHA and LHD programs. Perhaps one of our 
greatest legislative triumphs was working in 1995 to help Ingalls 
Shipbuilding of Pascagoula, MS, win the $1.4 billion contract for LHD 
7.
  Sam worked around the clock to help Ingalls win this contract so 
important to the men and women of Jackson County, MS, but that was not 
unusual for him. I know Mississippians would be proud to know how 
relentlessly Sam pursued what was in their State's best interests.
  The country, too, should be proud to have had such a champion of 
strong military ideals fighting to preserve our Nation's military 
prowess. I could always count on Sam to go into a meeting for me and 
come away with the best possible deal for Mississippi and our country 
as a whole.
  In addition to his service as my armed services advisor, Sam was 
promoted to the position of legislative director. He has always been a 
take-charge kind of guy, and he ensured that my office's legislative 
staff was prepared and proactive. As effective as Sam's leadership was, 
he was also one of the most well-liked members of my staff.
  While those who have worked against Sam know what a formidable 
opponent he is, those who have worked with him know what a pleasant and 
approachable man he can be.
  As Sam Adcock moves on to a new and exciting position as vice-
president for government operations at Daimler Benz, I wish him, his 
wife Carol, and their young son Austin, the best of luck.
  Sam exemplifies all that is good in the congressional staffers who 
work so hard here on Capitol Hill. He is honest, industrious, 
intelligent, and talented.
  My office will be poorer for his departure, but the people of this 
country are richer from his time as a Senate staffer. For his loyal and 
dedicated service, I thank him.
  Mr. President, I yield the floor.

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