[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 85 (Wednesday, June 18, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S5902]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              TRIBUTE TO SENATOR DALE BUMPERS OF ARKANSAS

  Ms. MIKULSKI. Mr. President, with sadness, I rise today to pay 
tribute to a remarkable member of the U.S. Senate, the senior Senator 
from Arkansas, Dale Bumpers. Senator Bumpers has announced his 
retirement after more than 25 years in public service, including the 
last 22 years in the U.S. Senate. When Dale Bumpers leaves the Senate 
at the end of next year to return to his family and his beloved 
Arkansas, I will miss his leadership and his friendship tremendously.
  There has rarely been a Senator in this body with the courage of his 
convictions like Dale Bumpers. During his time here, he has stood up 
valiantly for the causes he believes in. He has been an advocate for 
his home State and has fought against a number of Government projects 
that he felt were wasteful or inefficient. His object has always been 
to protect the people of Arkansas and the American taxpayer. We have 
not always agreed with each other on the merits of every project. But I 
have always been able to count on Senator Bumpers' integrity, his 
honesty, and his good humor.
  When Senator Bumpers retires, I think my colleagues will agree that 
the back of the Senate Chamber will never be the same. In an 
institution known for its orators, Senator Bumpers is among the most 
accomplished of them. His passion for public debate, and his commitment 
to justice have been obvious to all Senators when Dale Bumpers takes 
the floor of the Senate. He speaks with eloquence and with feeling, 
whether the issue is protecting our environment or cutting corporate 
welfare.
  Throughout his career in public service, Senator Bumpers has remained 
true to his constituents by being a strong advocate for his home State 
of Arkansas. He knows that a Senator's ultimate responsibility is to 
the people of his State. As a result of his advocacy and his honesty, 
Arkansas voters have returned him to Washington three times with 
landslide re-election victories. I have no doubt that the voters of 
Arkansas would have made it a fourth re-election landslide if he 
wished.
  Senator Bumpers' insights into the issues and problems we address in 
the Senate, and in his Environment and Public Works Committee have made 
him a valuable and trusted Member of this body. Our leadership, the 
Senate, and most of all the State of Arkansas have greatly benefited 
from his service.
  I believe that I speak for all of my colleagues when I say that the 
departure of Senator Bumpers will leave a void in this institution. As 
he approaches retirement, I want to thank Dale Bumpers for his service 
to his country and congratulate him for his extraordinary career. I 
wish him excellent health and happiness in retirement, and I will truly 
miss him.

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