[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 98 (Friday, July 11, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S7317]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            THANK YOU FOR STAFF WORK ON DISASTER RELIEF BILL

 Mr. DORGAN. Mr. President, now that the disaster relief money 
is flowing to disaster victims, I would just like to take a moment to 
thank some special people for their hard work in passing the disaster 
relief law several weeks ago.
  First, I would like to thank my colleagues here in the U.S. Senate 
for their help in passing the disaster relief legislation, which is 
already helping people back in my home State of North Dakota. I know it 
was a grueling process and a difficult time for many of you, but I want 
you all to know that your efforts have already proven to be worth it. 
On behalf of the people of North Dakota, I want to thank you for your 
help.
  Legislation like the disaster relief bill is only possible when there 
is a bipartisan effort, not only among senators but among their staffs 
as well. You know, I often wonder if the people who watch us on C-SPAN 
or who read about the Senate in the newspaper fully understand just how 
important our staffs are to the work we do here. So, while our staffs 
often work out of the spotlight, I'd like to put the spotlight on some 
truly special individuals whose work on the disaster relief bill 
represents public service at its finest.
  First, I'd like to thank Steve Cortese, the majority staff director 
for the Senate Appropriations Committee, and Jim English, the 
Committee's minority staff director. Like most things, good legislation 
doesn't just happen--it takes hard work to write the language, 
negotiate painstaking compromises, and make the literally hundreds of 
difficult decisions legislation like the disaster bill requires. I'm 
grateful that when the people of the upper Midwest needed the help, 
these positions of great responsibility were held by such gifted and 
thoughtful public servants as Steve Cortese and Jim English.
  I would also like to thank Mary Hawkins, who led my office's effort 
on the bill. Her vast experience in Congress was constantly on display 
throughout the effort to pass this legislation. A legislative expert 
and a good negotiator, Mary's contribution was inestimable.
  Finally, I would also like to thank Doug Norell, my legislative 
director, who brought a combination of knowledge of Congress and 
knowledge of North Dakota to the table in this process, in addition to 
a dedication to do the right thing for our State and a willingness to 
work as hard as it took to get it done.
  Dedicated men and women on both sides of the aisle helped make this 
badly needed disaster relief legislation a reality, and North Dakota is 
very grateful.

                          ____________________