[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 160 (Thursday, November 13, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S12679-S12680]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     COMMENDING THE MINORITY LEADER

  Mr. FORD. Mr. President, this will be next to my last end-of-session 
period, and at the end of next year and the 105th Congress I will be 
joining my family back in Kentucky.
  But let me say that in all of my 23 years so far here I have never 
enjoyed so much the friendship and watched the work of the Democratic 
leader to be any more outstanding or any more caring, developed with 
integrity and character. He is one individual who I think, when you 
look back at his theme of ``families first''--that was the view of all 
of the 100 Senators--that not only would this Chamber be covered with 
accolades for the job he has done, but we would see this country 
progress in a much better and finer fashion.
  So to the Democratic leader, I pay my respect, and my everlasting 
thanks for his courtesy in working with me during the year.
  Having said that, I want to say that he has developed one of the 
finest staffs not only on the floor but in his office that anyone could 
work with. All of us are anxious to do good. All of us are anxious to 
say the right things. But we have to have the right kind of support.
  So as we observe the Senate floor and see who is doing the work and 
putting the package together, we all understand that we have chosen 
well in the staff on both sides.
  So, Mr. President, I didn't want to leave here without saying to my 
friend from South Dakota when he reached out to help all families that 
he reached

[[Page S12680]]

out to my family and to my family's family. And I see what good will 
come from his efforts and his desire and his hope and vision for the 
future.
  Also, I want to say that I think he has worked very well with the 
majority leader. The majority leader has had some tremendous stress and 
strain. But had it not been for the cooperation and effort of the 
Democratic leader, the first session of the 105th Congress would not be 
ending on the high note that I believe it is.
  I thank the Chair.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  Mr. DASCHLE addressed the Chair.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Democratic leader.

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