[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 19 (Tuesday, March 3, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1223-S1224]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              GOLDEN GAVEL AWARDED TO SENATOR PAT ROBERTS

  Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, since the 1960s, the Senate has recognized 
those dedicated Members who preside over the Senate for 100 hours with 
the Golden Gavel Award. Today, we add to the list of Golden Gavel 
recipients the current Presiding Officer, Senator Pat Roberts of the 
great State of Kansas, whose presiding hours now total over 100 hours, 
effective as of today.
  I want to say this, too: I have found that, as Presiding Officer, 
Senator Roberts is reliable and enthusiastic. He maintains order, 
sometimes running the majority leader from the floor of the Senate 
Chamber if he insists on talking when not properly recognized. He 
maintains order with a firm hand, but, most importantly, he is 
consistently willing to come to the Chamber and preside over the 
activities here in this Chamber. He is able to handle problems that 
arise in an appropriate way and without hesitation. So it is with 
sincere appreciation that I announce the newest recipient of the Golden 
Gavel Award, Senator Pat Roberts of Kansas.
  I have already determined that when we have moments of really 
important legislation, and when rulings of the Chair are going to be 
necessary and need to be made rather quickly so we can complete the 
business of the day, we have a new suspect that can assume the position 
as Presiding Officer, Senator Roberts of Kansas. Thank you very much 
for the job you have done in helping us to preside and keep the Chamber 
in order.
  [Applause.]
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Presiding Officer observes that under the 
Senate rules the Presiding Officer cannot participate in debate or 
comment from the dais. Should that rule not be in effect, the Presiding 
Officer would publicly state his thanks to the majority leader for the 
kind comments. But that is not permitted under the rules. The Presiding 
Officer is unclear about the majority leader's intent. Does the 
majority leader intend to introduce that in the form of a resolution, 
or does he intend that it be simply made part of the Record?
  Mr. LOTT. I think it would be appropriate just to be made part of the 
Record. I appreciate the ruling of the Chair on this matter, which I 
did not ask a question about. Thank you.
  I yield the floor.
  Mr. WELLSTONE addressed the Chair.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Minnesota.
  Mr. WELLSTONE. Mr. President, I will add a half minute to what the 
majority leader said. I think one of the most important things that the 
Senator from Kansas does--and I mean this--is that, regardless of 
whether or not he is in agreement with you, he is looking at you. A lot 
of the times that doesn't happen. It means a lot when you have somebody 
presiding who has

[[Page S1224]]

the graciousness to be looking at you with respect and to be listening 
to the debate. He always does that. I can never tell whether he is in 
agreement or disagreement. That means a lot to me. I suspect that he is 
usually in agreement with me, but I am not so sure.

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