[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 23 (Monday, March 9, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S1560]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  SENATOR COLLINS' GOLDEN GAVEL AWARD

  Mr. LOTT. Madam President, today I have the pleasure to announce that 
Senator Susan Collins of the great State of Maine, the current 
Presiding Officer, is the latest recipient of the prestigious Golden 
Gavel Award.
  Since the 1960s, Senators who preside over the Senate in excess of 
100 hours are recognized with the Golden Gavel. The Golden Gavel has 
long served as a symbol of appreciation for time these dedicated 
Senators contribute to presiding over the U.S. Senate--a privileged and 
important duty.
  With respect to this particular Presiding Officer, two words describe 
Senator Collins as she presides over this Chamber: reliable and 
punctual. Senator Collins takes her presiding responsibilities 
seriously and is someone who can always be counted on to serve. We now 
take the opportunity to extend our thanks to her for her commitment to 
the fine way in which she presides.
  I must say, she has received one of the highest compliments that can 
be received from the Senate itself. Senator Byrd has commented about 
what a good job she does in the chair and that she presides fairly and 
she pays attention to what the Senators are saying.
  I congratulate her and thank her on behalf of the U.S. Senate for her 
time.
  (Applause, Senators rising.)
  Mr. BAUCUS. Will the leader yield?
  Mr. LOTT. I will be glad to yield.
  Mr. BAUCUS. I agree with the leader's comments and observations with 
respect to the current Presiding Officer. In the few times I have been 
on the floor--and certainly during this last week of managing this 
bill--she has often been the Presiding Officer. And she smiles.
  Mr. LOTT. Sometimes that is hard to do.
  Mr. BAUCUS. Yes. Not all Presiding Officers smile. I don't know why 
she is smiling, if it is in agreement or whatever, but she certainly is 
engaged. It is a very refreshing continence and demeanor compared to a 
lot of Presiding Officers.
  I also very much congratulate her and agree with the leader's 
comments.
  Mr. LOTT. Thank you.
  Mr. CHAFEE. Will the majority leader yield?
  Mr. LOTT. Yes.
  Mr. CHAFEE. I share those sentiments. I have noticed that the 
Presiding Officer who is in the seat now, the distinguished Senator 
from Maine, as you say, follows the debate. Now, she may be thinking 
about something else, but you wouldn't know it, and, as a matter of 
fact, she has indicated approval of many of the things I have said, at 
least it looks that way.
  So I think it is wonderful that she has won this great award. I hope 
she will not give up now. What can she aspire to? How are we going to 
keep her in this chair?
  Mr. BAUCUS. Give her a second one.
  Mr. LOTT. Make her a permanent one, except when, of course, Senator 
Thurmond is available.
  I thank the Senator for his comments.

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