[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 51 (Thursday, April 30, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S3960]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                  COMMENDING STUART FRANKLIN BALDERSON

  Mr. ENZI. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the immediate consideration of S. Res. 222 submitted earlier 
today by Senator Lott and others. I further ask unanimous consent that 
the clerk read the resolution and the preamble.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The clerk 
will report.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 222) to commend Stuart Franklin 
     Balderson.
       Whereas Stuart F. Balderson became an employee of the 
     United States Senate on May 23, 1960, and since that date has 
     ably and faithfully upheld the high standards and traditions 
     of the staff of the United States Senate for a period that 
     included 19 Congresses;
       Whereas Stuart F. Balderson has served as Financial Clerk 
     of the United States Senate from August 1, 1980 to April 30, 
     1998;
       Whereas Stuart F. Balderson has faithfully discharged the 
     difficult duties and responsibilities of his position as 
     Financial Clerk of the United States Senate with great pride, 
     energy, efficiency, dedication, integrity, and 
     professionalism;
       Whereas he has earned the respect, affection, and esteem of 
     the United States Senate; and
       Whereas Stuart F. Balderson will retire from the United 
     States Senate on April 30, 1998, with 40 years of Government 
     service--38 years with the United States Senate and 2 years 
     with the United States Navy: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the United States Senate commends Stuart F. 
     Balderson for his exemplary service to the United States 
     Senate and the Nation, and wishes to express its deep 
     appreciation and gratitude for his long, faithful, and 
     outstanding service.
       SEC. 2. The Secretary of the Senate shall transmit a copy 
     of this resolution to Stuart F. Balderson.

  Mr. DASCHLE addressed the Chair.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Democratic leader.
  Mr. DASCHLE. Mr. President, I want to take just a moment on the 
passage of this important resolution to thank Stewart Balderson for his 
nearly four decades of distinguished service, as has been referenced in 
the resolution, and wish him well as he begins the next chapter of his 
life.
  Stuart Balderson truly is an institution within an institution.
  He began his career in the Senate finance office when he was 22--and 
Lyndon Johnson was still the Majority Leader.
  He has stayed there for 38 years--through the tenure of 12 Senate 
Secretaries--working in every department: payroll, accounting, 
retirement and benefits, and legislative budgeting.
  In 1980, he assumed the top position in that office, Financial Clerk 
of the United States Senate.
  I first came to the Senate in 1973, as a staffer for another South 
Dakota Senator.
  As anyone who has ever worked here knows, the finance office is one 
of the first offices you visit after you're hired. You go there to fill 
out your W4 and your insurance forms and other necessary pieces of 
paper.
  From that day until today, I have been impressed with the efficient 
and friendly service in that office. And I believe that is a direct 
reflection of the man who has run it so well, and for so long.
  I am not alone in my admiration.
  In 1992, Stuart Balderson was named ``Congressional Staffer of the 
Year,'' by Roll Call newspaper. He was given the award at the Senate 
Staff Club Dinner Dance.
  That night, in his acceptance speech, he said of this Senate, ``I 
love the institution, and I work very, very hard for its financial 
integrity.''
  He went on to regale his fellow diners with his recollections of what 
the Senate was like back in 1960, when he came here.
  He recalled how giants like Everett Dirksen, Hubert Humphrey and Sam 
Ervin used to drop by the finance office just to chat. There was a real 
``sense of family'' on the Hill back then, he said. Everyone knew 
everyone.
  He said he also remembered thinking that he would ``never get 
anywhere here, because it looked to me like everyone had been here 
forever, and wouldn't leave until they died at their desks.
  ``But, I quickly found out,'' he added, ``that these people were the 
sources of knowledge and wisdom, and I found myself calling on them 
constantly.''
  Clearly, Stuart Balderson was wrong in thinking he'd never go 
anywhere in the Senate finance office.
  But he was right about another thing: The dedicated men and women who 
have served this Senate for years truly are sources of knowledge and 
wisdom--for all of us.
  They are our institutional memory, and our connection to a different 
time--a time when people on the Hill focused less, perhaps, on party 
labels, and more on common goals.
  Over the years, Stuart Balderson has earned his place among those 
sages.
  I know I speak for countless Senators and Senate staffers when I say, 
we will miss his professionalism, and dedication, and his ever-friendly 
manner.
  We thank him for his many years of impeccable service to this great 
institution. And we wish him all the best on his retirement.
  I yield the floor. I thank my colleague.
  Mr. ENZI. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution 
that was read be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and the motion 
to reconsider be laid upon the table.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 222) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.

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