[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 140 (Thursday, October 8, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S11847]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          SENATOR GORTON RECEIVES HIS FIFTH GOLDEN GAVEL AWARD

  Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, yesterday evening the senior Senator from 
Washington, Senator Gorton, reached 100 presiding hours in the 105th 
Congress for his 100 hours of service presiding over the Senate. He 
will be awarded the Golden Gavel. But there is an interesting point 
here. This is the fifth Golden Gavel that Senator Gorton has obtained 
in his years in the Senate--representing 500 hours presiding in the 
Senate Chamber.
  I think most Senators will acknowledge that he does an excellent job 
when he is the Presiding Officer. He is one we call on quite often on 
Friday afternoons or late at night. He is always willing to do it. And 
he dedicates each one of these Golden Gavels to one of his 
grandchildren. He has seven. This is the fifth one; so he has two more 
to go.
  This is an assignment that takes time and patience. I publicly thank 
Senator Gorton for achieving this and for the way that he is doing it 
for his grandchildren.
  I ask my colleagues to join in expressing our appreciation.
  (Applause.)
  Mr. DASCHLE addressed the Chair.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The minority leader.
  Mr. DASCHLE. I do not know that anything else needs to be said, but I 
certainly want to join with the majority leader in offering my 
congratulations and my condolences for all of those hours. As one who 
has only been presented one Golden Gavel in my time in the Senate, I 
can appreciate the magnitude of the accomplishment just accomplished by 
the senior Senator from Washington. On behalf of all of our colleagues, 
I join in congratulating the Senator. I yield the floor.

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