[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 141 (Friday, October 9, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S12151]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        SENATOR WENDELL H. FORD

  Mr. DASCHLE. Mr. President, as the majority leader noted, this is a 
bittersweet time for many of us. We bid colleagues farewell and we 
recall the times we have had together. In some cases, we have worked 
together and shared friendships for many years.
  I have been asked to do something somewhat unusual tonight. I have 
been asked by the staff of our distinguished Senator from Kentucky, my 
dear friend, Senator Ford, to read a letter they have composed to him 
for the Congressional Record.
  I am delighted that Senator Ford is on the floor to hear this 
personally.
  So, as requested, I will read the letter, which was written by his 
staff. I know my own staff shares these feelings for Senator Ford. The 
letter is dated October 9, 1998.
                                                  October 9, 1998.
       Dear Senator Ford: After several weeks of tributes, 
     receptions, dinners and other special events in your honor, 
     we're sure that a man of your humble nature is probably ready 
     to have people quit making a fuss and let you leave town as 
     unnoticed and as low-key as possible.
       However, these weeks have given us the opportunity to hear 
     others tell you what we've also known all along: your legacy 
     of serving our state, your labor of love on behalf of all 
     Americans, and the unfailing kindness you've shown during 
     your time in the United States Senate will never be 
     forgotten.
       On top of just being a plain `ole good boss, you've also 
     been a mentor, a teacher, and someone we could always look up 
     to for guidance and support, no matter the situation. But 
     most importantly, you've been a friend to all of us.
       You've given us the opportunity on a daily basis to 
     personally witness the countless hours of hard work you put 
     in on behalf of Kentuckians. We've seen you stay into the 
     early morning hours here in the Senate during an all-night 
     session, and then rush to catch an early morning plane for a 
     commitment back home. We've seen you toil late into the night 
     working on a conference committee, only to have you beat us 
     into work the next morning with a smile and joke for 
     everyone.
       These are some of the things your Kentucky constituents may 
     never have known. But at the same time, we know they've 
     benefitted greatly from your accomplishments on their behalf 
     and your never-ending desire to see that all Kentuckians, no 
     matter their station, have the tools and opportunities to 
     lead successful and productive lives.
       As we've heard you say many times, it's been a good run. 
     And we could not let today pass without letting you know how 
     much it's meant for us to have had the opportunity to work 
     with you, to learn from you, and have you as our favorite 
     Senator.
           Sincerely,
                                                       Your Staff.

  Mr. President, I yield the floor.
  Mr. FORD addressed the Chair.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Chair recognizes the Senator from 
Kentucky.
  Mr. FORD. Mr. President, let me thank my good friend, the Democratic 
leader, Tom Daschle, for reading this letter. I didn't know it was 
coming.
  I really do not know how to respond to it, except to thank my staff. 
We claim to do a lot of things around here. And if we did not have 
loyal, faithful, hard-working, dedicated, intelligent staff, not only 
in our offices but here on the floor, we would not get accomplished 
near as much as we do.
  So I thank them from the bottom of my heart. And I hope that in the 
last few days I will not get so cantankerous that they will want to 
expunge the Record of this letter.

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