[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 141 (Friday, October 9, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S12153]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    RETIREMENT OF SENATOR DAN COATS

  Mr. THURMOND. Mr. President, there is perhaps no other legislative 
body in the world that attracts a more competent group of public 
servants than the United States Senate. In the almost 45 years I have 
spent in this institution, I have had the good fortune to serve with a 
number of very capable, dedicated, and selfless individuals who have 
worked hard to represent their constituents and do what is best for the 
nation. One person who is an excellent example of the high caliber of 
person who is drawn to public service is my good friend and colleague, 
Dan Coats.
  The Mid-West has the uncanny way of producing men and women of 
imminent sense and decency, individuals who have the ability to see to 
the heart of a matter and find a way to resolve a problem. Such skill 
is extremely valuable in the United States Senate, a body by its very 
design that is supposed to foster compromise between legislators on 
issues before the nation. Without question, Dan Coats is a Senator who 
worked hard to bring parties together, find common ground, and to get 
legislation passed. That is certainly a fine legacy with which to leave 
this institution.
  More than being an able legislator, Senator Coats developed a strong 
expertise on defense matters, particularly those related to his 
responsibilities as Chairman of the Airland Subcommittee of the 
Committee on the Armed Services. In this role, Senator Coats was 
responsible for providing advice and helping shape policy on matters 
related to how to describe what the threat and future threats to our 
Nation are, how our military should be structured in order to guarantee 
our security, and what sort of ground and aviation assets our troops 
need in order to do our jobs. Senator Coats had to be well versed in 
everything from the GoreTex booties that go into the boots of our 
soldiers to the advanced aerodynamical concepts that are being used in 
the helicopters and jets being developed for our forces. Few other 
individuals could have mastered these disparate topics so well, and 
that Senator Coats was able to do so, and make it look so easy, is a 
testament to this man's intellect, dedication, and ability.
  Without question, we are going to miss the many contributions of 
Senator Coats, both to the Committee and to the full Senate. He had a 
wry sense of humor, a civil demeanor, and a desire to serve our nation. 
His departure from the Senate is truly a loss, but I am confident that 
he will continue to find a way to serve and to make a difference. I 
will miss him, both as a friend and a colleague, and I would like to 
take this opportunity to wish both he and his lovely wife Marcia great 
success and happiness in all his future endeavors.

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