[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 141 (Friday, October 9, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Pages S12244-S12245]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 APPRECIATION FOR DEDICATED STAFF OF THE CONGRESSIONAL RESEARCH SERVICE

 Mr. SMITH of Oregon. Mr. President. In these closing days of 
the 105th Congress, I would be remiss if I did not pay tribute to those 
who toil everyday behind the scenes to make our lives easier. I am 
speaking of the very dedicated and professional group of public 
servants who comprise the Congressional Research Service. Access to 
reliable information--and the ability to get it quickly--is critical to 
the effective functioning of the Senate, and I am particularly grateful 
to the Congressional Research Service employees for

[[Page S12245]]

their professional and timely responses to the many requests for 
information they receive from Senators and their staffs.
  It is difficult for me to imagine this institution's functioning 
without access to reliable information, and it is with deep 
appreciation that I commend researchers of the Congressional Research 
Service for responding quickly, pleasantly, professionally and with 
attention to detail to the many requests received from my office. It is 
this type of dedicated service that government employees all too often 
perform, and no one hears anything about it. This is a group of people 
who take their commitment to the Congress and the American people very 
seriously. And they deliver.
  Mr. President, the Congressional Research Service provides a truly 
unique and indispensable service to the Congress. It has certainly made 
my first term as a U.S. Senator easier and more productive. I 
congratulate all of the workers there on their fine work and extend to 
them my heartfelt thanks.

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