[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 142 (Saturday, October 10, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Pages S12301-S12302]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         A GOOD SENATOR DEPARTS

  Mr. BYRD. Mr. President, first appointed to the United States Senate 
in 1989 by Governor Robert Orr to succeed Vice President Dan Quayle, 
Senator Coats subsequently won reelection and has served this body 
during these past nine years with knowledge, skill, and a true 
dedication to his Senatorial duties. As he departs this great 
institution to pursue future endeavors, we bid him farewell and best 
wishes.
  Prior to joining the United States Senate, Senator Coats made his 
mark in several arenas. In his early years, he served as a staff 
sergeant in the U.S. Army, experience he drew on as a member of the 
Armed Services Committee. With a passion for law and politics, he 
worked full-time as a legal intern while attending the Indiana 
University School of Law at night and serving as Associate Editor of 
the Law Review. Later, in an effort to gain business experience, he 
switched tunes from barrister to become a vice president for an Indiana 
life insurance company, all before embarking on his legislative career 
in the House of Representatives, where he was elected in 1980 to 
represent Indiana's Fourth District.
  During his tenure in the Senate, Senator Coats has served on three 
powerful and influential Senate Committees--Armed Services, 
Intelligence, and Labor and Human Resources, and has crafted sound 
education, health care, and national security policy for the nation. I 
have had the pleasure of working with Senator Coats on the Armed 
Services Committee, where he has served on the Personnel, Readiness, 
and the Airland Forces Subcommittees. There have been a variety of 
national defense issues on which we have concurred, always keeping in 
mind the best interests of our national security and the importance of 
a strong and well equipped line of defense. Just this year, I 
appreciated his insight and support of my amendment to the Department 
of Defense Authorization bill to require separate training units for 
male and female recruits during basic training.
  And, of course, there have been the issues on which we have not seen 
eye-to-eye. I distinctly remember tangling this year on the Senate 
floor over Constitutional issues relating to the deployment of troops 
in Bosnia and Herzegovina. And, on the balanced budget amendment and 
the line item veto, we have been on opposite sides of the coin as well. 
Yet, Senator Coats always carries himself well, demonstrating the 
utmost respect for his colleagues on both sides of the aisle. For this, 
I hold him in high regard.
  Perhaps, Senator Coats' greatest contribution to the United States 
Senate has been as a member of the Labor and Human Resources Committee. 
His dedication to strengthening families began long before his 
political career. He is a longstanding member of Big Brothers/Big 
Sisters of America, and was recently elected national president of that 
organization. His service in the House included serving as a leading 
member of the Select Committee on Children, Youth, and Families. On 
appointment to the Senate, he became Ranking Member of the Subcommittee 
on Children and Families, where he has served as Chairman since 1995. 
He has been the author of the ``Project for American Renewal'' to 
revive civil society and America's character-forming institutions, and 
he is a passionate advocate for school choice, unpaid leave for family 
and medical emergencies, and prayer in schools.
  Most recently, Senator Coats shepherded legislation through Congress 
to reauthorize the Head Start and Low Income Home Energy Assistance 
program. In appreciation of his efforts and compassion for our nation's 
children and families, it was only fitting that this piece of 
legislation was named in his honor. The Coats Human Service 
Reauthorization Act is but just one example of his fine work here in 
the United States Senate.
  In speaking of his ``Project for American Renewal,'' he says, ``The 
goal of public policy should be to revive the institutions of civil 
society that build character. Arguably, it is the erosion of those 
institutions--the family, community organizations, and private and 
religious charities--that has led to the most severe pathologies we now 
suffer.'' I commend Senator Coats for his tireless efforts in behalf of 
these fundamental institutions, and, as he departs this body, I wish 
him well.
  Mr. BURNS addressed the Chair.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Montana.
  Mr. BURNS. Mr. President, I understand we are under an order that the 
Senate go into recess.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Yes. We were going to go into recess at 3 
o'clock. However----

[[Page S12302]]

  Mr. BURNS. I ask unanimous consent that I be able to make some 
remarks about our departing colleagues at this time.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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