[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 151 (Wednesday, October 21, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Pages S12844-S12845]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           TRIBUTE TO THE SENATE STAFF OF THE 105TH CONGRESS

  Mr. DASCHLE. Mr. President, as the 105th Congress comes to a close, I 
want to recognize some of the people without whom the Senate simply 
could not operate--the loyal staff who serve this institution day in 
and day out with great dedication and pride.
  The sacrifices staff make are largely unknown to most people outside 
the Senate, except perhaps their families. When most of us leave for 
home after a late night, the Official Reporters of Debates, the 
Parliamentarians, the Bill Clerks, often face several more hours in the 
office to finish up that day's legislative work. Staff often work 
around the clock to finalize important legislative measures, such as 
the omnibus appropriations bill we just passed.
  Anyone who understands the Senate understands the crucial role staff 
plays. Today, I want to thank all Senate staff for their service to the 
Senate and to the Nation.
  In particular, I want to mention some of the people who are 
responsible for the daily operations of the Senate. I begin by 
expressing my gratitude to the office of the Secretary of the Senate. 
Gary Sisco, Secretary of the Senate, is responsible for some of the 
most important activities in the Senate such as the Official Reporters 
of Debates, the Legislative and Bill Clerks, the Disbursing Office, the 
Information Systems and Computer Staff, the Senate Page School, the 
Historical Office and many other vital offices in the Senate. He has 
done a wonderful job of overseeing and improving the delivery and 
quality of services of those offices. I appreciate the professionalism 
and even-handedness he has exhibited throughout the 105th Congress. 
Gary is ably assisted by Jon Lynn Kerchner, Lura Nell Mitchell and Beth 
Collett.
  Gregory Casey, who will be leaving the Senate shortly, has 
demonstrated tireless dedication to the Senate in the execution of his 
many responsibilities as Sergeant at Arms of the Senate. I'm thankful 
he didn't have to arrest any of us during his tenure as Sergeant at 
Arms and I commend him for his excellent management of a very large and 
complex operation. We will miss Greg and wish him the very best in the 
challenges that lay ahead. The Sergeant at Arms has been supported by 
the capable assistance of the Deputy Sergeant at Arms Loretta Symms and 
Larry Harris, his Administrative Assistant. The Sergeant's office is 
also assisted by the work of Becky Daugherty, Laura Parker, Carol 
Kresge, Mallory McCaskill and Laura Rossi.
  I would like to give special thanks for the hard work and consummate 
professionalism of Jeri Thomson, the executive assistant for the 
minority, who has provided invaluable assistance to my Democratic 
colleagues and to me.
  I would also like to thank the staff of our Capitol Facilities 
office, directed by Roy Banks, who keep this building and our offices 
clean and are always available, often on very short notice, to provide 
logistical support for the numerous meetings and gatherings we hold in 
the Capitol.
  All Senators, I am sure, are grateful for the counsel and support 
they receive from the staff who work the Senate floor and cloakrooms. 
That assistance has become even more valuable to me since I became 
Democratic Leader.
  Our Democratic floor staff works under the excellent leadership of 
Marty Paone, the Secretary for the Minority. Under great pressure, 
often with little time and with little margin for error, Marty has time 
and again provided wise counsel to all Senate Democrats--and even 
Republican Senators, on occasion. Despite the pressures, Marty always 
finds time to respond to questions from Senators and staff alike--
everything from the routine questions about timing of votes to the most 
complex analysis of parliamentary procedure. The rare combination of a 
sharp mind,

[[Page S12845]]

even temperament, and in-depth experience make Marty one of the most 
valuable officers of the Senate, and I want to thank him and recognize 
him for that. In the Secretary's office, Marty is ably assisted by Sue 
Spatz and Nancy Iacomini.
  Day-to-day management of the floor operation is in the capable and 
energetic hands of Lula Davis, the Assistant Secretary to the Minority. 
Lula's ability to juggle multiple tasks--from negotiations over bills 
that we seek to clear by unanimous consent, to advising Senators and 
staff on legislative strategy, to acting as informal fashion adviser to 
many of my colleagues--demonstrates her tireless dedication to making 
things work around here. Marty and Lula are joined by Democratic Floor 
Assistants, Gary Myrick and Paul Brown, who have done a wonderful job 
helping to move legislation and protect Senators' interests. I am 
profoundly grateful for their dedication, their vigilance and their 
intellect. They are all ably assisted by Alice Aughtry.
  Our Democratic Cloakroom staff, Paul Cloutier, Brian Griffin, Brian 
Erwin and Tricia Engle also provide invaluable assistance in many 
aspects of our Senate life. Among other things, they field countless 
queries about what the Senate is doing and when votes will occur, 
including that age-old question, ``Will there be any more roll call 
votes tonight?''. They help us stay on schedule and where we are 
supposed to be, all the while keeping track of the flurry of 
legislation that moves through here, and keeping most of us 
entertained. I salute them for their hard work and good humor and thank 
them for their assistance.
  It is no exaggeration to say that our ability to navigate the 
complexities of Senate rules and procedures would be impossible without 
the assistance of our Parliamentarians. Senate Parliamentarian Bob 
Dove, with the outstanding assistance of Senior Assistant 
Parliamentarian Alan Frumin, Assistant Parliamentarian Kevin Kayes, and 
Parliamentary Assistant Sally Goffinet, provides essential expertise 
and understanding of Senate procedure.
  Our growing C-SPAN audience has no doubt become familiar with the 
commanding voice of Legislative Clerk Scott Bates and his assistant 
David Tinsley; Bill Clerk Kathie Alvarez has also become a notable 
presence. Kathie is assisted in her duties as Bill Clerk by Mary Anne 
Clarkson and John Burnham. Our legislative and bill clerks deserve the 
thanks and respect of all Senators for their keen attention to detail 
and their patient professionalism.
  Journal Clerk William Lackey and his assistants Patrick Keating and 
Scott Sanborn; Enrolling Clerk Tom Lundregan and his assistant Charlene 
McDevitt; Executive Clerk David Marcos, 1st Assistant Executive Clerk, 
Michelle Haynes and assistants Ken Dean and Terry Sauvain; Daily Digest 
Editor Thomas Pellikaan, Assistant Editor Linda Sebold, and Staff 
Assistant Kimberly Longsworth, all have my gratitude for their long 
hours and hard work.
  I also would like to thank and commend again our official Reporters 
of Debates for their hard work: Chief Reporter Ronald Kavulick and 
Coordinator of the Congressional Record, Eileen Milton; Morning 
Business Editor Lee Brown and Assistant Editor John Merlino; Expert 
Transcribers Angela Gallacher, Alma Kristoffersen and Bernita Parker; 
and the Official Reporters of Debates: Jerald Linnell, Raleigh Milton, 
Joel Breitner, Mary Jane McCarthy, Paul Nelson, Katie-Jane Teel, and 
Patrick Renzi.
  I also want to thank our Senate Doorkeepers, directed by Myron 
Fleming and Krista Beal for the friendly and helpful attitude they 
bring to their jobs, often in the face of long and uncertain hours. 
Without their assistance and that of all of our Senate support staff, 
our work simply could not get done.
  Last, but certainly not least, Mr. President, I want to thank my own 
staff--in South Dakota and in Washington--and the staff of the 
Democratic Leadership Committees, whom I share with Senators Reid, 
Rockefeller, and Kerry. These bright, talented people are dedicated to 
the effort to serve the people of South Dakota and the Nation, as well 
as every Democratic Senator and their staffs. They do a tremendous job, 
and I owe each of them a debt of gratitude.

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