[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 151 (Wednesday, October 21, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Pages S12851-S12852]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          SENATOR WENDELL FORD

  Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, I would like to take a moment to bid a fond

[[Page S12852]]

farewell to one of our most senior senators, Senator Wendell Ford, who, 
despite my objections, is leaving the Senate this year. I think that 
all members will agree that his departure will be a loss for the Senate 
and nation, as we are losing one of our most respected and well-liked 
Senators.
  Senator Ford and I began our careers in the United States Senate 
together--24 years ago. It seeks like just yesterday we were the new 
kids on the block, trying to get the hang of the Senate. A lot has 
changed from those early days, as Senator Ford has proudly served the 
people of Kentucky while serving on the Committees on Rules and 
Administration (where he is ranking member), Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation, Energy and Natural Resources, and the Joint Committee 
on Printing (where he was formerly Chairman).
  Hailing from Thurston, Kentucky, Senator Ford has brought to the 
Senate a long and distinguished career as well as the down-home common 
sense for which he is known. A graduate of the University of Kentucky, 
Wendell went on to serve in the United States Army in 1944-1946 and in 
the Kentucky Army National Guard for 13 years. Senator Ford has long 
been associated with public service, as he served as a Kentucky state 
senator, lieutenant governor and as Kentucky's 49th Governor.
  Senator Ford has come a long way from being a new kid on the U.S. 
Senate block in 1974 to becoming the longest serving Senator from 
Kentucky today. And, I might add, he is now one of the most senior 
members of the entire Senate and one who follows the old traditions of 
the Senate as one who always keeps his word.
  Throughout his tenure in the U.S. Senate, Wendell has been recognized 
as a national leader in campaign-finance reform, energy issues, and, of 
course, looking out for our nation's tobacco farmers. That has never 
been as much as an issue as it has this past year, with Congress' 
attempts at passing tobacco legislation.
  A friend to the environment, Senator Ford was the first to introduce 
and pass a program instructing the federal government to be a model for 
the country and use recycled printed paper. This program is now the 
rule rather than the exception in the federal government, as well as 
schools and businesses throughout the United States.
  It is with much regret that I say goodbye to Senator Ford. He has 
been a great friend all of these years in the Senate, and I will miss 
him greatly. I hope that retirement brings him plenty of time to spend 
with his wife, Jean, and their five grandchildren. Knowing Wendell, 
however, I have no doubt that retirement will be neither quiet nor slow 
him down.

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