[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 78 (Thursday, May 27, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Page S6276]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  RECOGNITION OF SERVICE TO THE SENATE

  Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, it is with some sadness but also with 
some pride, that I stand before the Senate today to recognize Austin 
Smythe--a longstanding and highly respected member of the Senate Budget 
Committee staff. After nearly 15\1/2\ years of service to the Senate 
and the Congress, Austin will begin employment in the private sector at 
the end of this week.
  Those who know Austin in this Chamber, know he is a Senator's dream 
staffer. Austin is dedicated, loyal, intelligent, and above all else 
possessing integrity beyond reproach. He came to the Senate Budget 
Committee in December 1983, as the committee's energy budget expert. 
Over the years, he gradually took on more responsibilities to where 
today, as he leaves the Senate, he is my staff director's right-hand 
man on issues related to the budget act, process reform issues, and the 
often arcane world of budget score
keeping.
  He has been instrumental in the passage of many a budget resolution 
and reconciliation bills over these last many years. He has also taken 
the lead on helping to reform the process by his work on the Federal 
Credit Reform Act of 1990, the Unfunded Mandates Control Act of 1995, 
and the Line Item Veto Act of 1996--that unfortunately was ruled 
unconstitutional. He has been my key budget committee staffer on my 
quest to get Congress to change its appropriation and budget process 
into a biennial system--that work, I promise you Austin, will continue.
  Along the way, Austin was able to find the time to get married and 
start a family. It is his wife, Katie, and his two young girls that 
have borne the real burden of Austin's dedicated service to the Senate 
and his country.
  The American public is unaware of the role staff play in helping us 
elected officials ``to do the right thing.'' Sometimes even with good 
staff, we get it wrong, and of course, when it doesn't come out right 
we blame our staff. But if the legislation advances public policy in an 
affirmative way, we will take the credit for success. In truth, of 
course, it is to staff like Austin Smythe, who work under very 
difficult circumstances, long hours, and sleepless nights, that we--and 
indeed the country--all owe a tremendous debt of gratitude. For without 
Austin's dedication, and staff like him, the things we have gotten 
right would never have happened.
  I wish Austin and his family the best. And on behalf of all the 
Budget Committee members, the committee staff, and indeed the entire 
Senate, thank you Austin for a job well done. We all will miss you.

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