[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 142 (Tuesday, October 19, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Pages S12800-S12803]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     SENATOR LEAHY'S 10,000TH VOTE

  Mr. DASCHLE. Mr. President, I wish to call attention to the fact that 
with this vote Senator Patrick Leahy has reached a historic achievement 
in having cast his 10,000th rollcall vote.
  (Applause, Senators rising.)
  I join my colleagues in congratulating Senator Leahy on his historic 
achievement.
  In the history of our Nation, only 1,851 Americans have ever served 
in the U.S. Senate, and have achieved this level. And only 21 have cast 
10,000 rollcall votes.
  It is perhaps no coincidence that--at the very moment Senator Leahy 
was casting his 10,000th vote in this chamber--baseball's home run 
king, Hank Aaron, was being honored on the other side of the Capitol.
  Patrick Leahy and Henry Aaron are both ``heavy hitters''--in their 
own fields. They are both men whose names will be recorded forever in 
the history books.
  The greatest compliment one Senator can pay another is to call him or 
her ``a Senator's Senator.'' It is not a term that is used loosely. It 
is a term that must be earned. To be a ``Senators' Senator,'' you have 
to love the Senate. You have to love its history and traditions. Most 
of all, you have to love what it represents; you have to love 
democracy. You have to love it enough to be willing to fight for it, to 
sacrifice for it, and sometimes, to bend for it. Patrick Leahy is such 
a man.
  I am proud to serve with him in this Senate. And I am even more proud 
to count him as a friend.
  I first came to this Senate in 1987. Those were hard times in rural 
America. The farm economy was in a deep recession. In South Dakota and 
across the country, people were being forced to sell farms that had 
been in their families for generations. That same year, Patrick Leahy 
became chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee. And I became its 
newest member. It was on the Agriculture Committee that I first came to 
know Senator Leahy. It was there that I first saw the qualities and 
characteristics which I now recognize as the hallmarks of his 
extraordinary career.
  Patrick Leahy cares deeply about people, and about protecting 
America's natural resources. Under his leadership, issues that had 
historically been considered ``second tier'' issues--such as nutrition 
and the environemnt--were elevated in importance. He helped bridge 
differences between farmers and environmentalists.
  Patrick Leahy is a consensus builder. That is another thing I learned 
from watching him. Nearly every major piece of legislation reported out 
of the Agriculture Committee during his years as chairman was reported 
out with strong bipartisan support. He worked closely, first under 
Senator Dole, and then later under Senator Lugar, to build that 
support. Patrick Leahy is committed to making government work better.

  In his first term as chairman, Senator Leahy managed two of the ten 
measures cited by Time magazine as landmark legacies of the 100th 
Congress. The first was the Hunger Prevention Act; the second was the 
Agriculture Credit Act, the most comprehensive reform of the farm 
credit system in 50 years. That bill not only saved the farm credit 
system from bankruptcy; it saved millions of family farmers from 
disaster.
  I learned a lot from watching Patrick Leahy about how to be a leader, 
about how to reach across the aisle and build a bipartisan consensus. 
He grew up in Montpelier, Vermont's capital, left to go to Georgetown 
Law School, and returned home to practice law. He began his political 
career in 1966 when he was elected the Chittenden County State's 
attorney. Eight years later, at the age of 34, he was selected by the 
National District Attorneys Association as one of the three outstanding 
prosecutors in the United States. That same year, he was elected to the 
Senate.
  He remains the youngest Senator, and the only Democratic Senator, 
ever sent to this body by the people of the Green Mountain State.
  In 1998, he was reelected with 72 percent of the vote, one of the 
largest margins of victory in any Senate race last year.
  It is not simply the number of votes which he has cast which makes 
him the kind of Senator he is and the man whom we congratulate today; 
it is also the nature of those votes, the serious reflection that 
accompanied them, and sometimes the courage it took to cast them.
  Over the years, Senator Leahy has frequently spoken out against 
proposals he knew were popular but believed were unconstitutional. For 
the last 3 years, as ranking member of the Judiciary Committee, he has 
been an outspoken and articulate advocate for the right of Federal 
judicial nominees to have a fair vote, and the responsibility of this 
Senate to grant them that right.
  On the Appropriations Committee's subcommitee, Senator Leahy has been 
a leader in the global effort to ban antipersonnel mines. In 1992, he 
wrote the first law by any government banning the export of these 
weapons and played a key role in pushing for an international treaty 
banning their use. Now 122 nations have signed that treaty.
  He has also used his leadership position to fight the global spread 
of infectious diseases, and to prohibit American aid to police forces 
that have records of human rights violations.
  Patrick Leahy is a quiet, thoughtful man with great intellectual 
curiosity and a great sense of humor. He is also one of the most 
forward-looking people I know. He was one of the first Senators to go 
online and establish a home page on the World Wide Web. He frequently 
holds town meetings with Vermonters on the Internet.

[[Page S12801]]

  This year, he was awarded the John Peter and Anna Catherine Zenger 
Award ``for outstanding contributions in support of press freedom and 
the people's right to know,'' only the second time since 1954 that it 
has gone to a government leader.
  In the 25 years he has served here, Patrick Leahy has lost a little 
bit of the hair he came with, but he has gained an extraordinary amount 
of wisdom and skill. He has shared those gifts with America, and we are 
better and stronger because of it.
  Besides his 10,000 rollcall votes, there is at least one other 
accomplishment for which Senator Leahy will go down in the history 
books. We all know Patrick Leahy is one of the world's biggest ``Dead 
Heads.'' He is one of the biggest fans of the legendary band, the 
Grateful Dead. Several years ago, he invited Jerry Garcia and several 
other members of the band to have lunch in the Senate dining room. 
People were already doing double and triple takes--and then Senator 
Thurmond walked in.
  Ever the bridge builder, Senator Leahy rushed over to Senator 
Thurmond and said, ``Please join us. There is someone I want you to 
meet.''
  If Patrick Leahy can help bridge that divide between Jerry Garcia and 
Strom Thurmond, there is hope for all of us. There is no telling what 
else he can do in the Senate in the remaining time that he will be 
here. I hope it is for years and years and thousands of votes to come.
  I yield the floor.
  Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I hate to see the minority leader's comments 
end. They were getting better and better as he got toward the end.
  I also extend the congratulations of myself, all the Members of the 
Senate on this side, and on the Democratic side. It is certainly an 
enviable record: 10,000 votes, 25 years. We all know quite well Senator 
Leahy's efforts on behalf of the environment, agriculture, judiciary, 
foreign policy. His efforts are legendary. He has done a great job.
  Mr. President, today is a special day. In the history of our country, 
less than 1,300 Americans have served in the U.S. Senate. Being a 
Senator is a singular honor bestowed on a very few. Today, our friend 
from Vermont, Pat Leahy has joined a unique club within this unique 
body. He has cast his 10,000th vote.
  Think about what that means. When Pat Leahy came to the Senate, as 
the youngest man ever sent to the Senate by the people of the United 
States, Gerald Ford was in the White House. Since then, Presidents and 
majority leaders have come and gone, the Iron Curtain has come crashing 
down, and Pat Leahy has kept on casting votes.
  Pat already had remarkable career before he came to the Senate. After 
leaving Georgetown Law School, he served for 8 years as a state's 
prosecutor in Vermont where he gained a national reputation as a crime 
fighter. In 1974, he was named as one of the three outstanding 
prosecuting attorneys in the United States.
  Upon entering the Senate Pat became a leader on agriculture, foreign 
affairs, and the judiciary. His Leahy-Lugar bill in 1994 revolutionized 
the way the Department of Agriculture does its business and millions of 
farmers are better off for his efforts.
  So I echo the sentiments of my friend, the minority leader. We send 
Pat and his wife Marcelle our very best wishes and our hopes for 
continued success in the days ahead.
  Mr. JEFFORDS. Mr. President, it is a real pleasure and a privilege 
for me to be here to honor my colleague. We came into the Congress 
together. That moment is most memorable to me. I was at a reception and 
missed the first vote in the House. I thank the Senator for never 
burdening me with that. I am privileged to be his colleague.
  For four decades, Pat has served Vermont. At the time he was a 
Chittenden County prosecutor, I was attorney general. We worked very 
closely together to make sure that Vermont was protected.
  In his position, he has gained national and international recognition 
on many issues. He has led the fight to rid the world of landmines and 
continues to aid victims of these weapons through the Leahy War Victims 
Fund. He has helped bring the computer age to the Senate, helped 
educate all Members on the value of the Internet, and continues to 
champion environmental issues.
  He always remembers his roots. I am sure I speak for him when I say 
that his proudest accomplishments are those that make Vermont a better 
place. He has worked tirelessly to ensure that Vermont receives full 
consideration before the Senate. He has protected Vermont dairy 
farmers, maintained funds for programs to preserve the waters of Lake 
Champlain, and helped fulfill George Aiken's legacy by adding lands to 
the Green Mountain National Forest.
  Patrick Leahy is a man of his word. He is a trusted friend who has 
the courage of his convictions, and plays to win for the right cause. 
Many times he has been on the winning side for the benefit of Vermont 
and the Nation. I have worked on his side on many occasions and have 
always marveled at his sense of the democratic process, at his 
commitment to constituents, and his dedication to friends and his 
family.
  I am proud to call Pat Leahy a friend of mine, and I have valued and 
have enjoyed our interaction in the Halls of the Senate, from the good-
natured competition of our annual intrastate softball game to marching 
in Vermont's miniparades.
  With this vote, Pat Leahy becomes only the 21st Member, as has been 
pointed out, out of 1,851 men and women who have served, to respond yea 
or nay 10,000 times.
  It is wonderful to be with you, Pat. Congratulations.
  Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I rise today to add my voice to those who 
are so eloquently paying tribute to my friend and colleague from 
Vermont, Senator Leahy. 10,000 of anything is a lot. But 10,000 votes 
is a mind-boggling milestone. I figured out that at our current pace, 
if God willing I am reelected, by the time I reach 10,000 votes we'll 
be debating Y3K legislation. But seriously, 10,000 votes is an 
indication, not of longevity, but of thoughtfulness, patience, hard 
work, effectiveness, and of representing ably and nobly your Vermont 
constituents.
  Many of my colleagues have worked side-by-side with Pat Leahy for a 
number of years, as he worked tirelessly and successfully to protect 
and advance Vermont's interests, as he led the crusade to ban the 
production and use of land mines, and as he wrote and rewrote laws in 
order to foster the growth of the Internet. When you hear them speak 
about Pat Leahy, they speak about a man of exceptional character, 
astute vision, and abundant compassion. I've been here for only 9 
months but working with Pat Leahy has been a truly rewarding experience 
for me. He has been a leader, a teacher, and a friend. He is very 
patient and very open to ideas. And we have Pat to thank for producing 
a balanced juvenile justice bill--a bill that, thanks to his efforts 
and those of Senator Hatch, secured the support of three-quarters of 
this Senate. Who could have foreseen the Senate's reporting juvenile 
justice legislation on such a bipartisan basis? Who could have foreseen 
the Senate's ultimately closing the gun show loophole after kicking off 
the debate by voting down our modest proposal? Only those who correctly 
estimated Pat Leahy's skill and perseverance.
  But outside the committee, we've worked together on local economic 
development issues. We share a large border and many of my northern New 
York constituents share a great deal with Pat's rural Vermont 
constituents. What a relief for me that I can turn to Pat at any time 
on dairy and agriculture issues. I hope it is an indication that I've 
been a good student now that Pat has started calling me ``Farmer 
Chuck.'' Well, if I'm ``Farmer Chuck,'' then all I can say is that, in 
large part, I learned my new craft from the best of them--Pat Leahy.
  So, congratulations on reaching this ironman milestone. There aren't 
too many Senators who can make the kind of mark that Senator Leahy has 
made and still be considered a friend to every person in the Senate. I 
know you have been a friend to me, and for that I am proud to share 
this great moment with you.
  Mr. FEINGOLD. Mr. President, I rise today to join my colleagues in 
congratulating my dear friend and colleague from Vermont, Senator 
Leahy, on his 10,000th vote cast as a member of this body.
  What a great milestone Senator Leahy has reached. What a great 
testament to the commitment of my dear

[[Page S12802]]

colleague to his duty as a representative of the people of the state of 
Vermont. Senator Leahy now joins an exclusive group of only a handful 
of Senators who have cast at least 10,000 votes. At a time when many 
Americans are skeptical of Congress and the political process, it is 
re-assuring to know that my colleagues, like Senator Leahy, take their 
responsibility to their constituents seriously. Even with modern 
transportation, it is a challenge not to miss this important 
responsibility of casting votes.
  Senator Leahy has been an exemplary Senator. And it's not just the 
act of voting that matters. I also commend Senator Leahy for his hard 
work, dedication, insight and adept ability to work in a bipartisan 
manner--skills that he has brought to this floor, as well as to his 
role as ranking member of the Judiciary Committee. His leadership has 
been invaluable to the work of the Committee, as well as the work of 
moving bills on the Senate floor. As a member of the Judiciary 
Committee, I have been proud to work with him on innumerable pieces of 
legislation affecting everything from civil rights to immigration to 
crime.
  Mr. President, I once again congratulate my dear colleague, Senator 
Leahy, and wish him well in continuing his outstanding work for the 
American people.
  Mr. LIEBERMAN. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize a milestone 
vote by the distinguished senior Senator from Vermont. Today Senator 
Patrick Leahy becomes the 21st member in the Senate's history to pass 
the 10,000 vote mark. I have had the opportunity to work alongside the 
Senator for the last 11 years and it gives me great pleasure to take a 
few minutes to discuss his many accomplishments.
  Senator Leahy began working for the people of Vermont back in 1966, 
when he was elected Chittenden County state's attorney. He quickly 
gained a national reputation when he revamped the office and led a 
national task force that was probing the 1973-74 energy crisis. In 
1974, he was elected to the Senate and he remains the only Democratic 
Senator in the state's history. This is important because to have the 
state of Vermont re-elect Senator Leahy four times means that he is 
doing work here that appeals to a wide cross section of people.
  During his years as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, 
Nutrition, and Forestry, Senator Leahy demonstrated his ability to 
report bills to the full Senate with strong bipartisan support. In 
partnership with Senator Lugar he authored two farm bills that not only 
protected important nutrition initiatives like the WIC program, but 
also included landmark environmental features that have helped to 
preserve farmland. He has also been able to streamline the U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, in the process saving more than $2 billion.
  The issue that the Senator may be best known for is his fight for a 
world-wide ban on land mines. Since 1989 he has labored to raise 
awareness among the public and build political support within the 
administration. He pushed for an international treaty that would ban 
anti-personnel mines and got a commitment from the U.S. administration 
to sign the treaty when alternatives to the mines are available. And 
the Leahy War Victims Fund provides up to $12 million a year in medical 
supplies to aid land mine victims.
  Senator Leahy is also a cofounder of the Congressional Internet 
Caucus. Now in his fifth term, Senator Leahy remains on the cutting 
edge of technology as he was one of the first Senators to establish a 
home page on the web. He also conducts electronic town meetings with 
residents on-line, and has sought to update copyright law to reflect 
the changes that have occurred with the advent of the information age.
  Equally important as these legislative achievements is the sense of 
tradition that Senator Leahy carries with him as he fulfills the daily 
tasks of a U.S. Senator. He has consistently been a voice for rural 
America, and, while he always votes with the people of Vermont in mind, 
in a more traditional way Patrick Leahy has not been afraid to take an 
unpopular stance if he believes that the national interest is at stake. 
He is a Statesman who appeals to a sense of bipartisanship on issues 
dealing with our national security and foreign policy. These are 
customs that are essential to the success of this institution, and the 
Senator is often looked to for leadership for these reasons.
  I congratulate Senator Leahy for this momentous achievement. He is a 
fine example of what a United States Senator should be.
  Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. President, I rise today to join my colleagues in 
honoring Senator Leahy on casting his 10,000th vote in the United 
States Senate. Given that I have just cast my 328th vote, I am humbled 
and impressed by the senior Senator from Vermont's accomplishment. This 
feat is a true measure of Senator Leahy's dedication to the people of 
the United States and his commitment to the state of Vermont.
  Senator Leahy made a lasting impression on me early in my tenure as 
he oversaw the Democratic Senators who attended the impeachment 
depositions. In very difficult circumstances, Senator Leahy set a tone 
of fairness and collegiality. His example during the depositions is one 
that I will always value as I continue my public service.
  I am truly grateful for and humbled by the service that Senator Leahy 
has given to this nation, and I also thank him for his enduring 
leadership, selflessness and influence in the U.S. Senate. I look 
forward to his next 10,000 votes.
  Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, after 25 years of service to the country, 
the State of Vermont, and this body, Senator Leahy has just cast his 
10,000th vote. I should note that this milestone vote was cast in 
relation to substantively dubious campaign finance reform legislation. 
I can't say that I blame him for supporting the legislation given the 
fact that his Republican opponents in his last race spent no money and 
actually endorsed him.
  All kidding aside, this is an occasion to reflect on Senator Leahy's 
impressive career. In 1974 Senator Leahy joined this body as the 
youngest Senator ever elected to represent the state of Vermont. He was 
the first Democrat elected to the Senate from Vermont in more than a 
century. If political commentators thought that voting in Pat Leahy was 
a one-time event, they were wrong. Senator Leahy is currently serving 
his fifth 6 year term. I have had the privilege of working closely with 
Senator Leahy for all of my years on the Senate Judiciary Committee, 
where I serve as chairman and he is my partner, the ranking member of 
that committee.
  I have appreciated and benefited from his experience and expertise in 
may areas. When Senator Leahy came to the Senate he was already an 
expert in the area of law enforcement having been named one of the 
three outstanding prosecutors in United States in 1974. We on the 
Judiciary Committee have looked to Senator Leahy on these issues. On 
high-technology issues, as you all know, Senator Leahy prides himself 
in his leadership and knowledge of the issues. His interest and 
expertise in these areas have helped move the Judiciary Committee 
forward in tackling these important issues.
  We who know Pat Leahy know that he has remained young at heart, as 
evidenced by his continued devotion to the Grateful Dead. But his 
devotion to the arts and his devotion to work in this body do not 
compare to Senator Leahy's devotion to his wife, his children, and 
recent grandson.
  So, in conclusion, I want to pay tribute to Senator Leahy and his 
wonderful family on this remarkable day which symbolizes years of hard 
work and dedication for which this institution and this country are 
grateful. While Members of the senate differ from time to time, we can 
all appreciate and admire the accomplishment of casting 10,000 votes. 
so when I leave the floor today, I'll tell Senator Leahy, ``Pat you 
were, `Built to Last' and while you may be getting up there in years, 
it's `just a touch of gray. Kind of suits you anyway. That was all I 
have to say. It's all right.' ''
  Mr. DASCHLE. I ask unanimous consent that we recognize the Senator 
from Vermont for a couple of minutes to respond.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, I think Mark Twain once referred to how 
nice it is to hear your eulogy while you are still alive. I do 
appreciate hearing from my friends, my distinguished colleague

[[Page S12803]]

from South Dakota, the closest friend I have ever had, the 
distinguished Democratic leader, and the kind words he had to say; my 
good friend from Mississippi, the distinguished majority leader; and, 
of course, my colleague who I have known for longer than anybody in 
this body, the distinguished Senator from Vermont, Jim Jeffords.
  These comments mean a great deal. That Vice President Gore, presided 
at the time of the vote meant a lot to me. I will note that the Vice 
President said earlier today: Boy, that guy Leahy must be awfully old.
  I point out the Vice President and I have the same birthday, March 
31--about 8 years apart.
  I have served here with so many. I see my dear friend and aisle mate, 
the distinguished senior Senator from West Virginia, who has cast the 
most votes in history--over 15,000 votes, and my good friend, the 
President pro tempore, the distinguished senior Senator from South 
Carolina, Strom Thurmond, who has the second most votes ever cast in 
this body.
  I think of the people with whom I have served during the 25 years I 
have served, people such as Scoop Jackson and Mike Mansfield, Jacob 
Javits, John Stennis, Hubert Humphrey, and Bob Dole. The two closest 
friends I had in my class were a Republican and a Democrat: Paul Laxalt 
and John Glenn; and so many others who I served with including two 
colleagues from Vermont, Bob Stafford and Jim Jeffords.
  How fortunate I am to serve with the men and women of this body; 
every one of whom is a close friend--those such as the distinguished 
Senator from Utah with whom I work on the Judiciary Committee; those 
with whom I work on the Appropriations Committee, the chairman of our 
subcommittee, the distinguished Senator from Kentucky, and the 
distinguished senior Senator from Alaska, the chairman of the 
committee--he and Senator Byrd have taught me so much as I have served 
on that committee--those with whom I serve on Agriculture, my good 
friend, the chairman of the Agriculture Committee, Dick Lugar, and 
others. There are so many of you.
  When I came here the country was very much at risk and the Senate was 
in good bipartisan shape. Today the country is doing very well, and we 
sometimes break down too much along partisan lines. I think this is 
unfortunate. Those of us who have served here a long time know it does 
not have to be that way. We know the country is better when we work 
together. I think of traveling with my friend from Mississippi, the 
distinguished senior Senator from Mississippi, Thad Cochran, when we 
went to our home States. We find, even though we are of different 
philosophies, there are so many things in common, so we can work 
together.
  I hope we can do more and more of that. If I may say to all my 
friends, nothing I can ever do in life will give me greater pleasure or 
humble me more than serving in this body. There are only 100 of us who 
might be here at any given time to represent a great nation of a 
quarter of a billion people. Think of the responsibility that is for 
all of us. These are the finest men and women, in both parties, I have 
ever known.
  When Marcelle and I came to this city, we didn't knew how long we 
were going to be here. I was the junior-most Member of this body, the 
junior-most Member--No. 99 in then a 99-Member Senate, because of a tie 
vote in New Hampshire. I sat way over in that corner.
  I looked at Senators, people such as Ted Kennedy or Frank Church or 
Barry Goldwater, who would walk in here--people I knew from Time 
magazine covers or from the news--and suddenly realized, I am here. I 
remember that day in January when I stood up to cast my first vote and 
then quickly sat down. I also remember what Senator Mansfield, our 
leader, told me: Always keep your word, he said, and don't worry if you 
think you cast a vote wrong; the issue will come back. It does. I have 
found that is true after 10,000 votes.
  So I think now I have been here long enough that this week I will 
finally do something I have been putting off for 25 years. I will carve 
my name in my desk.
  I yield the floor.
  (Applause, Senators rising.)

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