[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 65 (Tuesday, May 23, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Page S4249]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO FRANK AUKOFER

  Mr. KOHL. Mr. President, I rise today in recognition of 40 years of 
outstanding reporting by my friend, Frank Aukofer, who is retiring from 
the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel next week. With his retirement, the 
Capitol loses one of its finest journalists and Wisconsin loses one of 
its keenest eyes on Washington. I lose a reporter I admire and trust.
  Frank is regarded as among the best in his profession, by both his 
peers and by those he covers. He is respected as a straight-shooter, 
valued for his integrity and admired as an honorable man. As a 
journalist, he has reported on virtually every event of consequence in 
our country over more than three decades. He has an impressive working 
knowledge of Congress, of policy, and of politics. Frank is usually 
three steps ahead of the story.
  He is a journalist who didn't lose sight of the responsibilities of 
reporting, a professional who is a credit to his occupation.
  Frank's love of his profession is evident in his long reach beyond 
the newspaper. He will be honored later this month by the Freedom 
Forum, a foundation dedicated to free press and free speech throughout 
the world. He is recognized as a national expert on the media, and has 
testified before Congress to promote access to government information. 
He was a visiting professor at Vanderbilt University. He was an early 
and strong supporter of the Newseum, our country's premier news museum.
  Frank is also an active member and former President of the National 
Press Club, and an enthusiastic, if not particularly gifted, performer 
for the Gridiron Club. Earning the envy of his colleagues and sports 
car enthusiasts everywhere, Frank has even managed to peddle a 
legitimate weekly auto column to newspapers around the country.
  As Frank closes this chapter of his career, I know he looks forward 
to new adventures and more time to spend with his grandkids. Frank has 
many more years of ideas and ambitions ahead of him. While I am 
saddened by his departure from the Capitol, I'm convinced that no one 
will enjoy a busier retirement than Frank Aukofer. I wish him well, I 
wish him continued good health, and I will miss him.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Illinois is recognized.
  Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I ask the Chair to advise me of the time 
remaining on the Democratic side?
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Democratic side has until 11:30 a.m.

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