[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 155 (Friday, December 15, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Pages S11845-S11846]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               THE RETIREMENT OF SENATOR FRANK LAUTENBERG

  Mr. THURMOND. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to a fine 
individual and distinguished colleague upon his retirement. At the 
close of the 106th Congress, Senator Frank Lautenberg will step down 
from his position as a United States Senator after 18 years of dutiful 
service to the people of New Jersey and the citizens of the United 
States of America.
  Senator Lautenberg has truly lived the American Dream. The son of 
immigrants, Senator Lautenberg, was born in the hard working town of 
Paterson, New Jersey in 1924. During his childhood his family moved 
some twelve times in search of employment, and his father spent a 
majority of his time working in the Paterson silk mills.
  After his high school graduation, Senator Lautenberg answered his 
country's call to duty when he enlisted and served in the Army Signal 
Corps in Europe during World War II. Following his military service, he 
enrolled in Columbia University on the G.I. Bill, and graduated with a 
degree in economics in 1949.
  Senator Lautenberg then began a very successful business career. He 
and two of his childhood friends founded Automatic Data Processing 
(ADP). ADP, a payroll services company, developed into one of the 
largest computer service companies in the world.
  Frank Lautenberg worked very hard to achieve success in the business 
world. Many individuals would have simply stepped away to a more 
relaxing and slow paced life, but not Senator Lautenberg. Throughout 
his tenure, Frank Lautenberg has exhibited the characteristics of 
patriotism, hard work, and service to others that define great 
Americans.
  In 1982, he decided to begin a new career in public service, and for 
the past 18 years he has represented the people of New Jersey in the 
United States Senate. Senator Lautenberg wanted to give back to the 
state and Nation that gave him the opportunity to rise to great 
heights, and he has worked diligently to make America a better country 
for her citizens and future generations.
  It has been a pleasure working alongside Senator Lautenberg, 
especially on such issues as reducing alcohol abuse. We shall miss him 
in the Senate chamber, and I wish Senator Frank Lautenberg and his 
entire family health, happiness, and continued success.
  Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, one of the greatest pleasures of being a 
Senator is working with fellow-members like Frank Lautenberg. Few 
Senators have brought more dedication and experience to their service 
in this body.
  I will never forget how excited my father was to meet Senator 
Lautenberg when he first came here almost 18 years ago. My father of 
proud Irish decent followed Frank's first campaign. There was a 
wonderful connection between the two of them, and I am forever grateful 
to Senator Lautenberg for the lovely letter of condolence that he sent 
me when my father passed away. Frank Lautenberg is first and foremost a 
good friend.
  Of course, Senator Lautenberg is also a skilled legislator. We served 
together for years on the Appropriations Committee. Recently, the 
committee debated an amendment to the Defense bill that would lead to 
the withdrawal of U.S. troops to Kosovo. A veteran of the European 
theater in World War II and the builder of a data processing empire, 
Senator Lautenberg understood that democratic stability could come only 
through a long-term and patient investment in peace.
  What made Senator Lautenberg's argument so effective was not just the 
ideas he possessed but the way he delivered them. He has a rhetorical 
force that I have always admired, and I think that this ability to 
marry sound ideas with effective speech-making is what makes him such a 
stellar member.
  Of course, Senator Lautenberg had a number of legislative 
accomplishments. He helped make our democracy more transparent, 
opposing confusing smoke and mirrors as a Chairman and Ranking Member 
of the Senate Budget Committee. He promoted international justice, 
fervently urging the prosecution of war criminals. Senator Lautenberg 
understood that reconciliation and economic growth could not come until 
these perpetrators are held responsible and punished for their actions. 
At home, Senator Lautenberg laid the foundation for our strong economic 
growth of the last decade. Amtrak and commercial aviation had no 
greater friend than Senator Lautenberg, who confidently chaired the 
Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation. And he has 
improved the public's health, encouraging restrictions on tobacco use 
and ensuring the cleanup of hazardous waste sites.
  In his 18 years here, Senator Lautenberg had an impact that goes 
beyond his important votes and the bills he sponsored. Through his 
experience and knowledge, he was steadfast advocate for freedom, 
fairness, and responsibility. He kept these ideal on an unalterable 
course, and we are all in his debt for it.
  Mr. CONRAD. Mr. President, before Congress adjourns for the year, I 
wanted to take a moment to pay tribute to Senator Frank Lautenberg of 
New Jersey, who is retiring this year.
  Senator Lautenberg served our nation in World War II, and later 
became a successful businessman. He helped to found a payroll services 
company, Automatic Data Processing (ADP), and built it into one of the 
largest computing services companies in the world.
  In 1982 Frank Lautenberg launched a new career, in public service, 
when he was elected to the United States Senate. He has represented his 
state well. Frank Lautenberg has been a leader on budget issues, a good 
friend to the environment, and an accomplished legislator in the areas 
of transportation and health care.

[[Page S11846]]

  I have served on the Senate Budget Committee with Frank Lautenberg 
since 1987; he became Ranking Member of the Committee in 1997. Senator 
Lautenberg played a key role in the 1997 negotiations on the bipartisan 
Balanced Budget Act, which completed the work of balancing the federal 
budget. That legislation provided important resources for education and 
health care, while cutting taxes for millions of Americans.
  Senator Lautenberg has also been a good friend to the environment, 
serving as the top Democrat on the Environment and Public Works 
Committee's Subcommittee on Superfund. Throughout his time in the 
Senate, Senator Lautenberg has fought to improve the Superfund program, 
and has worked for legislation preventing pollution, and ensuring clear 
water and clean air.
  Senator Lautenberg's accomplishments in the area of transportation 
are impressive. He serves as the top Democrat on the Appropriations 
Committee's Subcommittee on Transportation. Senator Lautenberg authored 
laws establishing the legal drinking age at 21, and was successful just 
this year in encouraging states to reduce legal blood alcohol limits to 
.08. He worked successfully to ban smoking on airplanes, and has 
championed funding for Amtrak and mass transit.
  Senator Lautenberg has also worked for some time on health care, 
including tobacco policy issues. He is a nationally recognized leader 
in the fight to protect our young people from the health consequences 
of cigarettes. In 1997, I was extremely fortunate that Senator 
Lautenberg was chosen to co-chair the Senate Democratic Task Force on 
Tobacco. Senator Lautenberg was a particularly strong proponent of 
provisions on second-hand smoke and the so-called ``look-back'' 
enforcement mechanism to reduce youth smoking rates.
  Frank Lautenberg's dedication and expertise on many issues will be 
missed greatly in the United States Senate, even as New Jersey natives 
welcome him home. I will miss my good friend and colleague.

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