[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 155 (Friday, December 15, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Page S11847]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  RETIREMENT OF SENATOR RICHARD BRYAN

  Mr. THURMOND. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize the selfless 
and noteworthy service of our esteemed colleague from Nevada, Senator 
Richard Bryan. At the close of the 106th Congress, Senator Bryan will 
retire from public service, and will end the final chapter in a most 
glorious and dedicated career as a servant of the people.
  Even at an early age, Richard Bryan displayed the leadership, sense 
of caring, and charisma that make for a successful public servant. 
Throughout his education he served as the president of many of his 
classes, including as the student body president his senior year at the 
University of Nevada-Reno.
  After graduating, Senator Bryan was commissioned a Second Lieutenant 
in the United States Army and served his country on active duty from 
1959 to 1960. He then entered the University of California, Hastings 
College of Law, and graduated with honors in 1963.
  Senator Bryan returned home to Nevada and began a career in public 
service that would, to the benefit of the citizens of Nevada, span more 
than three decades. From 1964 to 1978, he served as a Deputy District 
Attorney, a Public Defender, a State Assemblyman, and a State Senator. 
In 1978, Senator Bryan won his first state wide election when the 
people elected him Attorney General. Four years later Richard Bryan 
became Nevada's 26th Governor. After two terms as Governor, in 1988, he 
won election to the United States Senate. Richard Bryan is the only 
Nevadan to have served as the state's Attorney General, Governor, and 
United States Senator.
  Clearly, Senator Richard Bryan has always kept in mind the best 
interests of the people of Nevada and they have consistently asked him 
to represent these concerns. Additionally, over the last twelve years, 
Senator Bryan has become one of the Nation's leading consumer 
advocates. His deep concern for the consumer was evident by his 
successful campaign to require the installation of passenger side air 
bags in all cars sold in the United States. Many lives have been saved 
because of Senator Bryan's promotion of this legislation.
  It has been a pleasure getting to know Senator Richard Bryan these 
past twelve years, and I wish he, and his fine wife Bonnie, the best of 
luck in the future. I know they will enjoy all the benefits of 
retirement, especially the opportunity to spend more time with their 
family.
  Mr. CONRAD. Mr. President, I would like to recognize the leadership 
and accomplishments of an esteemed colleague who will be retiring at 
the end of this term. Senator Richard Bryan has served in the Congress 
as a representative of Nevada for more than a decade. During his 
tenure, he has been a tireless advocate of a wide range of legislative 
reform activities.
  Throughout his career, Senator Bryan has fought for improving natural 
resources, enhancing the quality of the nation's classrooms, and 
protecting privacy on the Internet. Senator Bryan has also been 
nationally recognized for his efforts on behalf of consumers.
  As the former Chairman of the Senate Consumer Affair Subcommittee, 
Senator Bryan was responsible for enacting laws to give consumers new 
powers to correct errors found on their credit reports and led the 
fight against telemarketing fraud. Perhaps most notably, Dick Bryan was 
a champion of 1993 legislation that required air bags be installed in 
every new car sold in the U.S. These are important accomplishments that 
benefit consumers across the nation.
  As colleagues on the Finance Committee, we have fought to address the 
challenges facing Social Security and Medicare. Just this year, we 
worked closely to develop a proposal to provide prescription drug 
coverage for all Medicare beneficiaries. I am proud to say that this 
proposal would provide much needed drug coverage to millions of seniors 
citizens and disabled individuals.
  I have also had the opportunity to work with Senator Bryan to address 
a very important priority for the nation--balancing the federal budget. 
We enjoy federal budget surpluses today because of the efforts of 
members like Senator Bryan who supported measures to cut government 
waste and get our fiscal house in order.
  For these and many other reasons, I have been honored to serve with 
Dick Bryan. I would like to join my colleagues in wishing the Senator 
and his family the best in the future and in paying tribute to Dick 
Bryan's lifelong commitment to public service. I wish him well.




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