[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 1 (Wednesday, January 3, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Page S1]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                             A HISTORIC DAY

  Mr. DASCHLE. Mr. President, on behalf of the entire Senate, but 
especially this Senator, I welcome you back to the Senate. This is a 
historic day. Never before in the history of our Nation have we had a 
50-50 Senate. I welcome and congratulate all 11 of our newly elected 
Senators and the family members and friends who are here to share this 
important day with them.
  Years after he left the White House, Harry Truman wrote that the 
decade he spent in the Senate were the happiest years of his life. As 
our new colleagues begin their Senate careers, we hope that they, too, 
are beginning what will be the happiest years of their lives.
  Several of our departing colleagues are also here with us today. To 
them we say thank you: Thank you for sharing with us and with our 
Nation some of the best years of your lives, thank you for the 
contributions you have made to our Nation during your years of public 
life, and thank you for the important contributions you will continue 
to make in the coming years. It has been a pleasure and an honor to 
work with each of you.
  The writer Thomas Wolfe said that America is a place where miracles 
not only happen, they happen all the time. Today we are experiencing 
one of those miracles: The peaceful transition of power from one 
Congress to the other. Some people say it will take another miracle for 
this Congress and administration to find a way to work together. As we 
begin this historic Congress, let us resolve that we will work in good 
faith with each other to do the people's business. That is our pledge 
from this side of the aisle. We know our colleagues on the other side 
of the aisle feel as we do.
  Finally, on a personal note, it is a high honor to have the privilege 
of officially opening this Senate. When I first ran for Democratic 
leader 6 years ago, I thought if I won, I would be majority leader. I 
must confess that in 6 years as minority leader, I had a moment or two 
when I wondered if that day would ever arrive, but I assure you, I 
intend to savor every one of the next 17 days.
  I know we are all looking forward to a bipartisan and a productive 
107th Congress that will serve our country well. It is an honor to be a 
part of this Congress and to be able to work, once again, with my 
friend and my colleague, Senator Lott.
  I now ask unanimous consent that the Republican leader be permitted 
to speak.
  The VICE PRESIDENT. Without objection, it is so ordered. The minority 
leader, Senator Lott, is recognized.
  (Applause, Senators rising.)
  Mr. LOTT. Thank you, Mr. President.

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