[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 35 (Thursday, March 15, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Page S2381]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       EXPRESSION OF APPRECIATION

  Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. President, I will take one moment to express my 
appreciation to the people who worked extremely hard to make this 
bankruptcy bill a success. The 83-15 vote is a strong testament to the 
wisdom and the balance that this bill maintains. Some said it is not 
balanced and is unfair but when we had the final full debate and people 
voted, there was an overwhelming vote.
  As the Presiding Officer knows, seldom on legislation of this kind 
does that large a vote result. I am pleased with that.
  I am honored to have worked with Senator Hatch and Senator Grassley 
in making this a reality. I think it is appropriate that we take just a 
moment to express appreciation to some people who gave extraordinary 
effort to make this successful conclusion a reality.
  First, I note that in my office Ed Haden, who is with me today, is 
one of the finest legal minds in this Senate, an exceedingly hard 
worker, a man of integrity and ability who dedicated himself to 
reaching the just result of today.
  I could not have been successful without Ed's leadership and 
assistance. Also, Brad Harris on our staff, and Sean Costello, who used 
to be there; Lloyd Peeples, on our staff previously, now in private 
practice; Kristi Lee, who preceded Ed, is now a U.S. magistrate judge. 
They all worked in previous years on this legislation. I know they are 
happy to see it come to a conclusion. I am, too.
  I must note that Makan Delrahim on Senator Hatch's staff has provided 
tremendous leadership, as did Rene Augustine; Senator Grassley's Rita 
Lari Jochum and Kolan Davis provided tremendous effort. Senator 
Grassley was the original sponsor of this legislation. I must also 
thank Dave Hoppe and John Mashburn of Senator Lott's office, who also 
worked on it significantly.
  Mr. President, one more thing about this. Senator Biden has been a 
strong leader in this legislation, and he is here to speak. I have 
thought, from day one, there was a good concept of this bill. I have 
expressed my overall view of what it is about, what it attempted to do, 
and why I thought it was important.
  I have been somewhat disappointed to see certain people in consumer 
groups I admire take positions that I thought were unconnected to the 
reality of this legislation. I am glad that after full and open 
hearings, now three different times have we voted here, all those 
issues were aired and people had the chance to have their say. I am 
very confident that it is good legislation that will improve the 
administration of justice in the Federal bankruptcy courts of America.

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