[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 112 (Friday, August 3, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Pages S8873-S8875]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    COMMENDING ELIZABETH LETCHWORTH

  Mr. LOTT. I send a resolution to the desk and I ask that it be read 
in its entirety.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

                              S. Res. 154

       Whereas Elizabeth B. Letchworth has dutifully served the 
     United States Senate for over 25 years;
       Whereas Elizabeth's service to the Senate began with her 
     appointment as a United States Senate page in 1975;
       Whereas Elizabeth continued her work as a special 
     Legislative assistant, a Republican Cloakroom assistant, and 
     as a Republican Floor Assistant;
       Whereas in 1995 Elizabeth was appointed by the Majority 
     Leader and elected by the Senate to be Secretary for the 
     Majority;
       Whereas Elizabeth was the first woman to be elected as 
     Republican Secretary;
       Whereas Elizabeth was the youngest person to be elected the 
     Secretary for the majority at the age of 34: Now, therefore, 
     be it
       Resolved, That the United States Senate commends Elizabeth 
     Letchworth for her many years of service to the United States 
     Senate, and wishes to express its deep appreciation and 
     gratitude for her contributions to the institution. In 
     addition, the Senate wishes Elizabeth and her husband Ron all 
     the best in their future endeavors.
       Sec. 2. The Secretary of the Senate shall transmit a copy 
     of this resolution to Elizabeth Letchworth.

  Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent the resolution be 
agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and the motion to reconsider be 
laid upon the table.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 154) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I know from the expressions on the faces of 
all of our officers and staff members in the Senate Chamber, there is a 
bittersweet feeling about the fact that Elizabeth Letchworth will be 
leaving to go on to the next venture in her life. I have said many 
times--not often enough--how much I appreciated the great work done by 
the officers of the Senate and the staff, those who read the bills, the 
clerks, the Parliamentarians, our own floor assistants. They make this 
place run. They serve us all so well, Democrat and Republican. We get 
to take the bows and go back home to our constituents, or home for the 
night, and quite often they continue to work. I take this occasion to 
thank all for the great work they do and say how much I appreciate you.
  The record will show someday that quite often I took into 
consideration a very capable and deserving staff in deciding not to be 
in session on occasion. I do think about the staff, and I am sure that 
my successor as majority leader will do the same.
  Also I should say I regret that I am doing this alone, now, at this 
hour. There is probably not a Senator in this body who could not tell a 
personal story about some event or some situation where Elizabeth 
Letchworth helped--again, Republican and Democrat, and Independent. She 
has looked after us all, sometimes when we did not even deserve it, but 
she was particularly helpful to me while I was majority leader. The 
rules of the Senate are not easy to understand. We mess them up every 
now and then, especially if we try to do things on our own. If there is 
an Elizabeth or a Marty or a Lula or a Dave, quite often we avoid 
making a mistake.
  Elizabeth has been special. On behalf of all the Republican Senators, 
and all Senators, we thank her for her years of service and dedication. 
Senator Dole had a lot of fine staff, but I guess Elizabeth is the one 
who has stayed with me the longest. She serves the institution. She 
doesn't serve one leader or another. She has served us all well. We 
have been smart enough to keep her around.

  While I wish we had all 100 Members here--and perhaps I should have 
done this earlier today when we were all here, but it is typical of 
her--we were running around trying to figure out how we were going to 
get the Agriculture bill done with the least amount of pain and 
suffering for both sides and for the President. And we got it done. 
Once again, she helped to make it possible.
  I wanted the resolution to be read in its entirety because she has 
had quite a career. It is obvious she is quite young, still. But she 
has been around this institution for almost 26 years, going back to 
1975. She started as a page during her junior and senior years in high 
school. Obviously she should have known then not to stay any longer, 
but she made a miscalculation, as young people quite often will, and 
she has been here ever since.
  Elizabeth had her first permanent position with former Republican 
Hugh Scott of Pennsylvania. That was so long ago I was not even in 
Congress--maybe I was. I guess I would have been, but I can't remember 
that far back. She served for Howard Baker, Bob Dole, and now for me as 
majority and minority leader. She is the first and only one, to date, 
to hold the post of Republican secretary, and she served in that 
position for 7 years.
  Elizabeth is a native of Virginia. Let me note, also, her parents are 
Jody and Don Baldwin. I want to mention them in particular because I 
have known her father for about 30 years myself, going back to when I 
was a staff member for a Democrat in the House. If that is not ancient 
history, I don't know what is. But I always loved him and enjoyed 
working with him. I know he was oh so proud of Elizabeth and the 
confidence we have had in her and the job she has done.
  She did, again, show great wisdom. She married Ron Letchworth, born 
in Greenville, MS, finished high school at Hazlehurst, MS, and as is 
typical of southern boys, he overran his kick coverage and married 
Elizabeth. That means he married way over his head, but he is a great 
guy.
  Elizabeth is retiring and going on to do different things, other 
things. I believe they will live in North Carolina and she will tend to 
her other passion--other than the Senate--golf and other things about 
life that are important. Too often, as staff members and as Senators, 
we get to thinking this is the world, it is all here in this room, in 
this Chamber, in this building, within the beltway. But out beyond the 
beltway is a wonderful life, a lot of wonderful people, and a lot of 
wonderful things to do.
  I understand there is life after the Senate. I am not sure of that, 
but for now I look forward to finding that out someday myself.
  Until then, I say to Elizabeth Letchworth, we appreciate all you have 
done. We will always think of you and love you and we wish you the very 
best at whatever you do.
  Mr. JEFFORDS. Will the Senator yield?
  Mr. LOTT. I am happy to yield.
  Mr. JEFFORDS. I join in the accolades. I know I speak 100 percent for 
the Independents here when I say that, having experienced the 
tremendous responsibility that is carried by Elizabeth. But I also know 
her effectiveness. There is not a Senator here who has

[[Page S8874]]

not been saved at least once, twice, or three times out of 
embarrassment by being astutely and highly reminded that you forgot to 
do something, but, most of all, just the effectiveness and the 
confidence that all of us have in Elizabeth, making sure that 
everything is fair and square. She has been fantastic.
  I agree with every word the Senator said, and I am sure I speak for 
all Members not here.
  Mr. LOTT. I thank the Senator from Vermont.
  Mr. DASCHLE. Mr. President, I, too, come to the floor to publicly 
acknowledge and thank Elizabeth for the public service she has provided 
to her country. Public service is not easy. It requires many, many 
sacrifices. It is enough to provide the sacrifices, but to do it with 
grace, with intelligence, with a sense of humor, and with a real sense 
of dedication is another matter altogether.
  Elizabeth Letchworth did it just that way. She is a Republican. I am 
a Democrat. As Senator Bond and others have noted, there are times when 
Democrats and Republicans have it out in so many ways on the Senate 
floor politically and philosophically. But there are those times when, 
in spite of our deep differences of opinion, we recognize there is a 
higher calling, a higher responsibility, and a higher order. I must say 
in all the years I have known her, Elizabeth understood that and 
demonstrated that with her actions and with her words.
  She in many respects exemplifies the very finest of public service 
professionalism. She made our jobs easier. She made our jobs even more 
enjoyable, and certainly I think more rewarding.
  On this her last day, I know I speak for all of my colleagues on this 
side of the aisle in expressing to her our heartfelt thanks, our 
sincere congratulations, and our best wishes for what we know will be a 
very exciting future.
  I yield the floor.
  Mr. DODD. Mr. President, I wish to add my voice to that of the 
distinguished majority leader in extending my very best to a remarkable 
woman who served all of us tremendously well during her tenure.
  Elizabeth, we wish you the very, very best. I know to the outside 
world, as they look at the floor and they see Republicans on one side 
and Democrats on the other, we must look slightly chaotic, to put it 
mildly to the casual observer. But what they do not see day in and day 
out is the tremendous work of the staff who represent us at one level. 
They work so deeply and profoundly with all of us on many levels.
  I cannot tell the Chair on how many occasions Elizabeth Letchworth 
has been tremendously kind and generous to me when I have come to the 
floor and asked for guidance or assistance. She never looked at me as 
if I were a Democrat when she responded to me. She looked at me as a 
Senator and a person who had a job to do.
  We will miss you tremendously and only hope that your example will be 
followed by others who sit in that chair in the years to come, be they 
Democrats or Republicans on either side.
  I wish you and your family the very best, and I hope you come back 
often to see us.
  I thank you for the tremendous courtesies that you have extended to 
me and to other Members of this body throughout your service. We thank 
you immensely.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Missouri.
  Mr. BOND. Mr. President, a few months ago our distinguished 
Republican leader presented a resolution which was adopted, I think, 
with the wholehearted support of all of us. I want to take a moment for 
a personal thank you to Elizabeth Letchworth, who has been an 
absolutely invaluable guide and counselor and friend during the time I 
have been in the Senate.
  When we first get to the Senate, as the occupant of the chair knows 
well, our normal question is: What is happening? It is a little bit 
obtuse and confusing. I often recall that great old saw that: In these 
chaotic times that are so complex, if you are not totally confused, you 
are not thinking clearly.
  There are times when I have passed that test of thinking clearly by 
being totally confused. Usually the person I went to was Elizabeth, and 
I would say, ``What's happening?'' She could explain not only the 
procedural aspects and what we needed to do in terms of making sure our 
rights were protected and we were able to present our views, whether on 
resolutions or bills--she was absolutely invaluable in that--but she 
also had a pretty good idea of what was going to happen, too. Trying to 
schedule the day around the work of the Senate floor is a challenge 
which I don't think any of us not the leadership--maybe even not some 
of them--have mastered. Because things do change here, it is always 
very difficult to figure out what is going on.
  Elizabeth was the one who, time and time again, told us what was 
likely to happen, when we could plan on things, what we could do.
  On a personal note, as my son was growing up and going to school 
here, the time I was able to spend with him in the evenings depended 
upon when we could complete our out-of-Senate work. Elizabeth became 
probably the best friend I had in terms of my being able to spend some 
time with my son. I would walk up to the desk in the front with a 
perplexed look on my face, and she would say: Are you having dinner 
with your son tonight or do you have something planned? She knew in 
advance what I was coming to ask her, and she was often able to tell me 
very precisely what was going on.
  In terms of my relationship with my son, I know I can add his thanks 
to mine for the great friendship and the thoughtfulness she exhibited 
in helping us deal with the complex time schedules of the Senate.
  Most of all, I have to say in this body sometimes things get a little 
tense. There is tension across the aisle and there is tension with 
colleagues on our own side of the aisle. But she was always able to 
maintain a pleasant and a friendly attitude that helped take away some 
of the tension and helped smooth over some of the difficult times.
  That is a high standard she has set. It is going to be very difficult 
for those who follow her to equal that degree of service and 
friendship. But I join with all my colleagues in saying a heartfelt 
thanks for being a wonderful friend, a great guide, great counselor. We 
wish you the very best of luck. We hope, if your sense of humor 
permits, you will come back and watch us from time to time and help 
guide us through the difficult times ahead. You have certainly done an 
excellent job in the past.
  I join wholeheartedly with a sincere vote of thanks for Elizabeth 
Letchworth.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from West Virginia.
  Mr. BYRD. Mr. President, the distinguished Senate leaders have called 
attention to the fact this is the last day on which Republican 
Secretary Elizabeth Letchworth will work with us in this Chamber. Thus 
ends the extraordinary career of an extraordinary Senate staff person.
  Elizabeth originally came to the Senate as a page. She stayed for 26 
years. That is almost as long as Robinson Crusoe was on that island. He 
was on that island 28 years, 2 months and 19 days, so Elizabeth has 
almost equaled that. Her diligent, dedicated work, and her loyalty to 
the Senate led to her eventual rise to Republican Secretary, the first 
woman, the only woman, to serve in that capacity.
  Ms. Letchworth has worked for or with six different Senate majority 
leaders, including myself. Therefore, I am speaking from personal 
experience when I say she made life and work easier and more enjoyable 
for all of us. Through the years, I came not only to respect 
Elizabeth's work, but also to admire her as a person. She always 
provided an oasis of calm in the middle of the many storms that brewed 
about her on the Senate floor. She was friendly and courteous. She 
worked on the Republican side, but she was always straightforward with 
me, always accurate. Not once did she ever mislead me, but she always 
was willing to be so helpful.
  Hers were the qualities so important to Members on both sides of the 
aisle because those qualities engender that precious commodity, and it 
is a most precious commodity in this Chamber, a most precious commodity 
if the Senate is to work its will. It is a commodity called trust. The 
Members on the Democratic side of the aisle developed such a high 
regard for Elizabeth that when we learned she was leaving, the 
Democratic Conference passed a resolution commending her for her 
extraordinary work and her illustrious career.

[[Page S8875]]

  Elizabeth's work here in the Senate will be remembered. I hope she 
will come back and see us. She has served the Senate well and in 
serving the Senate well, she served her country well. I wish the best 
for Elizabeth Letchworth and her husband Ron as they embark upon a new 
phase in their lives. I doubt that our paths will ever cross in that 
new phase because I do not play golf. I do not have much time for it, 
but I hope this new phase in her life will be enjoyable. I trust she 
will remember us as fondly as we will certainly remember her.

                             Life's Mirror

     There are loyal hearts, there are spirits brave,
     There are souls that are pure and true,
     Then give to the world the best you have,
     And the best will come back to you.

     Give love, and love to your life will flow,
     A strength in your utmost need,
     Have faith, and a score of hearts will show
     Their faith in your word and deed.

     Give truth, and your gift will be paid in kind;
     And honor will honor meet:
     And a smile that is sweet will surely find
     A smile that is just as sweet.

     Give pity and sorrow to those who mourn,
     You will gather in flowers again
     The scattered seeds from your thought out-borne,
     Though the sowing seemed but vain.

     For life is the mirror of king and slave,
     Tis just what we are and do;
     Then give to the world the best you have,
     And the best will come back to you.--Madeline Bridges.

  May God always bless you, Elizabeth.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The majority leader.
  Mr. DASCHLE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent all the remarks 
made on the Senate floor regarding Elizabeth Letchworth appear in the 
Record immediately following the remarks of Senator Lott.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

                          ____________________