[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 14 (Thursday, February 14, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Pages S835-S836]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    APPRECIATION OF FARM BILL STAFF

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, yesterday we completed action on the farm 
bill. The bill is a victory for the American farmers and ranchers who 
will benefit from the improved commodity programs in the bill. It is a 
victory for families in need who will benefit from broad nutrition 
programs in the bill. It is a victory for rural communities

[[Page S836]]

which will benefit in the economic revitalization provided in the bill. 
Finally, it is a victory for the environment which will benefit from 
the significant increase of funding new programs to help restore 
wildlife habitat, reduce water pollution, and resolve conflicts over 
water.
  Together with Senator Leahy, I spent a lot of time working on the 
conservation provisions of the bill. It was only part of this massive 
bill which was led by Senator Harkin of Iowa. The bill is over 1,000 
pages. It has separate titles dealing with commodity programs, 
conservation, trade, nutrition, credit, rural development, research, 
forestry, and energy. Countless amendments were drafted to the bill, 
and many were offered. Work on the bill began in earnest more than a 
year ago.
  When we complete a bill of this size, we often thank our staff for 
the work they put into such an effort, and rightfully so. Chairman 
Harkin, ranking member Senator Lugar, Senator Daschle, and Senator 
Leahy's staff, in particular, put in a tremendous amount of work on 
this bill.
  Sometimes, though, we forget to thank people who are essential to the 
success of this legislation. That is the Senate legislative counsel. 
They do tremendous work. The bill we passed is a product of numerous 
drafts, revisions, alternates, and many amendments. Our legislative 
counsel were responsible for ensuring that all those many drafts and 
amendments captured our interest. They had to do so under constant time 
pressure. They were a great help to me and my staff on the conservation 
provisions and on the water provisions in particular.
  It may surprise some to know that only 5 attorneys were responsible 
for all the work that went into the 1,000-page bill. I personally would 
like to thank them, not only on my behalf but on behalf of the majority 
leader, Senator Daschle, Senator Leahy, and Chairman Harkin, for the 
great work on the bill. Gary Endicott and Darcie Chan were extremely 
helpful to me and my staff in drafting the important new provisions of 
this bill, provisions that have never been in a farm bill before. 
Together with Tom Trushel, Janine Johnson, and Heather Flory, they put 
in countless hours on the bill and have worked nearly around the clock 
since September as the pace of deliberations quickened.
  Many also handled drafting for energy, environment, and Indian 
affairs at the same time. They were assisted by David Grahn and Pia 
Ruttenberg, attorneys for the U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of 
General Counsel. Mr. Grahn and Ms. Ruttenberg helped ensure the 
provisions we drafted would be interpreted and implemented by the 
Department as we intended.
  I have lawyers on my staff, and I am an attorney also. But I can say, 
without the help of the people I have just mentioned, we would have 
been in very difficult shape to accomplish what we did.
  I particularly spread across the record of this Senate the tireless, 
countless hours that Lisa Moore spent on this legislation. We are so 
dependent as Senators on our staff. I have had the good fortune of 
being able to serve in the House of Representatives. In the House of 
Representatives, one's jurisdiction is much more limited. One is much 
more in tune with one's jurisdiction. We in the Senate have wide-
ranging jurisdiction. We do not represent one party of our State, we 
represent our whole State, from the southern tip of the State of Nevada 
to the northern frontiers of the State of Nevada, one representing 
famous Las Vegas, the other representing places such as Gerlach and 
other small places that have totally different interests than Las 
Vegas. But I represent them all. I become a jack of all trades; some 
say a master of none.
  That is the way the Senate is. We have to depend on our staff. I am 
so grateful for the work Lisa Moore put in on this case. Not only does 
our staff work a lot of time doing the things that have to be done, but 
they believe in these things in their heart. They convey their emotions 
to us. That is one reason I worked so hard on this and why I am so 
fortunate I was able to pass it. I would not want to disappoint Lisa, 
who worked so hard on this legislation.
  We, too often, blame our staff for the things that go wrong. We take 
credit for the things that go right. Most of the time, it should be 
just the opposite. On this occasion, I make sure I express my 
appreciation to Lisa Moore and the many other people I mentioned who 
were so important in passing this legislation.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. DAYTON. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent the order for the 
quorum call be dispensed with.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Dodd). Without objection, it is so 
ordered.

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