[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 125 (Monday, September 30, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Page S9649]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            A FOND FAREWELL

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I came to the Congress 10 years ago. One of 
the people with whom I came was Bob Torricelli. He and I have been 
friends for 20 years now. I didn't know him before he and I were 
elected to the House of Representatives. Today, he announced he was not 
going to continue in his election, and I feel terrible about it. It 
shows the class he has. I talked to Senator Torricelli this afternoon. 
He recognizes the Senate seat in New Jersey is more important than him. 
As a result of that, he knows it would be better for the institution, 
the Senate, that he not continue in his election contest.
  For me, the memories of having served with this fine man are very 
significant. The work he did first as the assistant to Senator Bob 
Kerry's campaign committee and then as chairman of the campaign 
committee will be written in the history books. He did the impossible. 
He did what only he said could be done. Most of us did not believe he 
could do what he did, and that is elect all the Democrats he was 
responsible for because he made us competitive. He was a voracious 
fundraiser.
  I extend my best wishes to Bob Torricelli. I congratulate him for the 
20 years of service to the State of New Jersey and the country as a 
Member of the U.S. Congress. I do hope his great talents will be used. 
He is a fine speaker. He has a great mind. His knowledge of foreign 
affairs is unsurpassed.
  He and I served together on that committee in the House of 
Representatives. I wish I had words to describe the affection I have 
for Senator Torricelli and the expression I would like to make of the 
courage he showed this afternoon.

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