[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 150 (Tuesday, November 19, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Pages S11538-S11542]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
TRIBUTES TO DEPARTING SENATORS
Fred Thompson
Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, since 1994, Senator Thompson has
represented the people of Tennessee in this body. During that time, I
have been fortunate to call him both a colleague and a friend.
In the last 8 years, Senator Thompson has fought hard for issues that
are vital to Tennessee. He has made sure that his State has the
infrastructure it needs and the resources it deserves. He has protected
Tennessee's farmers and its workers.
Three years ago Senator Thompson founded the Smoky Mountains National
Park Congressional Caucus. My own State of Alaska has many national
parks so I understand the challenges that Senator Thompson faced. His
commitment to eliminating the National Parks Service backlog has been
admirable.
Senator Thompson has also served the best interests of our Nation.
Our work on the governmental affairs committee reflects his dedication.
As chairman of that committee he has worked to make the government
smaller, more efficient, and more accountable. It has been a pleasure
to work with him as we worked to create the department of homeland
security.
The Senate and the people of Tennessee will miss Senator Thompson's
commitment and dedication. I am grateful for his service and wish him
future success.
phil gramm
Mr. President, for 24 years the people of Texas have had an
impassioned advocate and dedicated public servant in Phil Gramm.
Over the course of his career, Senator Gramm has established an
impressive legislative legacy. He played a role in the fight to cut
federal taxes, institute international free-trade incentives, reform
the welfare system, set mandatory federal prison sentences for drug
crimes, and support our armed forces. The Gramm-Leach Bliley Financial
Services Modernization Act and the Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Balanced
Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act were ground-breaking
legislative achievements. Through these and other efforts, Senator
Gramm has helped lay the foundation for a new era of national
prosperity.
Senator Gramm has been called a man of ``frank opinions and
unwavering convictions.'' Since he came to the Senate in 1984 I have
been honored to call him my friend and colleague. We will miss his
leadership and his voice in the Senate. I am grateful for his years of
service and I wish him success in his future endeavors.
Tim Hutchinson
Mr. President, Senator Hutchinson has been a committed advocate for
the people of Arkansas and an important voice in the Senate. His strong
leadership led me to personnally support his candidacy and I will
greatly miss his presence here in Washington.
I believe Senator Hutchinson leaves behind an important legacy. As a
veteran of World War II, I am particularly grateful for Senator
Hutchinson's work on the Veterans' Affairs Committee. As chairman of
the Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on hospitals and Health Care,
Senator Hutchinson really watched over the VA's 173 medical centers.
Our Nations's Veterans gave so much to ensure our liberty and freedom.
I thank Senator Hutchinson for making sure that we fulfill our promises
to them and reward their service. It has been said that: ``The final
test of a leader is that he leaves behind in other people the
convictions and the will to carry on.''
We are thankful for Senator Hutchinson's service and convictions. I
wish him much success.
FRANK MURKOWSKI
Mr. President, Alaska's recent elections have changed our state's
congressional delegation for the first time in 22 years. As my Senate
colleague of 22 years prepares to be sworn in as Alaska's tenth
governor, I recall the battles we have fought together on behalf of our
state, and I welcome the opportunity to work with him on tomorrow's
challenges.
Senator Murkowski has established an impressive record of achievement
during his time in the Senate. Since 1981, he has represented the
citizens of Alaska and served the nation admirably.
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Throughout his career, Senator Murkowski has been a staunch defender
of Alaska's miners, loggers, and fishermen. In 1995, he authored and
helped pass through both Houses of Congress legislation that would have
opened ANWR to oil and gas exploration. He has helped broker an
agreement among major gas transmission companies that could result in
the construction of the natural gas pipeline; that pipeline would bring
valuable energy resources to the lower 48.
Senator Murkowski was a driving force behind the passage of an
omnibus parks bill that created or improved more than 100 natural
parks, forests, preserves and historic sites nationwide. He fought to
increase funding for Alaska's Medicare recipients. In 2001, he helped
win passage of major education reform, bringing us closer to the
nation's goal of providing every child with a quality education.
Senator Murkowski's wife Nancy has been an integral part of this
success.
When Frank and Nancy first arrived in Washington, Nancy worked hard
to balance their family life with their new Senate responsibilities.
In addition to being a committed partner, Nancy has been a devoted
public servant. She has been active in our Alaska State Society and has
traveled extensively with Frank. She has also been a leader in women's
health issues. Through the private charity she runs with Frank, Nancy
has raised more than $2.3 million for breast and cervical cancer
treatment. She cofounded the breast cancer detection center in
Fairbanks. Annually she organizes and runs events at Waterfall, near
Ketchikan and at Chilkoot Charlie's in Anchorage to raise funds for
breast cancer clinics and mobile detection units for rural areas
throughout Alaska. Our state is fortunate to have Nancy Murkowski as
its next first lady.
Those of us in the Senate will miss the Murkowskis. We will miss
Frank's daily leadership on important issues and his commitment to
public service. We take comfort in knowing that Alaska will have his
proven leadership in the governor's office.
Alaska and the Nation face unique challenges and opportunities in the
coming months and years. In the future, the vision and leadership
Senator Murkowski has demonstrated during his tenure in the Senate will
enable Alaska to meet those challenges and leverage those
opportunities.
Congressman Young and I look forward to working with Governor
Murkowski; we know he will support our work in the Nation's capital. We
will work together in the future as we have in the past.
It has been an honor to serve with Senator Murkowski. For 22 years we
have worked closely on issues that are of vital importance to Alaska
and the Nation. His career has been one of distinguished service. I
look forward to working with my dear friend and colleague in the
future.
Robert Torricelli
Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, I will miss my friend and colleague Robert
Torricelli, the senior Senator from the State of New Jersey when he
leaves the Senate at the end of the 107th Congress.
Bob Torricelli first served from 1982-1996 in the U.S. House of
Representatives. In 1996, he joined us in the U.S. Senate, and since
getting here, has been a committed advocate for the people of New
Jersey. He has worked tirelessly to protect New Jersey's natural
resources, to improve air quality, and to protect drinking water. He
has also worked hard to provide a comprehensive prescription drug
benefit for seniors, and make college more affordable for parents and
students alike.
I have worked with Senator Torricelli in his tireless and ongoing
efforts to close the gun show loophole and to pass commonsense gun
safety legislation. That is a battle that I want to assure him many of
us that he leaves behind in the Senate will continue to wage.
Bob Torricelli served as an effective chairman of the Democratic
Senatorial Campaign Committee and has earned a reputation as one of the
most eloquent orators in the U.S. Senate. His books, ``In Our Own
Words: Extraordinary Speeches of the American Century'' and
``Quotations for Public Speakers: A Historical, Literary, and Political
Anthology'' have become valuable resources for all of his colleagues in
public life.
I know my colleagues will join me in thanking Senator Robert
Torricelli for his years of service in the Congress and wish him the
best.
Jesse Helms
Mr. President, I recognize the service of Jesse Helms.
Before coming to the Senate, Jesse Helms served his country in the
U.S. Navy during World War II. He was a Senate staffer, broadcast
executive, radio personality, and banking executive.
Senator Helms, throughout his career, has been a tireless voice for
his conservative beliefs. Whether one agrees with Senator Helms' views
or not, no one can deny the imprint he has made on the deliberations
and actions of the United States Senate. Jesse Helms has always had the
knack for carefully crafting legislative language which would put his
supporters and opponents clearly on the record on the most difficult
issues of conscience.
In his capacity as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee
Jesse Helms was a powerful force in reorganizing the Department of
State.
In the United States Senate we are called upon to work with
colleagues of many differing points of view. While a fierce battler for
his conservative convictions, Jesse Helms was often willing to reach
across party lines to work with Democrats on issues like adoption and
increased funding for AIDS research.
While Jesse Helms and I have frequently disagreed, I respect the
straight forwardness which he brought to the public policy debate. And,
Jesse Helms was always a gracious gentleman. As this Congress comes to
an end, I know that I am joined by my Senate colleagues in wishing
Jesse Helms and his wife, Dorothy , and their three children, the very
best in the years ahead.
Phil Gramm
Mr. President, at the end of this session of Congress, Senator Phil
Gramm, the senior Senator from Texas will leave the Senate. For 18
years, Senator Gramm has been a leader among the Republicans and a
strong voice in the Senate.
Phil Gramm is a hard worker and effective advocate. Before coming to
the Senate, Senator Gramm was an economics professor at Texas A&M
University and member of the U.S. House of Representatives from 1978
until 1984. After being elected to the U.S. Senate in 1984, Senator
Gramm quickly became recognized as one of its most articulate members.
As a member of the Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, the Finance
Committee, and the Budget Committee, he has applied his boundless
energies and extensive knowledge of the Senate rules and precedents to
his efforts to reduce federal taxes.
While Phil Gramm and I disagree on many issues, I deeply respect his
willingness to stand up and fight for his convictions and the good
humor with which he approaches those battles. For example, on the issue
of federal prisoner industries reform, Senator Gramm and I have locked
horns on several occasions, but he has always been a worthy and
agreeable adversary.
I know my Senate colleagues will join me in wishing him every success
as the vice chairman of UBS Warburg and in wishing our best to Wendy,
his wife, and their two children.
Fred Thompson
Mr. President, I am pleased to join my colleagues in paying tribute
to Senator Fred Thompson.
Senator Thompson joined the U.S. Senate in 1994 after a successful
career in law and even some starring roles on the silver screen. But he
was no stranger to this body, even then, having previously served as
Minority Counsel to the Senate Watergate Committee in 1973 and 1974 at
the age of 30. Once he joined as a Senator, he rolled up his sleeves
and got to work on the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee seeking to
make our government more sensible, more responsive, and more cost
effective.
In 1997, he became the Chairman of the Committee and has served in
that capacity during the 105th, 106th and 107th Congresses. Over the
years, Senator Thompson helped oversee some dramatic investigations,
including the campaign finance investigation in the 105th Congress and
the Enron investigation this past year. He also worked
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on many less well known issues, including one close to my heart the
effort to improve the way the Federal Government issues regulations.
For several Congresses, Senator Thompson and I teamed together on
regulatory reform issues, including a major regulatory reform bill.
This legislation would have required federal agencies to consider cost-
benefit analysis when issuing major regulations and state publicly
whether the agency found that the benefits of a regulation justified
the costs. If they did not, then the agency would have to explain why
it was issuing the regulation despite that finding. We also required
federal agencies to conduct risk assessments where appropriate. We had
a heck of a battle on that legislation, and in the end we failed to
pass it. But the fight was worth it; I believe we were right; and it
was great to have Senator Thompson fighting with me at my side to bring
common sense to our regulatory process.
During his years at the Senate, Senator Thompson has made his mark as
a legislator by supporting bipartisan efforts to enact reforms in the
areas of campaign finance, sensible government regulation, and
corporate accountability.
While he will no longer be ``In the Line of Fire,'' Senator
Thompson's legacy in the Senate will ``Die Hard.'' I hope his future
roles will be as lively as those he played here for the last eight
years. It is a pleasure to join all of my colleagues today in honoring
and thanking him for his years of public service to his country.
Jesse Helms
Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to a great
American, a fellow Senator, a fellow conservative, and friend--Senator
Jesse Helms.
I speak today with mixed emotions. I am happy to see that after a
long and distinguished career he will have more time to spend with his
beloved wife of 60 years, Dot . . . as well as enjoying time with his
children and grandchildren. But I also know that this kind of man is
impossible to replace.
In the words of The Weekly Standard executive editor Fred Barnes:
Helms is an ideologue, and his unflinching devotion to
conservative principles has made him a powerful figure. He's
oblivious to the buzz, the chatter, and gossip of the press,
polls and the permanent establishment. He's totally inner
directed. He cares little for details or process. But when
something clashes with his conservative views . . . he steps
up, no matter how unpopular that makes him. He wins some,
loses some, but is always a player to be reckoned with, even
when he's acting alone.
I recall one such occasion where Senator Helms acted alone in his
outspoken criticism of the United Nations. He refused to approve
payment of U.N. dues until this lavish, bloated, and unwieldy
bureaucracy was reformed. He was highly criticized by almost every
member of the mainstream media, chastised by activists, and mocked by
others. He knew there were great problems at the United Nations and
would not give until it was improved and it should be told that, in the
end, the United Nations gave in. Reforms that will make the United
Nations a better, more honest and viable organization, were passed.
It seems to be one of the seldom mentioned side notes of Senator
Helms' career in public service he often wins even when he seems to
have lost. For instance, even though he was unable to block the
Chemical Weapons Convention, he did win 28 of the 33 concessions he
sought.
Senator Helms' legislative career will not only be remembered as that
of a foreign policy figure though. I, for one, as an Eagle Scout, will
always remember his fights to defend the independence of the Boy
Scouts.
Some of the best insight into Jesse Helms as a person comes from his
domestic policy stands. One of the most telling stories of the real
personality of Jesse Helms and one of the most moving as well was
shared by Senator Nickles. In the midst of a debate on a 5-cent-per-
gallon Federal gas tax hike, in which they were vastly outnumbered,
they were seeking guidance. Senator Helms suggested that they pray
together, and he called the Reverend Billy Graham and asked that he
pray with them for guidance.
That to me speaks volumes as to what truly guides Senator Helms as a
person. He was not using his faith for a photo op, a quick sound-bite,
a political tag line, or other earthly gains. This was simply a man who
instinctively turns to the God for guidance.
In the article I mentioned earlier, Fred Barnes concludes by asking
if Jesse Helms can be replaced. His conclusion is similar to mine. That
is a task that is ``probably more than can be hoped for''. A person as
unique as Jesse Helms does not come along often. His presence will
truly be missed both on and off the Senate Floor.
Senator Helms is a provincial patriot. He has never been a part of
the urbane crowd, the radical chic crowd. He knows it and they know it.
It galled them that he could not be intimidated by an editorial in the
New York Times or some such organization. He is a man of faith, a
Baptist. He comes from the soil of North Carolina and is proud of it.
He prefers the affection and commendation of those in his province over
those in the great salons where the ``masters of the universe''
operate. In fact, he respects the people of his beloved state and
deeply shares their values. That's what he fought for every day. The
cynical, rootless left, the politically correct, those without
principles, those who do not comprehend the greatness of America, were
not for him.
Indeed, he saw them as the problem. And, at their core, these folks
understood. They knew his disagreement with their actions was deep and
honest. Try as they might, his opposition would not go away. Many hated
him because of it.
But, Jesse Helms does not hate. He absolutely does not. He only wants
to do the right thing for America. Because he values America over
politics, and because he is courageous in his stand for principle, he
often could not be moved. The left has never understood this. Some
thought he hated them personally. He does not. He loves them and he
wants a better life for all Americans.
The truth is that Senator Jesse Helms is a most kind and considerate
person. His soft spoken ways are known by all. His modesty and an
assuming manner are plain for all to see. His wonderful wife, Dot,
shares those same qualities and is loved by all who know her.
He is a true Christian gentleman in the Southern style. Courtly,
gracious, quick of wit and firm in friendships, he is a most remarkable
person. Widely read, highly literate and a master of the language, few
could turn a phrase better than Jesse. When he has been wrong or slow
to understand, he has admitted it. His conversion to advocacy for a
much stronger fight against AIDS in Africa is a very recent example.
Finally, the career of Senator Helms cannot be discussed without
remarking on the critical role he played in enabling the focus of
democracy, free enterprise, and faith to triumph over the godless,
totalitarian forces of communism. He was a constant cold warrior. He
saw the evil in the evil empire, and his drive to overcome it never
slacked. He was relentless, even when undergoing attacks from the so-
called opinion leaders of America. It certainly was not those opinion
leaders and pundits who won the war. They blew hot and cold mostly cold
on American policies. But the people in the provinces knew, they knew
there could be no compromise with communism, and fortunately those
people had a strong, able and true voice in Jesse Helms. He stayed the
course, the Soviet Union collapsed. There were many close calls and
many highlights in that Cold War. One of those critical moments came
when Senator Helms came to believe in Ronald Reagan's view of the role
of the United States in this struggle. Jesse worked hard and produced a
great victory in North Carolina that gave him the Republican
nomination. Together they persevered and the evil empire collapsed and
the victory was won.
Senator Helms, you played a critical role in this struggle for
freedom and you deserve great credit for your courage and constancy.
America and freedom are in your debt. We are much obliged for your
service.
Fred Thompson
Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, the retirement of the distinguished
Senator from Tennessee (Mr. Thompson) will leave a major void in the
heart and soul of this body. Rarely have we seen
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the quality of the work product of a new Senator approach the level of
excellence and importance as we have in the performance and
contributions of Fred Thompson.
He has stood head and shoulders above the crowd, literally and
figuratively. It was a rare and most enjoyable privilege for me to
serve on the Governmental Affairs Committee when he was the chairman.
He assumed the awesome responsibility of leading the committee in its
investigation of the election law abuses of the 1996 Presidential
election. He was a superb chairman, fair to all, but thorough and
diligent in his quest for the truth. He expended an enormous amount of
time and energy in that undertaking, and he made every effort to keep
to the subject and learn the facts. During it all, he endured
criticism, skepticism and sometimes ostracism as he labored to
discharge the duties of his chairmanship.
I have no greater respect for any Senator than I have for the Senator
from Tennessee. He has served well and reflected great credit on the
United States Senate and the State of Tennessee. We will miss him
greatly.
bob smith
Mr. President, I have enjoyed serving with Bob Smith in the U.S.
Senate. For the last 2 years, we have sat side by side in the Senate.
He has occupied the desk that was used in the Senate by Daniel Webster,
who was born in his State of New Hampshire, although he represented
Massachusetts as a Senator.
During votes and deliberations of the Senate we have had
opportunities to discuss a wide range of subjects from fishing in the
deep south to experiences in the U.S. Navy, as well as the issues under
consideration by the Senate.
I have grown to know and appreciate Bob Smith. I like him, and I
respect him. He is a person who has strongly held views, and he is not
afraid to express then, and to fight for them.
He has been admired on both sides of the aisle for his efforts to
protect the environment. He has been a dutiful and diligent Chairman of
the Environment and Public Works Committee.
As a member of the Armed Services Committee, he has been an effective
supporter of a strong national defense. His leadership has been deeply
appreciated by me on the issue of missile defense. He worked
effectively to help garner the votes to pass the National Missile
Defense Act of 1999 which I authored. He was a cosponsor of that bill
and a very enthusiastic proponent of its passage, and its
implementation by the administration. We met regularly with Defense
Department officials to urge cooperation in the effort to develop and
deploy, as soon as possible, a system, or systems, to defend the
citizens of our country against ballistic missile attack. He mastered
the esoteric subject matter associated with this issue and was an
important force in the shaping and carrying out of this new national
policy.
I will miss Bob Smith. I wish for him and his family much happiness
in the years ahead.
phil gramm
Mrs. HUTCHISON. Mr. President, it is an honor to pay tribute today to
my dear fried and colleague, the senior Senator from Texas, Phil Gramm.
Perhaps more than anyone in the Senate, I will miss Phil's leadership.
In the Senate there are three kinds of relationships between Senators
from the same State: One, they do not like each other. Two, a
professional relationship: they get along OK, work hard together for
their State, but are not really close. Three, they are good friends who
have a great partnership for their State.
Phil and I have No. 3. I recently noted that his retirement is like
sending an older sibling off to college: Your best friend will not be
upstairs anymore, and there is nobody to stick up for you when you get
in a fight. But then again, you'll get the big room, and you will not
have to share the spotlight anymore.
When I first came to the Senate after a special election, I walked
into an office with no staff, but Phil had sent his own staff to start
answering the phones, and detailed one of his senior staff to help set
up my office. That support was invaluable in those early days.
Phil's story is one of those ``only in America'' success stories.
Born at Ft. Benning, GA, the son of a soldier, his father died when
Phil was a young teenager. He and his two brothers were raised by their
mother in a modest neighborhood in Columbus, Georgia.
His mother worked at two jobs to take care of the family, as a
practical nurse and also in a cotton mill for $28 a week. Phil has
often said his mother had decided before he was born that he would go
to college.
But after failing the 3rd, 7th and 9th grades, his mother recognized
it was time for drastic action for her dream to be realized. She pooled
the family's limited resources and sent Phil off to the Georgia
Military Academy near Atlanta. Mrs. Gramm knew Phil had a good mind but
needed encouragement and direction
His life has been a testament to his mother's sacrifice ever since. A
PhD in Economics from the University of Georgia led him to another
life-changing experience when he accepted a teaching position at Texas
A&M. If the Georgia Military Academy gave him the academic foundation
to achieve, Texas A&M nurtured his natural talent to teach and to
entertain. He was a sensation at A&M. Phil managed to make even the
most complex economics courses exciting. It was also at A&M that Phil
met and married a fellow economics professor, Wendy, who has been a
partner and inspiration to Phil throughout his career.
While it is one thing to test your economic principles and
convictions in the classroom, it is quite another to have the courage
to place your views in front of the voters. After a losing campaign for
the Senate in 1976, he ran for Congress 2 years later and won. His
campaign theme--``common sense; uncommon courage''--described him
perfectly. Particularly after he decided to switch parties, from
Democrat to Republican. He resigned from his seat, to give his
constituents a choice to vote on his switch. He won back his seat,
becoming the only member of Congress in the 20th century to do this.
And after serving three terms in the House, Phil set his sights on the
Senate again, and won this time in 1984.
He has one of the sharpest minds in Congress. His Southern drawl and
easy-going nature may fool some, but we know behind that accent is a
razor-sharp mind. Phil has become one of the Senate's most important
leaders. He has mastered the Senate, and is one of our body's
intellectual and philosophical giants. He is a man of great character.
He does not stand on ceremony; he stands on conviction. He is never
been swayed by popular opinion, in fact, he has often stood his ground
despite popular opinion. His tenacity and his passion are unrivaled.
And even in his last days in the Senate, he's not taking a rest from
the trenches, he has been leading the debate on the Department of
Homeland Security, perhaps one of the most important decisions of our
time. If there is a tough fight to be had, you can be sure Phil Gramm
will lead the charge. If there is something difficult that needs to be
done, you can be sure Phil will find a way to do it.
Of course, in addition to his brilliant mind, Phil will be remembered
for his colorful sense of humor and witty anecdotes. For example, who
could get away with saying things like: During Gramm's bid for the
Presidency, Larry King asked Phil if he would ever run with a woman?
``Sophia Loren is not a U.S. citizen,'' answered Gramm. ``People of New
Hampshire talk funny and therefore they think I talk funny.'' On
campaign reform, ``Our problem is not bad money corrupting good men;
our problem is bad men corrupting good money.'' ``It's always dangerous
to send your wife ahead in your place, because then no one cares if you
show up.''
While he will certainly be remembered for his originality and humor,
he is second to none as an effective legislator. Phil has always
maintained his focus on fiscal responsibility, helping us get back to a
balanced budget. He is the first person to actually do something to
eliminate the national debt, so that our children and grandchildren
will not be saddled with our bills. The Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Budget
Act was a masterpiece. Phil thought of it and engineered its passage,
proving it is possible to be both smart and effective. As chairman of
the Senate Banking Committee, Phil crafted the Financial Services
Modernization Act, one of the most important pieces of financial
legislation in modern years.
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When you are in a fight for survival, the most important decision you
make is who you want in the foxhole with you. When I have ever had a
tough fight, Phil was my first call. For two reasons: I want him on my
side, and I sure do not want him on the other side. I can say without
reservation that Phil Gramm is truly irreplaceable. What I admire most
about him is his courage. Phil and Wendy have been good friends to Ray
and me. We are friends in the Senate, and friends at home. Phil, I will
miss you. I wish you well and look forward to having you as a
constituent.
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