[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 176 (Tuesday, December 9, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Pages S16090-S16091]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                             THANKING STAFF

  Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, I wish to speak with regard to two matters 
of great concern to me. I recognize in all probability this will be the 
last day of the current session of this Congress. I simply express my 
warm greetings and thank-yous to my fellow colleagues in this Chamber, 
the staff who serve us in this Chamber, to the pages, to the guards and 
policemen, to those who work in the cafeterias--all of those, the 
greater body of infrastructure we are privileged to have in this 
magnificent institution known as the United States Senate.
  Each year I have been privileged to be here--and I must say with some 
great sense of humility, I mark my 25th year in the Senate late this 
month. When I was sworn in, in 1978, I believe, I filled a vacancy that 
occurred in December, and I did it on the second or third of January. 
So actually my 25th anniversary occurs in the first few days of 
January.
  It has been an enormously great, rewarding privilege for this humble 
soul to have served in the Senate.
  I believe I have served with well over 100 Senators in addition to 
those I am privileged to serve with in this Congress. Again, I am 
always mindful of all of those who make it possible in the 
infrastructure and the institution of the Senate to enable me and 
others to serve our Nation as best we can in diverse but nevertheless 
constructive ways for the betterment of all mankind and, yes, America 
and much of the free world.
  I yield the floor.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.

[[Page S16091]]

  Mr. DeWINE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent the order for the 
quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Cornyn). Without objection, it is so 
ordered.
  Mr. DeWINE. I ask unanimous consent to proceed as in morning 
business.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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