[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 30 (Wednesday, March 10, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Page S2542]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       HONORING RETIRING SENATORS IN THE IDAHO STATE LEGISLATURE

 Mr. CRAPO. Madam President, I rise today to honor some good 
friends who will retire later this month from the Idaho State Senate 
after a long history of public service.
  Laird Noh is completing his twelfth term, representing District 24, 
Twin Falls County. Presently he serves as the chairman of the Senate 
Committee on Resources and Environment; he is also a member of the 
Senate Committee on Agriculture Affairs and the Senate Committee on 
Education. Throughout his career, Senator Noh has provided reasoned 
stability, civility and wisdom to a wide range of issues confronting 
the State of Idaho for all these years.
  Since he began his tireless service to Idaho in 1980, he has set a 
high standard for public service. Since I was elected to the Idaho 
State Senate in 1984, Laird has been a friend and mentor to me. I have 
always appreciated his thoughtful insights and measured manner. In 
countless meetings with Laird, he has paid incredible attention to the 
information given and followed that up with salient questions and real 
action. He has had remarkable foresight on a number of legislative 
issues, and been able to ascertain how an issue or piece of legislation 
will affect Idahoans down the road. He is truly a statesman who 
followed his own moral compass and set a course that he felt would best 
benefit Idahoans. He has been dedicated to giving his all as he has 
carefully listened to the needs of Idahoans. His leadership and 
institutional knowledge will be greatly missed as he retires after 24 
years of service.
  I am certain that his wife Kathleen and his children, John and Susan, 
will be pleased to have him back home, but I fully expect that he will 
stay involved in his community. Idaho is a better place to live because 
of Laird Noh's fine service to the State and its people. I know they 
join with me in thanking him and wishing him well in his future 
endeavors.
  Sheila Sorensen is completing her sixth term representing District 18 
in Ada County. She has been a significant force in the Idaho State 
Senate, and is completing her tenure as the chairman of the State 
Affairs Committee. She has also served this session on Judiciary and 
Rules.
  Public servants like Sheila are hard to come by. She has demonstrated 
a strong commitment to her community and her ideals as she has 
represented District 18. Sheila is known for her political courage. She 
has been willing to work across party lines and develop solutions that 
will make Idaho a better place to live and work. Her medical training 
has given her unique insight into many issues that have come before the 
Idaho State Senate.
  Her contributions to Idaho will be felt long after she retires from 
the State senate. Sheila and her husband Dean are longtime friends and 
supporters of mine, and I will personally miss having them in Idaho and 
look forward to their return to our State. I appreciate her service, 
and know that many others in District 18 and across the State join with 
me in wishing her the best as she moves to the next challenges in her 
life.
  Cecil Ingram is also completing his sixth term representing District 
16 in Ada County. He is finishing up his service in the State senate as 
chairman of the Transportation Committee. His service on the Health and 
Welfare Committee and the Local Government and Taxation Committee has 
also been admirable.
  He has provided leadership to our State in so many areas, and has 
been an example of a great public servant. Cecil is known for his 
independent streak that has advanced the debate on many public policy 
issues in Idaho, and we are better for that contribution. His efforts 
have extended beyond the Idaho State Senate to various community 
organizations, including the Western Idaho Fair, the Salvation Army, 
the United Way, Junior Achievement, and the Mountain States Tumor 
Institute. Cecil's wife, Lois Ann, and his three children, Cynthia, 
William, and Christopher, have provided him with strong support from 
home, and I know that without that kind of backing, it would be 
impossible for him to work as tirelessly as he has for the betterment 
of our State. His contributions will be greatly missed, and I send my 
best wishes as he moves into the next phase of his life.
  All three of these senators have carved their own mark on our State. 
They have done it in an admirable and memorable fashion, and I know 
that their efforts have not gone unnoticed and will likely be felt for 
years to come.

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