[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 135 (Saturday, November 20, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Pages S11697-S11708]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
TRIBUTE TO RETIRING SENATORS
Fritz Hollings
Mr. REID. Mr. President, I want to spend a few minutes talking about
the Senators who will not be here when the Senate starts over again
this January. The first I ever heard about Senator Fritz Hollings was
while watching a TV program where Senator Hollings was running for
President, and he said, during a Presidential debate, when the issue of
the day was whether there should be a nuclear freeze, which had been
propounded by Alan Cranston, another candidate, when asked about the
nuclear freeze, Senator Hollings said, ``Until a few days ago, I
thought this was a new kind of dessert.'' That wit is typical of Fritz
Hollings.
Mr. President, Fritz Hollings is a man who is, as far as I am
concerned, the epitome of what it means to be a Senator. He is a person
who looks the role and is everything that I am not--tall, handsome,
with flowing white hair, and very articulate. This is a man who was one
of the original southern politicians who thought it was appropriate to
start talking about the evils of segregation. Fritz Hollings is tall,
handsome, with a great voice, a great sense of humor; and he is
somebody for whom I have the greatest respect. I will miss him so much.
He, Peatsy, and I have traveled. He is someone who has been so good
to the State of South Carolina. I have been to his home. He has given
me a tour of Columbia, SC, where he is a legend in his own time. He
showed me the place where he was born.
I want to extend through the magic of this television to everyone
within the sound of my voice the fact that Fritz Hollings is a great
Senator and will go down in the history of the Senate as one of the
great Senators.
I also want Fritz and Peatsy to know how much I care for them, and I
appreciate very much their generosity and friendship to Landra and me
over these many years.
John Breaux
John Breaux and I came to the Senate together. We served in the House
together. He comes from a State that, of course, is famous for
unpredictable politics, and John has done every bit of his work to make
sure that tradition is upheld.
When he was running for the Senate, as only John Breaux could do, his
opponent raised a question, and his opponent, who was somebody who also
had served in the House of Representatives, said John Breaux can be
bought. They would rush out to John Breaux and would say: Your opponent
said you could be bought. How do you respond to that? John Breaux said:
Well, I can be leased but I can't be bought. Who else, other than John
Breaux, could get away with something like that?
He is a great person, a person of integrity, a person who came to the
House of Representatives way back in 1972. He served in the Congress
for 32 years. There is no one who is better at making a deal than John
Breaux. I say this in the most positive way. Legislation is the art of
compromise, consensus building, and John Breaux understood that to a T.
We need more people such as John Breaux with the ability to reach
across the aisle.
We will miss John Breaux, Mr. Problem Solver. I appreciate his and
Lois's friendship over these years. I will miss him very much.
Bob Graham
Bob Graham and I came to the Senate together in 1986. He first ran
for Governor 26 years ago. Since that time, and even before, he has
spent hundreds of days working with regular Floridians in their jobs.
The thing we all see in Bob Graham is the little notebooks he carries
and everything he does he writes down. I am sure some day after we are
long gone, a historian will review those, and Bob Graham will be well
known in the history books because he wrote the history of everything
he has done for the last 25 or 30 years.
He was a great Governor for the Sunshine State. He has been a
tremendous Senator. I served with him from the time we came here on the
Environment and Public Works Committee. He has certainly been
tremendous on that committee. He is a detail man. He is a person, for
example, who worked on the Everglades. He was tireless, persistent, and
so smart. He has become an expert on foreign affairs and foreign
intelligence. He served as chairman of the Intelligence Committee. He
has written a book on the subject. His knowledge and contributions in
that area will be hard to replace.
I certainly will miss the Senator from Florida. It is just too bad he
decided not to run for reelection.
John Edwards
I ask everyone to pull out this week's People magazine, if they have
one--if not, get a copy of it--because that tells the story of John and
Elizabeth Edwards. The story is directed toward Elizabeth because she
has now been stricken with breast cancer, but it tells in some detail
about this wonderful family.
He was the Vice Presidential candidate and is someone who has
tremendous ability. I am a trial lawyer. He is a trial lawyer. He has
made such a distinct impression on the country with his oratorical
skills. We know why he was a great trial lawyer.
[[Page S11698]]
People magazine is so filled with information and inspiration. The
last sentence in that People magazine article talks about Elizabeth
Edwards. She knew she had breast cancer in the last week of the
campaign. She did not tell anybody, but she tells in this People
magazine article that was so well written that somewhere at a place she
stopped, they were having a cancer survivor program, and one of them
asked her: Are you a cancer survivor? She did not answer but, of
course, thought to herself, as the article says: We'll see.
We will see. We certainly hope for the Edwards family, which has
already had a lot of personal problems due to the death of their 16-
year-old son, we really do hope--all of us, all Americans hope for
Elizabeth Edwards, this wonderful woman, to recover.
I will miss John Edwards in the Senate. He only served here 6 years,
but he certainly left his mark as a great Senator from the State of
North Carolina. North Carolina is going to benefit, however, from the
defeat of the Kerry-Edwards ticket because he is returning to North
Carolina.
Don Nickles
Don Nickles and I have done some things together in the Senate that I
will always remember. There are laws on the statute books of this
country. One of the things we did, and people said we could not do,
resulted because we were concerned about regulations and how burdensome
and overbearing they can become. So we introduced legislation that
basically said if the administration promulgates a regulation that we
do not think helps the country, then we can overturn that regulation.
That is the law.
We have overturned regulations that have been burdensome to this
country. I have not always liked the result of the legislation that has
been overturned, but it is my law along with Senator Nickles'. He is a
great legislator.
We worked together on the Appropriations Subcommittee on Legislative
Branch. We really did some things that have changed what goes on. We
have changed things a great deal, such as how Members of the House and
Senate do their franking. We changed that.
Senator Nickles and I were the first to talk about how bad the east
front of the Capitol looked, and we did a number of things. We got the
automobiles removed from the east front of the Capitol. This was what
first got me interested in doing something about having a visitor
center on the east front of the Capitol, which is now in the process of
being completed.
I have so much respect for Senator Nickles. He and I have a different
political philosophy, no question about that, but I think the work we
have done together sets an example of how Democrats and Republicans of
totally different political philosophy can work together for the
betterment of this country.
Don Nickles is a good man. He is a young man. He has a great future
in the private sector. I personally will miss him a lot. I care a great
deal about Don Nickles and wish him the very best.
Ben Nighthorse Campbell
Everyone has heard me talk about Searchlight, NV, the place of my
birth and where I still live. The only Senator who has ever been to my
home in Searchlight is Ben Nighthorse Campbell. Ben Nighthorse Campbell
one day called my wife and said: I will be in Searchlight and want to
come visit you. I will be there in about 40 minutes.
I was out doing a little jog. I thought something was wrong when I
came back. She said: Nighthorse is on his way.
He had a vehicle that was so big--I live a little bit off the beaten
path--it could not get into my yard. We went up and met him and brought
him back to my home. We had a wonderful visit.
Ben Nighthorse Campbell is, among other things, a great artist. He
makes jewelry. I wanted to get my wife something very special for
Christmas a couple years ago, and I went to Ben Nighthorse Campbell to
see if he could do something unique. He said he was making his daughter
a belt, and he would make one just like it for my wife.
He did that. It is a beautiful piece of jewelry. There are two of
them in the world. My wife has hers, and if you go to the Museum of the
American Indian, which is right down the way and just opened, you will
see my wife's silver belt in the museum. Actually, it is not hers, it
is his daughter's, but there is only one identical to my wife's. Ben
Nighthorse Campbell is a great guy, a tremendous athlete.
I have great admiration for his physical prowess. I have always
disagreed with his motorcycle riding but he believes he should continue
doing that. He is a man who has written a book. I have read his book.
It is a wonderful rags-to-riches story. He will be missed and that is
an understatement.
Tom Daschle
There is no way I can, on the Senate floor in the few minutes I am
going to take, convey to my colleagues and the people within the sound
of my voice the feelings I have about Tom Daschle. He and I came to the
Senate together 18 years ago. We served in the House of Representatives
before that. The last 6 years we have worked together daily. There may
be a day or two that went by without our talking but they were rare. We
spoke even during the time we were on break. We have virtually been
together every day. The only time we really did not spend a lot of time
communicating is when he was in South Dakota and I was in Searchlight.
Our BlackBerrys would not work. My BlackBerry now works in Searchlight.
His still does not work in South Dakota.
Tom's legislative record is certainly there. It is apparent. He has
done wonderful things for the State of South Dakota and this country. I
could, but it is really unnecessary, explain what he has done for the
farmers, the environment, the military, including the veterans, but
what I can try in a very inadequate way is to express to him, through
this manner, the things I have tried to say personally to him in the
last couple of weeks, and that is express my appreciation to him for
the opportunities he has given me.
Tom Daschle is a totally unselfish person. I can remember about 6
years ago when I was selected by my peers to be assistant leader I went
to Senator Daschle and said: What is this job going to be? He said:
Whatever you make it.
I took him at his word, and this job is what I thought the assistant
leader or the whip should be. I could never have done what I have done
and had the good fortune of being in the places I have been and had the
freedom to do things on this Senate floor but for the support and
authorization of Senator Daschle.
I do not think I have ever raised my voice to Senator Daschle. We
both grew up with three brothers. We are the first to really go to
school of any depth in our families. I have learned a lot from Senator
Daschle.
As I have told everyone, I am not Tom Daschle and I am going to be a
different kind of person in the new duties I have beginning at the
first of the year.
I told Tom Daschle earlier this week that earlier this year I lost my
best friend. His name was Mike O'Callaghan. He was someone who taught
me in high school. He taught me how to fight in the ring and in other
places. When I went to law school, he helped me. He was a disabled
Korean veteran but he gave me part of his pension money to help me
through tough times in school. I was allowed to take the bar before I
graduated from law school. I was married and had two children, was
desperate for money. I came back to Reno and there was Michael
O'Callaghan. He gave me a $50 bill. That was in the fall of 1963. He
gave me a $50 bill. I had never seen one before but he gave that to me.
He knew I was desperate for money.
Then I held a few offices, and as a very young man I ran for
Lieutenant Governor. People kind of thought I was going to win that. He
moved back from California to Nevada to run for Governor because there
was no Democrat to run sitting for Lieutenant Governor. They knew
O'Callaghan had no chance, but he did. He became the Governor of the
State of Nevada.
I am trying to paint a picture for this man and how close he was to
me. He was so good to me, able to give me advice and counsel. He told
me what I needed to hear, not what I wanted to hear, and I did not make
a decision important in nature unless I discussed it with my friend
Mike O'Callaghan.
He went to church early one morning this summer and died. It was a
very
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painless death. He went to church every day. He was a devoutly
religious man, and somebody whom I have missed more than words can
describe.
I told my friend Tom in his office a day or two ago that he was now
my Mike O'Callaghan, that I have somebody I will call just as I did my
friend Mike, that I will call him often. He said: That is fine. You
could not call me too many times.
So Tom Daschle and I have developed a relationship that can best be
described as two brothers. I have three brothers, one of whom is dead.
So Tom replaces my brother Dale. I will call Tom and I will talk to him
when I feel it necessary, knowing he will continue to give the advice
and counsel to me that he has for the last 6 years.
There are additional things I would like to say, but I will suffice
to say that for the 22 years I have known Tom Daschle, which has been
culminated in the 6 years of intense personal contact where we have
dealt with the problems of the country and the world in great depth,
that there will never be an opportunity and an experience like that
again. I am grateful to Tom and to his wonderful wife Linda for their
friendship and Tom's service to our country.
Mr. SANTORUM. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to departing
Senators for their service and devotion to the United States Senate.
They are not only my colleagues but my friends as well.
The reality of elections for the Senate is that every two years we
experience change--current members depart and new members are welcomed.
At every transition I am reminded by the reality that life is more than
just politics. I am certain the departing Senators--are experiencing a
tremendous feeling of sorrow, yet anticipation of things to come, as
they leave their friends, colleagues, and this great nurturing
institution.
Though we may fight hard during campaigns, we return to the Senate
after the election to realize that we are not just losing Senators--we
are losing friends. There is a bond--a collegiality and friendship--in
the Senate that crosses party lines. We face long hard battles on the
campaign trail and sometimes things can get ugly. But after all is said
and done, after election day, we must all come back to Washington and
work together to do what is best for our country.
I will certainly miss my colleagues with whom I have worked for
several years. I have had the honor to serve on the Finance Committee
with four of my distinguished retiring colleagues, including Senator
John Breaux and Senator Don Nickles. Both of these men were
instrumental in leading the fight to reform Medicare.
Senator John Breaux and I have worked side by side on Social Security
issues. He is a good friend and he has always been willing to
compromise. He is the master of a very noble craft that of bringing
people together from both sides of the aisle.
Senator Don Nickles has been a valuable comrade in protecting
intellectual property rights of pharmaceutical companies and reforming
health care, specifically working hard to pass the Patients Bill of
Rights. He also sponsored commendable legislation to create the Office
of International Religious Freedom at the Department of State, which I
cosponsored. Senator Nickles as whip and chairman of the Budget
Committee has done more to advocate fiscal conservatism than any other
Senator during my tenure. He has a true expertise in these issues, and
I thank him for his guidance and leadership.
More importantly, Senator Nickles befriended me when I first came to
the Senate and encouraged me to get involved in the National Prayer
Breakfast and the Senate Bible Study. If it were not for his
friendship, my time in the Senate would have been drastically
different.
Ben Nighthorse Campbell
Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell is a very kind and humble man and I
have had the honor to work with him to assure that nondemocratic forces
are unsuccessful in undermining movements for democracy in the Ukraine.
But what I remember most about Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell is a
story he told me once about his decision to vote for the ban on
partial-birth abortion. While in the hospital recovering from a
motorcycle accident, Senator Campbell was touched by the immense effort
of doctors to save the lives of babies that weighed only a couple
pounds. He was convicted by the significance of doctors going to such
great lengths to save babies only a couple minutes old. This picture
made him question partial-birth abortions: Why would we not do
everything in our power to save babies who were still in their mother's
womb? I thank Senator Campbell for his honesty on this issue and for
sharing that story with me. I will never forget it.
Zell Miller
I had the privilege of getting to know Senator Zell Miller as we
traveled around the country together this past fall. Senator Miller and
I have worked hard on education issues including the Paperwork
Reduction Act. He is a man that believes in the ideals of this nation
and understands that we must sometimes take a stand if we want to be
heard. I treasure the friendship that Senator Miller and I have formed
during our service together. I want him to know how much I admire him.
He is a man with the courage to stand up for his convictions. He did
the hardest thing for any man to do--he endorsed the opposing party's
nominee in this year's election. I cannot thank him enough for his
support. I will always have undying gratitude for him.
Our departing Senators have been lights of inspiration and men who
went above the call of duty to serve our country in their congressional
capacities. They each have their own unique political perspective that
has served the Senate well. Although my philosophies may differ from
some Senators, we do not disagree on the greatness of America. We can
all agree that we live in the greatest nation in the world, and we all
believe that without democracy, life, liberty, and justice cannot
flourish.
My departing colleagues are great men and great Americans. They have
contributed immensely to our country--making their states and our
country significantly better than when they first stepped foot on the
Senate floor.
We are all going to miss their presence and wisdom here in the
Senate. Their departures will surely leave a hole in expertise and
leadership that will be hard to fill. I wish them health and happiness
in their future endeavors--wherever the road may take them. May God
continue to bless them and their families.
Come January, as we face another transition, I welcome in the new
members and look forward to forging new relationships as we continue to
work towards making Americans safer, healthier, and more financially
secure.
Ben Nighthorse Campbell
Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, I would like to take a moment to honor my
good friend and colleague, Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell of Colorado.
Ben is my best friend in the Senate. I know every one of my Senate
colleagues would join me in expressing how much we care for Senator
Campbell and how much we will miss him here in the Senate.
I have always considered Ben to be larger than life, someone you
would read about in a novel about the Senate than someone actually
serving in the Senate. He is a high-school dropout who became a United
States Senator, a veteran of the Korean war, captain of the U.S. judo
team, and an extremely successful horse breeder and jeweler. He doesn't
conform to any stereotypes. No other senators--let alone Republicans--
wear a ponytail, ride a Harley-Davidson to work, or stubbornly refuse
to wear any neckwear more formal than a western bolo tie.
But I am sure I am not surprising any of you by saying Ben is not
your typical politician. One of my favorite stories about Ben's
independent streak is from a town meeting he held back when he was a
Member of the House.
A constituent asked Ben a question, and Ben did his best to answer
it. The gentleman didn't like the response, so he tersely rephrased the
question and Ben answered it again. The man got very upset, and said
``You have not answered my question!'' Ben firmly told him, ``Look, you
asked a question, I answered it. You asked me again, and I answered it.
Now I can't help it if you don't like the answer you got, but these
other folks are waiting to ask questions of their own, so you and I are
just going to have to agree to disagree.''
Ben started to call on another person when the man jumped out of his
chair
[[Page S11700]]
and yelled to Ben, ``I don't believe you are taking all of the facts
that I've stated into account, and you are not going to simply dismiss
me like that. I am a taxpayer, and I pay your salary, and I demand an
answer!''
Ben, through gritted teeth, said, ``You know, I hate it when people
feel that because you're an elected official, they somehow own you. Do
you realize that my salary costs every man, woman and child in this
country about one-half of one cent each year?'' At that point, Ben
reached into his pocket, pulled out a penny, flipped it to the man, and
said, ``Here's your refund!'' He turned to the audience and yelled,
``Next question!'' The audience cheered and the man left the meeting.
Now that is a good description of the Ben Nighthorse Campbell that I
have come to know and love.
Most of you know that I have sat next to Ben during policy lunches
ever since he saw the light and switched parties so many years ago. I
still love to tell the story of when he decided to move over to the
right side of the aisle.
Ben and I became good friends soon after he joined the Senate, and we
repeatedly discussed his growing disillusionment with the policies and
politics of those on other side of the aisle. I would point out that
power, its accumulation and retention, seemed to be of greater
importance to some on his side than finding the right answer, that the
worth of an issue should not always be measured simply by political
advantage. He would disagree, but over time his protests would grow
fewer and less heartfelt.
I was surprised when Ben stopped me one day nearly 10 years ago and
said, ``Orrin, you're right. I can't stand it anymore over here.'' He
asked whether I could arrange for him to see Senator Dole, and I said,
``I believe I can''--3 minutes later we were in Bob Dole's office.
Bob had the biggest smile on his face I had ever seen and gave Ben a
warm hug. He commented about the courage and principle it took to make
such a decision, but he didn't need to make a hard sell. It was obvious
Ben had already made up his mind to become a Republican.
I can vividly remember when Ben attended his first Republican policy
luncheon. Ben and I had discussed how disappointed he was with the
direction and tone of the Democrat policy meetings. He said they had
devolved from honest discussions of differences into angry, one-sided
shouting matches dominated by some of the most senior and well-known
members. If you didn't agree with their liberal positions, your view
wasn't welcome.
I assured Ben that the Republicans were different. We showed great
respect for one another and there was always considerable deference
given to differing points of view.
When Ben and I took our places at the back of the room--where we have
sat together since that day--a quiet discussion soon broke out into
bitter argument. One person jumped up, anger seething from his face,
stared at another very senior member with a snarl on his face, and then
called him a derogatory name. Everyone started shouting, and it took
Bob Dole several minutes to restore order.
Ben's eyes got larger and larger as he watched what was happening,
then without turning his head, he gave me a quick jab in the ribs.
``Gee, Orrin,'' he muttered, ``it's sure good to see how well we
Republicans get along compared to those darn Democrats!''
Thankfully, Ben's decision to join the Republican Party wasn't solely
based on policy lunches.
I have plenty more stories to tell of my good friend from Colorado,
but I will close by saying that I will miss Ben dearly and wish him the
very best as he starts the next phase in his life. I know him too well
to think that this is really a retirement from public service. This is
just the end of one phase of service that will open up several other
ways for him to reach out and make a difference in the lives of those
around him.
Zell Miller
Mr. President, I am grateful for the chance to take a few moments to
recognize my good friend from across the aisle, Senator Zell Miller of
Georgia. Zell is one of my best friends in the United States Senate. I
know every one of my Senate colleagues would join me in expressing how
much we care for Senator Miller and how much we will miss him.
It is no secret that Zell is his own man, someone who does what he
believes is right, not what is politically expedient. His values were
shaped while growing up in the South, raised by his strong mother and
reinforced through his service in the U.S. Marine Corps.
And for those who say you cannot be a successful politician without
sacrificing some of your principles, I point to my good friend from
Georgia. When he finishes his Senate term this year, he will complete
nearly six decades of publicly elected service, starting with his first
election as mayor of his hometown of Young Harris, Georgia, in the late
1950s.
Zell was a popular two-term Governor of Georgia in fact, he was named
the most popular Governor in America by The Washington Post in 1998.
His popularity came from his successful programs that found national
acclaim among them was passing the Nation's first ``two strikes and
you're out'' law against violent felons, starting the Nation's only
voluntary pre-kindergarten program for 4-year-olds, and creating the
nationally acclaimed HOPE scholarship that has had such tremendous
success in Georgia.
My good friend swept into the Senate to complete the remaining 4
years of the late Senator Paul Coverdell. Many political observers call
Zell the last of the Southern conservative Democrats to serve in the
Senate. He has certainly established himself as a strong voice for the
conservative, commonsense approach to issues, reaching across the aisle
to support tax cuts, improve education, confirm judicial nominations,
and strengthen national security.
Zell is widely known for his straight talk on the issues you know
where he stands and what he stands for, and everything he says comes
straight from the heart. I can't tell you how many times a constituent
from my home State of Utah will write to tell me how inspired they were
by a speech that Zell had given on this Senate floor.
I am sorry to see Zell leave, but I am grateful for the service he
has given these last 4 years. He is beloved by Georgians, and I know he
would have easily been reelected, and he is beloved by millions in
America. And, last but not least, he is beloved by his colleagues here
in the Senate.
Peter G. Fitzgerald
Mr. President, I would like to take a moment of the Senate's time, as
we near completion of our duties for the 108th Congress, to honor the
work and contribution to Republican Party, the Senate, and the Nation
of my friend, the Senator from Illinois, Senator Peter Fitzgerald.
Senator Fitzgerald has chosen to take his youth and talents and serve
in other areas outside of the Senate. Our loss will be, no doubt, the
gain of others.
Senator Fitzgerald provided a good, youthful, and modern face to the
Republican Party. Our party will only stay strong if we maintain within
it our own diversity of perspectives, and I am grateful for the
contribution of Senator Fitzgerald.
Elected to the Senate in 1998 at the very young age of 38, the
Senator immediately added his vigor, intelligence, and experience in
financial markets to address many of the complicated issues faced by
your Government and society as the Nation turned into the 21st century.
When corporate scandals erupted early in this century, threatening to
undermine confidence in markets, the Senate was, indeed, fortunate to
be able to turn to Senator Fitzgerald for his thoughtful and informed
guidance. As a former commercial banking attorney, he used his
expertise in his positions on the Commerce and Governmental Affairs
Committees, particularly his chairmanship of the subcommittee on
Financial Management, the Budget and International Security, to chair
or support numerous hearings to illuminate the problems and necessary
legislation we needed to return probity to financial dealings and
confidence in our markets. The modern capitalist system is what
provides growth and wealth to all the societies of the world, and the
American markets are the most dynamic in the world. They are also the
most diversified, and the vast majority of our citizens depend on them
for employment, security and retirement. We owe a
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great deal of appreciation to Senator Fitzgerald for his work on
corporate fraud issues, and I would like to thank him, once again.
Senator Fitzgerald is a reformer, through and through. It is his
dedication to our system of Government and economy that drove him to
find ways to improve it. He applied his drive to reform to consumer
issues, Government affairs, financial management, and the complicated
mesh of revenue collection that is the current tax system of this
country. And he quite deservedly received numerous acclamations from
groups advocating for consumer and tax reform.
Through this all, he never lost his focus on his home State. He
didn't work for Illinois to get re-elected, he worked for Illinois
because of his dedication to his State and his high standards of public
service. A column in the Chicago Tribune, a good paper not known for
being ragingly Republican, commended him for ``elevating courage and
honesty to new heights.'' That sounds right to me.
I will miss the presence of Senator Fitzgerald, his thoughtful floor
statements before this body, and the impeccable manners of a gentleman
that are so naturally his. His State can be proud of the Republican
they sent to serve too briefly in this body. We will miss his
intelligence and dedication, and I will miss a good Senator and friend.
I expect that, with his relative youth, we will hear much more of Peter
G. Fitzgerald.
Don Nickles
Mr. President, I rise today to express my sincere gratitude for
having had the opportunity to serve with Senator Don Nickles, and to
wish him the very best as he retires from the Senate.
A lot of descriptive words come to my mind when I think of Don
Nickles. Among the most prominent are courageous, knowledgeable, and
engaging. All three of these, as well as many other of Don Nickles'
qualities, will be sorely missed in the United States Senate.
I can think of no other Member of the Senate who has been a more rock
solid beacon for conservatism than Don Nickles. His is the kind of
courage that leads him to speak up alone against the whole world, if
necessary, for what he believes. No matter what the issue or whether it
is brought up on the floor of the Senate, in one of his committees, or
in some other forum, Don Nickles is willing to speak up in his earnest
yet friendly manner to ask questions, raise concerns, and stand up for
conservative principles. Senator Nickles has been one of the most
articulate Senators I have seen in my 28 years of service in the
Senate. His voice, in defense for what he and many of us believe to be
right, will be noticeably absent in the months and years to come.
Senator Nickles is also one of the most knowledgeable Members of this
body. I have long been impressed with his grasp of minute details of
economic, tax, and budget issues. His major committee assignments,
Budget, Finance, and Energy, all cover complex issues that can take a
huge amount of effort to master. Yet, Don clearly does his homework and
seems totally at ease in discussing details of the budget or a
comprehensive tax bill. As chairman of the Budget Committee, Senator
Nickles has served with distinction. With all the challenges facing the
budget in the recent past, Don has presided over that committee in
particularly trying times. Yet, he has exhibited patience and
perseverance in the midst of a number of very difficult problems. Every
citizen of this country owes him a debt of gratitude for his service on
our behalf.
Don Nickles is also one of the most engaging individuals I have had
the privilege of knowing. His quick smile and friendliness to not only
other Senators, but also to Senate staff and to everyone he meets marks
him as a genuinely fine individual. I know Don has a deep faith in God
and strives to do his best to live according to his convictions.
As Senator Nickles moves on toward the next stage in his impressive
career, I wish him the very best and hope that we have the opportunity
to see him regularly and to have the benefit of his wisdom and
knowledge for many years to come.
Tom Daschle
Mr. President, I am grateful for this opportunity to say a few words
about our friend and colleague, the distinguished minority leader,
Senator Tom Daschle.
Tom's commitment to public service, on behalf of the people of South
Dakota and America, is an example I hope more citizens will follow. He
served here as a Senate staff member before being elected to the House
of Representatives in 1978. South Dakota is one of just seven States
with a single House member, which required Tom to run a statewide race.
That was familiar territory for him when he ran for and won his Senate
seat in 1986. Tom is one of 49 Senators who previously served in the
other body, experience which I believe enhances their service here and
makes the Senate more effective in serving all Americans.
Yesterday, our colleague Senator Durbin said that it is hard to
imagine the Senate without Tom Daschle. Some might merit that
compliment because of the sheer length of their tenure. Tom merits it
because of the presence he quickly established, both as a Member and as
a leader in this body. He was only 2 years into a second term when his
fellow Democrats elected him their leader by just one vote. Only Lyndon
Johnson became his party's leader more quickly.
Tom's 10 years as Democratic leader included periods as both majority
and minority leader. Those positions, especially in a narrowly divided
chamber, are each very challenging and each very different. Tom served
in each post with class and determination, unifying his caucus and
working to achieve their agenda. Needless to say, we have not agreed on
every element of that agenda. But in this political world, it is really
a compliment to say that Tom effectively and skillfully used whatever
tools were available to fight for what he believed and for what his
caucus wanted to achieve. Even when we were at loggerheads, when it
seemed like the irresistible force was meeting the immovable object,
civility has always marked Tom Daschle's presence in this body, as a
Senator and as a leader.
I was gratified to hear Senator Daschle's comments on this floor
yesterday and a few things really stood out. First, I was struck by the
fact that he his number in the chronological list of United States
Senators is 1776. Tom offered the valuable reflection that he is, as we
all are, part of the broad sweep of American history, from the American
revolution to the 108th Congress and into the future.
Second, Tom asked a very important question, whether our power comes
just from military might or also from wisdom, compassion, tolerance,
and willingness to cooperate. Everyone who serves in this body should
maintain that perspective.
Third, Tom spoke of what he called the politics of the common ground.
Individual Senators, as well as the two political parties, have certain
bottom-line issues, certain fundamental principles or positions on
which they just find little room to give. But on others, and I
sometimes wonder whether this list is longer than we might think, we
must practice the politics of common ground. Reminding us of that was,
by itself, an act of leadership by the minority leader.
And finally, he told us of a note he wrote on one of his famous
unscheduled driving trips across his State. He wrote, ``Everything was
worth doing.'' Each of us who has worked alongside Tom Daschle, whether
on the same or opposing sides, knows that this is his approach to, and
attitude about, public service. That sets a good example for us all.
Bob Graham
Mr. HARKIN. Mr. President, with the close of the 108th Congress, the
Senate will lose to retirement one of our most respected and admired
Members, Senator Bob Graham of Florida.
I remember how impressed we were in 1987 when Bob came to the Senate
after two terms as an enormously popular Governor of Florida. From the
start, he made his mark in this body as a serious and diligent
legislator--a classic workhorse Senator rather than show-horse Senator.
One of his greatest accomplishments was the passage, 4 years ago, of
comprehensive legislation to restore and protect the Florida
Everglades. This was Bob Graham at his very best: forging a bipartisan
consensus, and crafting a unique partnership among
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Federal, State and local governments as well as private industries and
landowners. This will be a living monument to Senator Bob Graham: a
restored and revitalized Everglades.
I first got to know Bob Graham back in 1977, a decade before he came
to this body. At the time, he was a state senator down in Florida,
planning to run for Governor the following year. He had heard about my
work days, an idea that I originated when I was running for Congress in
1974. I had spent dozens of work days--as a cop on the beat,
construction worker, farmer, nurse's aide, and many other professions.
It was a great way to get in touch with ordinary working Iowans and
their concerns.
I remember Bob coming by my office over in the Cannon House Office
Building. He was a very serious man, very analytical and thorough. He
asked all the right questions. And a couple weeks later, he sent me his
plan to conduct 100 work days during his campaign for Governor. I told
him, as tactfully as I could, that was way too many, that he would
never be able to do it. But Bob went ahead with his plan. He did,
indeed, conduct 100 work days. He did, indeed, get elected Governor of
Florida. And I learned never to underestimate Bob Graham.
By the way, Bob's work days didn't stop there. As Governor and United
States Senator, he went on to complete nearly 400 work days, serving as
police officer, teacher, garbage man, busboy, hurricane relief worker,
you name it. Bob swears by the value of these days--as I do. In fact,
in 1997, he spent one work day as a U.S. Customs inspector at the port
in Tampa. This opened his eyes to the extreme vulnerability of our
ports to crime, drug trafficking, and terrorist strikes.
And the work days continue. Last month, Senator Graham spent a day as
a high school civics teacher in Miami. And just this past weekend, he
spent a day as a bookseller in Coral Gables.
All of which is typical of Bob Graham. He may be retiring from the
Senate, but he is not a retiring man. He continues to be a workhorse
and a whirlwind of activity. His new book, Intelligence Matters, has
stirred up controversy by shining a spotlight on the Saudi royal
family's connections to terrorism.
The fact is Bob is leaving the Senate at the very top of his game,
especially in the field of intelligence and homeland security. After
the September 11 attacks, it was Senator Graham who proposed the
creation of a joint House-Senate inquiry into the intelligence failures
leading up to the attacks. Senator Graham ended up serving as cochair
of that historic effort, and he did just a brilliant job of keeping the
inquiry bipartisan, focused on the facts, focused on solutions.
Meanwhile, events have vindicated Senator Graham's principled stand
as one of only 23 Senators to vote in October 2002 against the
resolution to authorize the use of force against Saddam. At the time,
he argued passionately that the war on terrorism should be our highest
priority. He insisted that al Qaeda was the real threat to America, and
that an attack on Iraq would be a detour and distraction from the war
on terrorism. And, as usual, Bob Graham was exactly right. The Senate
failed to heed his warnings. I failed to heed his warnings. And, as a
result, Osama bin Laden remains at large, al-Qaida and the Taliban are
reconstituting themselves, and our Armed Forces are bogged down in a
quagmire in Iraq.
So, no question, with Bob Graham's retirement, the Senate is losing
one of its most talented and respected members. Over the years, Bob and
Adele have become wonderful friends, and those friendships will
continue. But I will miss the day-to-day association on the floor with
Bob.
As I said, you have to respect the fact that Bob Graham is leaving
the Senate at the very top of his game. I wish Bob and Adele all the
best.
John Breaux
Mr. President, there are not many things on which all Senators agree.
But on one thing, there is universal, bipartisan agreement in this
body: We are going to miss Senator John Breaux when he retires at the
end of the 108th Congress.
Make no mistake, John Breaux is a tremendously accomplished Senator,
with scores of legislative achievements and accomplishments. He is a
Senator's Senator. But when I think of John Breaux, I think first and
foremost of his character, his unique way with people, and his
wonderful good nature.
You can disagree with John, but you can never dislike him. He has a
knack for taking disagreements and disputes, and turning them into
deals to move people forward. This is a priceless talent--a special
skill--and I have never met another politician who could match John
Breaux's gifts in this regard.
For John, politics is not something you do with clinched teeth.
Politics is a joy. Politics is fun. They used to call Hubert Humphrey
the ``happy warrior.'' And that is very much the spirit that John
Breaux has always brought to his work in the Senate. However, John
would rather not make war on other Senators; he would rather cut a
constructive deal that gets things done for ordinary people.
Of course, these personal qualities have allowed John Breaux to be an
amazingly effective Senator for his State of Louisiana. When John comes
to you, when he tells you he needs help on a measure critical to his
State, it is mighty hard to say no. Frankly, many times I have had a
preconceived notion against the oil and gas industries, and I have
opposed what they are trying to do on this or that bill. But John
Breaux would come to see you, he talks it through, and next thing you
know, you find yourself supporting him. He is just so effective in that
kind of one-on-one persuasion. And, time and again, Louisiana has been
the big winner.
Another hallmark of John Breaux in the Senate has been his
commonsense centrism. John is a man of strong principles, but he is not
rigid and he certainly is not an ideologue. The questions John asks
are, ``What is practical?'' ``What is going to work in the real
world?'' ``What can we bring people together on, in order to make a
positive difference?''
Typical of Senator Breaux was his proposal a couple years ago to
address the problem of 54 million Americans without health insurance.
He called for universal health care. But he kept it practical. He
proposed that all Americans have access to a basic, government-defined
insurance package similar to what members of Congress and our staffs
get from the Federal Employees Health Benefit Plan. And he proposed tax
credits to make premiums more affordable for middle- and lower-income
citizens.
Perhaps it is symbolic that John Breaux is leaving the Senate at this
time. As we saw this week in the conference on the FSC bill, the spirit
of compromise and the art of constructive accommodation seem to be
dying in the Senate--and even more so in the House. Increasingly, the
attitude around here is ``my way or the highway.'' And that is not the
Senate that I have loved over the years. That is not healthy for our
democracy.
The shame is that John Breaux is leaving at exactly the time when we
need his talents more than ever. In fact, we need a dozen John Breauxs
around here to heal this body, to show people how to rise above
partisanship in the best interests of the country.
So I will miss John's presence in the Senate. We will all miss him.
But John Breaux is the youngest 60-year-old person I have ever met. And
you can bet that he has many challenges and opportunities still ahead
of him. John and Lois have been, and will continue to be, wonderful
friends. And I wish them all the best.
Ernest F. Hollings
Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, I rise to join my colleagues in tribute to
Senator Ernest ``Fritz'' Hollings. I will miss my good friend from
South Carolina who in 2003, at the age of 81, finally became his
State's senior Senator--after 36 years as a junior Senator.
In addition to being remembered as a coauthor of the Gramm-Rudman-
Hollings legislation that cut tens of billions of dollars from the
Federal budget deficit, Fritz Hollings has left an indelible mark on
our Nation in the areas of health care, environmental protection,
resource conservation, technology development, job creation,
transportation security, and law enforcement, to name a few.
Immediately after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on
America,
[[Page S11703]]
Senator Hollings worked to protect the safety of our traveling public
by authoring the Aviation Security Act which created the Transportation
Security Administration. Similarly, recognizing that America's ports
and borders were our Nation's weak security links, Senator Hollings
championed legislation to increase security at America's ports.
As the father of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration,
Senator Hollings recognized the extent to which the ocean environment
sustains us--from human uses in commerce and recreation to being the
original cradle of life on our planet. He knew the importance of taking
appropriate steps to be responsible stewards of this rich, yet fragile
resource.
His oceans legacy includes authorship of the National Coastal Zone
Management Act of 1972, which established Federal policy for protecting
coastal areas, and the Marine Mammal Protection Act, which also became
the model for other countries, for the protection of dolphins, sea
otters and other mammals. In a continuing effort to do what is best for
our ocean environment, Senator Hollings created the U.S. Commission on
Ocean Policy in 2000, to review the accomplishments of the last 30
years, and recommend actions for the future. Upon the issuance of the
report, Senator Hollings laid the groundwork for legislation to adopt
the recommendations of the Ocean Commission. I am the proud cosponsor
of two of those measures, S. 2647, the Fritz Hollings National Ocean
Policy and Leadership Act, and S. 2648, the Ocean Research Coordination
and Advancement Act.
Beyond the oceans, Senator Hollings worked to make our communities
and schools safer, through programs such as Community Oriented Policing
Services--COPS--that put more than 100,000 police officers on the
streets in 13,000 communities across the country. The COPS program is
also the largest source of dedicated funding for interoperable
communications for public safety officers.
Senator Hollings brought competition to the telecommunications arena
which resulted in new services to consumers at affordable rates.
I will miss Senator Hollings' wisdom, vision, and wit, but, most of
all, his friendship.
I wish Fritz and his wife Peatsy a fond Aloha.
don nickles
Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, Don Nickles first came to the Senate in
1980 as a young man of 31 with a vision. He now leaves us, 24 years
later, with a record we all can envy and a reputation we all should
emulate. There are a lot of words that can be used to describe this
man. Perhaps these five describe him best: ``As good as his word.''
In his eloquent eulogy to Ronald Reagan this summer, Don said that
those who came to Washington after the watershed election of 1980,
``considered ourselves part of the soldiers in the field trying to get
an agenda done to expand freedom.''
There is no more noble an agenda than the expansion of freedom, and
he has been a devoted soldier to that cause. He has been a strong
advocate for our Armed Forces, dedicated to the defense of our Nation
and to the expansion of liberty around the world.
He has been equally devoted to the freedom that comes from
responsible, less intrusive and more accountable government. He is a
champion of effective economic-growth policies, and of tax reform that
encourages investment and helps build strong families and communities.
Don Nickles has always been of the side of the American people. His
tenure as chairman of the Budget Committee will long be held up as a
model of effective leadership, a cooperative spirit wedded to rock-
solid principles.
Don comes from a small State and from a background in small business.
That we have not always agreed on every issue is insignificant. What
does matter is the values we share and the friendship that is the
result.
Don is much more than just an especially effective legislator and a
very good friend. When Oklahoma City was struck by a heinous act of
terrorism in 1995, he was there for the people of his State, offering
comfort and support. The rebuilding, both material and spiritual, would
not have been so quickly and thoroughly accomplished without the
strength of Don Nickles.
He came here as a young man and, despite the passage of 24 years,
leaves as a young man. And, I might add, as a pretty fast man. In the
New York Marathon last weekend, Oklahoma's senior senator finished in
the top half of a field of more than 36,000 runners. If there was a
caucus for Senators able to run more than 26 miles in less than 4\1/2\
hours, I believe it would be the smallest in the history of the
republic.
Thank you, Senator Don Nickles, for your service to this institution
and to this country. Whatever path the future sets before you, I know
you will be at the front of the pack.
ernest hollings
Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to a legend of
a man who has spent his career dedicated to working for the great
people of South Carolina. There is nothing small about Senator
Hollings. From his height, to his storied career, to his large booming
voice and southern drawl you can always hear calling ``yea'' or ``nay''
during rollcall votes, Senator Hollings is a giant. A reporter once
said that if you sent to central casting for a Senator, you got Fritz
Hollings. I have had the pleasure of serving with Senator Hollings for
all 30 of my years in the Senate and during that time he, and his wife
Peatsy, have been dear friends.
Before setting foot in this Chamber, Senator Hollings had amassed a
career that any man would be proud of. He attended the Citadel, the
Military College of South Carolina, and upon his graduation in 1942
accepted a commission in the U.S. Army. He served our country honorably
in the campaigns in North Africa and Europe during World War II, and
received a Bronze Star for his valor. Senator Hollings began his
political career when he was 26 as he was elected to the South Carolina
House of Represenatives. During his second term he was voted Speaker
pro tempore and a short 4 years later he was elected lieutenant
governor. In 1958 at age 36 was elected as Governor, the youngest
Governor of South Carolina in the 20th Century.
Senator Hollings was first elected to Senate in 1966 and has
subsequently been re-elected to six additional terms, making him the
ninth longest serving Member of this body. Throughout his entire career
the Senator has been a leader, fighting to protect our ports, our
neighborhoods and American manufacturing jobs. He has been an outspoken
advocate for fiscal responsibility, civil rights and against hunger.
In 1974, he led the creation of the Women, Infants and Children--
WIC--nutritional assistance program. In 1978, he sponsored legislation
and helped secure funding for South Carolina's first National Park,
Congaree Swamp. He has stood tall in protecting our oceans and coasts,
he authored the Marine Mammal Protection Act and the Oceans Act of
2000, which created the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy.
Since 1967 Senator Hollings has been a member of the Commerce
Committee and from his coauthorship of the 1996 Telecommunications Act
that deregulated the telecom industry to his work on the FTC ``Do Not
Call List,'' he has consistently looked out for the best interest of
consumers. In 2000, Senator Hollings and I, along with Senators
Sarbanes and Wyden, were successful in beating back the wholesale
federal preemptions of State consumer protection laws during
negotiations of the E-Commerce bill which I sponsored.
Senator Hollings is the longest serving Democrat on the Budget
Committee, and is the only Democrat to have served on the committee
every year since its creation. In 1984 Senator Hollings collaborated
with Senators Phil Gramm and Warren Rudman to establish the Gramm-
Hollings-Rudman deficit reduction legislation that helped reduce the
deficit by $70 billion in its first year of enactment.
I have had the pleasure to serve with Senator Hollings on the
Appropriations Committee, where he has served since 1971, and is
currently 3rd highest ranking member. From this position he has helped
important initiatives both in South Carolina and nationally, such as a
cause I have always strongly supported, the battle against cancer.
Senator Hollings helped create a nationwide program to screen women for
breast and cervical cancer and worked to establish a cancer center at
the Medical University of South Carolina that bears his name.
[[Page S11704]]
Earlier this fall more than 600 friends came together to celebrate
Senator Hollings's career in the Senate, an event that raised $2
million for the Hollings Cancer Center. We toasted his accomplishments
and his incredible career of public service that has spanned more than
five decades in State and national politics. I joined this body in 1974
and I immediately learned that Senator Hollings is a man that always
speaks his mind. His straightforward manner, dynamic personality and
unwavering integrity are qualities that make me proud to call him my
friend. I have valued his friendship and his camaraderie over these
past 30 years, and I wish Fritz and his wife Peatsy the best of lives
in their beloved South Carolina.
john breaux
Mr. President, the State of Louisiana has a proud history of sending
remarkable public figures to serve in the Senate. Louisiana has elected
leaders that have been influential in guiding the direction of our
country. Our colleague John Breaux is a man from this same mold. For
more than 30 years the senior Senator from Louisiana has represented
his State in Washington, with 18 years as a Member of this body, and 14
years of service in the House of Representatives. In that time, he has
always been willing to reach across the aisle to bring our colleagues
together and his leadership has produced a list of impressive
legislative accomplishments.
As chairman and then as ranking member of the Special Committee on
Aging, Senator Breaux has fought tirelessly for the rights of older
Americans, working to reform and protect both Social Security and
Medicare. The senior Senator from Louisiana has also provided strong
leadership within the Senate during his 8-year tenure as deputy chief
whip. His repeated election to this position speaks to the respect that
our colleagues have for Senator Breaux's ability to routinely bring
together Members with differing opinions to build a consensus.
One of Senator Breaux's lasting legacies will be the leading role he
has taken with regard to environmental conservation. In 1990, the
Senator authored the Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection and
Restoration Act, which provides for the restoration of the vital
coastal wetlands of Louisiana and has since become known as the Breaux
Act. This legislation was passed during his first term in the Senate
and has since been renewed. More recently, Senator Breaux has supported
legislation that would help protect coastal regions from the impact of
offshore oil and gas exploration.
In our many years of service together, Senator Breaux and I have had
the opportunity to work closely on a wide range of issues. We both have
been actively involved in telecommunications legislation, and
collaborated on legislation that authorized reform of the telephone
industry. I am particularly appreciative of Senator Breaux's unwavering
support for legislation opposing the use of antipersonnel landmines, an
issue of great significance to me personally and to the safety of
millions of people around the world.
I am proud of the body of legislation that Senator Breaux and I
advanced together throughout our shared time in the Senate. I commend
Senator Breaux for his dedication to being a watchdog for American
seniors, for his legacy of environmental protection in Louisiana, and
for his record of public service on behalf of his fellow Louisianans.
The Senate and the people of Louisiana are losing a dedicated public
servant and exceptional leader. I congratulate the Senator on a
remarkable congressional career and wish him continued success in his
future endeavors.
On a personal level, John and Lois Breaux are good friends. Marcelle
and I share the joy of telling grandchildren stories--and even of
borrowing Mardi Gras costumes. I quickly realized in wearing one that
you needed the special Cajun flavor of Louisiana to carry it off. John
can do that one day at a Mardi Gras party and the next day handle on
the floor the most complex issue facing the Finance Committee. He is a
Senator's Senator.
Bob Graham
Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, at the end of this Congress we will bid
farewell to distinguished members of this body who have served their
States and their country with honor. I rise today to pay tribute to the
Senior Senator from Florida, a man who has been a leader in the Senate
on national intelligence issues, prescription drugs and the environment
and has been a strong voice in this body on behalf of the interests of
his fellow Floridians.
For more than four decades Senator Graham has been a leader in
Florida politics, serving his State as a State representative and
Senator, as Governor and as a United States Senator. For 18 years
Senator Graham has compiled an impressive record of leadership while
serving as chairman and ranking member of the Veterans Affairs
Committee, chairman of the Intelligence Committee, chairman of the
Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, and as a senior member of the
Senate Finance Committee.
Since 1974, Senator Graham has completed more than 400 ``Workdays,''
with Floridians around his State. During these workdays the Senator
spends working alongside his constituents, the personal interaction
helps him understand the challenges that Floridians face. These visits
clearly have provided Senator Graham with an opportunity to recognize
the community values and hard work that are exhibited and shared by his
constituents. These jobs have gone everywhere from garbage loader to
short order cook. No Senator has done anything similar.
From his position on the Senate Finance Committee, Senator Graham has
picked up the torch for causes supported by another respected Floridian
Claude Pepper, the former Senator and Congressman. He has supported
providing affordable prescription drugs to Americans and has advocated
for a common sense approach to Medicare that focuses on wellness and
preventative health. Senator Graham has increased access to the
Children's Health Insurance Program and has pushed Congress to live up
to its commitment to support social services.
Both as Governor and Senator, Bob Graham has been dedicated to
protecting the environment. He has helped direct millions of dollars to
protect the Everglades, restore wetlands and promote responsible
development. In the Senate, Bob Graham has voiced opposition to
drilling on the Outer Continental Shelf and for an end to the harmful
practice of dredging in the Apalachicola River.
For those of us that have served with Senator Graham in the Senate we
have admired his hard work and dedication to his constituents. We join
him now in celebrating his eighteen successful years in this body, a
period of time that is one part of a career of service to the State of
Florida. As Senator Graham moves out of the public eye, he leaves
behind a legacy of accomplishment that will be forever remembered by
his fellow Americans and Floridians. He also leaves a reputation of
integrity and insight. History will show that this country should have
listened to his warnings about the failed intelligence leading up to
the war in Iraq.
John Edwards
Mr. President, I rise today to recognize the service of Senator John
Edwards of North Carolina.
Because of his time on the campaign trail, Senator Edwards' biography
is well known to most Americans. He is the son of a mill worker and was
the first in his family to attend college. Before coming to the Senate,
John fought for victims' rights against insurance companies for more
than 20 years in North Carolina. He enjoyed great success in that
career, but seeking to do more for the people of his State, he decided
to run for the Senate in 1998. John ran against, and defeated, an
incumbent Senator, Senator Faircloth. Immediately upon arriving in the
Senate, Senator Edwards began to make an impact.
Only a few days after Senator Edwards was sworn in, I asked him to
help depose witnesses in the impeachment trial of President Clinton. I
wanted to make sure we had the best, and I thought he was. It was
John's career experience that made him an ideal choice to assist in the
depositions, and he had recent experience working in the trenches. In
that pressure filled situation John won the respect of all of his
colleagues, both on this side of the aisle and the other.
From his seat on the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee,
[[Page S11705]]
Senator Edwards advocated for lowering the cost of prescription drugs
for all Americans by improving access to generic medications. In 2001,
he authored the Patients' Bill of Rights which would have guaranteed
that people in HMOs and other insurance plans get the health care they
pay for. Unfortunately, this was passed in the Senate but blocked by
the White House. In addition to serving on the HELP Committee, Senator
Edwards served on the Intelligence, Small Business, and Judiciary
Committees.
As a member of the Judiciary Committee, Senator Edwards worked
closely with me on a number of legislative efforts. He was a cosponsor
of the Innocence Protection Act, the National Amber Alert Network, and
a strong voice on judicial nominations. Senator Edwards has stood up to
efforts by this President to pack the courts with people whose records
do not demonstrate that they will be fair judges to all who come before
them, rich or poor, Democrats or Republicans, or any race or
background.
In September of 2003, Senator Edwards announced that he was running
for President. John ran a great campaign, raising issues important to
the American people. He frequently referred to the division of America
into two halves, that of the haves and that of the have-nots. John
focused on the struggles of the middle class and many of the same
issues that he was a leader on during his time in the Senate.
Throughout the campaign, John was a positive voice for our party, and
he was an excellent choice as a running mate for John Kerry.
In an interview, John once said that he had an ideal image of what a
U.S. Senator should be. He said that ``I think about a fiery advocate,
someone who works passionately for his constituents.'' For the past 6
years, John has been exactly that. Be it health or education reform,
supporting farmers or North Carolina's economic interests, John Edwards
has been an incredible leader and advocate for his State. I will miss
John's friendship here in the Senate. I know that he has a wonderful
wife and three beautiful children, and that whatever steps he takes
next that he will be just fine as long as he has their support.
Ben Nighthorse Campbell
Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, for the past 12 years, the Senator from
Colorado has served his State with distinction as a member of this
body. Throughout that time, I have been pleased to join my friend and
colleague in a number of legislative efforts. He has been a tireless
advocate on behalf of Native Americans, for the protection of police
officers, and for preserving public lands and natural resources. It is
because of his leadership on these, and many other issues, that the
presence of the senior Senator from Colorado will be missed in this
Chamber.
In 1989, Senator Campbell, then Congressman Campbell, sponsored
legislation to create a new museum that would ensure the recognition
and celebration of Native American culture and history. I am thrilled
that earlier this summer we were able to join in the celebration with
Senator Campbell as the Smithsonian Museum of the American Indian
opened in Washington, DC. I know that none of us will ever forget the
sight of our colleague in full chief's regalia speaking on the Senate
floor on the day the new museum opened.
Before serving his State in Washington, Senator Campbell represented
his country as the captain of the U.S.-Olympic Judo team, competing in
the 1964 Tokyo Summer Olympics. While I have never had to witness him
use these skills on a fellow member of the Senate, he once helped
subdue a suspect that had shoved Senator Thurmond until the Capitol
Police arrived.
One of Senator Campbell's most noted passions is his enthusiasm for
motor vehicles. Senator Campbell has a well documented love of Harley-
Davidson motorcycles, and Washingtonians have occasionally caught a
glimpse of the Senator riding around town on his motorcycle. As the
Capitol Hill newspaper The Hill noted in April of 2003, the Senator
added to his vehicle collection last spring when he replaced his 20-
year-old Dodge Plymouth last spring with a brand new Mini Cooper. While
most Americans may know how the Senator gets around town when he is in
Washington, far fewer probably know that Senator Campbell was behind
the wheel for most of the trip when the 2000 National Holiday Tree was
transported from Colorado to Washington, DC on a Mack truck.
Senator Campbell and I share a background in law enforcement, he as a
former Sacramento County sheriff's deputy in California, and I as a
State's attorney in Vermont. This background helped bring us together
to develop the Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Acts of 1998 that has
since been reauthorized in both 2000 and 2004. Since its inception in
1999, this highly successful Department of Justice program has provided
law enforcement officers in 16,000 jurisdictions nationwide with nearly
350,000 new bulletproof vests.
Earlier this year, Senator Campbell and I collaborated to produce the
Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act, which will allow qualified active-
duty law enforcement officers to travel interstate with a firearm,
provided that officers are carrying their official badges and
photographic identification. I was proud to team up with Senator
Campbell in writing and introducing the Senate version of the Law
Enforcement Officers Safety Act that will enable law enforcement
officers nationwide to be prepared to answer a call to duty no matter
where, when, or in what form it comes.
Senator Campbell has a long and distinguished legislative history as
a Member of the United States Congress. I am proud to have served with
him on the Agriculture and Appropriations Committees, and I am proud of
our partnerships to protect police officers, fight against landmines,
and to provide funding for the WIC and Head Start programs. I applaud
the Senator for his 12 years of service in the Senate and 6 years of
service in the House of Representatives, and I congratulate him on a
remarkable career.
Mrs. DOLE. Mr. President, today I want to take a moment to pay
tribute to my friend and my colleague, Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell.
Long before I arrived in the Senate, Ben had proven to be a trusted
friend. In my early days as a Senator, our friendship was furthered as
I sought wise counsel from veteran members like Ben. I found that his
wisdom and insight on the rules and idiosyncrasies of Capitol Hill were
invaluable to my adjustment here. And I must say, I just thoroughly
enjoy his company. It goes without saying that having to say farewell
to Ben certainly pulls at my heartstrings.
I also sought Ben's aid when I introduced my first legislation to
finally offer the Lumbee Indian Tribe Federal recognition. This
significant bill would not have moved forward without the strong
assistance of the Senator from Colorado. I was moved by Ben's interest
in the bill, and to this day, I am touched that he remains invested in
something so close to my heart. I am eternally grateful for the role
he's played in moving Lumbee recognition one step closer to becoming a
reality. Ben's commitment to the Native American community is
unparalleled and is certainly to be commended.
Ben's legacy will linger in the halls of the Senate long after he has
shut the door to his offices. He leaves behind a record of service that
one can only hope to emulate. Coloradoans have benefited from Ben's
character, conscientiousness and compassion for years, and I know they
will welcome him home with open arms.
My warmest best wishes to my dear and treasured friend, Senator Ben
Nighthorse Campbell. There is no doubt that he will be sorely missed,
not just by me, but by all of us who have been blessed to call him our
colleague and our friend.
don nickles
Mr. President, it is an honor to pay tribute to a good friend and
colleague who has had such a stellar and effective career in the United
States Senate. I am so proud to have worked alongside a man of such
character and knowledge, and I am certain that I speak for all my
colleagues when I say his leadership in Congress will be sorely missed.
Don Nickles' career is the classic American success story. After
working his way through Oklahoma State University by starting a
janitorial service, he was elected to the United States Senate in 1980
at the age of 31. While serving in Congress, his peers haveconsistently
shown their confidence in his abilities, electing him to
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several leadership posts including senatorial committee Chair, chairman
of the Republican Policy Committee, assistant majority leader and
Budget Committee chairman.
The day after Don announced he would not seek a fifth U.S. Senate
term, the Oklahoma City Daily Oklahoman stated that his retirement
``will leave Oklahoma without its most powerful Washington advocate.''
How true that is. Over his two-decades-long career, the good that Don
has done for his constituency is immeasurable.
As a Senator, Don has amassed a tremendous record as an advocate for
taxpayers. When our economy was in need of recovery because of a
recession compounded by the events of September 11, Don was a leader in
pushing the economic growth and tax relief package through Congress.
Thanks to his efforts, today our economy is on the upswing with jobs
being added, homes being built and small businesses expanding. Don gets
great credit for his role in making that happen.
I will always remember Don coming down to Eastern North Carolina to
campaign with me at a tobacco warehouse. Asked to speak on stage in
favor of the tobacco quota buyout, which of course he did not support,
he graciously spoke about how hard I would work to get this done for
the State. Don demonstrated his character that day, as he did on so
many other days during his many outstanding years as a servant of the
public.
Don has always used the power of his office for good. I admire the
way that he has stood for what he believes, no matter the challenge. He
has brilliantly served the people of Oklahoma and all Americans with
courage and conviction, a stellar example for those who follow in his
footsteps. May God bless Senator Don Nickles and his family for many
years to come.
Ms. SNOWE. Mr. President, I rise to join my colleagues today in
paying tribute to a man who, in the President's words, ``has left his
mark on virtually every major issue'' during his service in this body,
the senior Senator from Oklahoma, the Budget Committee chairman, our
colleague Don Nickles.
For more than two decades, Senator Nickles has served the people of
Oklahoma and America with strength of conviction, wisdom, and hard
work, every day. I have had the good fortune of serving with the
Senator from Oklahoma for a decade, particularly closely on the Budget
and Finance Committee, and for 6 years as his counsel while he was
majority whip. I have gotten to know well Senator Nickles' passion and
insight, his firm understanding of policy matched with ability to
plainly articulate it, and his generous sense of humor and warm
personality that have made him a colleague no one will soon forget.
Oklahoma sent Don Nickles to the Senate in the year of the ``Reagan
Revolution''--1980. In many ways--and I know the Senator has said so
himself--his start in public service was molded and defined by
President Reagan's inspiring vision and love of freedom. Our new 69-
year-old President projected a contagious, even youthful optimism. So
did the new Senator from Oklahoma, but in Don Nickles' case, it was the
optimism of youth. At 31, he was the youngest Republican elected to
this chamber in American history.
Senator Nickles' contributions shepherding the Reagan agenda through
Congress were immediate and his rise was meteoric. After 6 years he had
served as NRSC chairman and was at the helm of the Republican policy
council.
I must say that as Chair of the Small Business Committee, I think it
is an invaluable asset to the Senate to have a colleague such as
Senator Nickles who has been there on the front lines of job creation
as an entrepreneur--starting his own janitorial service to work his way
through Oklahoma State. Before Senator Nickles came to Washington, he
was a small businessman from Ponca City, OK. He was already allergic to
needless red tape and gridlock. So when Senator Nickles sees a problem,
he sets out to solve it--guided by his deeply held principles and
informed by a firm grasp of the legislative process.
Like the leader he counts as his mentor, President Reagan, the
Senator from Oklahoma brings to public life his firmly rooted beliefs,
a can-do Heartland optimism, and that rare ability to disagree without
being disagreeable. Senator Nickles is a colleague I will miss, and I
wish him, his wife Linda, and his family much happiness in the new
endeavors that lie ahead.
I am pleased to join my colleagues in thanking and honoring Senator
Nickles for over two decades of distinguished service to the country he
loves and the State he has made proud.
john breaux
Mr. President, I rise today to honor my friend and incomparable
colleague in both the House and Senate for 26 years, Senator John
Breaux. The senior Senator from Louisiana leaves this institution
stronger for having lent his voice and his leadership to these
Chambers. Senator Breaux's commitment to bipartisan statesmanship has
enriched the Senate, improved the lives of Louisiana families and
resulted in landmark accomplishments for the American people.
Churchill said that ``A pessimist sees the difficulty in every
opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.'' By
that definition, none can doubt which camp Senator Breaux falls in. He
is the Senate's most irrepressible optimist. He steps into the breach,
not merely in words, but in countless efforts over his tenure in both
the House and Senate to make the process work for the people it is
intended to serve. Where some see hopeless gridlock, Senator Breaux
always sees a glimmer of hope and acts on it. Never settling for
complacency, he uses his trademark tenacity and energy to move the
deliberative process forward. His is a record of achievement over
acrimony.
I personally was privileged to work closely with Senator Breaux for
more than two decades. He and I have always shared a vision of politics
and public life as positive and constructive endeavors. And we have a
long history together, dating back to our days serving in the House of
Representatives, of reaching across the aisle to reach consensus and
produce results.
In fact, we worked together on such fundamental issues as the Federal
budget when Senator Breaux was a member of a moderate, southern
Democrat group called the Boll Weevils, and I a member of the northeast
Republican Gypsy Moths. Some still wonder why both our groups carried
the names of ravenous insects.
But it was fortuitous that Senator Breaux and I had this record of
cooperation because it seemed only natural when we later teamed-up as
cochairs of the Senate Centrist Coalition, which Senator Breaux founded
along with the late Senator John Chafee in 1995 during the Government
shutdown.
So there is no question that I will miss him--we will all miss him--
because we need more leaders such as Senator John Breaux in Congress.
He has proven that we can cultivate common ground even out of sometimes
barren partisan landscape. And his ability to forge compromises has
made possible many signature accomplishments of both Democrat and
Republican administrations. Senator Breaux views public service as an
opportunity to get things done for the people he serves, to make a
difference in their lives--whether it was reforming welfare to help
families move from public assistance to self-sufficiency, strengthening
and saving Medicare and Social Security, preserving wetlands like the
Louisiana Bayou, or providing tax relief to stimulate to job creation.
What has made Senator Breaux so effective is not only his legislative
acumen, but also his personal bonds with colleagues. The Senator has
brought people together with his self-effacing wit, his candid
approach, and his eagerness to reach out to colleagues on both sides of
the aisle. So it is not surprising that he departs the Senate with the
respect, trust and affection of Senators across the political spectrum.
I am grateful for the opportunity to have served alongside Senator
Breaux, and I wish him, his wife Lois, and their entire family all the
best in their future endeavors.
Mr. DASCHLE. Mr. President, nearly 26 years ago, I arrived in
Washington as a newly elected Congressman with an urgent desire to help
the people of my State but not nearly as much knowledge as I wanted
about exactly how to do that.
Having good ideas and getting those ideas enacted into law, as my old
friend Paul Wellstone used to say, are often
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two very different matters. I decided to call on some of my heroes men
who were serving in Congress then who had contributed greatly to the
life of our Nation and whom I admired. One of those men was Claude
Pepper. Another was Mo Udall. Both shared their time and wisdom
generously with me and gave me advice that has guided me all these
years.
In 1988, Mo Udall wrote a wonderful book entitled ``Too Funny to be
President.'' I recommend it to anyone, especially those who have the
privilege of serving in elected office in our great democracy. The
ability to see humor in one's own circumstances and to share a good-
natured laugh with others is essential if you are going to last long in
public office.
Mo Udall dedicated his book ``to the 3,000 members of Congress living
and dead with whom I served for nearly three decades.'' As I prepare to
end my own nearly three decades in Congress, I, too, am deeply grateful
to all of the Members of Congress living and dead with whom I have had
the privilege of serving and from whom I have learned so much.
The list of such members is long. In addition to my early mentors,
Claude Pepper and Mo Udall, it includes members who were gone long
before I was born, but whose legacy is still felt today giants like
Webster, Clay, and Calhoun.
It includes Senators such as Margaret Chase Smith, who had the
courage to take on the red-baiting and bullying Senator Joe McCarthy in
1954 in her famous ``Appeal to Conscience'' speech not far from where I
stand now.
The list includes two Senators who first inspired me to pursue a life
in public service John and Robert Kennedy and it includes their brother
and my friend, Senator Edward Kennedy, one of the finest, most capable
Senators America has ever produced.
The list also includes earlier Senate leaders--men such as Lyndon
Johnson, the ``master of the Senate;'' Mike Mansfield, one of my
personal heroes, who showed that progress and bipartisanship are not
mutually exclusive; and Howard Baker, a master of the art of principled
compromise.
The list of those who have inspired me includes George Mitchell and
Bob Dole, the two leaders who taught me the most about this job.
It includes my fellow South Dakotan, George McGovern; Mark Hatfield,
who offered to resign from the Senate rather than cast a vote he could
not square with his own conscience; and Jim Jeffords, who showed the
world that one person can change history. It also includes Paul
Wellstone, the soul of the Senate; Robert Byrd, as eloquent and
determined defender of our Constitution as has ever lived; and many
others.
Today, I would like to say a few words about eight additional
Senators with whom I have served these last historic 6 years, all of
whom will be leaving when this Congress ends.
Senator Nickels, Senator Campbell, Senator Fitzgerald, and Senator
Miller, it has been a privilege to work with each of you. You have each
sacrificed much to serve our Nation and I am sure you will continue to
serve America well in the years to come.
Six Democratic Senators are leaving at the end of this Congress.
Among them is our friend, the senior Senator from Louisiana.
John Breaux
I was joking with another friend recently that the good thing about
John Breaux retiring is that maybe now he will finally be able to
loosen up a little.
John's ability to make us laugh even in tough times is a gift we have
all treasured. Another gift of John's is his ability to find workable
compromises on even the most difficult issues. He really is a master of
the art of the compromise.
A couple of years ago, I read a newspaper article in which John
talked about what he might do if he ever left the Senate. He pointed
out that Huey Long had actually served as Louisiana's Senator and
Governor at the same time. I thought when I heard that that maybe John
would never leave the Senate; he would just diversify. Regrettably, he
is leaving now.
I know that serving as Ambassador to France has always been high on
John's list of post-Senate dream jobs. I understand that a few years
back, John asked President Clinton, ``Do you think I could handle
France?'' to which President Clinton replied, ``The question is whether
France could handle you.''
Whatever John Breaux decides to do next, I have no doubt that he will
continue to find ways to serve the people of Louisiana and America. And
I know he will have a heck of a good time in the process. John and Lois
are special members of our Senate family, and we wish them all the best
in the future.
John Edwards
We also say goodbye to John Edwards.
I think it is probably no coincidence that John Edwards holds Sam
Ervin's old seat in the Senate. Like Sam Ervin, John has a brilliant
legal mind and a deep love of justice.
In 2001, the first bill Democrats brought to the floor after we
retook the majority was the Patients' Bill of Rights. I couldn't
believe my luck: My first bill as majority leader--the Patients Bill of
Rights and I was able to tap as floor leaders Ted Kennedy and John
Edwards. It was like looking down the bench and seeing Babe Ruth and
Willie Mays. You just knew the Patients' Bill of Rights was finally
going to pass the Senate. And it did--in large part because of John
Edwards' remarkable skill and deep personal commitment.
I think one of the great lines in American literature is the line
near the end of ``Death of a Salesman'' where Willie Loman's wife Linda
says her husband wasn't famous or powerful, but he was a good man to
whom respect must be paid. That same conviction is what has motivated
John Edwards' whole life: The belief that there is dignity and worth in
every person, including people who work hard every day in mills, and
factories, and farms.
In his race for the Democratic Presidential nomination and with John
Kerry as our party's Vice Presidential nominee, John Edwards brought a
sense of hope and optimism to millions and millions of Americans.
John and Elizabeth Edwards both won places in our hearts immediately,
and our hearts and prayers are with them and their wonderful children
today as Elizabeth continues her recovery from breast cancer. We look
forward to spending many more happy years with them. We also look
forward to the good work we know they will do for our Nation in the
years ahead.
Bob Graham
The best way I found to stay in touch with the people who elected me
was to drive through every county in South Dakota every year and just
talk to whomever I ran into about whatever was on their mind. Bob
Graham found an equally effective way of staying in touch with average
Floridians. He calls them workdays. He would spend a day working in
another job.
This year, he worked his 400th workday. He spent that day the same
way he spent his first workday 30 years ago: as a teacher. That is
appropriate because, in fact, Bob's entire career has been a living
lesson in public service.
A while back, I was looking over the list of Bob's workday jobs and I
have to tell you, I am amazed! Think about all the things he has done:
NASA payload specialist, firefighter, bagel maker, bullet-proof vest
maker, pea picker, phosphate miner, Air Force Special Operations
gunner, circus worker elf!
Clearly, it wasn't lack of other career options that has kept Bob in
the Senate for 18 years. What is kept him here is simple. It is his
love of Florida, and of this country. It is a sense of responsibility
that he inherited from his father and that has animated his whole life.
Bob Graham is a moderate with a capital M. And he is one of the
nicest people you could ever meet. But when it comes to the people of
Florida, when it comes to doing right by America, strengthening
America's economy, creating good jobs, investing in children, and
standing up for America's veterans and military families, Bob Graham is
a fierce fighter. And when it comes to protecting our Nation from
terrorism, he is a heavyweight fighter. America is safer today because
of his courage and tenacity.
I suspect the only people who could possibly be sadder about Bob's
retirement than the members of our caucus are the people who make those
Florida ties! We wish Bob and Adele the very best of luck in all their
future endeavors.
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Ernest Hollings
Another remarkable Senator who is retiring this year is Fritz
Hollings.
I used to joke with Fritz Hollings that he is the real reason C-SPAN
first started its closed-caption broadcasts. Fritz's deep Charleston
accent, like the man himself, is an American classic.
When you look inside Fritz Hollings' desk on the Senate floor, you
see the names of giants: John Calhoun, Huey Long, Russell Long, Wayne
Morse--courageous men who never hesitated to speak their minds. Fritz
has earned the right to stand with those legends.
He was 36 years old when he was elected Governor of South Carolina.
As Governor, he wrote the book on governing in the New South. He raised
teacher salaries, invested in education and training, and laid the
foundation for South Carolina's economic transformation from an
agrarian State to a high-tech, high-wage State.
One of the amazing things about Fritz Hollings is how often he has
been able to see the future before others--not just on matters of race,
but on issue after issue.
He was the first Deep South Governor to acknowledge the existence of
widespread hunger in his State. He was also the first southern Governor
to understand that you can't create a modern economy simply by cutting
taxes, you have to invest in education and training.
He has been a relentless advocate of balanced budgets and fiscal
discipline since long before they became political buzzwords. In 1984--
years before Ross Perot uttered the words Fritz Hollings made deficit
reduction a central plank in his Presidential bid.
He has been fighting for fair trade, and against the export of
American jobs, his entire career. He has been calling for a long-term,
comprehensive energy plan since before the first OPEC oil crisis in
1973. He wrote America's first fuel-efficiency standards--in 1975.
He was in the forefront of the movement to protect America's oceans
in the early 1970s. He saw the future of telecommunications before a
lot of Americans knew what ``surfing the Internet'' meant. He was
pushing for increased port and air security before September 11.
If some people have occasionally found Fritz a little difficult to
understand, I suspect it was not so much because of his wonderful
Charleston accent but because he was so often ahead of his time.
Now Fritz and Peatsy are moving home to live full time in their
beloved South Carolina, but they will always have a special place in
the Senate family. We wish them the very best.
I have to be honest, Mr. President, it was not my wish to depart with
these fine Senators. But it has been my honor and a joy to serve with
them, and one that I will remember all the days of my life.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Ohio.
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