[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 133 (Wednesday, December 6, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Pages S11249-S11250]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         FAREWELL TO THE SENATE

  Mr. BURNS. Mr. President, I appreciate the words of my friend from 
Florida as I rise today and say my farewell to this body. I do it with 
some sadness, but I also do it with some great pride. I also do it with 
a great appreciation for the Senate and for the people who serve here.
  It has always been one of my personal honors and privileges to serve 
the State of Montana and the country for the last 18 years, and with 
such distinguished and honorable men and women.
  We have seen a lot of changes. I want to answer my good friend from 
Florida, before he leaves the floor: We have seen some changes come 
over the body, and I would suggest that we turn off that eye that 
surrounds this body, turn it off and turn the Senate back into the 
debating body it was once known for, with collegiality, because the 
best I have ever seen the Senate operate is in executive session. When 
you turn off the television and we get to the issues--and we have some 
marvelous people, dedicated, on both sides of an issue, who can argue 
the issue--some of us who may not be as disciplined in that particular 
issue as others could learn and vote more intelligently. I suggest 
that, but I doubt that will ever happen, being that that is out in the 
public today. I thank the Senator for his observation. We need to get 
back to the great debates that were held on the floor of the Senate 
many years ago.

  It was back on January 3, 1989, when I was sworn in the Senate. It 
was a proud day in my life and, of course, for my wife and our family. 
I got to thinking during that day that only in America could something 
like this happen. I was fortunate and, of course, we had both my wife's 
family, who are Nebraska folks, and my family, who are Missouri folks, 
in attendance that day. They are just folks, but they are emblematic of 
those people who were born of the land and in the heart of America--
ranchers and farmers.
  It was on the prairies of Missouri where I was born and raised on a 
little old bitty farm of 160 acres--what I call ``2 rocks and 1 
dirt''--not a very good farm. But I have fond memories of that place. I 
give thanks every day that I was born to that family and in that old 
house that still stands on that 160 acres. Of course, in my younger 
years I gained most of my philosophy in life. I was born of folks who 
weren't very wealthy, as you would define wealthy. They were a product 
of the Great Depression and the terrible droughts of the 1930s. They 
survived by hard work and great pride. The values they passed on to 
most of us in my generation were the love of this country first, 
community pride and loyalty to that community, and honesty to the core. 
Russell and Mary Francis were married 59 years on that day when I was 
sworn in. And I will tell you, when they witnessed proudly their son 
sworn into the most prestigious body in the world, only in America can 
that happen. It is truly the miracle of our country. It was also a 
proud day for all of our family.
  I will say right now that we could not do well in this body without 
the true support of a wife and family because it is from that source 
that we draw our strength and, yes, our wisdom, as long as they are by 
our side. Phyllis, of course, and Keely and Garrett were all here. What 
blessings God has bestowed upon me personally. One was missing and that 
was Kate. God called her home back in 1985, but she remains in our 
memories and hearts forever. Again, one cannot do this job without the 
support and sacrifice of our family.
  We have seen a lot of positive things happen in Montana. Montana has 
just begun to grow in new directions. Montana is a resource State, with 
timber, mining, oil, and agriculture. But we have new opportunities 
now, and they have opened. I am proud to say that it was me and my 
office that led the way on most of those changes. It is said that it is 
not bragging if you have done it. I was fortunate enough to attract a 
staff that shared the same vision of change, and change we did. Montana 
is not short of visionaries. It was my privilege to know them, work 
with them, and to move our State forward.
  There is one thing about Montanans: They are not afraid to dream. As 
you know, dreams never die; dreamers do. Our colleges and universities 
now are national leaders in research and development, agriculture, 
engineering, and communications. We have telemedicine and distance 
learning where none existed before. We have seen a real leap forward in 
our infrastructure and transportation and rural utilities. We have 
watched an elevated vocational educational system grow. Tribal colleges 
on our seven reservations are

[[Page S11250]]

growing and now offer opportunities that have never been available to 
our Native Americans in the history of our State. More Montanans are 
working today and owning their own homes than at any other time in the 
history of our State.
  I had the honor of serving with three Presidents, and one could say 
four, as it was in the closing days of President Reagan's term. They 
are all honorable men and dedicated to this Nation. I know what it is 
like to be in the minority, and I know what it is like to be in the 
majority. One great statement was made: ``The majority is more 
funner.''
  I have enjoyed my work with some of the best men and women in the 
Senate who represented both sides of the aisle, from different regions 
of our country and diverse cultures of our country. I will miss them. 
But we have welded some friendships that will last forever. The same 
could be said of nations to which we have traveled and met national and 
international leaders on all continents.
  During my tenure here, we have witnessed the crash of the Berlin 
Wall, freedom in the market base come to the Eastern block in Europe, 
and the electricity that was in the House of Representatives when a 
newly elected President of Poland made his historical speech in a joint 
session. I will tell you what: It brought joy, tears, and pride to all 
of us in that Chamber.
  Like every Member of Congress, I wept when two of our Capitol 
policemen died on that summer day protecting this Capitol and us who 
live and work here. Still, our hearts go out to their families. They 
will never be forgotten.
  I leave with many memories. I ask the Senate to return to the 
deliberative and collegial body it was designed to be. I know it has 
that ability because I have seen it firsthand. But the challenges ahead 
are tremendous for this Government. I can only list about six of them: 
taxation, regulation, energy, health care, education, and litigation. 
We must face those challenges if we are to live in this free 
entrepreneurial and economic country. I suggest that we don't just 
dwell on the national interests first and all others separate.
  Members of this body are just average men and women, but they have 
the capabilities of rising to any occasion of crisis. They are just 
average, but they also have a higher degree of dedication to our 
country. I never underestimated any Member of the Senate, and I regard 
them as quiet heroes in a time of peace and in a time of turmoil and 
even in the most stressful time in the process of developing 
legislation that sets policy for our land.
  I shall miss all of you. It has been my great privilege to serve with 
you. As I leave, I say God bless you all.
  I yield the floor and suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. DeWINE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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