[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 178 (Friday, November 16, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Pages S14613-S14614]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    RETIREMENT OF DENIS P. O'DONOVAN

  Mr. ENZI. Mr. President, this is another one of those bittersweet 
moments for us all as we say goodbye to a member of our extended 
family, Denis O'Donovan. Denis will soon be retiring and bringing to a 
close a truly remarkable career in the Senate.
  Denis has worked in several offices in the Senate during his career, 
but I would like to think he saved his best for his last post--as the 
chief clerk of our committee, a post he has held since 1998.
  I remember when I first came to the committee and had the opportunity 
to observe Denis at work. I don't think I have ever met anyone who had 
a better eye for detail, or a better sense of making sure everything 
was in its proper place. He has a great mind for numbers, and anyone 
who has ever had to work with a budget knows how frustrating it can be 
to make sure all the columns add up and are balanced--top to bottom--
and--left to right.
  As the Senate's only accountant, I admire that kind of precision. In 
fact, I think our love of numbers may be one of the reasons why we got 
along so well and enjoyed each other so much.
  In the years that I have served on the committee, I have had the 
chance to work with Denis as its chairman and now, as the ranking 
member. No matter which party had control of the committee, Denis was 
always there, ready to help in any way he could. That is why he was 
such a good chief clerk for me, for Senator Kennedy, and for all of us.
  Looking back, Denis has a lot to be proud of. He has been a part of a 
lot of the good work the committee has done over the years. Senator 
Kennedy and I have brought a long list of measures to the Senate floor 
and then on to the President for his signature and Denis played an 
important role in every one of them. Thanks in no small part to you, 
Denis, we have made great progress on a lot of issues that will make 
life better for all Americans.
  Now Denis is about to head off to that thoughtful and reflective 
world known as retirement. He will finally have the time to finish that 
book--not the one he was writing--the one he was reading. For now, 
there will be time to do all those things Denis has been putting off 
for someday.
  I have a family tradition we call the list of 100 things. Simply put, 
it is the to do list of all time. You put together a list of the 100 
things you have always wanted to do someday--and then you start to get 
them done--one by one. It is a little more complicated than that, but I 
will get together with you to explain the whole procedure to you later. 
It will be one of our gifts to you on your retirement.
  I know what you are thinking--just what I wanted--more stuff to do!
  Trust me, you will enjoy this project. And the next time I see you, 
we will compare notes so I can see how you are doing in your quest for 
adventure in your retirement.
  I hope Senator Kennedy will not mind, but I would like to close with 
a bit of Irish cheer for you--the words of a toast I have often heard, 
and I am sure you have too.
  Denis, as you leave us:

     May the road rise to meet you,
     May the wind be always at your back.
     May the sun shine warm upon your face.

[[Page S14614]]

     And rains fall soft upon your fields.
     And until we meet again,
     May God hold you in the hollow of His hand.

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