[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 194 (Tuesday, December 18, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Pages S15901-S15902]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     RETIREMENT OF PATRICIA KNIGHT

  Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. President, I rise to acknowledge the retirement from 
the Senate of a person of great skill and accomplishment, Patricia 
Knight. She will be greatly missed.
  Trish has devoted more than a quarter century of her life to public 
service, the last nine years as chief of staff to my good friend and 
colleague, Senator Orrin Hatch. Her leadership on so many issues over 
that time has improved the lives of millions of Americans in so many 
ways.
  Over the years, Trish has brought her skills and energy to bear on a 
range of important issues from energy policy to foreign policy and so 
much more. She served in the Reagan administration and the first Bush 
administration as a key adviser on health legislation. She has been an 
aide on the Appropriations Committee covering bills as vast as funding 
for the Commerce Department and our foreign aid programs.

[[Page S15902]]

  In no area has her able hand been more evident than health care. 
Before her appointment as chief of staff, Trish served as chief health 
adviser to Senator Hatch. In that capacity, she was his lead staffer in 
the creation of the Children's Health Insurance Program which today 
provides health coverage to more than 6 million poor children. She was 
a leader, too, in improving the work of the Food and Drug 
Administration in enhancing the safety and efficacy of prescription 
drugs and food. The Public Health Service is a stronger agency because 
of Trish's able work.
  Most of all, she has been a trusted adviser and friend to so many of 
us. It was always clear where Trish stood on a question, and she always 
had clear reasons for her views. Everyone who worked with her respected 
her for her wisdom, judgment and determination to succeed. Her subtle 
humor and great spirit got us through many very difficult negotiations.
  Trish, we love you and we will miss you and wish you well in the next 
adventure.

                          ____________________