[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 76 (Thursday, May 8, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Page S3973]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                       TRIBUTE TO MARGARET AITKEN

 Mr. BIDEN. Mr. President, Mark Twain once said: ``20 years 
from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't 
do, than by the things you did do.'' Well, Mr. Twain had not met 
Margaret Aitken, the woman I wish to acknowledge today.
  Margaret is the youngest of eight children--a born negotiator, 
advocate, and spirited woman who has dedicated her professional career 
to excellence in public service. She has served the people of Delaware 
and the U.S. Senate with distinction.
  She began her career in the Senate as a press secretary on my staff 
at the young age of 27. She came to us with impeccable credentials from 
the county executive's team and the Department of Education. Her work 
ethic and energy are surpassed only by her keen wit and disarming use 
of humor.
  Margaret's sense of justice is embedded in her character--a byproduct 
of her strong faith and commitment to family. Her professional 
constituency was well served by her 15 years in the public domain. 
However, Margaret recently decided that there was one constituency that 
needed her most of all. In August, she and her husband Chris became the 
proud parents of Ronan William Haggerty, and Margaret is now a full-
time mom.
  She understood the wisdom and the sentiment in Mark Twain's words and 
so--she will not be disappointed in hindsight. Margaret, a wordsmith 
herself, also took George Bernard Shaw to heart: ``Perhaps the greatest 
social service that can be rendered by anyone to this country and to 
mankind is to bring up a family.''
  And so I say to you Margaret--bring up that family--in the image and 
likeness of the best hopes and expectations for a better world. Thank 
you for your service, goodness, loyalty, honor, and courage. You are a 
force unto yourself, and you are very appreciated.

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