[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 177 (Thursday, November 20, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Page S10698]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          TRIBUTE TO SENATORS


                              John Sununu

  Mr. GREGG. Mr. President, a large number of very special and 
extraordinary individuals will be leaving the Senate at the end of this 
session, many friends and many people I have admired for a number of 
years and had the privilege to serve with. I wished to speak 
specifically to one, and that is my colleague from New Hampshire, John 
Sununu.
  John is the youngest Member of the Senate. He came here as the 
youngest Member, and he is still the youngest Member after 6 years, but 
he is one of the most accomplished and capable people in the Senate, 
one of the brightest, as we all know, and also one of the people who 
brings the most common sense to issues. Time and time again, I would 
come to the floor, and this was throughout his term but especially 
during the last few months when he was in a very challenging election, 
and there would be votes being cast that were very difficult political 
votes, votes which, when you cast these votes, most people knew they 
were not going to be understood and, in many instances, they were going 
to be misinterpreted or subject to misrepresentation but votes which 
were necessary to cast in order to preserve especially the fiscal 
responsibility of this Government. John Sununu never backed away from 
any of those votes. He always cast the difficult vote, knowing in many 
instances that politically it was going to be characterized in a way 
which might hurt him; votes, the basic purpose of which, in most 
instances, were to protect the taxpayer, keep the size of Government 
under control, and be a force for a better country and for more 
individual rights. He understands as well as anyone in this body the 
basic values of making Government live within its means, of having a 
government which people can afford but is still compassionate and 
accomplishes the goals of delivering adequate services. He has worked 
very hard in order to pursue those goals.
  He also brought to the body a unique sense of humor, New Hampshire 
humor, quiet, witty, and comfortable with himself but also willing to 
make fun of himself, and an essential common sense, which I like to 
think is characteristic of New Hampshire, and also an integrity, a 
commitment to public service for the purposes of public service--the 
fact that he was here not to benefit himself in any way but simply to 
do what he felt was right in order to make our Nation better and make 
New Hampshire better. He served New Hampshire for 12 years, both in 
Congress and in the Senate.
  As I mentioned, he is the youngest Member of the Senate and his 
service is hardly completed, I hope. His opportunities are virtually 
limitless because his abilities are limitless. He has talent and 
capability, intelligence, drive, the personality to pretty much do 
whatever he wants as he moves forward.
  He also has one other resource which is very special and that is his 
wife and family. Kitty is an exceptional individual. Kathy and I have 
come to enjoy not only working with John and Kitty but getting to know 
them as friends, as fellow travelers. Kathy has been through many years 
being a political wife, and she has put up with a lot of ups and downs. 
She and Kitty naturally bonded, as they understood the importance of 
what we do. Kitty is an individual who brings a smile whenever you see 
her because she is a person filled with good will to everyone. Their 
children, Grace and Charlie, John Hayes, great kids, very enthusiastic 
people, a wonderful family. That family is a tremendous support to 
John, and he is a tremendous support to them. That unit, as it moves 
forward, will always be successful.
  It is obviously with great regret that I look on John's leaving the 
Senate. His talent will be lost here, and it will be a loss to the 
body. He is a special individual who had a special group of skills that 
uniquely worked for the benefit of New Hampshire and the people of New 
Hampshire. I hope he will stay engaged.
  Kathy and I wish him and Kitty and their children the best of luck as 
they go forward and that the road always rises to meet them.
  I yield the floor and suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. HARKIN. 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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