[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 3 (Thursday, January 8, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S203]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     CONGRATULATING SENATOR SHAHEEN

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I wanted to be here to listen to Jeanne 
Shaheen give her maiden speech. Of course, it brings back a flood of 
memories of my maiden speech. I was so fortunate, I tell everyone, on 
that initial speech. I had served a couple terms in the House, and I 
had been trying to get something called the Taxpayers' Bill of Rights 
passed. The subcommittee chair in the House made fun of my legislation. 
I did not get anywhere with that. But I believed in it, so I marched 
over here--and I had the last seat way back in the corner over there--
and I gave my first speech, and it was on the Taxpayers' Bill of 
Rights.
  Fortunately, I say to the Presiding Officer, David Pryor--Mark 
Pryor's father--was presiding. He was a member of the Finance Committee 
and the chairman of the subcommittee that had jurisdiction over the 
IRS. Charles Grassley was listening to my speech. There were not many 
more people than there are right now on the floor. But David Pryor sent 
me a note saying: I like this. Let me help you. And Chuck Grassley 
communicated with me saying he would help.
  That was a fortunate day in my life because even though I took credit 
for the Taxpayers' Bill of Rights passing, it would never have happened 
if not for David Pryor. He worked the last night of this session--I was 
in Nevada--he was on that Finance Committee, and they were trying to 
complete the conference. Anyway, he got it done.
  These maiden speeches are meaningful because you will never forget 
the speech you have given.
  Now, for Jeanne Shaheen, I have had such admiration for her for such 
a long time. We all watched as she presided over the State of New 
Hampshire as Governor. She did a remarkably good job. When I learned 
she wanted to run for the Senate, I was excited because this great 
statesperson, with this engaging smile and her ability to work hard, 
which everyone knows about, is going to leave her in good standing here 
in the Senate.
  I say to my friend from New Hampshire, the junior Senator from New 
Hampshire, I appreciate the Senator running for the Senate. The people 
of the State of New Hampshire are going to reap benefits from that 
decision for many years to come.

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