[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 9 (Thursday, January 15, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S403]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       FAREWELL TO SENATOR BIDEN

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I turn now to the issue of the moment, 
which is the celebration of the career of our good friend from Delaware 
and wishing him well in the future. I remember being sworn in, in 
January of 1985, thinking I had gotten to the Senate at a pretty early 
age. I was 42 years old. I thought: Gee, I have gotten here at a pretty 
early age. At the same time I was sworn in for my first term, the 
Senator from Delaware was being sworn in for his third time. He was 
barely old enough to vote when he got here. We were born in the same 
year, but you got a 12-year head start on me, I would say to my friend 
from Delaware, and has had an extraordinarily distinguished career.
  When we think about Senator Biden, certainly we think about his 
marvelous personality, his demeanor, his friendliness. He can have a 
good riproaring debate without being disagreeable, as we all say. He 
has been a pleasure to work with. I say that as somebody who has rarely 
voted on the same side as he has. We say goodbye today to an 
outstanding individual who has been a fixture in the Senate for 36 
years and a friend to everyone in the Chamber. He now, of course, is 
going to enjoy an even greater achievement as he becomes the Vice 
President of the United States.
  I remember right from the beginning in 1985, as I was discussing a 
few minutes ago, that Senator Biden made everybody feel comfortable. 
Although we were born in the same year, as I indicated, he certainly 
got here at an early age, and it has allowed him to spend most of his 
adult life in the Senate.
  America got to know Joe pretty well over the course of the last year. 
They got a chance to witness his humor, his compassion, and, yes, his 
extraordinary decency. They learned firsthand his not entirely 
undeserved reputation for loquaciousness. They met his wonderful 
family. Barack Obama decided he liked what he saw in Joe Biden as well 
and invited him to be his running mate in what turned out to be a 
spirited Presidential campaign.
  So next week, after the peaceful transition of power from one 
political party to another that has distinguished our democracy since 
1801, Joe Biden will become the 47th Vice President of the United 
States. This inauguration marks the first time in almost 50 years that 
two Senators moved directly into the offices of President and Vice 
President. So no matter what outcome some of us may have hoped for in 
the election, I think my colleagues and I can feel a little 
institutional pride at that accomplishment--the fact that two Senators 
will be sworn in as President and Vice President.
  Everyone knows by now Joe's famous loyalty to his beloved Amtrak and 
his regular commute by rail 80 minutes each day from his home in 
Wilmington to the Capitol. We know of his commitment to being home with 
his family every night.
  I am sure every single one of my friends in this Chamber has a story 
to tell of working with Joe. For my part, one of several efforts Joe 
and I worked together on is the Palestinian Anti-Terrorism Act passed 
in 2006. After the election of the Hamas-dominated government in Gaza, 
Joe recognized, as I and others did, the threat that situation posed--
and continues to pose as we have seen up close over the last weeks--the 
threat it poses to peace in the region. Thanks to his efforts, we were 
able to pass and have signed into law this important bill which 
restricts U.S. and foreign assistance to the Hamas-led government 
unless and until it takes serious steps to renounce terror and publicly 
recognizes Israel's right to exist. That bill was the right thing to do 
to confront terrorism. I am proud of my work with Joe Biden on it, and 
I know he is too.
  I have also worked with Joe on tightening sanctions on the 
dictatorial, illegitimate regime currently ruling in Burma. Among other 
efforts, the Tom Lantos Block Burmese JADE Act, which we collaborated 
on, restricts the importation of Burmese Jade into America through 
other countries. That takes a large bite out of every lucrative source 
of profit for the Burmese regime.
  Joe is well versed in these issues and many others, thanks to his 
years on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, with much of that time 
as either chairman or ranking member. I know he is particularly proud 
of his role in pushing for NATO expansion in Central and Eastern Europe 
in 1998 and in 2003.
  We will all certainly miss Joe's presence as 1 of 100. It will take 
some getting used to, to have a Senate without him, but the good news 
is he is not going very far. Obviously, Senator Biden's election as 
Vice President is a great honor and a fitting tribute to his 36 years 
of public service. I look forward to working with him as a key player 
in the incoming administration, as Congress and the new President work 
together to tackle the many difficult issues this Nation faces.
  Let me say, on a personal basis: Joe, it has been a pleasure knowing 
you and working with you over the years. Elaine and I wish you and Jill 
the very best in the coming years.
  I yield the floor.

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