[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 13 (Thursday, January 22, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Pages S778-S779]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          TRIBUTE TO SENATORS


                         Hillary Rodham Clinton

  Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, I rise to speak today regarding the 
departure of my esteemed colleague from New York, Senator Hillary 
Rodham Clinton. I have known Senator Clinton for many years now, and I 
have worked closely with her since the time she served as First Lady of 
the United States and then as she so aptly served the people of New 
York in the Senate. Today, I am sure that I am joined by many of my 
colleagues in saying that her compassion, her skill, and her example in 
this institution will be missed.
  As a former First Lady of the United States, I was very impressed 
with the work Senator Clinton did to increase the level of care for 
women and children from around the world. You may recall that her 
service in this capacity knew no boundaries or borders as millions of 
lives were touched both here in the United States and abroad by her 
care, by her understanding, and by her tenacity in helping people 
receive the level of care and attention they so justly deserved. 
Indeed, Senator Clinton reminded us all that women's rights are not to 
be separated from human rights and that through this empowerment we 
have the potential to improve relations, eradicate violence, and 
increase prosperity. This is the vision and compassion that served her 
so well as a former First Lady of the United States, and this is the 
same compassion that continued to highlight her time here in the 
Senate.
  Although her time in this legislative body has been relatively brief, 
the accomplishments of Senator Clinton have been many. If I may, let me 
highlight just two contrasting examples. The first example comes from 
2007 when I worked closely with Senator Clinton on the Biologics Price 
and Protection Innovation Act. It was through these tough negotiations, 
numerous committee meetings, and candid discussions that I again was 
privileged to witness Senator Clinton's skill in bringing large groups 
of affected parties together in the spirit of compromise. With so many 
competing interests and so much attention being drawn to this 
legislation, I was appreciative of Senator Clinton's skills in 
negotiation, in understanding competing interests, and in listening to 
all of the parties involved in passing this important legislation out 
of the Senate.
  The second example I would like to mention comes from 2008 with 
little fanfare. It is a simple resolution and one that probably did not 
receive much attention, but it was a resolution that meant something to 
me and it meant something to Senator Clinton. I speak

[[Page S779]]

of a Senate resolution designating a week in May as National Substitute 
Teacher Recognition Week. For helping me to pass this simple 
resolution, I am grateful to Senator Clinton. More importantly, 
however, I am grateful that Senator Clinton was more interested in 
doing what was right for substitute teachers across our Nation. Even 
though this resolution probably never made a headline, Senator Clinton 
was one of the first in line to sign on as a cosponsor because she knew 
it was the least we could do for men and women across our country who 
give so much to our children through their education.
  In closing, I share these two examples simply to illustrate the skill 
and compassion that defined Senator Clinton's service while she was 
here in the Senate. From the large legislative issues to the small acts 
of kindness and recognition, I know that Senator Clinton strived to do 
what she thought was right and what was best for our country. It is 
this example that we will all miss in the Senate as she begins the next 
chapter of her service at the State Department. Truly, their gain is 
our loss, yet it is without hesitation that I extend my deepest 
gratitude to Senator Clinton for her countless hours of service, her 
incredible example of compassion, and the years of friendship that she 
has extended to me, my colleagues, and the people of the United States. 
I am excited for what the future holds for Senator Clinton. I am 
certain that many great things still lie ahead in this next chapter of 
her life, and it is to Senator Clinton that I extend my congratulations 
as she begins her journey at the State Department.


                              ken salazar

  Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, the resignation of the distinguished 
Senator from Colorado, Mr. Salazar in order to undertake the duties and 
responsibilities of Secretary of the Interior, has left us with a sense 
of pride and loss. We are very pleased the Department of the Interior 
will have the benefit of his leadership, but we regret that he will not 
be able to continue his excellent record of distinguished service in 
this body.
  It has been a personal pleasure to serve with my friend from 
Colorado. His warm personality and his seriousness of purpose as a 
Senator have enabled him to serve as a very successful U.S. Senator.
  I wish my friend well as he undertakes his new duties. I am sure we 
will see him often in the Senate working with us as we support him and 
the Department in carrying out their important responsibilities.

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