[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 79 (Thursday, May 21, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S5888]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                      THANKING SENATORS AND STAFF

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I want the record to reflect the cooperation 
of Dr. Barrasso, Senator Barrasso. He had some concerns about this. We 
did our best to answer them. He has been very positive in his approach. 
He had some questions that needed to be answered. I think they have 
been answered, and I appreciate very much his being as courteous as he 
was through this whole process. He has been a real gentleman, and I 
appreciate it a lot.
  Mr. President, let me express my appreciation to the Presiding 
Officer. All Senators are very busy, but you have been presiding for 
hours. That is a real burden. We all appreciate it, especially other 
Senators appreciate it. We have to have someone presiding.
  I am so impressed with the skills that the Senator from Colorado has 
brought to us. I didn't know you before you were appointed by the 
Governor to come, but the people of Colorado should understand, using 
an overworked term, you hit the ground running. You have done so well. 
You adjusted so well to Senate life.
  I say it twice tonight, I am very impressed, and I hope the people of 
Colorado understand what a good choice Governor Ritter made, choosing 
you to fill the seat of a terrific person, Ken Salazar.
  Mr. President, I want all the staff to know of my appreciation. I 
speak for all of us. Every Senator would come and say the same thing, 
but I am the one here to express our appreciation for helping this 
process go forward. It is not easy.
  As much time as I have spent over the years on this floor--and it 
amounts to, all added up--it has probably been years. As familiar as I 
am with everything, I couldn't do it without the help of the staff.
  It is not only Lula Davis--she has been such a wonderful asset to the 
Democratic caucus--but also the help that I get from the Republican 
side, the staff. I think we were always very worried after Marty 
decided to go downtown. We wanted to make sure the same goodwill 
prevailed between David Schiappa and Lula Davis as we had before.
  It is as good if not better. I am very happy with the cooperation we 
get. I wish I could express this personally to Senator McConnell, but I 
think he will get the word.

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