[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 9 (Monday, January 25, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Page S204]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     CONGRATULATING SENATOR SPECTER

  Mr. DURBIN. Will the Senator yield?
  Mr. SPECTER. I will yield.
  Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I just wanted to say a few words to the 
Senator from Pennsylvania.
  I would like to congratulate my colleague on the occasion of his 
10,000th vote in the Senate. He has been a colleague of mine now for 
the 13 years I have served in the Senate, and I have enjoyed working 
with him. Occasionally, we have been on opposite sides of an issue, and 
at times we have been on the same side. I much prefer the latter. He is 
an able attorney and a thoughtful and reflective Member of the Senate. 
I have enjoyed my service with him, and I congratulate him on his 
10,000th vote.
  I am particularly pleased that he cast that vote from this side of 
the Senate. I look forward to working with Senator Specter and thank 
the people of Pennsylvania for giving us an opportunity to work with 
him and to share his public service these many years. I congratulate 
the Senator.
  Mr. SPECTER. I thank the distinguished Senator from Illinois for 
those kind remarks. We have worked together very harmoniously. On 
occasions where we voted differently, it was always in the spirit of 
collegiality. One personal note. He and I are frequenters of the Senate 
gym. I arrive about 6:30 a.m., and he has already been there for 
awhile. He is a robust athlete in addition to being a great assistant 
majority leader.
  Mr. DURBIN. If the Senator from Pennsylvania will yield, I tell 
people I go to the Senate gym for no apparent reason. But I thank him 
for his kind words.

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