[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 37 (Monday, March 15, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Page S1514]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        REMEMBERING SANDRA MASON

  Mr. BYRD. Mr. President, I have often talked about the importance of 
the many professional staff members and various support services that 
allow for the proper functioning of this great institution, the U.S. 
Senate. These individuals and offices are rarely mentioned in 
newspapers or history books, but they work many long hours with great 
energy, exceptional skill, and admirable adherence to high quality 
work. As a result, the contribution of such dedicated public servants 
greatly assists the work we do as Senators; they make our work more 
pleasant and productive than otherwise would be possible.
  An example of the sense of pride and loyalty that Senate employees 
bring to their daily responsibilities is the career of Mrs. Sandra 
Mason, who prior to her retirement was the Director of Protocol and 
Foreign Travel for the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. Mrs. 
Sandra Mason, who was known to her many friends in the Senate as 
``Sandy'' served on the staff of that committee from 1979 through 2008, 
when she completed her Federal employment. As one can easily imagine, 
this is a position of considerable responsibility, which in no small 
part determines the successful hosting of high-level foreign 
dignitaries visiting the Senate, as well as the efficient operation of 
official Senate delegations traveling abroad. I remember that when I 
traveled on Senate business accompanied by my dear wife Erma, Sandy 
Mason's hard work and expert aplomb made all the difference for a 
memorable and very positive undertaking.
  During her entire extraordinary career, which commenced with 
employment with Senator Hubert H. Humphrey in 1971, Sandy earned the 
love, respect, and praise of all those who worked with her and came to 
know her.
  Sandy passed away on Monday, March 8, 2010. She will be greatly 
missed but certainly not forgotten. I extend warm personal condolences 
to her husband Ronald, her son Aaron, and all of her beloved family, 
and offer my sincere wishes that she, and they, receive the Blessings 
of our Creator.

     Let fate do her worst, there are relics of joy,
     Bright dreams of the past that she cannot destroy,
     That come in the night-time of sorrow and care,
     And bring back the features that joy used to wear.

     Long, long be my heart with such memories filled,
     Like the vase in which roses have once been distilled,
     You may break, you may shatter the vase if you will,
     But the scent of the roses will hang round it still.
                                                Scent of the Roses
     --by Thomas Moore

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