[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 169 (Saturday, December 18, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Pages S10692-S10693]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTES TO RETIRING SENATORS


                                kit bond

  Mr. ENZI. Mr. President, At the end of each session of Congress it 
has long been a tradition in the Senate to take a moment to express our 
appreciation and say goodbye to those who will not be returning in 
January for the beginning of the next Congress. One of those I know we 
will all miss in the months to come is Kit Bond.
  I still remember the first time Kit Bond was drawn to our attention 
on a national basis. It was 1974 and then Governor Kit Bond was being 
honored for his work in state and municipal affairs by the Jaycees as 
one of the Ten Outstanding Young Americans of that year. He was in his 
thirties and he was already making his mark in the day to day life of 
his home State at a time when most people his age were still trying to 
find the ``right'' career to focus their energies on that would be both 
challenging and rewarding. After seeing him so recognized and realizing 
what it meant, I was inspired myself. I have been in awe of him ever 
since.
  That honor that Kit received so many years ago proved to be one of 
the first to come his way during a four-decade career that now includes 
his service to the people of Missouri on the State and the Federal 
level. Over the years he has been a champion for the people of his home 
State and that is why they have elected and reelected him numerous 
times. Simply put, he has been an outstanding and highly effective 
legislator.
  It is no secret. Kit has an amazing resume. Actually, it is more a 
record of success that lists what he has achieved and the results he 
has been able to obtain that reflect the work he has been a part of 
that has helped to make our country a better place for us all to live.
  Looking back, Kit had already begun to make a name for himself when 
he graduated from the University of Virginia's law school. He was first 
in his class and had a number of opportunities awaiting him, some of 
which he explored, before he returned home to Missouri. Once there he 
began his career of public service as the State's assistant attorney 
general under former Senator John Danforth.
  Soon thereafter Kit won his first statewide race when he was elected 
to serve as State Auditor. Two years after that, he became the State's 
first Republican to serve as Governor since the days of World War II. 
He was also the youngest Governor the State had ever had.
  As Governor he learned a lot of lessons that stemmed from being a 
Republican Governor with a general assembly with 70 percent Democratic 
majorities in both Houses. He has commented that those days taught him 
a great deal about the meaning of bipartisanship. That is why, when he 
ran for and won a Senate seat, he soon became known for his ability to 
work with all of his colleagues on a long list of issues.
  Over the years, for example, he has been a tireless supporter of our 
Nation's military. He has also been a fighter for our veterans and 
their right to the benefits they have earned through their service.
  Another issue close to his heart has been the need to increase the 
availability of safe and affordable housing and improve the 
infrastructure of Missouri and the rest of the Nation.

[[Page S10693]]

  These and many other issues that Kit has taken up during his career 
reflect his belief in the importance of doing everything we can today 
to make our tomorrows better for our children and our grandchildren--
since their future is ours, too.
  I know I am not the only one who will have a moment from time to time 
next year when I will wish Kit was still around here, walking around 
with that trademark smile of his, caught up in yet another battle for 
something he believed in, something he knew would be important to the 
people of Missouri and the future of our Nation.
  Fortunately, whenever we feel the need for a little of his advice or 
an observation or two we will know where to find him--just down the 
street, back home in Missouri.
  Now that this chapter of Kit's life has ended, I have no doubt 
another will soon begin. As Kit pointed out, ``there are many ways to 
serve'' and ``elective office is only one of them.''
  As he leaves the Senate, I would like to thank him for his 
willingness to serve; his wife Linda for her support and encouragement 
along the way; his son Sam for his heroic service in our Armed Forces; 
and all the members of his family who stood behind him over the years.
  Diana and I send our best wishes and heartfelt appreciation to them 
all. We especially want to thank Kit and Linda for their friendship and 
for all they have meant to this Senate family of ours that extends from 
one corner of our Nation to the other.
  Keep in touch. We will always enjoy hearing from you with your 
thoughts about whatever we happen to be taking up on the Senate floor. 
Good luck and God bless.

                          ____________________