[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 171 (Monday, December 20, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Pages S10808-S10810]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTES OF RETIRING SENATORS


                              Bob Bennett

  Mr. BUNNING. Mr. President, today I pay tribute to my distinguished 
colleague from Utah, Senator Robert Bennett, who will be retiring from 
the Senate at the end of the 111th Congress.
  I have worked with Bob since coming over to the Senate in 1998. I 
have also had the privilege of serving on the Senate Energy and Banking 
Committees with Bob. In fact, we sat next to each other for years in 
the Banking Committee.
  He is a man of integrity and devotion. As a young man, he worked as a 
staffer on Capitol Hill and moved on to become a successful 
entrepreneur in Washington, DC. In 1992, he followed in his father's 
footsteps and was elected to the U.S. Senate. Over the course of his 
three consecutive terms in the Senate, Bob has fought hard for our 
shared conservative values of fiscal discipline, securing our borders, 
and energy independence.
  Bob has served the people of Utah proudly as their Senator. His 
leadership on the Banking Committee and in the Senate will be missed.
  I am honored to know him and to have worked with him. I would like to 
thank Bob for his contributions to the Senate and to the country we 
both love. I wish him and his family the best in all of their future 
endeavors.


                                Kit Bond

  Mr. President, I wish to join my fellow Senators to honor a colleague 
and a friend, Senator Christopher Samuel ``Kit'' Bond, who, like me, 
will be retiring from the Senate at the close of this Congress.
  I have had the privilege of working with Senator Bond on a variety of 
issues in the Senate for over a decade. He is an advocate of our 
Nation's military, infrastructure and energy needs, and intelligence 
community. The two of us have stood together on numerous issues--most 
notably advancing coal technology and maintaining a strong national 
defense.
  Representing Missouri, home to major military bases and 
installations, Senator Bond has been instrumental to ensure that all 
citizens who are a part of our armed services--including 
servicemembers, family members, and survivors of veterans--are provided 
the world-class care and benefits they have earned. Additionally, 
whether the items of the day were funding for our Armed Forces and 
intelligence communities or improving U.S. relations among the 
international community, Senator Bond brought a voice of wisdom and 
reason to the Senate and governing bodies worldwide.
  The Senate will not be the same without Senator Kit Bond. In a time 
when America has needed leadership in the Senate to address threats 
from conventional and unconventional means, Senator Kit Bond has 
continued to rise to the occasion by giving those who defend us the 
critical tools needed to prepare and protect our nation. I will miss my 
friend Kit Bond.


                             Sam Brownback

  Mr. President, I rise today to honor my friend from Kansas, Senator 
Sam Brownback.
  Born in Parker, KS, Sam has dedicated his time to serving the great 
people of Kansas. Beginning his service as the secretary of agriculture 
in Kansas, Sam has represented Kansas with dignity and honor.
  Following his election in 1994, I have had the opportunity to work 
with Senator Brownback in both the House of Representatives and the 
Senate. While in the Senate, Sam and I worked tirelessly on the Senate 
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources to utilize the energy 
resources we have in this great country.
  Sam has created a long list of accomplishments on a wide range of 
issues for the people of Kansas and this Nation. I know his family and 
the people of Kansas are proud to call him one of their own. His 
leadership in the Senate will be missed, but our loss is a gain for the 
State of Kansas as Sam prepares for his new role as Governor. It has 
truly been an honor serving with him during these many years.
  I would like to thank Sam for his contributions to the Senate and 
wish him and his family well as they embark on this new chapter in 
their lives.


                               Judd Gregg

  Mr. President, I wish to honor my colleague from New Hampshire, 
Senator  Gregg, who is retiring from the U.S. Senate after serving 18 
years in this Chamber and serving 8 years in the U.S. House of 
Representatives.
  Born and bred in New Hampshire, Judd has dedicated his life to public 
service. Judd served on the Executive Council of New Hampshire in 1978 
before running for national office. In 1980, he was elected to the U.S. 
House of Representatives and was elected to three additional terms 
before returning to New Hampshire. In 1988, Judd became the Governor of 
New Hampshire, a seat formerly held by his father Hugh. During his two 
terms as Governor, Judd managed to balance the State's budget and left 
Concord with a surplus. Following his tenure as Governor, Judd returned 
to Washington in 1993 and has represented New Hampshire in the Senate 
ever since.
  While working in the Senate, I have had the opportunity to serve with 
Judd on the Banking Committee and the Budget Committee, where he 
currently serves as the ranking member. I have respect for the manner 
in which Judd has conducted himself in the role of ranking member and 
the Republican leader on the Budget Committee. I also admire the fact 
that he always keeps our national deficit in mind when making touch 
decisions, whether or not these decisions are going to be popular.
  Judd has a long list of accomplishments to show for the people of New 
Hampshire and the United States. His leadership in the Senate will be 
missed, and it has truly been an honor serving with him.
  I would like to thank Judd for his contributions to the Senate and 
wish him well as he closes a chapter in his life and begins another.


                            George Voinovich

  Mr. President, I rise to pay tribute to my friend and colleague, 
Senator George Voinovich. Over the past 12 years I have had the 
opportunity to work with Senator Voinovich on many issues that impact 
our adjoining States and this Nation. While working with Senator 
Voinovich, I gained respect for his firm commitment to his principles.
  Prior to our time together in the Senate, I only knew of Senator 
Voinovich through his reputation as mayor of Cleveland and Governor of 
Ohio. In these positions, he cut spending, fought corruption, and 
created jobs. These experiences taught Senator Voinovich how to make 
tough decisions, and he never lost that quality here in the Senate.
  Senator Voinovich also never forgot his roots. As a child of 
Yugoslavian parents, the Senator never lost interest in the Balkans, 
and through his work on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, he made 
sure that this region was not forgotten by the U.S. Government. I also 
worked closely with him on Department of Energy issues because Ohio and 
Kentucky have neighboring DOE uranium sites.
  Although Senator Voinovich accomplished many things in his life, his 
greatest achievement has been as a father and husband. George and his 
wife

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Janet have been married for over 47 years. I wish him nothing but the 
best as he embarks on a new chapter in his life.


                             George LeMieux

  Mr. President, today I would like to honor my distinguished colleague 
from Florida, Senator George LeMieux, who will be retiring from the 
Senate at the end of the 111th Congress.
  George has humbly served the people of Florida for many years as 
deputy attorney general, chief of staff to the Governor, and most 
recently as a Member of the U.S. Senate. While his time in the Senate 
might have been short, his list of accomplishments is not. George has 
proven to be a principled leader that is unafraid to tackle the 
difficult issues facing our Nation. He has offered thoughtful and 
proactive solutions to problems that many would rather defer to a 
future Congress and a future generation. The people of Florida should 
be proud to have been represented by a man of such dedication and 
character.
  I am honored to know George and to have worked with him. I would like 
to thank him for his contributions to the Senate and wish him and his 
family the best in all of their future endeavors.


                               Evan Bayh

  Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, I rise today to offer some remarks on the 
departure of my friend, the junior Senator from Indiana. Senator Evan 
Bayh has served the good people of his State for two full terms and 
will be leaving the Senate at the end of this session. He will most 
certainly be missed.
  Senator Bayh was born in Shirkieville, IN, in 1955. He is, of course, 
the son of the distinguished Senator Birch Bayh, who served in this 
Chamber for 18 years. Evan attended college at Indiana University, 
where he graduated with honors. He received his law degree from the 
University of Virginia. After graduating from law school and serving a 
year as a clerk to a Federal judge, Evan returned to Indiana to go into 
private law practice.
  Senator Bayh's career in public service began in 1986, when he was 
elected to serve as Indiana's secretary of State. He held that position 
for 2 years before he was elected Governor of Indiana in 1988.
  As Governor, Senator Bayh earned a reputation as a fiscal 
conservative and a voice of moderation. He was able to work with 
members of both parties to achieve the best results for the people of 
Indiana. During his tenure, taxes in Indiana remained low, while the 
State enjoyed multiple budget surpluses. He also had great successes in 
areas such as education, crime, and job creation. Indeed, he was a very 
effective Governor throughout his two terms in office.
  Two years after completing his second term, Evan was elected to serve 
in the same Senate seat held by his father. And, he brought with him 
the reputation and skills that had made him such a successful Governor.
  As Indiana's Senator, Senator Bayh has demonstrated that one can be a 
proud member of their party and still find ways to work with the other 
side. No one can doubt that Evan is a Democrat. He comes from a family 
of Democrats and I think his credentials as a supporter of his party's 
agenda are beyond dispute. However, he has often been looked to as a 
deal-maker here in the Senate. Senator Bayh has demonstrated sound 
judgment and strong leadership throughout his career in public service. 
That, coupled with his willingness to reach across the aisle and find 
common ground, has made his one of the most respected voices in the 
U.S. Senate.
  Earlier this year, Senator Bayh announced his retirement. As he 
explained his decision not to run for re-election, said the following:

       For some time, I have had a growing conviction that 
     Congress is not operating as it should. There is too much 
     partisanship and not enough progress--too much narrow 
     ideology and not enough practical problem-solving. Even at a 
     time of enormous challenge, the peoples' business is not 
     being done.

  In a lot of ways, I agree with Senator Bayh's assessment of Congress. 
Too often, the peoples' business gets set aside in favor of politics 
and partisan agendas. While I think we all hope that things will get 
better in the future, one thing is certain: we need more people like 
Evan Bayh in both parties.
  I am certain that Senator Bayh will be successful in whatever 
endeavor he chooses. But, while I am sure he doesn't need it, I want to 
wish him and his family the very best of luck.


                             Russ Feingold

  Mr. President, I rise today to offer some remarks on the departure of 
my friend, the junior Senator from Wisconsin. Senator Russ Feingold, 
the fierce and independent Democrat who has served the good people of 
his State for 18 years, will be departing at the end of this session. 
He will certainly be missed.
  Senator Feingold was born in 1953 in Janesville, WI. He received his 
bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin and then went to 
University of Oxford on a Rhodes Scholarship. After returning to the 
U.S., he attended and graduated from Harvard Law School and then went 
back to Wisconsin to begin a career as a lawyer in private practice.
  While Russ was a long-time political activist, having volunteered and 
worked on a number of election campaigns, he began his career in public 
service in 1982 when he was elected to serve the first of two terms in 
the Wisconsin State Senate. Ten years later, he was elected to serve in 
the U.S. Senate, and he has been here ever since.
  I don't think it is any secret that Russ and I tend to disagree on 
most issues. But, I have always admired his commitment to his 
principles and his devotion to his beliefs. Now, I may give Democrats a 
hard time every now and then with my criticism, particularly when I 
find myself at odds with their agenda. But, I have never been able to 
fault Senator Feingold personally because I believe he is principled 
public servant who is simply trying to do what he believes is best for 
the country. He has been willing to do so even when it has been 
unpopular or when the majority of his own party was moving in a 
different direction.
  Russ has a reputation for being contrarian at times. To be honest, I 
think he is probably proud of that fact. While he has certainly earned 
that reputation, I have always believed his actions and his positions--
including those I have strongly disagreed with--have been rooted in his 
sincerely held beliefs.
  Throughout his time in the Senate, Senator Feingold has been a 
fierce, articulate, and effective advocate for his ideals. While he and 
I have rarely been in agreement, he has always had my respect and 
admiration. I want to wish him the best of luck in any future 
endeavors.


                            Christopher Dodd

  Mr. President, I rise today to offer some remarks on the departure of 
my good friend, the senior Senator from Connecticut. After five terms 
and 30 years in the Senate, Senator Christopher Dodd will be leaving us 
at the end of this session. He will most certainly be missed.
  Chris was born in Willimantic, CT, in 1944. He was the fifth of six 
children born to his parents, Grace Mary Dodd and another Connecticut 
Senator, Thomas J. Dodd. Senator Dodd graduated from Providence College 
and then spent 2 years in the Peace Corps. When he returned to the 
U.S., he enlisted in the Army National Guard and later served in the 
U.S. Army Reserves. After graduating from the University of Louisville 
School of Law in 1972, Chris practiced law in New London. However, just 
2 years later, he would answer the call to public service. Chris was 
elected to the House of Representatives in 1974 and has represented the 
good people of Connecticut in Congress ever since. All told, Senator 
Dodd spent three terms in the House before coming to the Senate in 
1980.
  Throughout his time in the Senate, Chris has been an unwavering 
presence. He's chaired the Rules Committee and the Banking Committee. 
He has been among the most prominent members of the HELP and Foreign 
Relations Committees. Over the years, our paths have crossed numerous 
times. Of course, most of the time, we have been on opposing sides. 
But, there have been a few times--some significant times--where we have 
been able to put our differences aside and work together.
  Most recently, I worked with Senator Dodd on passing the Edward M. 
Kennedy Serve America. Chris talks often of his service of the Peace 
Corps and the lessons he learned during that time. As a Senator, has 
been a tireless

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advocate for the Peace Corps program and for volunteerism in general. 
In that regard, he and I have much in common. As a young man, I served 
a full-time mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day 
Saints. I too learned much about the benefits of selfless, volunteer 
service while serving as a missionary and those 2 years were 
instrumental in my understanding of the world and instilled me with a 
desire to serve and help others. The Serve America Act was meant to 
embody these ideals and provide similar opportunities for others. It 
could have very easily been a purely Democratic endeavor. But, in the 
end, we were able to work together in drafting and passing this 
legislation. With Chris's help, the Serve America Act became one of 
very few bills passed during this Congress with a broad, bipartisan 
majority here in the Senate. It was, in my opinion, a piece of 
legislation that represents the best of what both parties have to 
offer. Fittingly, we named the bill after Chris and my mutual friend, 
the late Senator Ted Kennedy.
  I want to wish Senator Dodd and his wife Jackie the very best of luck 
going forward.

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