[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 89 (Wednesday, June 13, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4147-S4148]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO LORY YUDIN

  Mr. HARKIN. Mr. President, there is a definition of ``United States 
Senator'' that I have always enjoyed: ``A United States Senator is a 
constitutional impediment to the smooth functioning of staff.'' We may 
laugh. But we all know that there is a lot of truth in that!
  On the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, which I 
chair, I am blessed with one of the finest staff teams on Capitol Hill. 
And on that staff, Lory Yudin, our chief clerk, has set the highest 
standard for professionalism, expertise, and work ethic. So it is a sad 
day for the committee as Lory retires this week.
  Actually, this is Lory's second retirement from the Senate. She 
originally came to work in the Senate in 1977, as a staffer for the 
Banking Committee, later moving to the Rules Committee, and retiring in 
2001.
  She was coaxed to come back to the Senate in 2009. It was a critical 
time for the HELP Committee, just days before the committee was 
scheduled to begin markup of the historic health reform bill. We were 
in sudden, urgent need of a new chief clerk. And not just any chief 
clerk. This was no time for on-the-job training. We needed a seasoned 
veteran who could step right in and take charge of a long and complex 
markup process. Long-time staffers put their heads together and came up 
with the answer: We need to persuade Lory Yudin to come back to the 
Senate.
  Fortunately, Lory said yes. On her first day, she walked into a scene 
of disarray, with boxes, papers, and documents scattered across tables 
and lining hallways. Lory quickly took charge, imposing order and 
discipline--and, most importantly, projecting a sense of calm and 
competence. In short order, everything was sorted, organized, and under 
control. The committee was ready for one of the most

[[Page S4148]]

important markups in its history. As one senior staffer said about 
Lory's leadership at this time, ``She really rescued the committee.''
  In the nearly 3 years since, Lory Yudin has become a beloved and 
respected chief clerk, looked up to by everyone as the quintessential 
Senate professional. And, of course, she has been a great friend to 
members and staffers alike. For younger staffers, she has been the 
perfect mix of mentor and mom, someone they turn to for wisdom and 
counsel.
  Lory is very much a member of our Senate family. This is where she 
met her husband David, as well as so many of her lifelong friends. And 
while Lory has always been dedicated to her work here in the Senate, 
there is no question that her family has always come first, especially 
her son Eli. As we know, Lory is extraordinarily proud of Eli's 
graduation, just weeks ago, from the University of Michigan.
  Today, as Lory begins the next chapter of her life, I join with the 
HELP Committee's Ranking Member, Senator Enzi, and all the committee's 
members and staffers in expressing our respect and love for Lory, and 
our gratitude for a job done with enormous skill and dedication. We 
wish Lory and her family the very best in the years to come.

                          ____________________