[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 154 (Monday, December 15, 2014)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6830-S6831]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                       Tribute To Jay Rockefeller

  Mr. THUNE. I thank my colleague from Oregon Senator Wyden for his 
continued leadership on this issue. I want to echo what he said about 
Senator Rockefeller.
  I had the opportunity to serve as his ranking Republican on the 
Senate commerce committee and really enjoyed serving with him during 
his chairmanship and learned a lot. He is someone who has great 
experience here--36 years in the Senate. I have been here now for 10. 
So I have a lot to learn from people like Senator Rockefeller.
  We did some good things together. We just recently got through the 
Senate the cyber security bill that the commerce committee passed 
earlier this year and the satellite television reauthorization this 
year, which ended up being--it is always somewhat controversial to move 
that legislation, but we were successful in getting that ultimately 
enacted this year. We moved

[[Page S6831]]

the STB reauthorization bill, Surface Transportation Board, which had 
rail reforms in it, out of the commerce committee. Unfortunately, they 
didn't get it considered on the floor of the Senate but had hearings on 
numerous issues that are under the jurisdiction of the commerce 
committee. I appreciate so much Chairman Rockefeller's leadership and 
his service here. Like him, I come from a small State. We share a lot 
of things in common. We came from small communities and represent 
people who work hard and just want a fair break and want to make sure 
that the people they elect to represent them in Washington, DC, are 
staying focused on the issues that are important to their livelihood. I 
appreciate his leadership on those issues.
  I have to say that he stands tall among our colleagues. I think he 
probably has the distinction of being the tallest Senator. The Senator 
from Oregon, Senator Wyden, and I are not far behind. But if Senator 
Rockefeller ever stood up all the way, I think he would have us by 
several inches. The tall-guy caucus here in the Senate will be less 
represented when Senator Rockefeller departs. I have always enjoyed his 
sense of humor and the way in which he approaches the job and the 
passion he feels for public service. We wish him well in his retirement 
and thank him for a long and distinguished career here in the Senate.