[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 195 (Tuesday, December 11, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Page S7406]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                         Tribute to Orrin Hatch

  Mr. President, as usual, more than one of our accomplishments this 
Congress would not have been possible without the leadership of Senator 
Hatch. He spearheaded the historic tax reform bill that is putting more 
money in the pockets of the American people, and he is also responsible 
for the longest extension of the State Children's Health Insurance 
Program in the program's history.
  In his 40-plus years of public service, he has been a powerful voice 
for the people of Utah and for all Americans. He has fought for 
economic growth and job creation, for trade policies that benefit 
American companies and American workers, for judges who will uphold the 
Constitution and the rule of law, and for fiscal responsibility and 
intellectual property rights.
  Senator Hatch has long been a leader on the issue of religious 
liberty. Together with the late Senator Ted Kennedy, he authored the 
Religious Freedom Restoration Act to protect Americans' First Amendment 
right to live in accordance with their religious beliefs.
  A stalwart conservative, he has nevertheless known how to reach 
across the aisle to get things done for the American people. No 
legislator alive today has had as many pieces of legislation that he or 
she has sponsored signed into law by the President.
  It is difficult to imagine the Senate without Orrin Hatch. I have 
been privileged to serve with Senator Hatch throughout my time in the 
Senate, including on the Senate Finance Committee, which he chairs. It 
is hard to imagine his not being there, but the impact he has had on 
the Senate will not soon be forgotten. He leaves a record of 
legislative achievement and an example of character and leadership, of 
fierce conviction paired with a consummate gentlemanliness. There are 
few people to whom the word ``statesman'' can be applied more 
fittingly.
  I wish him the very best in his well-deserved retirement. I know he 
will enjoy having more time to spend with Elaine, his wife, with his 
children and his numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren, as 
well as, hopefully, having some extra time to follow the Utah Jazz.
  I yield the floor.

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