[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 200 (Wednesday, December 19, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Page S7824]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          TRIBUTE TO PAUL RYAN

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, on a completely different matter, from 
time to time, each of us has indulged in jokes and finger-pointing that 
sustain the friendly rivalry between the House and the Senate--the 
Founders' metaphorical teacup and saucer. Make no mistake. I am 
thankful every day that so many former Representatives see the light 
and come over to join us in the Upper Chamber, but for the past 3 
years, there is no one outside of the Senate with whom I have partnered 
more closely than the Speaker of the House, Paul Ryan.
  As history will remember, the speakership was far from the 
destination that the contented Ways and Means chairman had in mind when 
our friend John Boehner announced his retirement in 2015, but to the 
great fortune of the entire Republican Party, Paul had demonstrated 
over his years in the House the very qualities his conference needed 
most.
  Everyone knew he had uncompromising integrity, seemingly 
inexhaustible energy, the trust and admiration of his fellow Members, 
and he had an aspirational message about what we stood for as 
Republicans. He has reminded our party, as clearly and forcefully as 
any leader of his generation, about all that our party can and should 
aspire to be--``not pale pastels,'' in Ronald Reagan's timeless words, 
``but bold colors.'' His colleagues knew he had all of these qualities, 
and we knew it here in the Senate.
  While I was far from the most crucial member of the pressure 
campaign--a draft effort that even roped in the Cardinal Archbishop of 
New York--I will admit that I picked up the phone too. I called Paul 
and told him exactly what he didn't want to hear--that he was the right 
man at the right moment. Conveniently, I was about to get on a plane to 
Iraq at the time. So Paul didn't have much of an opportunity to push 
back.
  Over the past 3 years, I have had more opportunities than most to see 
the right man in action. We have met weekly to coordinate the efforts 
of our majorities and present a united front on behalf of the American 
people. At times the cohesion between our teams made it feel like we 
shared one large staff. So I have seen firsthand how much of what we 
have been able to accomplish this Congress has been due in huge part to 
Paul's serious approach and to his principles and his pragmatism alike.
  He helped lead the way on last year's comprehensive reform of our Tax 
Code, turning his decades-long personal mission into a brighter future 
for millions of American workers and job creators.
  He navigated tense funding negotiations with a deep understanding of 
his Members' concerns and stood firm in support of America's military, 
helping to deliver the largest year-on-year increase in defense funding 
in 15 years.
  He stayed true to his heart, putting Catholic social teaching into 
practice and fighting for policies of all shapes and sizes to lift up 
the most vulnerable among us, from the working poor to the victims of 
human trafficking.
  His tenure as Speaker has proved a perfect capstone to a remarkable 
career in Congress. Every step of the way, Paul has shattered myths and 
stereotypes about what conservative leaders are like.
  Through his long list of accomplishments and his personal witness 
alike, he has demonstrated that faith in American free enterprise and 
individual liberty are not quaint, outdated ideas but essential and 
timeless principles.
  He has helped prove that right-of-center values are not only the 
basis for protest movements, as some cynics had liked to suggest, they 
are also the foundation for governing majorities.
  He has shown that our party's ideals and principles do not clash 
whatsoever with the moral priority we should place on those at the 
margins of society but rather that those ideas are often the best means 
to honor that commitment.
  Talk about a product of the Jack Kemp coaching tree. It is safe to 
say the Speaker's cherished mentor would be mighty proud. Paul's time 
at the center stage of our Nation's politics has inspired countless 
Americans, including a new generation of leaders, but speaking 
personally, more than any one of the accomplishments that I have been 
proud to work with Paul to help to secure, I think I will most remember 
how he has done that job; how energetically and happily the Speaker has 
poured himself into each task at hand. No matter if some said it 
couldn't be done, no matter that he hadn't sought the job in the first 
place, the happy warrior has been undeterred.
  For all this says about Paul Ryan the Speaker, it says even more 
about Paul Ryan the man. He has a big heart and a razor-sharp mind. It 
doesn't take long to notice either one, and he knows how to lead with 
both.
  He is a man of profound faith and abiding patriotism, and even after 
20 years of Washington, he remains a staunch optimist. Paul is quick to 
insist that America's brightest days are yet to come and even quicker 
to back up the sentiment with action.
  Working with Speaker Ryan has been among the great joys of my career 
in the Senate. The Nation is so much better for his leadership, and I 
am better for his friendship. I am so grateful to Paul for everything. 
I wish him, Janna, and their lovely family great happiness in whatever 
adventures lie ahead.

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