[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 74 (Monday, May 6, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Page S2626]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                          Tribute to Mike Enzi

  Mr. President, on an entirely different matter, I was saddened to 
hear over the weekend that our friend and colleague Senator Mike Enzi 
will not run for reelection. At the end of next year, he will retire 
with 24 years of service to the people of Wyoming, and the rest of us 
will have to step up to make up for the loss in expertise and in 
principled leadership his departure will create.
  When Mike first arrived in the Senate, he brought with him experience 
in business and government that made him an immediate asset on a host 
of different issues. With an MBA under his belt, he had returned home 
to lead his family shoe sales business through a successful expansion. 
As the two-term mayor of Gillette, WY, he had presided over an economic 
and population boom, and over the course of 10 years in the State 
legislature, he had lent his accountant's eye to help other small 
businesses succeed through better policy.
  So it is no surprise that Mike got right to work as a leading voice 
on the Federal budget, tax policy, and healthcare. Over four terms, he 
has taken every opportunity to make an outsized impact on policy for 
the people of Wyoming and for our entire country.
  In 2006, as chairman of the HELP Committee, Mike provided the guiding 
hand that delivered the first major pension reform legislation in a 
generation and provided more security to the retirement income of 
millions of Americans through bipartisan policy.
  In 2017, as chairman of the Budget Committee, he helped lay the 
foundation for the generational reform of our Nation's Tax Code and 
championed important elements for small businesses and retirees.
  In these cases and in many more, getting Mike involved in an issue 
meant deploying a powerful force for fiscal responsibility, restraint, 
and policy practicality. You always felt more sure something would turn 
out well when Mike was on the case or part of the team.
  But seeing as our friend has built nearly a quarter-century legacy in 
the Senate, none of us can blame Mike for choosing to spend more time 
with his even greater legacy: the wonderful family he and his lovely 
wife Diana have built together.
  Mike and Diana are now the proud grandparents of four, and among 
everything their bright future holds, I know Mike will be excited for 
more chances to pass along his fly fishing wisdom and his love of good 
books.
  Before he hangs up the ``gone fishing'' sign for good, I know my 
colleagues share my relief that we still have a year and a half to 
continue drawing on Senator Enzi's leadership and focused expertise. So 
today I will offer just the first of many sincere thanks for his years 
of distinguished service.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. CORNYN. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.