[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 176 (Tuesday, November 15, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6677-S6678]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       SENATOR-ELECT PETER WELCH

  Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, a few minutes ago, before I opened the 
Senate, I had the privilege of walking on the floor with Senator-elect 
Peter Welch of Vermont. I am going to speak more about our new Senator, 
who will be taking this seat very shortly, within the next few days.
  I would note, as we walked on the floor, unlike the first time I 
walked on the floor, Senator-elect Welch has a great deal of experience 
from his years as being one of the leaders in the House of 
Representatives. As Congressman Welch, he has the right, of course, to 
come on the floor, but also, as Senator-elect Welch, he has that right.
  I told him that, when I first came here, we were actually a 99-Member 
Senate because there had been a tied race in my neighboring State of 
New Hampshire. I was number 99, the most junior Member of the Senate. I 
would have been the youngest Member of the Senate, but there was one 
Senator who came in 2 years before who was younger, a Senator from 
Delaware named Joseph R. Biden. We were the kids of the Senate.
  Frank Church was a distinguished Senator, and I had been meeting with 
him. A vote was starting, and he said: I have got to go to the floor, 
but come with me.
  When I got to the door out there, I was still the State's attorney of 
Chittenden County, VT, and county prosecutor. So, naturally, I stopped 
at the door.
  He said, ``No, no, Senators-elect have the privilege of the floor,'' 
which, even if he had not been a Congressman, Senator-elect Welch  
would have had.
  I started forward, and the doorman said: I am sorry. The Senate is in 
session.
  Senator Church said: Well, this is Senator Leahy--Senator-elect 
Leahy.
  It was the first time anybody had called me ``Senator.''
  Then I saw him go down his list. ``Oh, ah, good morning, Senator 
Leahy.'' So I am, like, maybe this is going to work out.
  I walked on the floor, and I saw all of these giants of the Senate in 
here for a vote. It took me a little while to get used to it. I think, 
with Congressman Welch, on January 3, when I will be privileged to see 
him be sworn in as a new Senator, he won't take any time to get used to 
it. He knows the decorum of both bodies. Like the vast majority of 
Vermonters, I am very proud to have him here.
  Also, in realizing the distinguished Presiding Officer is not allowed 
to respond to comments about himself, I would note for the record that 
there were cheers in our very small State of Vermont when our country's 
largest State reelected the now Presiding Officer. We are pleased--both 
my wife, Marcelle, and I--to see that.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.

[[Page S6678]]

  The bill clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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