[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 2]
[Senate]
[Page 1928]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   R. SCOTT BATES, LEGISLATIVE CLERK

  Mr. LOTT. Mr. Chief Justice, our Senate family grieves today and our 
hearts are heavy as a result of the tragic loss of Scott Bates. 
Senators come and Senators go, but Scott has been a fixture in this 
great Chamber for 30 years and the last 8 years as our legislative 
clerk. His familiar voice was a pillar of our continuity and tradition. 
He was not just a coworker; he was a friend, really a great guy. Even 
as we conduct our business today, we will be grieving, but those who 
knew him well know that that is exactly what he would want us to do, to 
continue with the work of the Senate to which he devoted his life. He 
was an example of public service at its finest, never claiming the 
spotlight, never seeking a headline, but always working for the good of 
this institution and for the country we are here to serve.
  We pray for the recovery of his wife, Ricki. We ask that the Lord 
keep her and their three children always in His care. Before I ask for 
a moment of silence by the Senate, I yield to Senator Daschle for his 
comments.
  The CHIEF JUSTICE. The minority leader is recognized.
  Mr. DASCHLE. I thank the majority leader. I thank our Chaplain for 
his gracious prayer.
  The presence of Scott Bates in that chair and in our lives is 
something most of us have counted on each and every day. As the 
majority leader so eloquently said, he, Scott, served the Senate, our 
country, and each of us so admirably for the last 30 years. Who can 
forget that resonant voice? Who can forget the call of the roll? Who 
can forget the authority with which he articulated each of our names? 
The answer is--no one.
  When Scott began his service, Senator Mansfield was the majority 
leader and Senator Hugh Scott the minority leader. Ever since that 
time, Scott was an integral part of the history created in this Chamber 
and certainly an integral part of our Senate family. He grew up with 
small town values, active in his church and Boy Scouts. He loved 
politics and school and served as a page in both the House and the 
Senate in the Arkansas Legislature. Scott's love of politics came 
naturally for him. His father actually served as a member of the 
Arkansas State Legislature. In 1970 he came here as a summer intern for 
Senator John McClellan, in the bill clerk's office, and began his work 
for us in 1973.
  Today, we send our thoughts and our prayers to his wife, Ricki, who 
remains in the hospital, and to their three children, Lisa, Lori, and 
Paul, and his family in Arkansas, who are now dealing with this tragic 
loss.
  Mr. LOTT. Mr. Chief Justice, I now ask that all Senators rise and 
let's observe a moment of silence for our friend, Scott Bates.
  (Moment of silence, Senators rising.)
  Thank you, Mr. Chief Justice.

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