[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 20]
[Senate]
[Page 29171]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



          TRIBUTE TO MARK ALDRICH, TRUSTED ADVISOR AND FRIEND

 Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire. Mr. President, I rise today to pay 
tribute to Mark Aldrich on the occasion of his retirement, on November 
30th, from the United States Senate after 20 years of service.
  For the past nine years, Mark has served as my State Director, 
confidant and community leader. Mark also served my predecessor, 
Senator Gordon Humphrey, as a loyal and dedicated staff member for more 
than a decade.
  Over the years, I have had the pleasure to travel thousands of miles 
with Mark, through the Great North Woods, the covered bridges of Orford 
and Cornish, and the scenic mountains of the Monadnock Region. Mark and 
I drove in his old Cadillac * * * sharing stories and helping the 
people of New Hampshire.
  Together we worked to secure federal funding for the expansion of the 
Manchester Airport, the newly completed Reserve Center in Londonderry, 
the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, the development of the Pease Air Force 
Base and so many other important projects that have helped to fuel the 
New Hampshire economy. Mark should take great pride in his many fine 
accomplishments, especially in promoting economic vitality in the North 
Country and throughout the state. I know that the many businesses and 
communities he helped will miss him, as I will.
  Mark is the kind of leader that we all aspire to become. He mixed 
humor with guidance, making each of his fellow staff members feel 
comfortable while sharing his advice and expertise. He energized the 
office allowing for greater productivity and a fierce sense of loyalty.
  As Mark embarks on this new journey, I wish he and Connie every 
happiness life has to offer. I know he will enjoy his leisure time with 
Jonathan exploring the trails of the White Mountains and I am sure his 
coaching skills will continue to flourish as he cheers on Molly and her 
teammates at Concord High. And the engagements with his band ``Souled 
Out'' will continue to experience success. I hope Mark will enjoy this 
poem by New Hampshire poet, Robert Frost.

     The woods are lovely, dark and deep.
     But I have promises to keep,
     And miles to go before I sleep.
     And miles to go before I sleep.

  Mark, it has truly been an honor to call you my friend. It is a 
pleasure to represent you in the United States Senate.
  I wish you God speed and good luck in your future endeavors.

                          ____________________