[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 18]
[Senate]
[Pages 27115-27116]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                        SENATOR CHARLES S. ROBB

  Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, Virginia has had a long history of 
distinguished citizens of our great Commonwealth who come forward to 
serve Virginia. Among them in this long line of distinguished 
individuals will be Charles S. Robb.
  We started our careers together when he served in the Marine Corps. 
That was back during the period of Vietnam. I was then serving--for 
over 5 years--as Under Secretary and Secretary of the Navy. I was 
privileged, of course, to serve with the Presiding Officer's father, 
Senator Chafee. At the time he was Secretary of the Navy; I served as 
his Under Secretary.
  Senator Robb had served his tour in Vietnam in 1961 through 1970 and 
then he remained in the Marine Corps Reserves from 1970 to 1991. I was 
privileged to wear the marine green during the Korean conflict and 
served for a very brief period in the Marines. However, I assure 
Members that the career of Senator Robb was far more distinguished than 
the career of the senior Senator, myself. I am pleased to acknowledge 
that. He then went on to serve as Lieutenant Governor from 1977 to 
1981, and Governor from 1982 to 1986.
  His two terms in the Senate began in 1988. He has been a Member of 
the Senate Armed Services Committee, a committee which I have been 
privileged to chair since 1993. Throughout this distinguished record, 
it has been my good fortune to share a very warm friendship with the 
Senator and with his lovely wife and his children. We all know when we 
take the oath of office as U.S. Senator, the family plays the key role. 
I could not count the number of times I have been in matters relating 
to the Senate, trips relating to the Senate, our frequent joint 
appearances throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia these many years, 
beginning back when he was Lieutenant Governor, and there was Mrs. 
Robb, a daughter of a most distinguished American public servant, 
former President Lyndon Johnson and a former Member of the Senate.
  So I wish him well. It was a difficult task in this past election. He 
respects both of us as marines. We have duties to perform. I hope the 
Record reflects that I performed that responsibility I felt very 
sincerely was necessary, but I did it in a spirit that preserved our 
friendship.
  When I think back on his work, I think of the many times Senator Robb 
came from that side of the aisle to this side of the aisle to join 
others in working on pieces of legislation which he felt, and indeed 
others felt, were in the best interests of this country. He was a 
bridgebuilder. He served that purpose on the Senate Armed Services 
Committee. He stood by my side as chairman these past 2 years, 
supported me, I think, almost in every instance. And he had very keen 
insight into the life of the men and women of the Armed Forces who 
serve today. He worked very hard on their behalf.
  I hope history will reflect that his contributions directly benefited 
those who serve today and who will serve tomorrow. He also was quite 
active in working with me on the retirement benefits, particularly the 
medical benefits, for those who have served in years past.
  Virginia is privileged to have one of the greatest shipyards--we like 
to think the greatest shipyard--in America. We have the naval shipyard 
as well as private shipyards. In those yards are built some of the 
finest ships that sail the seven seas today on behalf of our

[[Page 27116]]

Navy. Senator Robb was always there to work with not only me but a 
strong bipartisan Virginia congressional delegation, Senate and House, 
on matters of national defense since our State is privileged to be 
preeminent in the field of national defense, having a number of the 
major bases and a number of men and women in uniform who are stationed 
there. Of course, the Pentagon is the core of this complex throughout 
Virginia. But there was Senator Robb on all occasions, and particularly 
as it related to our naval shipbuilding program.
  I am joined on the floor today by two very able members of my staff. 
Ann Loomis is the chief of our legislative staff; Susan Magill, with 
whom I consulted early this morning in preparing these remarks, is my 
chief of staff. They would want it known that, through the years, the 
staff working relationship between Senator Robb's office and my office 
was always excellent. We looked upon our duties as serving the 
Commonwealth of Virginia and the people of that State; therefore, our 
staffs did everything they could to prepare the two Senators to meet 
that challenge and that responsibility.
  He is a man of principle. I think that is unquestioned by those of us 
who watched him. Indeed, at times we differed on very fundamental 
policy issues, and that is reflected in our voting records. But he was 
always a man of principle and he stood by those principles. As I 
listened to him, my reaction sometimes bordered on disbelief because I 
so disagreed with him, but he stood by those principles no matter what 
the cost to his professional career as a public servant. He stood by 
what he believed.
  So I say to my good friend, I shall remember him in many ways but 
above all for his friendship and his always senatorial courtesy. As we 
laugh around here and joke: The title senior Senator and perhaps a 
dollar or so will get you a cup of coffee. But he never tried one-
upmanship and he always addressed me as his senior in the Senate. I 
thank him. I wish him and his family well in their next career. I am 
confident there are many challenges that await this distinguished 
American public servant.
  I note my distinguished friend from Pennsylvania is on the floor. I 
yield the floor at this time, and I thank the Chair for his indulgence.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Pennsylvania.

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