[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 18]
[Senate]
[Page 27132]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                           SENATOR CHUCK ROBB

  Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, earlier today Senator Chuck Robb of 
Virginia spoke on this floor. I worked with him. I have admired him 
since he came to the Senate over 12 years ago. I talked with this 
former marine at the time my own son joined the Marine Corps and was 
touched that he always asked for progress reports on his career in the 
Marines.
  He is only the fourth person from the State of Virginia to serve as 
both Governor and U.S. Senator, and he came to Washington ready to 
build on a distinguished career in public service. In 1961, he joined 
the Marines as an infantry company commander in Vietnam, saw combat, 
and was in harm's way time and time again. He demonstrated the kind of 
determination and stamina that would characterize his political career. 
In Vietnam, people depended on his leadership for their life, 
literally. He then served Virginia as Lieutenant Governor and Governor 
before being elected to the U.S. Senate. In fact, it is fair to say his 
tenure as Governor laid the basis for Virginia to become such a leader 
today in the high-tech industry.
  During his time here in Washington, he has shown his dedication and 
concern for our men and women in the military, fighting for a strong 
defense while advocating fiscal responsibility. He has been a proponent 
for improvement in our Nation's public schools, fighting for more 
teachers, increased school construction, and school safety. He has also 
been a champion against discrimination. He led the fight to end 
injustice to African American farmers who faced discrimination by the 
Agriculture Department and voted against moves to end affirmative 
action programs by the Federal Government. In all these things, he 
showed the same dedication to his country in a legislative position 
that he had shown to his State in his executive position as Governor, 
as a member of the Armed Services Committee, Foreign Relations and 
Finance Committees, and the Joint Economic Committee and Select 
Committee on Intelligence. He served this body, the Senate, so well, 
and in turn our whole Nation.
  I think of the tough political battles he has faced. I think of the 
difficult votes during his time in office, how he had to balance the 
interests of his State with the well-being of the Nation. But I can 
remember so many times on this floor when a vote would come up where, 
politically, Chuck Robb could have ducked and ran and voted a different 
way. He did not, anymore than he would have when he was in combat in 
Vietnam. He would stay on the floor, he would state his position, and 
you would see the marine; you would see the character; you would see 
the steel. He would stand up and do what his conscience told him was 
the right thing.
  Mr. President, I pay tribute to a man I have worked with and admired 
since he came to the Senate over twelve years ago. As only the fourth 
person from the state of Virginia to serve as both Governor and U.S. 
Senator Chuck Robb came to Washington ready to build on a distinguished 
career in public service. Beginning in 1961 when he joined the Marines, 
and through his days as an infantry company commander in Vietnam, Chuck 
Robb demonstrated the kind of determination and stamina that would 
characterize his political career. He later served Virginia as 
Lieutenant Governor and Governor before being elected to the United 
States Senate.
  During his time here in Washington he has shown his dedication and 
concern for our men and women in the military, fighting for a strong 
defense while advocating fiscal responsibility. He has been a proponent 
for improving our nation's public schools, fighting for more teachers, 
increased school construction and school safety. He has also been a 
champion in the battle to end discrimination. He led the fight to bring 
justice to African American farmers who had faced discrimination by the 
Agriculture Department, and he voted against a move to end affirmative 
action programs by the federal government. As a member of the Armed 
Services Committee, Foreign Relations, Finance Committee, the Joint 
Economic Committee and the Select Committee on Intelligence he has 
served the Senate well.
  Senator Robb has faced several tough political battles and cast many 
difficult votes during his time in office--all the while he has been 
determined to balance the interests of his state with the well-being of 
the nation.
  It has been an honor and privilege to work with him over the last 
years. I know he is going to be sorely missed by our colleagues in the 
Senate.
  I will miss having the chance to get advice and encouragement from 
him on the Senate floor, but I know I will still have that available to 
me throughout the remaining years of my Senate career.
  Mr. President, what is the parliamentary situation now, as we go down 
to these waning hours and we hear the choral group downstairs 
practicing Christmas carols?
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. I would like to advise the Senator from 
Vermont that earlier the Senate had been conducting morning business. 
That order has expired.
  Mr. LEAHY. Is my understanding correct, though, that I am still able 
to maintain the floor without slowing down the vital business of the 
Senate?
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator is correct.
  Mr. LEAHY. Am I also correct there is no particular vital business 
pending at the moment?
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. At the moment, the Senator is correct.

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