[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 17]
[Senate]
[Pages 23330-23336]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO DEPARTING SENATORS

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I rise to pay tribute to our colleagues who 
are leaving the Senate. What many Americans do not realize is that the 
Senate is a place where many of us become friends. It is true that the 
100 men and women who serve in this wonderful body arrive here with 
different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. We hold different 
philosophies and ideas, represent states with different and at times 
competing interests and needs, and we pursue different goals. But we 
all share a lot in common by virtue of being here, and in the course of 
working together on matters of national importance, we develop respect 
and admiration for our colleagues, and often genuine friendships are 
established. And so it is with the remarkable group of Senators who are 
completing their service as the 107th Congress draws to a close.


                             Jean Carnahan

  I want to speak first about Jean Carnahan, who has accomplished many 
firsts in her lifetime, including being the first woman to represent 
Missouri in the United States Senate. She was also the first person in 
her family to graduate from college, in fact the first to graduate from 
high school.
  Senator Carnahan has served the people of Missouri so well over so 
many years, including her outstanding work during her time here in the 
Senate. We rightfully identify her with Missouri, but actually she grew 
up in Washington, DC, attending Anacostia High School and then George 
Washington University.
  Her return to Washington 2 years ago should have been a happy 
homecoming, but instead followed a calamity. Jean Carnahan arrived in 
the Senate having suffered a seemingly unbearable tragedy, the death of 
her husband Mel and her oldest son Randy in a plane crash. She not only 
had little time to grieve but also was immediately thrust into the 
public arena.
  Mel Carnahan had a distinguished 40-year career in Missouri politics 
serving as a judge, state representative, state treasurer, lieutenant 
governor, and for 8 years as a popular and respected governor and was a 
strong candidate for the United States Senate at the time of his death.
  Just days after the funerals for her husband and son, she was asked 
if she would serve in the Senate in Mel's place. It was a difficult 
decision, and one she had to make amid shock and sorrow. Jean Carnahan 
was not a politician, but she was her husband's political partner and 
trusted adviser for many years, starting soon after their marriage. She 
card-catalogued the names of every potential supporter and donor during 
her husband's career, wrote many of his speeches and wrote and 
delivered many of her own.
  Fortunately for Missouri and for us, she volunteered to serve, 
motivated by a desire to further the work that Mel and she had done 
together to help the people of Missouri.
  Talk about severe stress! Loss of her beloved husband, her high 
school sweetheart, lifelong companion, loss of her son, moving to a new 
home, changing jobs . . . all with people watching closely, openly 
questioning her abilities and wondering if she would succeed.
  Senator Carnahan has demonstrated remarkable composure and grace 
while proving that she was indeed up to the challenges of the Senate. 
She had to learn the intricacies of legislation and policy quickly, and 
I am sure she would have been even more effective if given the 
opportunity to serve longer.
  But she succeeded by seeking commonsense solutions to complex 
problems and helping to forge compromises. She didn't seek attention or 
credit for her accomplishments but worked hard and made a difference.
  Senator Carnahan's accomplishments include helping protect the jobs 
of more than 12,000 airline employees during the merger negotiations 
between TWA and American Airlines. She also worked hard to help local 
school districts hire teaching specialists and deal with disruptive 
students. Her Quality Classrooms provisions were included in the 
landmark education bill we passed last year.
  Senator Carnahan supported efforts to bolster our national security 
and win the war on terrorism. She was a member of the first bipartisan 
congressional delegation to travel to Afghanistan to visit the troops 
and meet with regional leaders.
  And I am especially grateful for her strong opposition to the 
Administration's plan to ship nuclear waste across the country to Yucca 
Mountain. Many people thought this plan would harm only Nevada, but she 
understood that storing nuclear waste in Nevada would require tens of 
thousands of shipments of highly dangerous substances across highways 
and railroads in Missouri and almost every other state. And she could 
not accept this risk of potential harm to the children and families and 
environment of our great country.
  So Jean Carnahan deserves our admiration, respect and gratitude for 
all she has done. She has occupied Harry Truman's seat in the United 
States Senate and worked at his old desk. Missouri should be proud of 
how she has continued Harry Truman's legacy and her husband's legacy 
and been an advocate for the working families of Missouri.
  By a narrow margin she was unable to overcome a well-funded opponent 
whose campaign benefitted from the popularity of the President this 
year. She might have come up short in this election, but she 
understands that a political defeat is not the most significant loss 
one can suffer.
  Her time here has been all too brief, but Senator Jean Carnahan has 
made a difference and I will miss her very much.
  Jean will enjoy spending time on her family farm in Rolla, Missouri, 
visiting with her children and grandchildren. And I expect her to 
continue writing

[[Page 23331]]

books, giving speeches and advice. She has much to say, and we would do 
well to hear and read her words.


                              Max Cleland

  I also wish to pay tribute to Max Cleland, Georgia's senior senator 
and a true American hero.
  While his story is familiar to those of us fortunate enough to know 
him and have served with him, I encourage Americans looking for 
inspiration to read his book Strong at the Broken Places, which 
describes his experiences overcoming tremendous adversity and reveals 
his remarkable character.
  He is a native Georgian who is proud of his state and has served it 
so well for so long, but Max Cleland personifies qualities that the 
people of Nevada and all Americans appreciate: patriotism, courage, and 
fortitude.
  Max Cleland was awarded the Bronze Star and a Silver Star for 
meritorious service in Vietnam.
  During college he joined the Army ROTC program and after graduation 
he took a Second Lieutenant's commission in the Army. Max Cleland 
volunteered for duty in Vietnam in 1967 and the following year he was 
promoted to the rank of Captain.
  Just one month prior to the end of his tour of duty, he was seriously 
wounded in a grenade explosion. As a result he lost both legs and his 
right arm.
  His body broken, he spent the next year and a half recovering from 
his injuries in various Army and Veterans Administration hospitals. 
Despite his enormous sacrifice, he refused to let his injuries break 
his spirit. And he did not dwell on his own experiences but rather 
sought to help others.
  He described the difficulties veterans were experiencing returning 
home from Vietnam in testimony before the United States Senate Veterans 
Affairs Committee in 1969.
  The next year, he was elected to the Georgia State Senate, thus 
beginning a career in public service that has continued for more than 
30 years. As the youngest member of the Georgia Senate at the age of 
28, he wrote the state law making public facilities in the state 
accessible to the disabled.
  Max was hired to work for the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee in 
1975 and two years later, President Jimmy Carter appointed him to head 
the U.S. Veterans Administration. He became the youngest VA 
administrator in history and the first Vietnam veteran to head the 
agency. In this position, he instituted the revolutionary ``Vets Center 
program'' which for the first time offered psychological counseling to 
combat veterans in order to heal their emotional wounds as well as 
their physical wounds. There are now more than 200 Vets Centers across 
the country offering support to combat and non-combat veterans and 
their families.
  Continuing to set precedents, he became the youngest Secretary of 
State in Georgia's history when he won election in 1982. He was so 
effective and so popular that he won reelection by large margins three 
times. He resigned as Secretary of State in 1995 to run for the U.S. 
Senate seat being vacated by Sam Nunn. Although he was outspent three 
to one, Max Cleland overcame this obstacle as he has done throughout 
his life, and he won.
  Over the past 6 years, Senator Cleland has made important 
contributions to the people of Georgia, the people of Nevada and all 
Americans, helping to safeguard our homeland, keep our military strong 
and treat our veterans fairly.
  As the Chairman of the Personnel Subcommittee of the Armed Services 
Committee, Senator Cleland has fought to improve the quality of life of 
our nation's active duty, reserve and retired military personnel. He 
has lobbied to improve health care, education and retirement benefits.
  While Max Cleland will be leaving the Senate, I know that he will 
continue serving the people of this country he loves so much. He also 
will marry his fiancee Nancy, and I wish them much happiness.


                           Robert Torricelli

  Robert Torricelli has devoted his entire adult life to public 
service, including the past 20 years in Congress. He was elected at the 
age of 31 to the House of Representatives in 1982, the same year I was, 
and I enjoyed serving with him in the House and more recently in the 
Senate.
  Bob Torricelli has served his constituents in New Jersey so well as a 
tough fighter, an articulate debater and an effective legislator.
  He has also been so good to Nevada as a great friend and advocate for 
the gaming industry, an important part of our state's economy. And he 
joined with us in opposing the Administration's plan to transport the 
nation's nuclear waste for storage at Yucca Mountain.
  Bob also was highly successful as the chairman of the Democratic 
Senate Campaign Committee during the 1999-2000 election cycle, 
recruiting strong candidates and raising money to allow them to get 
their message out and be competitive. He targeted weak opponents and 
helped Democratic candidates defeat the largest number of Republican 
incumbents in many years. These surprising results enabled our party to 
reach a 50-50 split in the Senate and positioned us to become the 
majority party subsequently.
  There has been no finer advocate in the Senate than Senator 
Torricelli. He has been articulate, knowledgeable and experienced.
  Senator Torricelli's departure from this body is a sad time. I know 
how passionately he cares about politics and how devoted he has been to 
public service.
  I will miss Bob. Nevada will miss Bob. Our country will miss Bob. But 
one thing I will not miss is his friendship; we have bonded, and our 
friendship is forever.


                             Strom Thurmond

  Mr. President, I join my colleagues today in recognizing the 
distinguished Senator from South Carolina and his years of service in 
the United States Senate.
  Strom Thurmond has lived almost one century, his 100th birthday will 
be December 5th, and he has been a Senator for almost half of that 
time. He is now finishing his eighth full term, making him the longest-
serving Senator and the oldest member of Congress.
  But Senator Thurmond is known, and will long be remembered, for much 
more than his longevity.
  He has had a remarkable life and career of service to South Carolina 
and the United States, having served as a school superintendent, state 
senator, judge and as the Palmetto State's Governor.
  He entered the nation's military when he was 21 years old and almost 
20 years later volunteered to serve in World War II. He was among the 
brave American troops who landed in Normandy on D-day with 82nd 
Airborne Division, and he received numerous awards for his military 
service including the Bronze Star for Valor and a Purple Heart.
  Senator Thurmond has fought no less fiercely in the political arena. 
He has used his gifts, experience, the power and respect he has earned 
and knowledge of Senate rules and procedures to advocate on behalf of 
his causes.
  Although he has switched political parties during his career, serving 
first as a Democrat, running for President as a ``States Rights'' third 
party candidate in 1948, and becoming a Republican in 1964, he has 
consistently adhered to his political ideology.
  I am glad that we have an opportunity to acknowledge his 
contributions and to reflect on the considerable impact he has had on 
this body, his party, and the nation.
  Senator Thurmond is a living monument, but just to make sure his 
service is recognized, the people of South Carolina, whom he has 
represented for so long, have honored him by erecting a monument for 
him and naming dozens of facilities for him.
  Senator Thurmond will certainly be missed around here. I bid him 
farewell and extend my best wishes to him and his family.


                              Jesse Helms

  Jesse Helms is retiring after serving five terms in the Senate. 
During this time, he has become a legend. He has been a powerful 
legislator and wielded significant influence on issues within

[[Page 23332]]

the Senate and events around the world.
  While he and I do not share the same philosophy of government and 
have not always agreed on policies, I have no doubt that he believes 
sincerely in his causes, and I admire the passion with which he has 
fought for what he believes is right.
  As I have noted previously, the Senate is a place where many 
friendships are forged, even among people who seem unlikely to get 
along. But what many people don't understand is that it is possible to 
disagree without being disagreeable.
  Senator Helms has succeeded in charming and befriending many people, 
ranging from fellow Senators to internationally known rock stars, who 
strongly disagree with much of what he advocates.
  Certainly, the Senate will be different without Jesse Helms, and I 
wish him the best.


                            Frank Murkowski

  As the people of Nevada know all too well, Frank Murkowski can be a 
tough opponent. He has led the effort in the Senate to push through the 
Administration's plan to transport tens of thousands of tons of nuclear 
waste through most of the Lower 48 for storage at Yucca Mountain, and 
therefore he and I have often been on opposing sides.
  But I recognize that his motives are not personal; he has a different 
vision of what our priorities should be and what policy is the best 
course of action. He has been a forceful advocate for Alaska here in 
the Senate since 1980, and he will continue to be one after he leaves 
to serve as Alaska's next Governor.


                               Phil Gramm

  Phil Gramm has been an influential politician and has had an 
interesting life. Although he flunked third, seventh and ninth grades, 
he received a Ph.D. in economics. This education instilled in him a 
strong belief in free markets, and he brought that understanding to 
Washington, along with his speeches about a Texas print shop owner 
named Dicky Flatt who has been cited as a representative American 
resistant to government spending.
  Phil was elected to the House of Representatives first as a Democrat 
and then again after he became a Republican. He was elected to the 
Senate in 1984 and has authored major pieces of legislation during his 
career, perhaps most notably the Gramm-Rudman-Hollings effort to reduce 
the federal budget deficit.
  On this issue, as on so many others, Senator Gramm has been 
relentless. You always knew where he stood and always heard what he 
said. He will be missed.


                               Bob Smith

  I have the greatest affection for the departing Senator from New 
Hampshire Bob Smith. He and I worked together for one difficult year 
when he was the co-chairman of the MIA/POW Committee along with Senator 
Kerry. They led us as we completed that most important study, and I 
learned a lot about Senator Smith in the process.
  He served in the Navy in the Gulf of Tonkin during the Vietnam War, 
so he was very interested in the issue of missing soldiers. And he is a 
real patriot, committed to making sure America's military is strong. 
Bob Smith loves this country.
  Our friendship was cemented when we were asked to lead the Ethics 
Committee and had to resolve very difficult issues. He impressed me 
with his institutional awareness, intelligence and historical 
knowledge, and I found him to be a true gentleman. In addressing the 
issues before the Ethics Committee he was firm and strict but fair, 
which is what leadership of that group requires.
  Senator Smith and I also served together on the Environment and 
Public Works Committee, including a time when he was Chairman and I was 
Ranking Member. He might have surprised a lot of people with his 
concern for the environment, but I am proud that we were able to work 
together to protect this nation's air and water, to defend wildlife and 
preserve the environment.
  Bob Smith is a friend. I was disappointed with the results of the 
elections in the Granite State, and I am going to miss him.


                             Fred Thompson

  Fred Thompson leaves the Senate after 8 years of service. It seems 
like he has been here much longer perhaps because he has been so highly 
visible both in public service and as an entertainer.
  Fred Thompson not only has been a Senator; he also has played one on 
TV. His other acting roles include leader of the CIA, the FBI, and 
White House Chief of Staff.
  Many Americans first noticed Fred Thompson during the Watergate 
crisis. He was a young lawyer serving as minority counsel to the Senate 
Watergate Committee in 1973, and he played a role in the public 
disclosure of the tapes President Nixon recorded in the Oval Office. Of 
course the scandal led to the President's resignation.
  And since that introduction, we have come to know Fred Thompson well 
and know we can rely on his intelligence, judgment, wit, and insight.
  He has been a skillful negotiator in the Senate, a popular colleague 
and someone people look up to.
  While he will be missed around here, I take comfort knowing I will be 
able to see him frequently on TV and in the movies.


                             Tim Hutchinson

  Senator Tim Hutchinson grew up on a farm in rural Arkansas and 
graduated from Bob Jones University. So he and I have had different 
experiences and are guided by different beliefs. Not surprisingly, we 
have often voted differently. But I do not question how dearly he holds 
his convictions, and I recognize that he has been a dedicated advocate 
for the people of Arkansas throughout his 10 years in Washington--4 
years in the House of Representatives and 6 here in the Senate.
  Tim Hutchinson is part of a family that has had a significant impact 
on politics in the state of Arkansas: when Tim ran for the Senate, his 
brother Asa ran for and won the seat Tim had held in the House. Asa has 
since gone on to become the Administrator of the Drug Enforcement 
Agency. I have worked with both Tim and Asa, and I understand Tim's son 
is now a state legislator so I might have the opportunity one day to 
work with him too.
  Before he leaves, let me extend my appreciation to Senator Hutchinson 
for all his kind deeds toward me. Despite our differences, we have had 
a good relationship. We have worked together on my concurrent receipt 
legislation to secure retirement benefits for disabled military 
retirees and on a number of other issues. He and his brother are both 
considerate, thoughtful gentlemen. I wish him well in whatever comes 
next.


                              Dean Barkley

  In contrast to longest-serving Senator in history, Dean Barkley wraps 
up one of the shortest terms ever, having taken his oath of office just 
last week. Of course, we all recognize the sad and special 
circumstances which led to his being here: the tragic death of our dear 
friend and colleague Paul Wellstone. I have already spoken of Paul 
Wellstone, how much he accomplished here in the Senate, what his role 
was and his legacy will be, and what I remember of our personal 
interaction. I said that Paul Wellstone is irreplaceable. Nobody, 
whether they serve 2 weeks or 2 decades, will fill his shoes. To his 
credit, Dean Barkley understood that and he realized what his role 
during his brief time in the Senate should be. I spoke with him shortly 
after his appointment. He had a lot of pressure on him to align with 
one side or the other and he could have created a lot of problems. 
Fortunately, he decided it would be best for the people of Minnesota 
not to change the balance in the Senate, and he stuck to the 
independence streak for which he is known. Dean Barkley was not here 
long, but he has taken his position seriously, and I am sure he has had 
an unforgettable experience. I thank him for his service and wish him 
well.


                               Bob Smith

  Mr. GREGG. Mr. President, Bob Smith loved serving the people of New 
Hampshire. I have witnessed Bob's high regard for the office he has 
held here in the U.S. Senate; he has taken his job seriously, both in 
Washington and at

[[Page 23333]]

home. He is a man of strong family values and hearty resolve, two 
fundamental characteristics of our State. Bob is not a programmed 
politician. In fact, he is the opposite. He has always been driven by 
his independence and conservative ideas.
  When Bob and Mary Jo Smith first moved to New Hampshire, they did not 
waste any time getting involved in the Lakes Region community. Bob 
became a high school history and government teacher and helped coach 
the football and baseball teams. He also got involved in local politics 
by joining the school board. Fourteen years after settling in New 
Hampshire, Bob was elected into the U.S. House of Representatives, 
where he served until he was elected to the Senate.
  Here in the Senate, Bob has been an advocate and representative for 
the interests of New Hampshire, taking strong stands on the issues he 
cares about. Regardless of political bias, it can never be said that 
Bob Smith did not stand up for what he believed in, a fact that is 
known and respected in New Hampshire.
  He became chairman of the Environment and Public Works Committee, 
providing leadership and a voice for New Hampshire on environmental 
issues. He has continued to speak out for the concerns of States like 
New Hampshire.
  On the Armed Services Committee, Bob has championed the cause of 
accounting for American prisoners of war and those service men and 
women who are reported missing in action. As a veteran of the Navy and 
the Vietnam War, Bob has long advocated for a strong military and 
understands the importance of government support and assistance for 
brave members of our armed services.
  During the past 18 years, Bob has shown grace and strength. He has 
served New Hampshire with honor and I admire his courage in standing up 
for what he believes in time and time again. Bob, his wife Mary Jo, and 
their three children have spent the past eighteen years achieving well 
the difficult balance of raising a family while simultaneously handling 
the constant demands of public office. I want to take this opportunity 
to congratulate my colleague on his distinguished career and thank him 
for his service to New Hampshire.


                             fred thompson

  Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, at the conclusion of this year, we will 
bid farewell to a Senator who is larger than life, both literally and 
figuratively.
  Fred Thompson, may chairman of the Governmental Affairs Committee, 
and my food friend, will be leaving the Senate after 8 years of 
distinguished service.
  While there is no question that the people of Tennessee would have 
returned him to the Senate for another term had he chosen to seek it, 
Fred decided that there is life after the Senate--and if the past is 
prologue, we can be sure that it will be an interesting life.
  Fred came to this body after a varied and distinguished career. He 
had been a prominent public servant--most notably as an assistant U.S. 
attorney and as the Republican counsel to the Watergate committee--as 
well as a skilled lawyer and a gifted actor. From his days with 
Senators Howard Baker and Sam Ervin in the Watergate hearings, to his 
role in exposing the sale of pardons in the State of Tennessee, to his 
acting in 18 films, Fred brought a keen intellect, a great sense of 
humor, and an exceptional capacity for hard work to every task. And 
those are the very characteristics that have marked his Senate service.
  Fred has been a leader in the Senate on a wide variety of critical 
issues, including intelligence reform and oversight, reducing the 
threat posed by the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and 
reducing the tax burden on American families. He was among the first to 
join Senators McCain and Feingold in the quest for campaign finance 
reform and fairly and effectively chaired extensive hearings to expose 
the abuses in the financing of the 1996 Presidential campaign.
  As chairman and later ranking Republican on the Governmental Affairs 
Committee, his efforts have led to management and regulatory reforms as 
well as the passage of the legislation to create the new Department of 
Homeland Security.
  In the 6 years that I have worked closely with Fred, I have never 
known him to be unprepared. I have never known him to be undisciplined. 
And I have never known him to be anything less than eloquent--although, 
as a Yankee, I may not always appreciate the subtlety of his colloquial 
expressions. Two examples that I recall with special fondness are: 
``Don't load up the wagon unless you're willing to pay the freight,''--
which is, I believe, a reference to spending proclivities--and then, my 
personal favorite: ``It's like teaching a pig to dance. It wastes your 
time, and it irritates the pig.
  Of course, Fred is much more than just quotable. Fred is a truly 
courageous leader. He actually relishes being in the minority, even a 
tiny minority, when one of his basic principles, such as States rights 
and the 10th amendment, is at issue. He always votes his convictions--
even when the current polls suggest that public sentiment is on the 
other side. His good judgment and his careful consideration of every 
issue are a model for all of us. Fred's fearless leadership is one of 
many reasons why his constituents, even those who may disagree with 
him, hold him in such high regard. They know that Fred Thompson will 
speak the truth and do with it right, that he will make the hard 
choices, and that the well being of his constituents and our country 
guides his every decision.
  No one can be certain what the future will hold for Fred. We know 
that he has already drawn on two of his previous careers--the law and 
acting--by signing on to play the avuncular district attorney on the 
popular television show, ``Law and Order.'' It also seems very likely 
that he will have future responsibilities in Government, since I 
anticipate that this President will seek to use his extraordinary 
talents.
  But no matter what Fred Thompson's post-Senate career may entail, one 
conclusion can be stated with confidence. He has graced this 
institution and served his Nation well. I feel so fortunate to have 
served with him during these past 6 years, and I shall miss him.
  Godspeed, my friend.


                             TIM hutchinson

  Mr. President, I rise this morning to pay tribute to my colleague and 
good friend from Arkansas, Senator Tim Hutchinson.
  I have particularly enjoyed working with Tim on the Senate HELP 
Committee. We have literally worked ``shoulder to shoulder'' both in 
committee and on the Senate floor on many issues of tremendous 
importance to the health and well-being of all Americans--the Patients' 
Bill of Rights, legislation to increase access to more affordable 
prescription drugs, home health care, increased funding for diabetes 
research, and legislation to increase access to health care in the 
rural and underserved areas of our country.
  Tim demonstrated his ability to reach across the aisle and work on a 
bipartisan basis when he joined with Senator Mikulski in developing 
legislation to address our Nation's growing shortage of registered 
nurses. I was pleased to join as an original cosponsor of the Nurse 
Reinvestment Act, which has been signed into law, and which will 
address this problem by providing incentives for individuals to enter 
the nursing profession, providing continuing education and 
opportunities for advancement within the profession, and increasing the 
number of nurse faculty to teach at our nursing schools.
  Senator Hutchinson has also been a leader and an advocate for our men 
and women in uniform, and I have been honored to serve with him on the 
Senate Armed Forces Committee. As the ranking member on the personnel 
subcommittee, he has seen to the needs of the soldiers, sailors, 
airmen, and marines time and time again. He has fought to ensure that 
the men and women serving our country receive adequate pay and 
compensation, and this year he went to the mat to support our military 
retirees on concurrent receipt/special compensation.

[[Page 23334]]

  In January 2000, I traveled with Senator Hutchinson to Japan, South 
Korea, and Taiwan where we got an update on the region and had an 
opportunity to meet with many troops there. In particular, Senator 
Hutchinson spent a lot of time speaking with our troops who were 
serving proudly on the front line of the DMZ. In Korea, it was the dead 
of winter, and the meeting rooms in South Korea actually straddled the 
DMZ line.
  On that trip we also visited the U.S.S. Kitty Hawk in Japan, where I 
found that Senator Hutchinson had a special place in his heart for our 
naval forces. We also made history when we met with the first 
democratic president of Taiwan--President Lee.
  Senator Hutchinson has always taken the time to listen to our troops 
and military leaders, as he was always looking for ways that he could 
make a positive difference for these young men and women proudly 
serving our country. Senator Hutchinson will be greatly missed, but his 
legacy and accomplishments will remain in our history forever.


                             Fred Thompson

  Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to a friend 
and colleague who is retiring from the Senate after eight years of 
principled and distinguished service. The Senate will lose an extremely 
dedicated public servant and also a good bit of star power when Fred 
Thompson leaves us at the end of the 107th Congress.
  I had the pleasure of serving on the Governmental Affairs Committee 
headed by Senator Thompson from 1997 until June 2001. I appreciate 
Senator Thompson's determination in pursuing fiscal accountability and 
relentlessly seeking a smaller and more efficient Federal Government. 
Senator Thompson's leadership on issues such as the proliferation of 
weapons of mass destruction and missile technologies has made an 
enduring contribution to our national security, and I have enjoyed 
working closely with him on matters related to our national 
laboratories. I would like to thank Senator Thompson for his tireless 
work more recently on the monumental task of creating a Department of 
Homeland Security. I submit that his industry and integrity in this 
historic undertaking will leave him a legacy of which he should be 
proud.
  The people of Tennessee first elected Senator Thompson to the Senate 
in 1994, to fill an unexpired two-year term. When he was reelected in 
1996, he made history by garnering more votes than any previous 
candidate for any office in Tennessee. A native of Lawrenceburg, TN, 
Thompson worked his way through school to earn an undergraduate degree 
in philosophy and political science from Memphis State University, and 
a law degree from Vanderbilt University. Only two years after law 
school, Thompson was named an Assistant United States Attorney. 
Thompson was then appointed at the age of 30 as minority counsel to the 
Senate Watergate Committee, where he served in 1973 and 1974. Before he 
was elected to the Senate, Fred Thompson operated successful law 
practices in Nashville and Washington and served as Special Counsel to 
the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence and the Senate Committee on 
Foreign Relations.
  While many know that Senator Thompson is embarking on a new role as 
district attorney in the television series Law & Order, his talents for 
law and acting first came together in the film Marie, in which he 
portrayed himself after taking on a case in 1977 that uncovered a cash-
for-clemency scandal that unseated Tennessee's Governor. Fred Thompson 
has subsequently acted in 18 motion pictures, including In the Line of 
Fire, Die Hard II and The Hunt for Red October, as well as four 
television series.
  Some might characterize Fred Thompson's uncommonly successful career 
in show business as a natural complement to the daily business of the 
Senate. What I know is that whether on the big screen or on the floor 
of the Senate, Fred Thompson's larger-than-life presence has touched 
the lives of a great many Americans, and he will be sorely missed by 
his colleagues in the Senate. I thank my colleague for his eight years 
of distinguished service in which he has enlivened the Senate and 
served his country with uncommon resolve. I wish Senator Thompson the 
very best in his retirement and all his future endeavors.


                            frank murkowski

  Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to one of my distinguished 
colleagues, a Senator from the class of 1980. From our seats on the 
same side of the aisle, I have been able to serve 22 years with my 
long-time friend, and colleague, Senator Murkowski.
  I want to take this opportunity to thank Senator Murkowski for his 
distinguished career of service both to our Nation and his home State 
of Alaska, and to congratulate him. Senator Murkowski has been a great 
advocate of his State, which has been demonstrated by his winning 75 
percent of the vote in 1998, and the gubernatorial race in this last 
election. As the Senator moves onto a new challenge, I wish him well 
with his efforts to continually serve the people of Alaska.
  As I look at the past seven years, and all that the Senator has 
accomplished during his time as chairman of the Energy Committee, I 
know that these will be big shoes to fill. Throughout his career, the 
Senator has held steadfast to his ideals, while fighting for improved 
veterans' health care, and the search for American POW/MIAs, as 
Chairman of the Veterans' Affairs Committee. While on the Finance 
Committee, the Senator from Alaska played a pivotal role in passing the 
Balanced Budget Act of 1997.
  Senator Murkowski, his professional manner, and his willingness to 
work have made him an asset to our Senate. We, in the Senate, will be 
at a loss without his unrelenting will-power, and determination.
  Senator Murkowski has been a friend and servant to the citizens of 
Alaska, earning a reputation for unbeatable service to his 
constituents. We have always had a lot in common, fighting for the 
interest of our predominantly rural States. I have always been 
impressed with his capability to keep the diversified interests of his 
State in mind, while developing bills to improve and preserve the 
tradition, and way of life, for Alaskan citizens. Alaska will be lucky 
to have him as their Governor.
  Today I join my colleagues in offering a goodbye, and good luck, to 
Senator Murkowski, a tenacious man of high-integrity, for his years of 
dedicated service. I will certainly miss my friend, and wish him the 
best as he enters his new career as Governor of Alaska.


                      Phil Gramm and Fred Thompson

  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, the time has come--as it does at the 
conclusion of every Congress--to honor those members who will be 
departing from this body. This is a task not easily done. The Senate is 
one of the highest pinnacles in public service to our nation. Those who 
serve here have often dedicated their lives--and with great success--to 
changing America for better.
  Today I wish to honor two Senators who have indeed changed America 
for the better--Phil Gramm and my fellow Tennessean and partner in the 
Senate for the last eight years, Fred Thompson.
  Senator Gramm began his service in Congress as a House Democrat in 
1978. Five years later he switched parties. But rather than serve out 
his term as a Republican, he resigned his seat and let the people of 
his district choose whether they wanted to be represented by a 
Republican. Well, they did, and Phil Gramm became not only the first 
Republican in history to represent the 6th district of Texas, but the 
only member of Congress in the 20th century to resign and then win re-
election as a member of another party.
  Phil and I share the same commitment to being a citizen legislator . 
. . to bringing professional expertise to public service. In Phil's 
case, he's an economist, a college professor, and a public health 
expert, and his legislative accomplishments reflect that experience. 
He's been a staunch proponent of tax relief, economic growth, and a 
balanced budget. And the Gramm-Rudman Act stands as one of

[[Page 23335]]

the most groundbreaking pieces of budget legislation in the second half 
of the 20th century.
  Fred Thompson has been a dear friend for many years and great partner 
with whom to work on behalf of the people of Tennessee in the United 
States Senate. Fred was elected in 1994 to fill 2 years of an unexpired 
term. He was then reelected in 1996. And just as he did in Hollywood, 
he rapidly rose to become a star in the Senate.
  In 1997, Fred was elected chairman of the Governmental Affairs 
Committee, making him one of the most junior Senators in history to 
serve as chairman of a major Senate committee. As chairman, he held 
hearings on issues such as improving the federal regulatory process; 
reforming the IRS; exploring ways to eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse 
in government; and a number of national security issues, including the 
proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and missile technologies.
  Senator Thompson has also been a member of the Finance Committee--one 
of the most influential committees in the Senate. From that position, 
he has focused on reducing taxes, reforming the tax code to make it 
simpler and fairer, and restoring the Social Security and Medicare 
programs to long-term solvency. Though Fred has served eight years in 
the Senate, the scale and number of his accomplishments would lead one 
think he has spent an entire career in this chamber.
  Phil Gramm and Fred Thompson will be missed by each and every one of 
their Senate colleagues. For me it has been an honor, a privilege and a 
pleasure to work with them both. They have brought to the Senate a rare 
combination of intellect, charisma, political skill and, above all, a 
steadfast commitment to principle. And for that they will also be 
missed by the American people.
  Mr. LIEBERMAN. Mr. President, I rise to honor the Members of the 
Senate who will be leaving us at the end of this Congress. They will 
not be here in this Chamber next year, but each will leave an indelible 
imprint on this body, and on the lives of the American people.
  First, I wish to say a few words about my colleague, my compatriot on 
the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee, and my friend, Fred 
Thompson, who has served the people of Tennessee and the people of 
America ably and nobly for the past 8 years.
  The man the Screen Actors Guild knows as Fred Dalton Thompson acts--
and acts quite well, I should add--but the man we know as Senator Fred 
Thompson has never read off of anyone's script. Again and again, he has 
done what he in his heart believed was right for the nation. I will 
always admire his clarity, integrity, and intellectual curiosity.
  Since his joining the Senate in 1994, I have known Senator Thompson 
as a dogged investigator who is always willing to go wherever the 
evidence may lead, and as an independent-minded legislator who sticks 
to and stands on principle. Senator Thompson was the first Republican 
after John McCain to support campaign finance reform--an act that 
speaks volumes about who he is and for what he stands.
  On the Governmental Affairs Committee, Senator Thompson and I worked 
closely together on probing the evidence and then issuing a report on 
the government's highly suspect investigation into the alleged 
wrongdoing of Wen Ho Lee. Senator Thompson brought a singular focus to 
dissecting and fixing the government's computer security problems. And 
he has and spared no energy working to ferret out waste, mismanagement, 
corruption, and abuse in the federal government. Senator Thompson 
understands that the people's Government must do justice to the 
people's values--not just in the pronouncements it makes, but in the 
way it does business every day.
  Every Member of this body respects the quality of Senator Thompson's 
reasoning and the strength of his voice. Whether it's on defense, 
intelligence, free trade, or a wide range of other issues, Senator 
Thompson's words are cogent and clear, and his deeds are consistent 
with those words.
  In addition to his career as a Senator, he has practiced law, written 
a book, acted in 18 motion pictures and a television show, posted his 
mother's recipe for fresh coconut cake on his website, and--in the 
midst of it all--managed to find a lovely women to marry. I am in awe 
of his energy and vitality.
  We know each other as colleagues, as partners, and often as 
intellectual opponents. But we also know each other as human beings. 
And at every point and in every context, Senator Thompson has brought 
wisdom, decency, and a great sense of humor to this Congress. When he 
served as chairman of the Governmental Affairs Committee, he treated me 
with great consideration and respect, and I hope in my time as Chairman 
I have afforded him the same courtesies.
  I am disappointed to see him go, but look forward to watching him on 
television on Wednesday nights.
  Mr. President, I also wish to honor Senator Strom Thurmond.
  We all know that the 20th century was the American Century. It was 
also the century in which, primarily in his service in the U.S. Senate, 
Strom Thurmond left his indelible mark on the history of this nation.
  There are not many Members of this body today who bring the breadth 
of his experience to the floor. Senator Thurmond began his career as a 
farmer, teacher, and athletic coach. He was Superintendent of Education 
in his home county. He was town and county attorney. He was state 
senator in his great state of South Carolina. He was a judge. He served 
in the Second World War, and was part of the Normandy invasion with the 
82nd Airborne. He was governor of South Carolina. Then, in 1954, he was 
elected to the United States Senate.
  The long list of these accomplishments would take most Americans 300 
years to accumulate. Senator Thurmond has gotten them all under his 
belt in a mere 100. And he has raised a family, to boot.
  Through it all, Senator Thurmond has grown not only as a legislator 
but as a human being. When we honor him, we pay tribute to human 
beings' capacity for growth. After running for President, as I 
mentioned, as a state's rights candidate, he later supported the 
renewal of the Voting Rights Act and observance of the Martin Luther 
King, Jr. Holiday on behalf of his state. That transformation sent a 
powerful message that all of us could become better Americans and 
better individuals--and that the United States of America, for all its 
blessings, can always become a better nation.
  I also wish to honor another Member the Senate will miss, my good 
friend from Texas, Senator Phil Gramm. Senator Gramm has only served 
since 1984, not since 1954 like Senator Thurmond, but his achievements 
have been remarkable indeed.
  Senator Gramm, who came to the Senate with a Ph.D. in economics and a 
distinguished career in teaching, has become one of this Chamber's 
foremost experts on fiscal policy, one of its clearest voices on 
defense and foreign policy, and one of the most stalwart defenders of 
individual liberties.
  He has a wonderful intuitive understanding of the value of basic 
research and other technological innovation, and I have been proud to 
work with him to increase both the Government's total funding 
commitment to science and the effectiveness of the money we spend.
  Senator Gramm is an ideologue--and I mean that in the best sense of 
the word. He fervently defends his beliefs against all challenges. 
Senator Gramm relishes debate. Here on the floor, you can see it in his 
eyes and hear it in his voice. And let me add--and I say this 
reluctantly, having been at the receiving end of more than a few of his 
missives--that he is quite good at it. In that way, he has continued 
and advanced one of the great traditions of this body. Yes, compromise 
is what makes governments great and marriages happy; we all know that. 
But without firm principles and intellectual passion to guide us, 
without ideals we are not willing to sacrifice, we would never know 
what is worth compromising. And Senator Gramm has

[[Page 23336]]

never forgotten why he is here or what he is fighting for.
  I wish him luck in the private sector, where he will continue to 
serve the nation and will, much to his liking, make much more money in 
the process.
  The Senate is losing many giants at the end of this term. Let me now 
say a few words about Jesse Helms of North Carolina--a Navy veteran in 
the Second World War, a respected journalist, a businessman, a city 
councilman, and since 1973, a legendary legislator in the Senate.
  As a Member of this body, Senator Helms has done too much to mention 
here today. But he is most respected for his leadership of the Senate 
Foreign Relations Committee.
  There, he has proven to be a tireless defender of the interests of 
America--and an advocate of the inalienable rights of people all over 
the world to the basic freedoms and opportunities we enjoy. I have 
always admired his steadfastness and his strength. And I have always 
known that the goals we seek--a strong America that advances democracy 
and increases prosperity around the world--are the same.
  And we have at least one other thing in common. Senator Helms' name 
was placed in nomination for Vice President of the United States--this 
was at the GOP convention in Kansas City in 1976. Although he asked the 
convention to withdraw his name, he nevertheless received 99 delegate 
votes. A few years later, I could have used those votes.
  Another Senator retiring after a distinguished career--in his case 
because he is trading the U.S. Capitol for the Governor's mansion in 
his great home state of Alaska--is Senator Frank Murkowski. Hopefully 
his new challenge will afford him more opportunities to enjoy life with 
his lovely wife Nancy, his six children and his 11 grandchildren.
  For four terms of office, Senator Murkowski has served the people of 
his state with vigorous energy and rigorous attention to detail since 
being elected to the Senate in 1980. He delivers for the people of 
Alaska--and they appreciate it. I am confident he will continue to lead 
with distinction as governor.
  My friend and colleague Senator Max Cleland gave elegant departing 
remarks yesterday on this floor. Those remarks reminded me how much the 
Senate will miss his buoyant personality, his eloquent words, his 
principled service to the people of Georgia, and his transcendent 
faith.
  I was privileged to serve alongside Senator Cleland on the Senate 
Governmental Affairs Committee, where he was always courageous, 
independent, and tenacious. I also had the good fortune of working with 
him on the Armed Services Committee and the Small Business Committee. I 
could not have wished for a kinder or more decent man to call my 
colleague.
  Senator Cleland also was an early supporter of and essential 
contributor to the bill establishing a Department of Homeland Security 
that we reported out of committee in May. Therefore, the historic bill 
we passed yesterday, and the Department it will create to protect the 
American people from terrorism here at home, is due in no small measure 
to his efforts.
  But Senator Cleland will be remembered for the spirit he brought to 
this Senate as much as for the many things he accomplished here. His 
grit, His wit. His honesty. His willingness to take risks. His never-
failing sense of humor. I wish Max the best of luck.
  Mr. President, let me also take a moment to honor my friend and 
colleague Senator Jean Carnahan who has added to a long and storied 
career by serving the people of Missouri with care, skill, and devotion 
over the last 2 years.
  Senator Carnahan was not only the proud occupant of Harry Truman's 
seat, but was an able custodian of Harry Truman's legacy. She 
legislated with an independent mind and a pragmatic personal 
philosophy, always putting the well-being of Missouri's working 
families first.
  I have been fortunate enough to serve alongside Senator Carnahan not 
only on the Governmental Affairs Committee, where she quickly proved to 
be an invaluable asset, but on the Senate Armed Services Committee. 
Senator Carnahan doesn't only talk about bipartisanship. She practices 
it. I'm proud to call her a fellow New Democrat, and even more proud to 
call her a friend.
  We are losing many women and men of principle from this body; I hope 
an equal number replace them. I will fondly remember Senator Bob Smith 
for his unwavering adherence to the values of his faith and his family. 
And I admired Senator Smith's hard work on the Environmental and Public 
Works Committee in defense of New Hampshire's environment and this 
nation's. Bob is a man of honor and I was proud to serve with him.
  Many of us strive for eloquence here on the floor. But few of us are 
as consistently passionate and persuasive as another departing 
colleagues, Robert Torricelli, who served seven terms in the House of 
Representatives and then here in the Senate since 1996. As a fellow 
northeastern and fellow member of the Senate Governmental Affairs 
Committee, I will miss his wisdom and great sense of purpose. He is 
extremely gifted and gave great service for New Jersey and America.
  Finally, Mr. President, a special word for our dear departed 
colleague Senator Paul Wellstone--who I want to describe in the best 
way I know how, as a mensch--a man, a very good man. He radiated 
decency and kindness and commitment to make the world a better place. 
That was so not just in what he said and did on camera, but in what he 
said and did in quiet moments, small moments, private moments.
  Much has been made of the fact that Paul was a teacher. And it is 
fitting. I think about all the lessons that Paul Wellstone the 
political scientist taught to his students, and how every one must have 
come alive when he ran for office--and won--in 1990. That inspiration 
will last for generations.
  Paul Wellstone taught his students, by example, that Americans who 
want change can do much more than carp or complain. They can and should 
enter and shape the system. They can and should be a part of the 
government of the people, by the people, and for the people.
  Senator Wellstone uplifted the Senate and uplifted our democracy, and 
he did it with the clarity of his conscience and the power of his 
principles and passions.
  It's no wonder Paul titled his book The Conscience of a Liberal, 
after Barry Goldwater's book The Conscience of a Conservative. Paul had 
read Senator Goldwater's book as a boy, and though he found himself at 
the opposite end of the political spectrum, Paul admired Goldwater's 
decency, his honesty, and his conviction.
  The name ``Paul'' comes from the Roman family name ``Paulus,'' which 
meant ``small'' or ``humble'' in Latin. And Paul was physically small. 
He was spiritually humble. But the scope of his ideals and of his 
service was monumental.
  In The Ethics of the Fathers, a tome of Jewish law, it is written: 
``It is not your obligation to complete the task [of perfecting the 
world], but neither are you free to desist [from doing all you can].''
  Paul Wellstone, as a Senator, a father, a husband, and a man, lived 
these words and lived them well. May he rest alongside his wife and 
daughter in peace.
  I thank the Chair and yield the floor.

                          ____________________