[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 2]
[Senate]
[Page 2725]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO DAVID NEXON

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, this week marks the end of the career of a 
dedicated public servant. David Nexon will be leaving the staff of the 
HELP Committee after 22 years of remarkable service. He is the minority 
staff director of the Health Subcommittee, and over the years he has 
ably served the Senate and the Nation. Senators get the credit for 
successful legislation, but the public does not see the many thousands 
of hours of work that staff put in crafting the final legislative work 
product.
  David was instrumental, for example, in the passage of the Children's 
Health Insurance Program legislation, which brought health care to 6 
million children. He was also deeply involved in the passage of 
legislation which permits workers to maintain health insurance when 
they change or lose their job. These are just two of the many ways 
where David's work has enriched the lives of millions of Americans. 
Indeed, the bill we pass today dealing with genetic nondiscrimination 
is just one more example of his imprint on this Nation's health care 
policy.
  Mr. President, I spent 6 years on the Senate floor, and I got to know 
Senate staff really well, because sometimes they spend hours and 
sometimes days getting ready for legislation that comes to the Senate 
floor. David is someone whom I got to know. When I saw him, I always 
knew Senator Kennedy was nearby, or would be here soon. Senator 
Kennedy, of course, can speak for himself, but this man was invaluable 
to Senator Kennedy, the committee, and, I believe, the Senate and this 
country.
  As David leaves the Senate, we thank him and his family for all of 
his sacrifices. He is the epitome of what a public servant should be. I 
wish him well. I wish him the best of luck in his retirement.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Alexander). The majority leader.

                          ____________________