[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 1]
[Senate]
[Pages 117-118]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO WILLIAM B. BONVILLIAN

  Mr. LIEBERMAN. Mr. President, I rise today to express my profound 
gratitude and heartfelt best wishes to a dear friend and dedicated 
American, William B. Bonvillian, who has served as my legislative 
director and chief counsel since I first took office in the U.S. Senate 
in January 1989. It is truly a bittersweet occasion to bid farewell 
this week to an outstanding and valued staff member with whom I have 
worked for 17 years in this hallowed institution that we both dearly 
cherish and respect. I can only say that, as Bill embarks on his new 
venture as director of federal relations for the Massachusetts 
Institute of Technology, MIT, my loss is most surely MIT's gain.
  Bill came to my Senate office as an accomplished and respected 
attorney who had previously served in the executive branch from 1977-
1980 as Deputy Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Department of 
Transportation, where he was involved in major legislation relating to 
transportation deregulation and funding issues. However, our long 
association actually goes back much further than that, to the early 
1970s. Bill was my first intern when I was elected to the State Senate; 
we rode from New Haven to the State Capitol in Hartford in my old 
copper-colored Pinto several times a week after his classes at Yale 
Divinity School. Later, I hired him for a summer position with our 
State Senate committee investigating State construction issues. After I 
was elected to my first term here in the U.S. Senate, I sought to 
rehire Bill, who was by then a partner at a national law firm working 
on corporate, real estate, transportation, and administrative law 
matters. I was beyond delighted when Bill agreed to leave his 
partnership to reenter public service.
  Bill's record of service in the U.S. Senate has been one of enormous 
distinction. When I look back with pride on the many legislative 
initiatives I undertook with Bill's advice and assistance, I recall 
with great admiration his determination, tenacity, and passionate 
involvement in crafting legislation. He built a stellar reputation on 
both sides of the aisle for his skill in nurturing innovative ideas and 
negotiating and advancing measures through an often complex legislative 
process. Bill's intuitive skills and strong leadership abilities have 
helped result in the successful passage of many crucial policy 
initiatives for which I have fought. Bill has played a key role in 
formulating and enacting vitally important legislative policy in the 
areas of science and technology; economic growth; innovation, research, 
and development in the fields of defense, manufacturing, health, and 
bioterrorism protection programs; and ensuring America's global 
competitiveness.
  In addition, Bill's extensive and tireless work has resulted in many 
other significant legislative victories in our years together, 
including those pertaining to environmental and wilderness protection; 
energy security; defense and foreign policy; health and social welfare; 
campaign finance reform; media safeguards for children; education; and 
transportation and our Nation's infrastructure. Bill also had a firm 
hand in the landmark law that led to the creation of the U.S. 
Department of Homeland Security and new intelligence reform initiatives 
to ensure the protection of our citizens. His ability to forge a 
consensus on these and countless other complex issues is unequaled. 
Bill's influence has been felt throughout the halls of Congress, and he 
has left a great legacy here.
  I would like to highlight key legislation, grouped by subject area, 
on which Bill and his legislative team have assisted me over the years. 
I note that many of these bills or parts of them have gone on to become 
laws:
  Economic Growth--National Innovation Act, S. 2109 (2005); National 
Nanotechnology R&D Act, P.L. 108-153 (2003); R&D Doubling Act, S. 2046 
(2000) and predecessor bill, S. 1305 (1997); Individual Development 
Accounts, S. 2023 (2000); Enterprise Zone Act, S. 1032 (1991)
  Defense, Homeland Security, and Foreign Policy--Rebuild the Army 
(increasing Army end-strength), S. 1397 (2005); Intelligence Reform 
Act, P.L. 108-458 (2004); 9/11 Commission Act, P.L. 107-306; Homeland 
Security Department Authorization, S. 2452 (2002); Establishment of the 
Quadrennial Defense Review, S. Amdt. 4156 to S. 1745 (1996); Bosnia 
Intervention, S.J. Res. 44 (1995); Gulf War Resolution, H.R. 2100 
(1991)
  Environment, Conservation, and Energy Security--Vehicle and Fuel 
Choices for America Act, S. 2025 (2005); Climate Change Act, S. 1151 
(2005) and prior climate bills dating back to 1991; Clean Air Act of 
1990, S. 1630 (1990); Conte Connecticut River National Fish and 
Wildlife Refuge Act, S. 821 (1991); Weir Farm National Historic Site, 
S. 2059 (1990)
  Health and Social Programs--American Center for Cures, S. 2104 
(2005); Bioshield II, S. 975 (2005)
  Education--Technology Talent, S. 1549 (2001); 3R Act (No Child Left 
Behind), S. 303 (2001); Federal Charter School Assistance, S. 1513 
(1994)
  Media and Values--Parental Choice in Television Act (V-Chip), S. 632 
(1995)
  Government Reform--e-Government Act, S. 803 (2001); Congressional 
Accountability Act, S. 2071 (1994)
  Transportation--Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act 
(ISTEA), P.L. 102-240 (1992).
  We have been extremely fortunate to work with a person of Bill's 
character and caliber. He has graciously shared his wealth of knowledge 
and wise counsel with legislative aides, fellows, and other staff 
members. He helped us form our innovative Legislative Fellows Program, 
in particular, which has helped us build a strong, substantive, policy- 
and idea-oriented office. Under Bill's leadership as legislative 
director, I have consistently had a professional staff of which I am 
very proud. I think it is the equal of any on Capitol Hill.
  Somehow, despite the long hours his work has involved, Bill finds the 
time to nurture his abiding interest in an array of subjects, from art 
to history, and this is part of what makes Bill so very interesting to 
be around. On many occasions, Bill led our new staffers and fellows on 
unique, memorable tours of the Capitol, where he regaled us with

[[Page 118]]

his vast knowledge of the Capitol's architecture, art collections, and 
historical vignettes of Congress and our democracy.
  And now to add to these many accomplishments, Bill has an exciting 
opportunity to focus his efforts on science and technology innovation 
and policy, issues of deep concern to him and of critical importance to 
our Nation and the world. I have no doubt that Bill will distinguish 
himself in this endeavor just as he has throughout his Senate career.
  I sincerely thank Bill's wife, Janis Ann Sposato, for her 
understanding of the long hours and enormously demanding schedule so 
often posed by the Senate legislative calendar, even as they juggled 
the demands of parenting and their public service careers. It has been 
a pleasure to see Janis and Bill's sons, Raphael and Marcus, grow from 
childhood into the fine young men they are today.
  It has been a memorable journey. Through it all, Bill has maintained 
his clear vision of a better future for all, a sense of humor, and calm 
demeanor in the eye of any approaching storm. In all of his 
interactions with staff, visiting constituents, and other parties with 
whom he has come in contact, he has always given generously of his time 
and talent. I could not have made a better choice for my legislative 
director than I did in 1989 when I asked Bill to take on the challenges 
we have faced together.
  I am proud to call Bill a trusted adviser and lifelong friend. The 
office will be a different place without him. My staff and I will miss 
him a great deal, but we wish him success, health, and happiness 
always. I sincerely thank and congratulate Bill Bonvillian on his 
outstanding, loyal, and dedicated service to the U.S. Senate.

                          ____________________