[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 17]
[Senate]
[Page 23498]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     RETURN OF SENATOR TIM JOHNSON

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, let me briefly second the observations 
of the majority leader about the return of our friend, Tim Johnson, 
from South Dakota. We look forward to welcoming him back after the 
policy luncheons today. It is a remarkable example of grit and 
determination to fight his way back. All of us on this side of the 
aisle are certainly happy he is back and look forward to welcoming him 
back to the Senate family officially, after the policy lunches.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The majority leader.
  Mr. REID. Mr. President, if I may say also--I said this personally to 
the distinguished Republican leader--Senator McConnell and the entire 
Republican caucus have been so thoughtful regarding Senator Johnson's 
illness. There were things the Republican minority could have done to 
have taken advantage of the situation of his being ill. That was never 
done, not on one occasion. I appreciate that very much. I know Senator 
Johnson does. It speaks well for the Senate.
  I don't think I need to say more on that issue other than it is the 
right thing to do, but sometimes we try to take advantage of a 
situation politically. The Republican Senators did not do that, even 
though there would have been times it would have been to their 
advantage.
  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I thank the majority leader very much.
  I yield the floor.

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