[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 1]
[Senate]
[Page 733]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING MARTIN P. PAONE

  Mr. FEINGOLD. Mr. President, today I wish to honor our distinguished 
Secretary of the Majority, Martin Paone, who announced recently his 
plans to leave the Senate after almost 30 years of exemplary service. 
During his career in the Senate, Marty has helped to guide this body as 
it has addressed some of the most pressing issues, and faced some of 
the most difficult challenges, in our Nation's history.
  Marty began his career in the Congress, working in the House Post 
Office and the Senate Parking Office. From there, he quickly rose 
through the ranks to become an assistant in the Democratic cloakroom in 
1979. After demonstrating his keen understanding of floor procedures, 
he became a member of the floor staff for the Democratic Policy 
Committee and later assistant secretary of the majority. In 1995, he 
was elected as secretary of the minority, and continued to serve in 
that role, and later as the secretary of the majority, for the 
Democratic caucus.
  As we all know, the procedures of the Senate are complicated, and at 
times perplexing. Indeed, Americans watching us from home may wonder 
how we are able get our important legislative work done. Well, one of 
the principal reasons is that Republican and Democratic Senators alike 
have been able to rely on Marty's counsel when it comes to questions 
about the rules of the Senate. Marty possesses a vast and detailed 
knowledge of the history and procedures of the Senate that is possibly 
second only to that of our distinguished President Pro Tempore, Senator 
Robert C. Byrd. And he has a well-deserved reputation as a straight 
shooter. Whenever I have approached Marty with a question during my 
time as a Senator, I have always been able to count on him for a 
straight answer--even when my position may have run counter to that of 
my leadership.
  Throughout his tenure in the Senate, Marty has also served as a 
steady hand, helping this Chamber through changes in our country's 
leadership and critical events in our Nation's history. Marty's career 
has been marked by five different Presidents, five Republican Senate 
leaders and four Democratic Senate leaders. Marty has also served 
during several key historic moments, from the end of the Cold War to 
the tragic events of September 11, 2001. It was after September 11 that 
Marty's extensive experience and understanding became especially 
important as he helped guide this body during an extremely difficult 
and uncertain time. That service to the Senate, and to the country, was 
invaluable, and I will always remember it.
  I wish Marty, his wife Ruby, and their three children, Alexander, 
Stephanie, and T.J., all the best as Marty begins this new chapter in 
his life. He will be greatly missed, but he leaves behind a lasting 
impact that will help guide this body for years to come.

                          ____________________