[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 17]
[Senate]
[Pages 23800-23801]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                           THANKING SENATORS

  Mr. ALLARD. Mr. President, while the Senator from Idaho is on the 
floor, I made some comments earlier about the pleasure of being able to 
work with him in the Senate. I wish to also recognize the fine work he 
has done on energy. We certainly appreciate his work on that.
  Colorado is an energy-rich State. We have all forms of energy, not 
only fossil fuels but also wind and solar and geothermal. I think 
Senator Craig has been very sensitive to those.
  When working with the Senator from Idaho I felt like he truly had the 
Nation's interest in mind. It has been a pleasure for me to serve with 
Senator Craig, particularly on the Appropriations Committee. The 
Senator brought in a very competent staff and was himself extremely 
knowledgeable.
  As we leave this institution, I wish to thank the Senator from Idaho 
for all the work he did to help me along with legislation. What a 
privilege it has been to be able to know Senator Craig and work with 
him in the Senate. Also, I wish to recognize the Senator's hard work in 
the Senate.
  Senator Salazar was making some comments earlier on, talking about my 
retirement. I happened to have gone

[[Page 23801]]

downstairs and grabbed a lunch and there he was. I also want the people 
of Colorado to know I have enjoyed working with Senator Salazar. We 
have not agreed on some of the national issues, but I think generally 
one thing we have agreed on is we need to work for Colorado.
  I think we have truly been partners in that effort. I appreciated the 
opportunity to get to know you. I'm reminded that when Colorado came 
into the Union, in 1876--we are known as the Centennial State--the 
Republicans were pretty much in control of everything. You see, 
Colorado is a State that is recognized as a swing State, it swings back 
and forth between the Republican and Democratic Parties.
  But at that particular time, there was a big effort to have a Senator 
from the north and a Senator from the south of our State. Similarly, 
today, I grew up about as far north as you can get in Colorado, Senator 
Salazar grew up about as far south as you can get in the State of 
Colorado. I think, at least in the spirit, and certainly in geographic 
location, we have been able to represent all of the State of Colorado 
and deal with those issues in a civil and responsible way.
  I wish to thank Senator Salazar publicly for his service to the State 
of Colorado and also want the people of Colorado to know I highly 
respect Senator Ken Salazar, who is sitting in the chair right now, for 
his dedication and the rich heritage he has in the State of Colorado. I 
have appreciated the opportunity to serve with Senator Salazar in the 
State of Colorado and I wish the Senator well in future years.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Idaho.
  Mr. CRAIG. Mr. President, before the senior retiring Senator from the 
State of Colorado leaves, let me thank him for his gracious comments. 
We have been a very good team and have partnered on a lot of issues 
over the years because we have such common interests in mind. Our 
States are very similar in so many ways.
  The State of Colorado happens to have the hydrocarbons we do not 
have, when it comes to gas and oil. But at the same time, agriculture, 
water and timber, tourism, and all the great things many people 
attribute to the West are embodied in the State of Colorado and 
certainly in the State of Idaho.
  But a very special thanks to Senator Allard for your fine comments. 
The work the Senator has done on behalf of his State is precedent 
setting. I hope--I know--the Senator will be continually recognized for 
that.
  But let me also say the Senator and his wife Joan have become good 
friends of both my wife Suzanne and I. Those are the kinds of 
friendships that build partnerships in the Senate. I hope other 
Senators recognize the Senate works well when Senators are friends and 
partners.
  Now, we may have our disagreements along the way, and there may be 
some disagreements between Democrats and Republicans, but when the 
collegiality of the Senate leaves, the Senate no longer works or works 
as well as it should on behalf of our citizens. Certainly, the 
collegiality between the Craigs and the Allards has been longstanding 
and greatly appreciated. Thank you.
  Mr. ALLARD. I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. REID. I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call 
be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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