[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 1]
[Senate]
[Page 473]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     WELCOMING ELIZABETH MacDONOUGH

  Ms. SNOWE. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to the retiring 
Parliamentarian of the Senate, Alan Frumin, who has for the past two 
decades faithfully and honorably served this institution and who will, 
beginning tomorrow, embark upon a new chapter in his professional life. 
For 20 years, Alan has advised the Senate and the hundreds who have had 
the privilege of serving here with a deft understanding of its rules, 
some of which can be quite arcane, and an abiding passion for this 
august body that will reverberate for generations to come. As Alan 
departs this Chamber, I extend my personal gratitude to him, wish him 
the very best, and hope he knows that this country is deeply indebted 
to him for his longstanding service.
  At the same time, I want to recognize and applaud a milestone moment 
in the life of this venerable institution as we welcome Alan's 
successor, Elizabeth MacDonough, the first woman in the history of the 
Senate to assume the indispensable responsibilities of the 
Parliamentarian. Elizabeth, who has served as Senior Assistant 
Parliamentarian since 2002, has proved herself to be not only well-
versed in the labyrinthine procedures of this body but fully prepared 
for the demanding and often unheralded work of ensuring that my 
colleagues and I remain within the bounds of proper parliamentary 
procedure, allowing us to focus less on the operation of the Senate and 
more on fulfilling the Senate's constitutional role.
  Since 1931, the Parliamentarian has diligently sat below the 
President's rostrum, independently advising the Presiding Officer on 
the often obscure rules and precedents that guide the process and work 
of the Senate. Tomorrow Elizabeth becomes the first woman in 80 years 
to answer what can only be deemed a calling, and a noble one at that. 
There are very few who have amassed the considerable experience, 
knowledge, and disposition required to serve with distinction in this 
capacity. Elizabeth is well-equipped to take on this formidable task, 
and I wish her the very best.

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