[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 13]
[Senate]
[Page 17885]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTES TO DEPARTING SENATORS


                               Dan Akaka

  Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, for the last 22 years, Daniel Akaka has 
represented the people of Hawaii in this body. They have been the 
better for his service, and I have greatly appreciated the wisdom, 
humility, and passion with which he has served here.
  One issue on which we have been able to work closely as fellow 
members of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee is 
oversight of the Federal workforce, a key issue for his State and for 
taxpayers everywhere. Senator Akaka's passion for Federal workforce 
issues comes from his passion for public service and for effective 
government. Just in this Congress, I was an original cosponsor of his 
Federal Whistleblower Protection Act, to strengthen the law protecting 
Federal employees who bring to light fraud, waste, and abuse in Federal 
programs. That Akaka bill is expected to be signed into law before the 
end of the year. Also this Congress, I was proud to cosponsor his Hatch 
Act Modernization Act to allow hard-working employees of State and 
local governments, who are covered by the Hatch Act, to serve as 
elected officials in their communities.
  In addition to his focus on Federal workforce issues, Senator Akaka 
has long been a valued member of the Armed Services Committee. We have 
worked together on legislation to reform Defense Department business 
and financial management systems; strengthen oversight and 
accountability of wartime contracting; and strengthen the Defense 
Department's management of the substantial funds it spends to acquire 
property and services.
  Senator Akaka joined in 2002 with Senator Inhofe to form the Senate 
Army Caucus, and through this bipartisan group they have focused 
welcome attention on the programs and needs of our Army. Senator Akaka, 
himself an Army veteran, has been an important source of insight into 
the challenges facing our soldiers and their families.
  Of course, as the former chairman of the Veterans' Affairs Committee, 
Senator Akaka has long demonstrated an intense dedication to those who 
have helped defend our Nation. His steadfast advocacy for veterans 
health programs, education benefits, and other important programs has 
made a significant and lasting impact on the lives of veterans and 
their families.
  When people describe Daniel Akaka, one of the first words used to 
describe him is ``humble.'' He is indeed that. He has been a dedicated 
and principled servant of the people of Hawaii and our Nation, an 
unfailing ally of our veterans and their families, and a valued 
colleague and friend. I will miss him, and I will always remember how 
he taught us that gentleness and effectiveness are not mutually 
exclusive characteristics.


                               Herb Kohl

  Mr. President, in his four terms representing the State of Wisconsin 
in this body, Senator Herb Kohl's focus has been precisely where it 
should be: the welfare of the people of his State and of our Nation. 
Whether in supporting American manufacturers and the jobs they provide, 
in fighting for protection from crime and for adequate nutrition for 
our children, in protecting senior citizens from elder abuse, or in 
preserving the Great Lakes that our two States share, Senator Kohl has 
accomplished much on behalf of American families.
  I have been fortunate to work closely with Senator Kohl on issues of 
vital importance to our States. He has long been a strong supporter of 
the Manufacturing Extension Partnership, which helps U.S. manufacturers 
with technical support and services that make them more efficient and 
competitive in the global marketplace. His support for adequate MEP 
funding has made a significant difference for American companies and 
workers.
  Now, we in Michigan bow to no one in our love for the Great Lakes, 
but even I would admit that Wisconsin, second only to Michigan in its 
length of Great Lakes coastline, is a close competitor. As a member of 
the Great Lakes Task Force, which I cochair, he has supported cleanup 
of toxic hot spots, the fight against invasive species, protecting 
Great Lakes water quality, and sufficient funding for the Great Lakes 
Restoration Initiative.
  We have also shared an interest in consumer protection. Senator Kohl 
chairs the Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition 
Policy and Consumer Rights, and from that platform, he has battled 
those who would prey on American consumers, whether they are abusive 
credit card companies or oil-exporting cartel nations.
  But where Senator Kohl has left what may be his most lasting 
impression is in his hard work on behalf of our Nation's most 
vulnerable citizens: children and seniors. He has long advocated 
solutions to help make college more affordable. He has helped expand 
the availability of nutritious breakfasts for school-age children and 
programs to help parents afford food on the table for their families. 
He has worked to strengthen afterschool programs. And in 2007 and again 
in 2008, he introduced the Patient Safety and Abuse Protection Act, 
which allowed employers to perform background checks on nursing home 
employees to help prevent elder abuse. When this legislation was 
included in the Affordable Care Act in 2009, it was a major step 
forward for patient safety.
  I will miss working with Herb Kohl on these and many other issues. I 
will miss the opportunity to give him a hard time whenever our Detroit 
Pistons beat his Milwaukee Bucks. I hope we can continue the important 
work he has helped move forward: protecting good jobs, our Great Lakes, 
our students, and our seniors.

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