[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 9]
[Senate]
[Pages 12932-12933]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO DAVID SCHIAPPA

  Mr. ALEXANDER. Mr. President, I thank the majority leader and the 
Republican leader for what they expressed about David Schiappa. We 
rank-and-file Senators feel the same way on both sides of the aisle.
  I was reminded that the late Alex Haley, the author of ``Roots,'' 
once said: ``When an old person dies, it's like a library burning 
down.'' Dave is neither old nor dying, but there is some similarity in 
what is happening. With his leaving after 30 years, a number of volumes 
from the Senate library are going out the door. We won't have that 
wisdom, that experience, or that knowledge that has been so valuable to 
us, and that has been especially important to the Senate where nearly 
half the Members are in their first term. This is an institution that 
depends on precedent, understanding, and respect of its strengths over 
a long period of time.
  I had a chance to work with Dave at the request of Senator McConnell 
at the beginning of the last two Congresses to work on the Senate 
rules. In working with Dave and with Gary, what I found was they were 
representing our point of view, but they also had such a love of the 
institution, they wanted to make sure whatever we came up with enhanced 
it, strengthened it, and didn't destroy it.
  We wish Dave the best. We have admired his service and his 
friendship, and we hope that over the next few years he will allow us 
to bring those volumes of wisdom, knowledge, and experience back 
because occasionally we may need to read them.
  I yield the floor.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Senator from Mississippi.
  Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, I am very pleased to be able to join my 
colleagues in wishing Dave Schiappa well

[[Page 12933]]

in his next adventure in life, and I know he will be successful and 
also build upon his knowledge and experience here in the Senate. I know 
his contributions will continue, and it will be a pleasure to continue 
to follow Dave in his career, noncareer, or long vacation. Whatever he 
chooses to do will be happy and rewarding as has his tenure here in the 
Senate.
  No one is more respected or more appreciated than David Schiappa. So 
is it a sad day, in many ways, to see him leave, but a happy one to 
know he is going to begin a new era. We will watch him closely and stay 
in touch with him and continue to appreciate him throughout his career.
  I yield the floor.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Senator from Wyoming.
  Mr. BARRASSO. Mr. President, I would like to add to the comments. In 
Wyoming we have what is called the code of the West. While Dave 
Schiappa may be the man of Washington, he abides by the code of the 
West. There are 10 points, and I won't name them all, but it is to live 
each day with courage, take pride in your work--and we see that year 
after year--do what needs to be done, if you make a promise, keep it. 
We also say ride for the brand.
  Finally, we say--and this really applies to David--it is: Speak less 
and say more. When he speaks, we all listen, just like the old EF 
Hutton commercial. But he does epitomize what we look to in terms of 
leadership, and his guidance has been so wonderful for all of us. So I 
wanted to rise from the West to say that David Schiappa has done a 
remarkable job for all of us, both parties, and a wonderful job for 
this country.
  I yield the floor.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will call the roll.
  The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. BARRASSO. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so 
ordered.

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