[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 1]
[Senate]
[Page 101]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  CONGRATULATING SENATOR PATRICK LEAHY ON 40 YEARS IN THE U.S. SENATE

  Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, 40 years ago this week, a young prosecutor 
from Vermont was sworn into the Senate. He was part of a historic group 
of lawmakers often referred to as the ``Watergate babies.'' Today that 
man is President pro tempore emeritus as well as the most senior Member 
of the Senate. It is an honor to serve with him and to recognize 
Senator Patrick Leahy for reaching this historic milestone.
  Patrick Leahy remains the youngest Senator--and the only Democratic 
Senator--ever sent to this body by the people of his home State of 
Vermont. But that is not what makes Patrick Leahy exceptional. What 
makes him exceptional is the fact that he is a consensus builder--a 
thoughtful man committed to making government work better. It has been 
a privilege for me to work closely with Senator Leahy serving on the 
Senate Judiciary Committee.
  As a member of that committee since 1979 and for many years as 
chairman, Senator Leahy made a profound mark on America's system of 
justice. He has voted on the nominations of every sitting member of the 
U.S. Supreme Court. He has fought to preserve the balance between 
liberty and security during especially difficult times. Senator Leahy 
has also fought to make America's respect for human rights a 
cornerstone of our Nation's foreign policy. He has been a leader in the 
global effort to ban antipersonnel landmines. He championed the ``Leahy 
Law'' to prevent U.S. tax dollars from benefiting human rights abusers 
abroad. He was a leader in recent efforts to free U.S. citizen Alan 
Gross from a Cuban jail and in the modernization of our Nation's policy 
toward that island.
  One last point, Pat Leahy is also, almost certainly, the biggest 
``Dead Head'' in the Senate. Twenty years ago, he invited his good 
friend, Jerry Garcia--the lead guitarist for the Grateful Dead--to join 
him for lunch here in the Capitol. Two other members of the band came, 
too: drummer Mickey Hart and bass player Phil Lesh. As one might 
imagine, this unusual foursome created a bit of a stir in the Senate 
Dining Room. Then in walked Senator Strom Thurmond of South Carolina. 
Ever the bridgebuilder, Senator Leahy walked over to Senator Thurmond 
and said: ``Please join us. There's someone I want you to meet.''
  It is a story worth pondering as we begin the 114th Congress. If we 
could all be so open to creating unlikely alliances, there is no 
telling what we might achieve in the next 2 years.
  Again, I thank my friend Senator Leahy on his 40 years of service to 
the people of Vermont, America, and to the great causes that face our 
generation.
  Mr. President, I yield the floor and suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, 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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