[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 3]
[Senate]
[Page 3623]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO RUBY PAONE

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, the longest serving Member of this body is 
the President pro tempore emeritus of the Senate, Patrick Leahy of 
Vermont. He came to this body in January of 1975, 40 years and 2 months 
ago. But nipping at his heels is an individual well-known in this 
Chamber, Ruby Paone. Ruby came to the Senate right out of college and 
has worked in the Reception Room and other places in the Senate for 
decades--four decades, in fact.
  Today marks Ruby's 40th anniversary of working in the Senate. To put 
that in perspective, she has worked through 7 different Presidential 
administrations, 16 different Sergeants at Arms, and has seen 383 
Senators serve in this Chamber during her time.
  After working with 383 different Senators, one would think that maybe 
she could not remember these names and faces, but that is not Ruby. She 
knows everyone and remembers everything during her time here in the 
Senate.
  During these 40 years in the Senate, a lot has happened, not the 
least of which is meeting her husband, whom we all know, Marty. Marty 
also worked in the Senate for many, many years, eventually serving as 
the secretary of the majority, and we all depended on him so much.
  In fact, Ruby and Marty were both here in the Capitol working on 
their wedding day. The Senate was in session until 12 p.m. that day. 
Marty and Ruby decided to get married 3 hours later, and they did.
  Ruby and Marty have three wonderful children. I can remember their 
careers in soccer and working their way through school. Their children 
are Alexander, Stephanie, and Tommy. Ruby and Marty are rightly very 
proud of these three fine young people, one girl, Stephanie, and the 
two boys.
  No words can adequately sum up the 40 years of service to our 
country, but Adlai Stevenson came close when he said: ``Patriotism is 
not a short and frenzied outburst of emotion but the tranquil and 
steady dedication of a lifetime.''
  I appreciate very much Ruby's steadfast dedication. I admire her 
continued support of this institution that is very dear to so many of 
us. Thank you, Ruby, for your 40 years of faithful service, and we look 
forward to many more.

                          ____________________