Farewell To The Senate
Mr. President, I appreciate the words of my friend from Florida as I rise today and say my farewell to this body. I do it with some sadness, but I also do it with some great pride. I also do it with a great appreciation for the Senate and…
Mr. President, I appreciate the words of my friend from Florida as I rise today and say my farewell to this body. I do it with some sadness, but I also do it with some great pride. I also do it with a great appreciation for the Senate and for the people who serve here.
It has always been one of my personal honors and privileges to serve the State of Montana and the country for the last 18 years, and with such distinguished and honorable men and women.
We have seen a lot of changes. I want to answer my good friend from Florida, before he leaves the floor: We have seen some changes come over the body, and I would suggest that we turn off that eye that surrounds this body, turn it off and turn the Senate back into the debating body it was once known for, with collegiality, because the best I have ever seen the Senate operate is in executive session. When you turn off the television and we get to the issues--and we have some marvelous people, dedicated, on both sides of an issue, who can argue the issue--some of us who may not be as disciplined in that particular issue as others could learn and vote more intelligently. I suggest that, but I doubt that will ever happen, being that that is out in the public today. I thank the Senator for his observation. We need to get back to the great debates that were held on the floor of the Senate many years ago.
It was back on January 3, 1989, when I was sworn in the Senate. It was a proud day in my life and, of course, for my wife and our family. I got to thinking during that day that only in America could something like this happen. I was fortunate and, of course, we had both my wife's family, who are Nebraska folks, and my family, who are Missouri folks, in attendance that day. They are just folks, but they are emblematic of those people who were born of the land and in the heart of America-- ranchers and farmers.
It was on the prairies of Missouri where I was born and raised on a little old bitty farm of 160 acres--what I call ``2 rocks and 1 dirt''--not a very good farm. But I have fond memories of that place. I give thanks every day that I was born to that family and in that old house that still stands on that 160 acres. Of course, in my younger years I gained most of my philosophy in life. I was born of folks who weren't very wealthy, as you would define wealthy. They were a product of the Great Depression and the terrible droughts of the 1930s. They survived by hard work and great pride. The values they passed on to most of us in my generation were the love of this country first, community pride and loyalty to that community, and honesty to the core. Russell and Mary Francis were married 59 years on that day when I was sworn in. And I will tell you, when they witnessed proudly their son sworn into the most prestigious body in the world, only in America can that happen. It is truly the miracle of our country. It was also a proud day for all of our family.
I will say right now that we could not do well in this body without the true support of a wife and family because it is from that source that we draw our strength and, yes, our wisdom, as long as they are by our side. Phyllis, of course, and Keely and Garrett were all here. What blessings God has bestowed upon me personally. One was missing and that was Kate. God called her home back in 1985, but she remains in our memories and hearts forever. Again, one cannot do this job without the support and sacrifice of our family.
We have seen a lot of positive things happen in Montana. Montana has just begun to grow in new directions. Montana is a resource State, with timber, mining, oil, and agriculture. But we have new opportunities now, and they have opened. I am proud to say that it was me and my office that led the way on most of those changes. It is said that it is not bragging if you have done it. I was fortunate enough to attract a staff that shared the same vision of change, and change we did. Montana is not short of visionaries. It was my privilege to know them, work with them, and to move our State forward.
There is one thing about Montanans: They are not afraid to dream. As you know, dreams never die; dreamers do. Our colleges and universities now are national leaders in research and development, agriculture, engineering, and communications. We have telemedicine and distance learning where none existed before. We have seen a real leap forward in our infrastructure and transportation and rural utilities. We have watched an elevated vocational educational system grow. Tribal colleges on our seven reservations are
growing and now offer opportunities that have never been available to our Native Americans in the history of our State. More Montanans are working today and owning their own homes than at any other time in the history of our State.
I had the honor of serving with three Presidents, and one could say four, as it was in the closing days of President Reagan's term. They are all honorable men and dedicated to this Nation. I know what it is like to be in the minority, and I know what it is like to be in the majority. One great statement was made: ``The majority is more funner.''
I have enjoyed my work with some of the best men and women in the Senate who represented both sides of the aisle, from different regions of our country and diverse cultures of our country. I will miss them. But we have welded some friendships that will last forever. The same could be said of nations to which we have traveled and met national and international leaders on all continents.
During my tenure here, we have witnessed the crash of the Berlin Wall, freedom in the market base come to the Eastern block in Europe, and the electricity that was in the House of Representatives when a newly elected President of Poland made his historical speech in a joint session. I will tell you what: It brought joy, tears, and pride to all of us in that Chamber.
Like every Member of Congress, I wept when two of our Capitol policemen died on that summer day protecting this Capitol and us who live and work here. Still, our hearts go out to their families. They will never be forgotten.
I leave with many memories. I ask the Senate to return to the deliberative and collegial body it was designed to be. I know it has that ability because I have seen it firsthand. But the challenges ahead are tremendous for this Government. I can only list about six of them: taxation, regulation, energy, health care, education, and litigation. We must face those challenges if we are to live in this free entrepreneurial and economic country. I suggest that we don't just dwell on the national interests first and all others separate.
Members of this body are just average men and women, but they have the capabilities of rising to any occasion of crisis. They are just average, but they also have a higher degree of dedication to our country. I never underestimated any Member of the Senate, and I regard them as quiet heroes in a time of peace and in a time of turmoil and even in the most stressful time in the process of developing legislation that sets policy for our land.
I shall miss all of you. It has been my great privilege to serve with you. As I leave, I say God bless you all.
I yield the floor and suggest the absence of a quorum.