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[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 176 (Wednesday, November 19, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Pages S10613-S10615]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

                      TRIBUTE TO RETIRING SENATORS

                             Pete Domenici

  Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, as the 110th Congress draws to a close, I 
rise to say thanks and farewell to one of our hardest working and most 
dedicated Members, Senator Pete Domenici of New Mexico.
  Pete Domenici's story is truly the American dream come to life. The 
son of immigrants, Pete worked in the family grocery business, earned a 
college degree, taught school, obtained a law degree, and served in 
local government before his election to the Senate.
  I cannot overlook one vitally important part of his biography, and 
that is his stint as a pitcher for a farm team of the old Brooklyn 
Dodgers. Who knows how much different history would be if his fast ball 
had had a little more ``pop'' to it?
  For 36 years, however, baseball's loss has been the Senate's gain. 
The character developed by athletic competition--determination, hard 
work, a sense of fair play--is fully evident in Pete's six terms in 
office.
  When the people of New Mexico chose Pete Domenici to be the longest 
serving Senator in their State's history, they chose wisely. His 
tireless work on a wide range of issues has helped to ensure a better 
future for all Americans, rural or urban, large State or small. He is a 
respected leader on some of the most important challenges of our time, 
such as strengthening energy security, curbing nuclear proliferation, 
and promoting sound Federal budget policy.
  Pete's understanding of the budget process is matched only by his 
appreciation of the critical role fiscal responsibility plays. His 
service on the Budget Committee established his universal reputation as 
one of the Senate's hardest working, most intelligent, and best-
informed Members. His focus on results rather than the limelight led 
one colleague to describe him as having ``a terminal case of 
responsibility.''
  Senator Domenici is also a true champion for biomedical research, and 
especially for Americans suffering from mental illness. He has worked 
unceasingly over the years to increase the understanding and to 
eliminate the stigma associated with mental illness. He has led the 
effort in the Senate--first in partnership with Senator Paul Wellstone, 
and later with our colleague Senator Ted Kennedy, to pass legislation 
that requires insurers to cover mental illness in the same way they 
cover physical illnesses.
  Thankfully, those efforts have finally borne fruit with the inclusion 
of his legislation in the economic stimulus bill, the stabilization 
bill passed in the Senate. It is a victory not just for Senator 
Domenici's longstanding efforts but also for the estimated 50 million 
Americans who suffer from some kind of mental illness. It is a 
testament to his dedication and his compassion.
  Senator Domenici's tenure has been marked by vision, common sense, 
and a

[[Page S10614]]

commitment to results. When he became chairman of the Energy and 
Natural Resources Committee in 2003, Senator Domenici set to work to 
craft the first major comprehensive energy bill in more than a decade. 
Many thought it would be impossible to put together the bipartisan 
support to pass the Energy Policy Act of 2005, but Senator Domenici did 
it. That landmark law laid the foundation for American energy 
independence, the responsible use of existing resources, and the 
development of new technology. We can build on that foundation by 
following the model he set of informed debate and thoughtful consensus.
  While most of his many accomplishments have national significance, 
there is one that may not be well known outside of his home State. More 
than a decade ago, Pete Domenici introduced a program that has helped 
the schoolchildren of New Mexico learn trustworthiness, respect, 
responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship. This program is 
called ``Character Counts.'' It fully epitomizes what Pete Domenici is 
all about. It fully describes his legacy because, with Pete Domenici, 
character has always counted.
  Senator Domenici leaves this Chamber with an overflowing and 
bipartisan store of good will and gratitude. We are all losing an 
outstanding colleague. On a personal note, I am also losing an 
outstanding Washington DC neighbor, since Pete and his wonderful wife, 
Nancy, live right down the street from me. I am pleased to be among the 
many Senators offering thanks for his years of service and best wishes 
to him and to Nancy.

                              Gordon Smith

  Mr. President, for nearly 70 years, the film ``Mr. Smith Goes to 
Washington'' has inspired Americans and people around the world with 
its uplifting story of how one man of conviction and character can make 
a difference. Today, I am honored to offer a few words to the Mr. Smith 
of our time: Senator Gordon Smith of Oregon.
  Senator Smith came to Washington to make a difference--and he has. He 
and I were sworn into the United States Senate on the same day, January 
7, 1997. Although his State and mine are a continent apart, we quickly 
found that we had a lot in common.
  It has been a joy to work with Gordon Smith on so many important 
issues. Of course, where I come from, the name ``Senator Smith'' 
conjures up not just the beloved movie but also a towering, real-life 
figure, and my inspiration in public service. Although Margaret Chase 
Smith of Maine and Gordon Smith are separated by time, they are united 
in a spirit of independence and integrity. Both served with strong 
convictions but with respect for the principles of others. Both spoke 
up when they saw wrongdoing. Both had extraordinary courage that 
allowed them to speak out when they thought their own party was in 
error. Both saw the aisle not as a barrier to progress but as a bridge 
to reaching consensus on behalf of the American people.

  This focus on moving forward is especially apparent in Gordon Smith's 
effective work on issues of great importance in Maine, in Oregon, and 
everywhere in between--health care, tax relief, small business, equal 
rights, and foreign policy. These challenges are ones that require 
careful consensus-building, a responsible approach that has defined 
Gordon Smith's service here.
  Gordon Smith is simply a wonderful person and an extraordinary 
leader. We all remember the terrible tragedy he suffered with the loss 
of his son during his service here, a terrible tragedy that gave him 
and his family such sorrow. But it is typical of Gordon Smith that out 
of that tragedy, he chose to do something to help prevent other 
families from enduring the tragedy of the loss of a child. That is so 
typical of Gordon Smith--always thinking of others, always trying to do 
what is right, always committed to public service.
  ``Smith'' is one of the more common names in the English language, 
but in this Chamber the name has special meaning, one of uncommon 
principles and extraordinary accomplishments. It reminds us of a 
cherished film, of the great lady from the State of Maine, Senator 
Margaret Chase Smith, and now of Senator Gordon Smith. I thank him for 
his service and his friendship, and I wish him all the best in the 
future.
  Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The 
Senator from Maine is recognized.

                             Elizabeth Dole

  Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, when she came to the Senate 6 years ago, 
Elizabeth Dole brought with her a resume that for most would describe a 
full lifetime of public service and accomplishment. The intellect, 
principles, and dedication Elizabeth applied to her earlier endeavors 
have been readily apparent in the Senate. America has been enriched by 
all of Senator Elizabeth Dole's public service.
  Her record of public service is truly inspiring. From the Office of 
Consumer Affairs and the Federal Trade Commission to the Secretary of 
Transportation and Labor, she has served five Presidents. Her tenure in 
each of these positions has been marked by the dedication, 
effectiveness, and accomplishments that we have seen firsthand in the 
Senate.
  Nothing more fully describes Elizabeth's character than the fact that 
she left Government service only to become the president of the 
American Red Cross, joining founder Clara Barton as the only women to 
hold that position. In the spirit of that great organization, Elizabeth 
worked as a volunteer her first year, accepting no salary. Under her 
leadership, the American Red Cross was a model for charitable 
organizations, with 91 cents out of every dollar contributed going 
directly to help those in need.
  Elizabeth led the American Red Cross by example. Following the gulf 
war, she visited Kuwait to assess personally the services provided to 
our military personnel. She traveled to famine-stricken Somalia and 
Mozambique and to war-ravaged Croatia. She led a humanitarian relief 
operation to Rwanda refugee camps. That same commitment, courage, and 
compassion have been the hallmarks of her work in the Senate.
  Those of us who are women also appreciate the many times Elizabeth 
Dole has blazed the path forward for other women. We know she was one 
of the very first women to attend Harvard Law School. Think how 
difficult that must have been for a woman raised in the South. Yet she 
persevered and she excelled and she broke barrier after barrier for 
other women.
  In her campaign for President in 2000, Elizabeth Dole had a profound 
effect. She attracted legions of new voters into the political process. 
She encouraged women throughout the country and of all political 
persuasions to step forward and get involved in the campaign and to run 
for public office themselves. Many of the cracks in the glass ceiling 
are the work of her hands.
  Here in the Senate, I have been privileged to work alongside Senator 
Dole as members on the Senate Armed Services Committee. She has been 
one of our strongest and most eloquent voices for the men and women in 
uniform, and her commitment to them is inspiring. Her dedication to 
strengthening our national security and modernizing our military is 
unsurpassed.
  It is certainly no accident that she is married to a man--former 
Senator Bob Dole--who exemplifies the quiet courage and devotion to 
duty that are the hallmark of America's armed services and by which 
both Senator Doles are known.
  I know that all in the Senate and throughout our Nation will agree 
that just a few of the words that best describe Elizabeth Dole are 
``intelligence,'' ``principles,'' and ``commitment.'' To those, I am 
proud to add the word ``friend.'' I will miss serving with Elizabeth 
Dole. I wish her all the best in the years to come.
  Mr. President, I yield the floor, and I suggest the absence of a 
quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Casey). The clerk will call the roll.
  The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.

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  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

                          ____________________
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