congressional_record: CREC-1996-10-21-pt1-PgS12418
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| CREC-1996-10-21-pt1-PgS12418 | 1996-10-21 | 104 | 2 | TRIBUTE TO THE SENATE STAFF OF THE 104TH CONGRESS | SENATE | SENATE | TRIBUTETO | S12418 | S12419 | [{"name": "Thomas A. Daschle", "role": "speaking"}] | 142 Cong. Rec. S12418 | Congressional Record, Volume 142 Issue 143 (Monday, October 21, 1996) [Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 143 (Monday, October 21, 1996)] [Senate] [Pages S12418-S12419] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] TRIBUTE TO THE SENATE STAFF OF THE 104TH CONGRESS Mr. DASCHLE. Mr. President, as the 104th Congress comes to a close, I want to recognize some of the people without whom the Senate simply could not operate--the loyal staff who served this institution with great dedication and pride. The sacrifices staff make are largely unknown to most people outside the Senate. For instance, during the final weeks of this session, many of the staff of the House and Senate appropriations committees worked over 100 hours straight to finalize the omnibus appropriations bill. When I leave for home after a late night, I generally pass by the Official Reporters of Debates, who face several more hours in the office to finish up that day's Congressional Record. Anyone who understands the Senate understands the crucial role staff plays. Today, I want to thank all Senate staff for their service to the Senate and to the Nation. In particular, I want to mention some of the people who are responsible for the daily operations of the Senate. I begin by expressing my gratitude to the office of the Secretary of the Senate. We have a new Secretary of the Senate, Gary Sisco. Though he has been on board only a few days, I am confident that Gary will be as easy to work with and will demonstrate the same dependable professionalism of his predecessor, Kelly Johnston. We also have a new Sergeant at Arms, Gregory Casey. We will miss former Sergeant at Arms Howard Greene's valuable knowledge of the Senate, but I am sure that Greg will approach the job with the same love for the Senate that Howard demonstrated. The Sergeant at Arms has been supported by the capable assistance of the former Deputy Sergeant at Arms, Joyce McCluney, and the current Deputy, Larry Harris. The Sergeant's office is also assisted by the work of Marie Angus and Patty McNally. I would like to give special thanks for the hard work and consummate professionalism of Jeri Thomson, the executive assistant for the minority, who has provided invaluable assistance to me and to my Democratic colleagues. All Senators, I am sure, are grateful for the counsel and support they receive from the staff who work the Senate floor and Cloakrooms. That assistance has become even more valuable to me since I became Democratic leader. Our Democratic floor staff works under the excellent leadership of Marty Paone, the Secretary for the Minority. Under great pressure, often with little time and with little margin for error, Marty has time and again provided wise counsel to me and to my Democratic colleagues. Despite the pressures, Marty always finds time to respond to questions from Senator and staff alike--everything from the routine question about timing of votes to the most complex analysis of parliamentary procedure. The rare combination of a sharp mind, even temperament, and indepth experience makes Marty one of the most valuable officers of the Senate, and I want to thank him and recognize him for that. Marty is assisted by the hard work of Maura Farley McGee and Sue Spatz. Day-to-day management of the floor operation is in the capable and energetic hands of Lula Davis, the Assistant Secretary to the Minority. Lula's ability to juggle multiple tasks--from negotiations over bills that we seek to clear by unanimous consent, to advising Senators and staff on legislative strategy, to acting as informal fashion adviser to many of my colleagues--demonstrates her tireless dedication to making things work around here. Working on the Democratic floor staff with Marty and Lula during the 104th Congress have been Art Cameron and Kelly Riordan, both of whom we have since lost to the Treasury Department and law school, respectively, and Gary Myrick and Paul Brown, who have moved from the Cloakroom and the Democratic Policy Committee, respectively. They were all assisted by the hard work of Brad Austin, who leaves shortly for a professional adventure in Malawi. Our Democratic Cloakroom staff, Lenny Oursler, Paul Cloutier, Christina Krasow, and Brian Griffin, also provide invaluable assistance in many aspects of our Senate life. Among other things, they field countless queries about what the Senate is doing and when votes will occur, including that age-old question, ``Will there be any more rollcall votes tonight?'' They help us stay on schedule and where we are supposed to be, all while keeping track of the flurry of legislation that moves through here and keeping most of us entertained. I salute them for their hard work and good humor and thank them for their assistance. It is no exaggeration to say that our ability to navigate the complexities of Senate rules and procedures would be [[Page S12419]] impossible without the assistance of our Parliamentarians. Senate Parliamentarian Bob Dove, with the outstanding assistance of Senior Assistant Parliamentarian Alan Frumin, Assistant Parliamentarian Kevin Kayes, and Parliamentary Assistant Sally Goffinet, provides an unparalleled level of expertise and understanding of Senate procedure. Our growing C-SPAN audience has no doubt become familiar with the commanding voice of Legislative Clerk Scott Bates and his assistant David Tinsley; Bill Clerk Kathie Alvarez has also become a notable presence. Kathie is assisted in her duties as bill clerk by Danielle Fling and Mary Anne Clarkson. Our legislative and bill clerks deserve the thanks and respect of all Senators for their keen attention to detail and their patient professionalism. Journal Clerk William Lackey and his assistants Patrick Keating and Mark Lacovara; Enrolling Clerk Tom Lundregan and his assistant Charlene McDevitt; Executive Clerk David Marcos and his assistant Michelle Haynes; Daily Digest Editor Thomas Pellikaan, Assistant Editor Linda Sebold, and Staff Assistant Kimberly Longsworth, all have my gratitude for their long hours and hard work. I also would like to thank and commend again our official Reporters of Debates for their hard work: Chief Reporter Ronald Kavulick and Assistant Chief Reporter--and Congressional Record Coordinator--Scott Sanborn; Morning Business Editor Ken Dean and Assistant Editor Lee Brown; Expert Transcriber Supervisor Eileen Connor and her assistants, Donald Corrigan and Eileen Milton; and the Official Reporters of Debates: Jerald Linnell, Raleigh Milton, Joel Brietner, Mary Jane McCarthy, Paul Nelson, Katie-Jane Teel, and Patrick Renzi. I also want to thank our Senate Doorkeepers, directed by Arthur Curran and Donn Larson, for the friendly, and helpful attitude they bring to their jobs, often in the face of long and uncertain hours. Without their assistance and that of all of our Senate support staff, our work simply could not get done. Finally, Mr. President, I want to thank my own staff and the staff of the Democratic Leadership Committees, whom I share with Senators Reid, Rockefeller, and Kerry. These bright, talented people are dedicated to the effort to serve the people of South Dakota and the Nation, as well as every Democratic senator and their staffs. They do a tremendous job, and I owe each of them a debt of gratitude. ____________________ |