congressional_record: CREC-2000-12-15-pt1-PgS11807-9
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| granule_id | date | congress | session | volume | issue | title | chamber | granule_class | sub_granule_class | page_start | page_end | speakers | bills | citation | full_text |
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| CREC-2000-12-15-pt1-PgS11807-9 | 2000-12-15 | 106 | 2 | SENATOR CHARLES S. ROBB | SENATE | SENATE | ALLOTHER | S11807 | S11808 | [{"name": "John Warner", "role": "speaking"}] | 146 Cong. Rec. S11807 | Congressional Record, Volume 146 Issue 155 (Friday, December 15, 2000) [Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 155 (Friday, December 15, 2000)] [Senate] [Pages S11807-S11808] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] SENATOR CHARLES S. ROBB Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, Virginia has had a long history of distinguished citizens of our great Commonwealth who come forward to serve Virginia. Among them in this long line of distinguished individuals will be Charles S. Robb.N O T I C E Effective January 1, 2001, the subscription price of the Congressional Record will be $393 per year or $197 for six months. Individual issues may be purchased for $4.00 per copy. The cost for the microfiche edition will remain $141 per year with single copies remaining $1.50 per issue. This price increase is necessary based upon the cost of printing and distribution. Michael F. DiMario, Public Printer [[Page S11808]] We started our careers together when he served in the Marine Corps. That was back during the period of Vietnam. I was then serving--for over 5 years--as Under Secretary and Secretary of the Navy. I was privileged, of course, to serve with the Presiding Officer's father, Senator Chafee. At the time he was Secretary of the Navy; I served as his Under Secretary. Senator Robb had served his tour in Vietnam in 1961 through 1970 and then he remained in the Marine Corps Reserves from 1970 to 1991. I was privileged to wear the marine green during the Korean conflict and served for a very brief period in the Marines. However, I assure Members that the career of Senator Robb was far more distinguished than the career of the senior Senator, myself. I am pleased to acknowledge that. He then went on to serve as Lieutenant Governor from 1977 to 1981, and Governor from 1982 to 1986. His two terms in the Senate began in 1988. He has been a Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, a committee which I have been privileged to chair since 1993. Throughout this distinguished record, it has been my good fortune to share a very warm friendship with the Senator and with his lovely wife and his children. We all know when we take the oath of office as U.S. Senator, the family plays the key role. I could not count the number of times I have been in matters relating to the Senate, trips relating to the Senate, our frequent joint appearances throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia these many years, beginning back when he was Lieutenant Governor, and there was Mrs. Robb, a daughter of a most distinguished American public servant, former President Lyndon Johnson and a former Member of the Senate. So I wish him well. It was a difficult task in this past election. He respects both of us as marines. We have duties to perform. I hope the Record reflects that I performed that responsibility I felt very sincerely was necessary, but I did it in a spirit that preserved our friendship. When I think back on his work, I think of the many times Senator Robb came from that side of the aisle to this side of the aisle to join others in working on pieces of legislation which he felt, and indeed others felt, were in the best interests of this country. He was a bridgebuilder. He served that purpose on the Senate Armed Services Committee. He stood by my side as chairman these past 2 years, supported me, I think, almost in every instance. And he had very keen insight into the life of the men and women of the Armed Forces who serve today. He worked very hard on their behalf. I hope history will reflect that his contributions directly benefited those who serve today and who will serve tomorrow. He also was quite active in working with me on the retirement benefits, particularly the medical benefits, for those who have served in years past. Virginia is privileged to have one of the greatest shipyards--we like to think the greatest shipyard--in America. We have the naval shipyard as well as private shipyards. In those yards are built some of the finest ships that sail the seven seas today on behalf of our Navy. Senator Robb was always there to work with not only me but a strong bipartisan Virginia congressional delegation, Senate and House, on matters of national defense since our State is privileged to be preeminent in the field of national defense, having a number of the major bases and a number of men and women in uniform who are stationed there. Of course, the Pentagon is the core of this complex throughout Virginia. But there was Senator Robb on all occasions, and particularly as it related to our naval shipbuilding program. I am joined on the floor today by two very able members of my staff. Ann Loomis is the chief of our legislative staff; Susan Magill, with whom I consulted early this morning in preparing these remarks, is my chief of staff. They would want it known that, through the years, the staff working relationship between Senator Robb's office and my office was always excellent. We looked upon our duties as serving the Commonwealth of Virginia and the people of that State; therefore, our staffs did everything they could to prepare the two Senators to meet that challenge and that responsibility. He is a man of principle. I think that is unquestioned by those of us who watched him. Indeed, at times we differed on very fundamental policy issues, and that is reflected in our voting records. But he was always a man of principle and he stood by those principles. As I listened to him, my reaction sometimes bordered on disbelief because I so disagreed with him, but he stood by those principles no matter what the cost to his professional career as a public servant. He stood by what he believed. So I say to my good friend, I shall remember him in many ways but above all for his friendship and his always senatorial courtesy. As we laugh around here and joke: The title senior Senator and perhaps a dollar or so will get you a cup of coffee. But he never tried one- upmanship and he always addressed me as his senior in the Senate. I thank him. I wish him and his family well in their next career. I am confident there are many challenges that await this distinguished American public servant. I note my distinguished friend from Pennsylvania is on the floor. I yield the floor at this time, and I thank the Chair for his indulgence. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Pennsylvania. ____________________ |