congressional_record: CREC-2000-12-15-pt1-PgS11845
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| CREC-2000-12-15-pt1-PgS11845 | 2000-12-15 | 106 | 2 | THE RETIREMENT OF SENATOR FRANK LAUTENBERG | SENATE | SENATE | RETIREMENT | S11845 | S11846 | [{"name": "Strom Thurmond", "role": "speaking"}, {"name": "Patrick J. Leahy", "role": "speaking"}, {"name": "Kent Conrad", "role": "speaking"}] | 146 Cong. Rec. S11845 | Congressional Record, Volume 146 Issue 155 (Friday, December 15, 2000) [Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 155 (Friday, December 15, 2000)] [Senate] [Pages S11845-S11846] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] THE RETIREMENT OF SENATOR FRANK LAUTENBERG Mr. THURMOND. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to a fine individual and distinguished colleague upon his retirement. At the close of the 106th Congress, Senator Frank Lautenberg will step down from his position as a United States Senator after 18 years of dutiful service to the people of New Jersey and the citizens of the United States of America. Senator Lautenberg has truly lived the American Dream. The son of immigrants, Senator Lautenberg, was born in the hard working town of Paterson, New Jersey in 1924. During his childhood his family moved some twelve times in search of employment, and his father spent a majority of his time working in the Paterson silk mills. After his high school graduation, Senator Lautenberg answered his country's call to duty when he enlisted and served in the Army Signal Corps in Europe during World War II. Following his military service, he enrolled in Columbia University on the G.I. Bill, and graduated with a degree in economics in 1949. Senator Lautenberg then began a very successful business career. He and two of his childhood friends founded Automatic Data Processing (ADP). ADP, a payroll services company, developed into one of the largest computer service companies in the world. Frank Lautenberg worked very hard to achieve success in the business world. Many individuals would have simply stepped away to a more relaxing and slow paced life, but not Senator Lautenberg. Throughout his tenure, Frank Lautenberg has exhibited the characteristics of patriotism, hard work, and service to others that define great Americans. In 1982, he decided to begin a new career in public service, and for the past 18 years he has represented the people of New Jersey in the United States Senate. Senator Lautenberg wanted to give back to the state and Nation that gave him the opportunity to rise to great heights, and he has worked diligently to make America a better country for her citizens and future generations. It has been a pleasure working alongside Senator Lautenberg, especially on such issues as reducing alcohol abuse. We shall miss him in the Senate chamber, and I wish Senator Frank Lautenberg and his entire family health, happiness, and continued success. Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, one of the greatest pleasures of being a Senator is working with fellow-members like Frank Lautenberg. Few Senators have brought more dedication and experience to their service in this body. I will never forget how excited my father was to meet Senator Lautenberg when he first came here almost 18 years ago. My father of proud Irish decent followed Frank's first campaign. There was a wonderful connection between the two of them, and I am forever grateful to Senator Lautenberg for the lovely letter of condolence that he sent me when my father passed away. Frank Lautenberg is first and foremost a good friend. Of course, Senator Lautenberg is also a skilled legislator. We served together for years on the Appropriations Committee. Recently, the committee debated an amendment to the Defense bill that would lead to the withdrawal of U.S. troops to Kosovo. A veteran of the European theater in World War II and the builder of a data processing empire, Senator Lautenberg understood that democratic stability could come only through a long-term and patient investment in peace. What made Senator Lautenberg's argument so effective was not just the ideas he possessed but the way he delivered them. He has a rhetorical force that I have always admired, and I think that this ability to marry sound ideas with effective speech-making is what makes him such a stellar member. Of course, Senator Lautenberg had a number of legislative accomplishments. He helped make our democracy more transparent, opposing confusing smoke and mirrors as a Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Budget Committee. He promoted international justice, fervently urging the prosecution of war criminals. Senator Lautenberg understood that reconciliation and economic growth could not come until these perpetrators are held responsible and punished for their actions. At home, Senator Lautenberg laid the foundation for our strong economic growth of the last decade. Amtrak and commercial aviation had no greater friend than Senator Lautenberg, who confidently chaired the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation. And he has improved the public's health, encouraging restrictions on tobacco use and ensuring the cleanup of hazardous waste sites. In his 18 years here, Senator Lautenberg had an impact that goes beyond his important votes and the bills he sponsored. Through his experience and knowledge, he was steadfast advocate for freedom, fairness, and responsibility. He kept these ideal on an unalterable course, and we are all in his debt for it. Mr. CONRAD. Mr. President, before Congress adjourns for the year, I wanted to take a moment to pay tribute to Senator Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey, who is retiring this year. Senator Lautenberg served our nation in World War II, and later became a successful businessman. He helped to found a payroll services company, Automatic Data Processing (ADP), and built it into one of the largest computing services companies in the world. In 1982 Frank Lautenberg launched a new career, in public service, when he was elected to the United States Senate. He has represented his state well. Frank Lautenberg has been a leader on budget issues, a good friend to the environment, and an accomplished legislator in the areas of transportation and health care. [[Page S11846]] I have served on the Senate Budget Committee with Frank Lautenberg since 1987; he became Ranking Member of the Committee in 1997. Senator Lautenberg played a key role in the 1997 negotiations on the bipartisan Balanced Budget Act, which completed the work of balancing the federal budget. That legislation provided important resources for education and health care, while cutting taxes for millions of Americans. Senator Lautenberg has also been a good friend to the environment, serving as the top Democrat on the Environment and Public Works Committee's Subcommittee on Superfund. Throughout his time in the Senate, Senator Lautenberg has fought to improve the Superfund program, and has worked for legislation preventing pollution, and ensuring clear water and clean air. Senator Lautenberg's accomplishments in the area of transportation are impressive. He serves as the top Democrat on the Appropriations Committee's Subcommittee on Transportation. Senator Lautenberg authored laws establishing the legal drinking age at 21, and was successful just this year in encouraging states to reduce legal blood alcohol limits to .08. He worked successfully to ban smoking on airplanes, and has championed funding for Amtrak and mass transit. Senator Lautenberg has also worked for some time on health care, including tobacco policy issues. He is a nationally recognized leader in the fight to protect our young people from the health consequences of cigarettes. In 1997, I was extremely fortunate that Senator Lautenberg was chosen to co-chair the Senate Democratic Task Force on Tobacco. Senator Lautenberg was a particularly strong proponent of provisions on second-hand smoke and the so-called ``look-back'' enforcement mechanism to reduce youth smoking rates. Frank Lautenberg's dedication and expertise on many issues will be missed greatly in the United States Senate, even as New Jersey natives welcome him home. I will miss my good friend and colleague. ____________________ |