congressional_record: CREC-2000-12-15-pt1-PgS11846-2
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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-PgS11846-2 | 2000-12-15 | 106 | 2 | RETIREMENT OF SENATOR CONNIE MACK | SENATE | SENATE | RETIREMENT | S11846 | S11847 | [{"name": "Carl Levin", "role": "speaking"}, {"name": "Kent Conrad", "role": "speaking"}, {"name": "John Warner", "role": "speaking"}] | 146 Cong. Rec. S11846 | Congressional Record, Volume 146 Issue 155 (Friday, December 15, 2000) [Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 155 (Friday, December 15, 2000)] [Senate] [Pages S11846-S11847] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] RETIREMENT OF SENATOR CONNIE MACK Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, I want to pay tribute today to a colleague and good friend who will be leaving the Senate when the 106th Congress adjourns sine die, Connie Mack, the junior senator from Florida. I have served with Connie Mack on the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence where, on the important issues of national security it considers, he can be counted upon to set partisanship aside, roll up his sleeves and get to work. In the United States Senate we are called upon to work with colleagues of many differing points of view. While Connie Mack has served as a key member of the Republican leadership as Republican Conference Chairman, and he and I often disagree on the issues before the Senate, it has always been a pleasure to deal with him. Always an [[Page S11847]] able advocate for his point of view, he is a willing listener, open to compromise and when an opponent, always gracious, reasonable and fair. Connie Mack has made a name for himself in the Senate on public housing and health care issues, particularly his efforts to make FDA- approved drugs available for other uses, especially in the fight against cancer. He and his wife, Priscilla, both cancer survivors, have been inspirational in their dedication to delivering the message to all Americans that early detection of cancer is a life-saver. Connie Mack and I have shared a special bond, one of those inside jokes which create strong personal ties. Whenever I hear of someone making a great speech, I shall smile inwardly, think of Connie and miss his warm smile and the kind word he has for all of his Senate colleagues. I hope that in the years ahead, Connie and Priscilla will visit often. Mr. CONRAD. Mr. President, I want to pay a tribute to my friend and colleague from the State of Florida who has decided to leave the Senate after a distinguished 12-year career here. It has been my pleasure to work with Senator Mack during that time on a number of important issues. He has always been willing to reach across the aisle when bipartisan cooperation can make the difference. As colleagues on the Finance Committee, we have cosponsored each other's bills on such varied subjects as benefits for retired coal miners, fairer treatment for real estate under the Internal Revenue Code, and keeping gray market cigarettes out of the U.S. market. Senator Mack has been a generous, thoughtful, and constructive member of our committee, and we will miss his presence there every much. Year in and year out, I am constantly impressed with the energy, intelligence, and commitment that Connie Mack brings to the challenging job of representing such a large and diverse State Floridians have been privileged to have the benefit of his effective advocacy for their concerns. I am confident that a man with public policy interests over as wide a range as Connie has shown during his tenure in the body is still going to be checking in with his old friends in the Senate to let us know what he's thinking. I hope we will see him often in the coming years. I am happy to join my colleagues in wishing only the best for Connie and Priscilla as they move on to the next chapter in their lives. Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to Senator Connie Mack of Florida. There are many ways to discern the character of a Senator. Connie Mack has made his mark with strong leadership coupled with an unusual quality of gentleness. A true gentleman of the Senate. Senatorial courtesy was his hallmark. He loved this institution; it loved him. One unique, but subtle mannerism reveals the inner security of this great man--how he handled the gavel. The gavel is that symbol of authority so coveted by all Senators. As we all know, a gavel consists of two parts: the relatively small handle to hold, and the large hammer-like head to strike the blow. Senate Chairmen love the sharp ``bang'' connoting authority and decision. Senator Mack is the only Senator, the only Chairman, whom I have observed in my 22 years of service who simply used the hammer head for the grip and conveyed his authority by gently tapping the end of the handle. ``May we have order, please.'' Immediately following was always quiet acceptance. This symbolized to me how this elegant man commanded the great respect of all in the Senate. As with the gavel, his voice was always firm, and always with the soft tone of confidence. We wish him well, together with his wife and family, as they accept life's next challenge. ____________________ |