Trent Lott: “in this last day of the 105th Congress, I think it is appropriate that we take a little more time to express our…”

“in this last day of the 105th Congress, I think it is appropriate that we take a little more time to express our appreciation and our admiration for our retiring Senators. I look down the list: Senator Bumpers of Arkansas; Senator Coats of Indiana; Senator Ford, the Democratic whip, of Kentucky; Senator Glenn, who will soon be taking another historic flight into space; and Senator Kempthorne, who I believe is also going to be taking flight into a new position of leadership and honor. This is a distinguished group of men who have been outstanding Senators, who have left their mark on this institution. I believe you could say in each case they have left the Senate a better place than it was when they came. Have we had our disagreements along the way? Sure, within parties and across party aisles. I have to take a moment to express my appreciation to each of these Senators. I especially want to thank Senator Ford for his cooperation in his position as whip. We worked together for a year and a half as the whip on our respective side of the aisle and we always had a very good relationship. Of course, I have already expressed my very close relationship for Senator Coats and for Senator Kempthorne. To all of these Senators, I want to extend my fondest farewell. As majority leader, I feel a responsibility to speak for all of us in bidding an official farewell to our five colleagues who are retiring this year.”