Mike Thompson: “Putting a significant piece of legislation like this bill together is a difficult and time-consuming task. Many Senators…”

“Putting a significant piece of legislation like this bill together is a difficult and time-consuming task. Many Senators have played important roles in this legislation, but the contributions of our staff members have also been of great significance. Without the aid of our staff members, little would get done in this institution. I would like to take a moment to recognize the hard work and dedication of just a few of the staff members who contributed significantly to this legislation. For the Majority, I want to recognize the contributions of Chairman Lieberman's staff, especially his staff director, Joyce Rechtschaffen, and Laurie Rubenstein, Mike Alexander, Kiersten Coon, Holly Idelson, Kevin Landy, Larry Novey, and Susan Propper. Also, let me acknowledge the contributions of staff to the other members of the Governmental Affairs Committee and of Sarah Walter of Senator Breaux's staff, David Culver of Senator Ben Nelson's staff, and Alex Albert of Senator Miller's staff. On the Republican side, I must single out the work of Rohit Kumar of Senator Lott's Leadership staff. He has been the linchpin around whom everything got done. We would have no bill without his persistence, diligence, and intellect. Mike Solon of Senator Gramm's staff also placed a crucial role in developing the Gramm-Miller amendment on which much of the final legislation is based. David Morgenstern of Senator Chafee's staff was also helpful.”