Political Quotes

“Mr. President, I thank the Chair. I also wish to thank my dear friend and colleague from California for her words of support and comfort and resolve. We appear to be in one of those periods of time where we are walking too often through the valley of the shadow of death. Senator Blumenthal and I have come to the floor to speak about the tragedy that occurred; the senseless, horrific attacks on innocent people in Newtown, CT, last Friday. Mr. President, I note with extraordinary respect and a sense of loss the death of our truly beloved colleague Senator Dan Inouye of Hawaii. America, as Senator Reid and Senator Durbin made so clear, has lost a true hero, a patriot. This Senate has lost a great leader--a leader whose accomplishments have been literally historic. I think all of us have lost a friend. Last evening, Senator Akaka spoke about how Dan Inouye's legacy--I am paraphrasing--was all around Hawaii and all he had done for the State. The truth is I think most every State in the country is full of legacies of the service of Dan Inouye. I know it is true of Connecticut. It was truly my honor to serve for 24 years with Dan Inouye. He was exactly the opposite of all the caricature pictures people have of Congress today and particularly about the rabid partisanship and personal incivility. Dan was a great gentleman and the most civil of people, the kindest and most decent of people. As Senator Reid said, he was a proud Democrat, a faithful Democrat but not at all partisan.…”