Political Quotes

“I would, as usual, like to salute my leader, the chairman of the Appropriations Committee, Senator Byrd, as he spoke to what tradition used to be. I am reminded that in my first very inconsequential speech before the Senate--but my maiden speech before the Senate--I recall coming on the floor--and at the time we still had our temporary assignments. That was in the good old days when there were 64 Democrats in the U.S. Senate--good old days from my partisan perspective. And I remember not having my permanent seat. I was number 100 in seniority. My permanent seat ended up being the one nearest the rolltop desk at the back row, but at the time, my temporary seat was, I believe, the second or third seat in the back row, in the main section. And I recall coming over to speak and being told by a person in the Cloakroom that I should wait a few moments. I initially thought that I had already breached protocol in some way unknown to me, because a staff person in the Cloakroom asked me to wait. And to my great surprise--and I might add to my not little, not embarrassment, but I guess the best way to say it is it made me a little nervous--a distinguished U.S. Senator, one of the finest men whom I have ever served around--I expect Senator Byrd would share my view--Senator John Stennis, came over. He had called the Cloakroom to tell the Cloakroom that he wanted to hear my speech.”