Cord Byrd: “the distinguished Senate leaders have called attention to the fact this is the last day on which Republican Secretary…”

“the distinguished Senate leaders have called attention to the fact this is the last day on which Republican Secretary Elizabeth Letchworth will work with us in this Chamber. Thus ends the extraordinary career of an extraordinary Senate staff person. Elizabeth originally came to the Senate as a page. She stayed for 26 years. That is almost as long as Robinson Crusoe was on that island. He was on that island 28 years, 2 months and 19 days, so Elizabeth has almost equaled that. Her diligent, dedicated work, and her loyalty to the Senate led to her eventual rise to Republican Secretary, the first woman, the only woman, to serve in that capacity. Ms. Letchworth has worked for or with six different Senate majority leaders, including myself. Therefore, I am speaking from personal experience when I say she made life and work easier and more enjoyable for all of us. Through the years, I came not only to respect Elizabeth's work, but also to admire her as a person. She always provided an oasis of calm in the middle of the many storms that brewed about her on the Senate floor.”