Cord Byrd: “On another matter, I'm informed that on yesterday the distinguished, the very distinguished, Senator from Rhode Island…”

“On another matter, I'm informed that on yesterday the distinguished, the very distinguished, Senator from Rhode Island reached his 75th birthday. Oh, to be 75 again! I experienced that happy occasion 5 years ago. Today is the 23rd of October. In 27 more days I will reach my 80th birthday. Hopefully the Senate will be out of session because I don't want anything said about it. But I must congratulate this crusty New Englander, whom I admire hugely, on his having reached his 75th birthday. He is a great American. He is truly a fine Senator. As a man he is a real man. He is honest, and he is one who deals fairly with his colleagues right up on the board, straight across the board, nothing under the board, and he says what he thinks. If he agrees with one, he will agree; if he doesn't, he will say so, but he won't go out of this Chamber in any fit of distemper. It is a matter to be stated, and that is it. So I admire John Chafee. The people of his State are fortunate in having a man like John Chafee here. I think we are all fortunate in having a Senator like John Chafee. I greatly admire him. Let me just recall a few lines to a little poem titled the ``Multiplication Table of Happiness.'' I hope I can repeat it, having focused my thoughts on the line-item veto, the highway bill, and on the various other matters today. Count your garden by the flowers, Never by the leaves that fall; Count your days by the sunny hours, Not remembering clouds at all.…”