Cord Byrd: “I thank my colleagues, Mr. President. Mr. President, in his political memoir, ``Herding Cats: A Life in Politics,'' our…”

“I thank my colleagues, Mr. President. Mr. President, in his political memoir, ``Herding Cats: A Life in Politics,'' our distinguished colleague, the former majority leader, Senator Trent Lott, noted that he viewed his ``years in Washington as a magnificent experience, with many more mountaintops than valleys.'' How is that? Let me say that again: He viewed his ``years in Washington as a magnificent experience, with many more mountaintops than valleys.'' What a wonderful way to look at one's experience in the U.S. Congress. Everyone in public life knows there are valleys. Life may be unfair, but in public life, that unfairness, I daresay, is magnified tenfold. But as Senator Lott explains, he prefers to look at the mountaintops, and his political life has been one of many mountaintop experiences. This son of a shipyard worker and public school teacher was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1972. He was in the House for 16 years, where he distinguished himself by serving with great aplomb on the House Rules Committee as his party whip. I know something about that party whip. That ain't easy. In 1988, he left his safe and secure seat in the House to run for the Senate. Reach for the stars. In the Senate, Senator Lott has served as Republican conference secretary, Republican Senate whip, Senate minority leader, and Senate majority leader. As the Senate whip, Senator Lott became the first Republican ever elected to the whip positions in both Houses of Congress.”