Max Cleland: “It was a pleasure to see a dear personal friend, Maria Cantwell from the great State of Washington, sworn in as that…”

“It was a pleasure to see a dear personal friend, Maria Cantwell from the great State of Washington, sworn in as that State's junior Senator. When I was visiting with her in the fall, during the maximum climactic days of her campaign, we were talking about the Senate and great Senators from the State of Washington, and the name of Henry 'Scoop' Jackson came up. He has been one of my heroes. As a matter of fact, last year I was given the Scoop Jackson Award, and it was a great honor for me to receive it. Scoop Jackson was, of course, known for his stance for a strong military, a strong defense, and also a strong commitment to positive and progressive social policies. This made him a great statesman from the State of Washington. It is my pleasure today to yield to the freshman Senator from the great State of Washington and, in the great tradition of Scoop Jackson, to yield to her this desk which will be transferred to her shortly. I wish her the very best and a long, lively term in the Senate, particularly in the tradition of Scoop Jackson.”