Rick Allen: “I want to share my views, as did Senator Hutchison and others, about our colleagues who are leaving for new adventures…”

“I want to share my views, as did Senator Hutchison and others, about our colleagues who are leaving for new adventures in life. I wish all the best to Senator Hollings. We will miss his booming voice. We will miss Senator Edwards, Senator Graham of Florida, and Senator Daschle. We will also miss John Breaux, a man we know will enjoy life with his good common sense and sense of humor. He is a good friend. I want to speak about four others, though, including Peter Fitzgerald, whom I will miss. He will always be known for two ideas and principles of life--honesty and integrity. He has certainly fought hard for what he believed was right, and you can always trust his word. Ben Nighthorse Campbell is a unique, proud leader of heritage. He is a man of principle. I look at Ben Nighthorse Campbell as one who runs on his own gear ratio. He is a character with character, whom I will certainly miss. Don Nickles--gosh, what a smart, principled leader. He will be missed. He is a taxpayer's hero. Last night, my wife and I enjoyed the Allen Jackson concert in DC. And that makes me think of country music. Don Nickles is one of the reasons God made Oklahoma. We will miss Don Nickles. Zell Miller is probably the colleague that I have known the longest. He and I served at the same time as Governors of our respective States. He was always one of my role models. We got to know each other very well in the Southern Governors Association.”