Dirk Kempthorne: “I have been touched and impressed by the fact of colleagues coming to the floor and paying tribute to those Members who…”

“I have been touched and impressed by the fact of colleagues coming to the floor and paying tribute to those Members who are departing. I have listened because, as one of those Members who are departing, I know personally how much it means to hear those kind comments that are made. Senator Ford, who just spoke, is leaving after a very illustrious career. I remember when the Republican Party took over the majority 4 years ago and I was new to the position of Presiding Officer, it was not unusual for Wendell Ford, who knows many of the ropes around here, to come and pull me aside and give me a few of the tips of how I could be effective as a Presiding Officer. I think probably one of the highest tributes you can pay to an individual is the fact that you see their family and the success they have had. I remember when Wendell Ford's grandson, Clay, was a page here. I think Clay is probably one of the greatest tributes paid to a grandfather. Dale Bumpers, often mentioned here on the floor about his great sense of humor, is an outstanding gentlemen. He is someone whom I remember before I ever became involved in politics. I watched him as a Governor of Arkansas and thought, there is a man who has great integrity, someone you can look up to. And then to have the opportunity to serve with him has been a great honor.”