Political Quotes

On the recordSeptember 7, 2011
Mr. President, I wish to join my colleagues in remembering Senator Mark Hatfield, an extraordinarily good man, a man of dignity and integrity. I didn't have the opportunity to serve with him in the Senate, but he chaired the Senate Appropriations Committee when I was a member of the House Appropriations Committee, so oftentimes we would come together in conference on a given issue, and I admired him greatly. Mark Hatfield was an independent man throughout his public career. He was a man of civility and deep faith, a devout evangelical Christian. He was a Republican who believed government could be a force for good. During the course of my statement, I will read some comments by Senator Mark Hatfield, and those who are following this should pause and reflect that his was once a major voice in the Republican Party. Unfortunately, few, if any, voices such as his can be heard today. I hope there are those who are listening who will take heart that it is consistent with Republican principles to stand for the values of Mark Hatfield. Announcing his retirement from the Senate in 1995, Mark Hatfield said: As a young man I felt the call of public service and believed in the positive impact government can have on the lives of people. Government service has allowed me to promote peace, protect human life, enhance education, safeguard our environment, improve the health care of Oregonians, and guard the rights of the individual.…
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Dick Durbin
Democratic · Illinois

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