Political Quotes

“Madam President, as you know, one of the first duties delegated to freshman Senators is the high honor of presiding over the Senate. I remember the very first time I sat where you are sitting now, Madam President. Throughout my time as a Member of this august body, I have had the opportunity to spend more than 200 hours in the Presiding Officer's chair and have earned two Golden Gavels. I also had the honor of delivering our first President's--President George Washington's-- Farewell Address on his birthday of this year to this august body. From the chair, I have had the opportunity to listen to the words of my colleagues and reflect upon the great debate that unfolds each and every day--as it has always done throughout our Nation's history--in this, the greatest deliberative body in the world. We come to this Chamber from every State in the Union--Democrats, Republicans, and Independents alike. Each of us carries the solemn responsibility of giving voice to the concerns of those we represent. Although we do not always agree, as the debate on this floor will often show, I am always struck by the passion that drives each and every Senator to stand in this singular place in the world and to speak their mind. It is this passion that will always define this Chamber for me. For all the weight of history--for all the great and eloquent sentiments that have been expressed by our forefathers--on a fundamental level this remains a very human place.…”