On the recordMarch 2, 2010
As a freshman Member of this body, I have a great deal of respect for those who have been a part of this institution for many years. On both sides of the aisle, veteran Senators lend their experience, and their invaluable knowledge of procedure, to the debates that take place in this Chamber every day. And, as anyone who knows the history of the Senate can tell you, this has always been a friendly place, no matter which party is in control. This has always been a place where political leaders could disagree without being disagreeable, no matter how vast their differences happen to be. This Senate has always been governed by mutual respect, mutual trust, and mutual friendship. Without these key ingredients, it is impossible for us to work together. Such was the genius of our Founding Fathers, who framed this system of government. They knew that partisan politics would rage outside these walls, so they created the Senate to be a refuge for those who are prepared to move forward together to solve national problems. The history of this Chamber is filled with legendary stories of compromise, of relationships across party lines that drove Senators from different backgrounds to find common purpose. Our dear friend Senator Kennedy, the last lion of this Senate, was one of the greatest at forging bipartisan consensus and fostering mutual respect with the other side. These stories remind us of the value of civil discourse.
