Dan Coats: “the end of the 105th Congress marks the beginning of my transition from Senator to citizen. This ends 24 years for me of…”

“the end of the 105th Congress marks the beginning of my transition from Senator to citizen. This ends 24 years for me of public service: Two in the U.S. Army, four as a legislative assistant and district director for then- Congressman Dan Quayle, and 18 in the Congress. While I look forward to life after politics, I know how much I will miss this place and its people, and so I want to acknowledge some debts. I want to acknowledge the privilege of serving under two remarkable Republican leaders and one Democrat majority leader, all of whom I hold a great deal of respect. Senator Mitchell was majority leader when I arrived. He gave me nothing but the utmost courtesy, fairness and respect. I have a great deal of respect for him in the way he conducted this Senate. Senator Dole became my friend and mentor. His life is a tribute to a true patriot and to someone whose commitment to public service, I think, is nearly unequal. Our current leader, Senator Lott, is someone who is a dear friend, someone who I greatly respect, and I think certainly has a great future as majority leader.”