Bob Dole: “as I look back at my years in the Senate, one accomplishment of which I am very proud was the passage of tax reform…”

“as I look back at my years in the Senate, one accomplishment of which I am very proud was the passage of tax reform legislation in 1986, when I was serving as Senate majority leader. This bill was a very important first step in making our tax system fairer, flatter, and simpler. And one of the guiding forces behind its passage was Senator Bill Bradley of New Jersey. Senator Bradley is retiring from the Senate at the end of this year, and he leaves behind a record of accomplishment and innovation. From the future of Russia to international trade to the state of our cities, Senator Bradley has been in the forefront of debates, providing both leadership and original proposals. Senator Bradley and I have not agreed on every issue over the years, but one matter on which we see eye-to-eye is the need to restore civility and a sense of decency to American society. I have no doubt that Senator Bradley will continue to contribute a great deal to the debates of our time for many years to come. Elizabeth joins with me in wishing all the best to Senator Bradley, and to his wife, Ernestine. Senator Bradley has been a good friend. We have been on the Finance Committee together. We have agreed on a lot of issues and, as I said earlier, disagreed on some. I think he has added a great deal of civility to this body, and I know he has a bright future as he leaves the Senate in whatever he may do in the private sector.”