Bob Dole: “it is no secret that one regret I will have when I leave the Senate is the fact that we did not send a balanced budget…”

“it is no secret that one regret I will have when I leave the Senate is the fact that we did not send a balanced budget amendment to the States. And I know that regret is shared by many in this Chamber including our colleague, Senator Paul Simon. The balanced budget amendment is a cause that Senator Simon has courageously advanced since his arrival here many years ago in 1985. Perhaps his aversion to deficits and red ink arose from the fact that Senator Simon began his career at age 19 by editing and publishing a small newspaper. Whatever the reason, Senator Simon hit the nail on the head when he stated that allowing skyrocketing deficits to continue was ``a policy of folly.'' If I know Senator Simon, I know that he will continue to write and speak against this policy of folly until it is changed. The balanced budget is not the only debate to which Senator Simon has devoted his considerable intellect and energy. Education reform, the impact television has on our children, and world hunger are just three of the many issues Senator Simon has embraced during his 12 years in this Chamber.”