John Sarbanes: “I wish to register my deep appreciation to the people of my State who sent me to the Senate now for my fifth term and…”

“I wish to register my deep appreciation to the people of my State who sent me to the Senate now for my fifth term and, therefore, made it possible for me to be here exercising my judgment on important issues that come before us. I certainly hope that people, looking back over that record, will think there was some quality in those votes as well as quantity. I thank my colleagues for their constant support and the ability to interact with them as we deal with important matters of public policy. Even though we sometimes differ, we support one another in a very unique and, to some, not understandable way. I am in my 27th year in the Senate, and I am pleased to be in the company of those who our leader enumerated that have also passed the 10,000 mark. I particularly want to acknowledge my respect for Senator Byrd, who I think has cast more votes than anyone who has ever served in the Senate, and continues to be an example to us all. I also would be remiss if I did not thank my family, my wife in particular, for their strong support over these many years now.”