Political Quotes

“Mr. President, during his 36 years representing Michigan in the Senate, Senator Carl Levin's character and expertise have been described in many ways. He has been named by Time magazine as one of the 10 best Senators. He has been hailed by our military as a leader on national security. He is recognized by families in Michigan and throughout our country as a dedicated champion for economic opportunity and fairness. But perhaps the best description of Senator Levin's philosophy of public service is a word he himself used in an interview for the George Mitchell Oral History Project at Bowdoin College in Maine. That word is ``fiduciary.'' It is the word that embraces the concepts of trust and confidence, of ethics and responsibility. In that interview Senator Levin elaborated on what the word means to him as a public servant. He said it meant to be accessible and open, to listen to other points of view, and to be well informed. Then when it is time to decide, to use his best judgment and vote for what is best for his State and his country, even though it may not be the popular choice at the time. ``Fiduciary'' may indeed be the best word to describe our colleague Senator Levin; but to me, based upon decades of firsthand experience, there is another phrase that also comes to mind. He is truly a Senator's Senator. My colleagues may be surprised to learn that I have known Senator Levin far longer than most of the Members of this Chamber.…”