Adam Byrd: “I congratulate Senator Kennedy especially for the many, many services that he has performed over the years on behalf of…”

“I congratulate Senator Kennedy especially for the many, many services that he has performed over the years on behalf of education. I know of no individual in this Senate who has been the author of more legislation that has become law than Senator Kennedy. I have not researched this, but having been majority leader in the late 1970's and minority leader into the late 1980's, then majority leader again, it has been my observation that he has piloted more legislation through the Senate than anyone else in the Senate today. I congratulate him, and as I have said on several occasions, he could have had a place in any Senate since and beginning with the very first Senate of the United States in 1789. He contributes. He lives up to his convictions. Naturally Senators disagree. I disagree with Senator Kennedy sometimes. Other times he disagrees with me. But nevertheless, I pay this tribute to him as I have paid it to him many times behind his back. Now, Mr. President--and I hope I will not impose too long on the managers of the bill--I wish to say that I have become increasingly concerned about the state of public education in America today.”