Max Baucus: “I honor a colleague, a friend, and a great Senator, Senator Craig Thomas. No words that I can speak will ease the…”

“I honor a colleague, a friend, and a great Senator, Senator Craig Thomas. No words that I can speak will ease the sadness of this loss. Nothing my colleagues and I say can fill the emptiness that his passing has left or lessen the pain that so many feel. I feel compelled to speak of Senator Thomas not for the effect of my words. Instead, I speak to recognize the effect of his words, his actions, and his service. His were words, actions, and service that have improved the lives and futures of Americans. His words and actions will leave a legacy long after our sadness passes. Senator Thomas represented Wyoming effectively and with dignity. I was proud to work with him. We both loved the open beautiful spaces of our home States, and we worked to keep them clean, safe, and sustainable. We collaborated to improve the Endangered Species Act and the Safe Drinking Water Act. We also worked to safeguard our constituents' livelihoods-- establishing the wool trust fund, keeping open global beef markets, and making sure that our trading partners played by the rules. We worked together to safeguard our natural resources, improve rural energy infrastructure, and plan for a sustainable energy future with clean coal technologies. These and many other accomplishments will be Senator Thomas's legacy. It is a legacy for which he deserves recognition, remembrance, and honor. It is a legacy for which our Nation is grateful.”