Max Baucus: “I speak today in tribute to a friend, Laurie Sullivan, who passed away late last month. Laurie was a lawyer, a…”

“I speak today in tribute to a friend, Laurie Sullivan, who passed away late last month. Laurie was a lawyer, a legislative advocate, and a business leader. I admired Laurie professionally and personally. But I was not alone, because everyone admired Laurie. Laurie was a cut above the rest. Washington is a place where people can lose their way. Not Laurie. She was grounded. And she was centered. Laurie stood out because she was in it for the right reasons. She built a well-respected consulting firm, because she cared about good policy. She cared about making Government work. People admired Laurie for her intelligence, her wit, and her graciousness. She was a breath of fresh air. A veteran of Capitol Hill, Laurie was confident enough to take her work seriously, but not so much that she couldn't laugh or share a joke. People were drawn to Laurie because she was the kind of person who gave energy. She didn't take it. Nothing made Laurie happier than being with her family. She talked about her nieces and nephews frequently. Her face lit up each time she mentioned their latest activities or accomplishments. She was proud of them. And she treasured the time that she spent with them. She described trips with her family as priceless memories. Laurie was also a very generous person. And her generosity was not limited to her family. She gave generously of her time and resources to her community and her friends.”