Trent Lott: “I know from the expressions on the faces of all of our officers and staff members in the Senate Chamber, there is a…”

“I know from the expressions on the faces of all of our officers and staff members in the Senate Chamber, there is a bittersweet feeling about the fact that Elizabeth Letchworth will be leaving to go on to the next venture in her life. I have said many times--not often enough--how much I appreciated the great work done by the officers of the Senate and the staff, those who read the bills, the clerks, the Parliamentarians, our own floor assistants. They make this place run. They serve us all so well, Democrat and Republican. We get to take the bows and go back home to our constituents, or home for the night, and quite often they continue to work. I take this occasion to thank all for the great work they do and say how much I appreciate you. The record will show someday that quite often I took into consideration a very capable and deserving staff in deciding not to be in session on occasion. I do think about the staff, and I am sure that my successor as majority leader will do the same. Also I should say I regret that I am doing this alone, now, at this hour. There is probably not a Senator in this body who could not tell a personal story about some event or some situation where Elizabeth Letchworth helped--again, Republican and Democrat, and Independent. She has looked after us all, sometimes when we did not even deserve it, but she was particularly helpful to me while I was majority leader.”