Byron Dorgan: “let me, for 1 minute, add my voice to those today who paid tribute to Senator Ashcroft for his service in the Senate. As…”

“let me, for 1 minute, add my voice to those today who paid tribute to Senator Ashcroft for his service in the Senate. As I indicated earlier, some think because we are engaged in heavy debate from time to time that we are not friends. Across the aisle, Senator Ashcroft and I worked on a piece of legislation, one which we passed early on when he came to the Senate dealing with Federal funding of physician-assisted suicide. We worked together, and it was passed. It is now law. We worked a great deal for a long period of time on lifting sanctions with respect to the sale of food and medicine. It is a fight that will continue even after Senator Ashcroft leaves the service of the Senate. Also, a couple of times, I joined Senator Ashcroft and the quartet on the Republican side with the Singing Senators, along with my colleagues, Senator Daschle and Senator Boxer. I think on one other occasion I joined Senator Ashcroft and the quartet. I have seen Senator Ashcroft in action in a number of ways. My expectation of his public service is that it is not at an end. I appreciate the service he has given to this country and to the Senate. I appreciate having had the opportunity to work with him. I know him to be smart and tough and tenacious on the issues about which he cares deeply. I wish him well.”