Kent Conrad: “Bill Hoagland is truly one of the best I have had the chance to serve with in 20 years. Bill Hoagland is deeply…”

“Bill Hoagland is truly one of the best I have had the chance to serve with in 20 years. Bill Hoagland is deeply knowledgeable, decent, caring. He is one person who has extraordinary credibility on both sides of the aisle. I have known Bill in my 20 years in the Senate. Throughout that period I have served on the Committee on the Budget. Bill has been, at various times, the staff director or the leadership stamp on these issues. I have enjoyed so many quiet moments with Bill in which we have reflected on things that concern us about the direction of the country. More than that, I have enjoyed his uncommon decency. Bill Hoagland is somebody who will be very much missed. I believe Bill Hoagland, because of his intense interest in the fiscal affairs of this country, in the economic well-being of our Nation, will always be there to give good advice. On many occasions I have joked with Bill and made him job offers for far more pay than he was getting on the other side of the aisle. Bill always kind of indulged my humor and never paid too much attention to it because he was firmly rooted on the other side. Bill Hoagland represents the best of this institution. And it is with real sincerity I say I will very much miss Bill's very good judgment in this Senate.”