Kent Conrad: “today, I offer tribute to my friend and colleague, Senator Nancy Kassebaum. The Senate will miss this respected and fair…”

“today, I offer tribute to my friend and colleague, Senator Nancy Kassebaum. The Senate will miss this respected and fair minded policy maker. While the distinguished Senator from Kansas may no longer physically be present on the floor of the Senate to fight the battles she believes in, she will leave a legacy of intelligence, honesty, and common sense that will always be respected and never forgotten. Among her many accomplishments, Senator Kassebaum will go down in the textbooks of American history as the first woman to Chair a major Senate committee, the Senate Committee on Labor and Human Resources. This fact makes a statement about the strength of Nancy Kassebaum as a leader. Senator Kassebaum successfully challenged institutional gender biases, paving the way for other women who aspire to become powerful Members of the Senate. I compliment Senator Kassebaum for this significant accomplishment. Throughout her 18 years of dedicated service as a member of the Senate and her tenure as Chair of the Senate Committee on Labor and Human Resources, Senator Kassebaum has fought to preserve the health and dignity of America's families, children, and the poor. She was a moderating force throughout the welfare debate.”