Kent Conrad: “I thank Senator Kennedy. He has been an outstanding member of this task force team. No member of the task force…”

“I thank Senator Kennedy. He has been an outstanding member of this task force team. No member of the task force contributed more to the work of this group than Senator Kennedy. He has played an absolutely key role in the development of this legislation, through his own efforts and the efforts of his outstanding staff. He has been a leader for a lifetime on these issues, and I extend my deepest personal appreciation to him for his assistance and support. I would also like to recognize Senator Baucus, who is on the floor. Senator Baucus who is an original cosponsor of this bill has been enormously helpful as well. He is a member of the Senate Finance Committee and has a special understanding of the financial aspects of this legislation. I thank Senator Baucus for his commitment and his leadership as well. Let me conclude by thanking my staff who have worked very long hours to produce this legislation: Bob Van Heuvelen, my policy director and chief counsel; Tom Mahr who is the person on my staff who heads up all of the health issues who has worked incredibly hard and with great skill to craft this legislation; Monica Boudjouk who has spent many a long evening helping us to put together the many details of the proposal before us; and Mark Harsch, a fellow on my staff who has been enormously helpful as well.”