Kent Conrad: “the Senate this year will lose a long-time friend, Alan Simpson of Wyoming. Senator Simpson has served his state well…”

“the Senate this year will lose a long-time friend, Alan Simpson of Wyoming. Senator Simpson has served his state well for three decades, including 18 years in this chamber, and 12 years before that in Wyoming's House of Representatives. As many here know, he was raised in politics: his father Milward was a former governor and U.S. Senator. While I congratulate Senator Simpson on his retirement, I also have to say I am sorry to see him go. As members of different parties, we have not always seen eye to eye. But even in those times I have disagreed strongly with him, I have always been impressed by his passion. He is a formidable opponent, and any Senator who challenges him better be fully versed on the issue and ready for a tough debate. Because Alan Simpson is always ready. This smart, principled legislator also possesses a unique sense of humor that can inject laughter into even the most difficult situations. And on many issues, such as the current immigration debate which he has led in the Senate, he has shown a willingness to find a bipartisan solution to our mutual problems. In a Congress that has become increasingly more partisan, many of Senator Simpson's colleagues in both chambers and on both sides of the aisle, would do well to heed his example. Compromise and cooperation are seen by some as a lack of leadership. But the 'my way or the highway' attitude often short-changes the American people.”