Chuck Hagel: “I rise to recognize my friend the Senior Senator from Tennessee. Fred Thompson will retire this year after eight…”

“I rise to recognize my friend the Senior Senator from Tennessee. Fred Thompson will retire this year after eight distinguished years in the Senate. He has packed a great deal in those eight years. He has been a forceful leader who has made significant contributions to our country in a short amount time. Senator Thompson was born and raised in Lawrenceburg, TN, a little town sited by the great frontiersman and Congressman Davy Crockett. Like Crockett, Senator Thompson charted a path in life that has allowed him to use his character and great abilities for interests larger than himself. He received his undergraduate degree from Memphis State University and completed his law degree at Vanderbilt University in 1967. In 1973 and '74, Senator Thompson served as minority counsel to the vice chairman of the Senate Watergate Committee, his mentor, Senator, now Ambassador, Howard Baker. He served as Special Counsel to both the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence and the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. Senator Thompson is among the most junior Senators in the history of the Senate to have ever served as Chairman of a Standing Senate Committee. But Senator Thompson's skills and talents go far beyond his contributions to the Senate. He is also a very fine actor, not withstanding Senator McCain's critiques of his performances. He has an expansive list of movie and television roles that highlight his commanding presence and impressive style.”