Frank Lautenberg: “I thank my colleague from Pennsylvania, and I congratulate him for having cast 10,000 votes. We all know Senator Specter…”

“I thank my colleague from Pennsylvania, and I congratulate him for having cast 10,000 votes. We all know Senator Specter so well, and we know that 10,000 votes cast by him represents 10,000 thoughtful decisions. He is a lawyer of distinction. He came to the Senate and was accorded respect for his views. We have often listened to debates where Senator Specter participated and his views were always respected by others and carried much weight. He and I have gotten along over the years very well. I was pleased to see him have the courage to switch parties because of his beliefs in how this body ought to function, and we congratulate him for that as well. The only disagreement we have is whether the Philadelphia football team, the Eagles, is more loved by people in the southern part of our State, New Jersey, or whether their loyalty is better appreciated by those from Pennsylvania. It depends, with me, on what their record is. I am sorry, excuse me. But it is a pleasure to serve with Senator Specter. I am somewhat behind him for the number of votes cast, but it is easy and particularly when I am asked: Well, what was the vote 8,003 that you cast? I say: Well, I will have to check the Record. Thousands of votes are a lot of votes. They require a lot of decisionmaking. Once again, I congratulate Senator Specter for his good decisionmaking.”