Frank Lautenberg: “obviously, as the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Transportation of Appropriations, I strongly support H.R. 3675…”

“obviously, as the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Transportation of Appropriations, I strongly support H.R. 3675, the Transportation appropriations bill for this coming fiscal year. The conference report was filed by the Transportation appropriations conference on September 16, just a couple of days ago. But this bill is marked by more than just dollar amounts or designated programs. This bill exhibits the extraordinary leadership of the distinguished chairman of the Appropriations Committee, the chairman of the subcommittee, as well as the very distinguished former chairman of the Appropriations Committee--two gentlemen who have left, to use the expression, a mark on this body that will endure far beyond the lives of anybody within earshot of our voices. It has been a real privilege for me to work with these gentlemen. I came here at a rather mature status in life. I spent 30 years in the corporate world before coming to the U.S. Senate. But one of the great delights of serving here is to have the occasional respite from the tensions and the differences that are so prominent in this body of ours when we hear from people like Senator Mark Hatfield or Senator Robert Byrd, who bring not only experience but wisdom to our deliberations. Frankly, Mr. President, I have to tell you that I worry about the U.S. Senate.”