Jeff Bingaman: “I am honored to join with my colleagues in saying a few words about our former colleague, Mark Hatfield. At the time I…”

“I am honored to join with my colleagues in saying a few words about our former colleague, Mark Hatfield. At the time I came to the Senate, Mark Hatfield had already served for 16 years. For the next 14 years we were colleagues and friends in the Senate. His retirement in 1997 was an occasion for regret for all of us who knew him and admired him. He set a very high standard for service in the Senate. He was a master of the complex spending and tax issues that are the weekly focus of most Senate work. Of course, in his role as chairman of the Appropriations Committee, he was respected and appreciated for his fair-minded consideration of requests from all Senators--Democrat and Republican and Independent. He was a model of civility and of kindness, and he took a genuine interest in the well-being of those with whom he worked, both Senators and staff and all of those who worked to keep the Senate functioning. He had a heartfelt commitment to seeking nonmilitary solutions to our Nation's problems around the world, and his votes--including his votes against the Vietnam War--reflected that strongly held commitment. It was not in Mark Hatfield's nature to be a demagogue on any issue. He saw no advantage, political or otherwise, in twisting issues. The pandering and posturing that afflict much of our political debate today were not part of the politics he practiced.…”