Political Quotes

“I join with the Republican leader today in honoring Christine Catucci on the occasion, which has already been mentioned, of her 40th anniversary of working for the U.S. Senate. In any given year, about 2\1/2\ million people visit this beautiful building. Bill Dauster, who is here with me and is with me virtually every day, every place I go, was just commenting before the prayer was given how fortunate we are to work in this magnificent building. And as the Republican leader mentioned in his comments about Ms. Catucci, people become starry-eyed looking at this building. We are here all the time, and we may not appreciate it as much as we should every day. It is a beautiful building. For those of us who are fortunate enough to venture over to the place where she works--down on the first floor is where she spends most of her day, and that is where most of the people come into that floor--you will see a great smile. That smile belongs to her. I first saw that smile many years ago. We had a Senate retreat. She was there to help staff us, and she played a vital role in making sure the retreat worked well. I have always remembered her from that one experience. She does have a disarming smile, for which we should all be grateful. I know I am. She has been here for 40 years. The only person who has been here as a Senator longer than Christine is Pat Leahy from Vermont. She has seniority over everybody except Senator Leahy.…”