Amory Houghton: “Senator, it is hard for me to stand up here and talk to you, of all people, who are so eloquent and has given so many…”

“Senator, it is hard for me to stand up here and talk to you, of all people, who are so eloquent and has given so many wonderful and meaningful things to us over the years. Also I think of the words of John Lord O'Brien, who you remember was the great lawyer from Buffalo and was the head of probably the greatest law firm in the history of the country, which was the War Production Board during World War II. Somebody was saying very nice things about him one time, and he says, ``I accept that and I appreciate it. The problem I have is not inhaling them.'' You have had so many nice things said about you, I know it must be very difficult. But as you know, no one person is indispensable, clearly you nor I nor anyone around here. But if anyone comes close to indispensability, it is you. I think of that wonderful story that Archibald McLeash told at one time. He was talking to a group of students, and one of the students said at the end of the lecture, ``Mr. McLeash, would you try to sum up what you have said?'' And he said, ``Yes, I will try.'' He said, ``Don't forget the thing.''”