Lincoln Chafee: “I join the two distinguished Senators from Maine in paying tribute to the remarkable job that Senator George Mitchell…”

“I join the two distinguished Senators from Maine in paying tribute to the remarkable job that Senator George Mitchell did in Ireland. Senator Mitchell would be the first to say that success is not assured and that this is but the first step in a long, difficult process. But because of what Senator Mitchell did, the chances for peace have been greatly improved. And it truly was an extraordinary job, as the two Senators from Maine have outlined. What patience George Mitchell showed, and what skills as a negotiator he displayed. I join in the sentiment that has been expressed that his success there comes as no great surprise to those of us who knew him well. I served in this Senate for the entire time that George Mitchell was here as Senator from Maine. I had the privilege of serving in not one but two committees, the Finance Committee and the Environment Committee, with George Mitchell. Indeed, as soon as he came to the Senate, he went on the Environment Committee, and there I saw the tremendous abilities that he had. I can remember particularly the Clean Air Act, that George Mitchell was the one most responsible for the reauthorization of that act, which occurred when George Mitchell was majority leader.”