On the recordDecember 6, 2012
Madam President, I wanted to be recognized for 10 minutes to talk about the decision by Senator DeMint to leave the Senate next year. But I wish to say to my friend from North Dakota, all of us have in our prayers the loss of our soldiers there and all of the soldiers who have been in a tough, long, hard war. I met with Jim DeMint this morning. To say I was stunned is an understatement. Jim indicated to me that he will be retiring from the Senate next year and taking over the presidency of the Heritage Foundation, one of the great conservative think tanks here in Washington. My reaction for the people of South Carolina is: You have lost a great, strong conservative voice, someone who has championed the conservative cause and represented our State with distinction, sincerity, and a great deal of passion. On a personal level, I have lost my colleague and friend. Jim and I have known each other for almost 20 years now. I think we have done a pretty darn good job for South Carolina, at times playing the good cop, the bad cop, but always trying to work together. What differences we have had have been sincere. That is the word I would use about Senator DeMint. He sincerely believes in his causes. He is a conservative voice that people in our party look to for leadership and guidance.…





