Thomas Daschle: “with the opening of the 104th Congress, we again witness a historic transfer of power as the Republican Party takes…”

“with the opening of the 104th Congress, we again witness a historic transfer of power as the Republican Party takes control of the Senate and Senator Strom Thurmond earlier today replaced Senator Robert C. Byrd as President pro tempore of the Senate. In this transition, we are witnessing one Senate institution replacing another. Together, these two outstanding legislators total three quarters of a century service in the Senate. Each not only has witnessed, but participated in, so much history and in the enactment of so much legislation, that Senators of my generation often are left in awe. As we prepare our legislative agendas and prepare for the upcoming debates and battles, this historic transition should not be lost upon us. Senator Byrd, for the past 6 years, has presided over the deliberations of the Senate. A look at the record reveals that he is indeed an institution within this institution. The senior Senator from West Virginia has served in the Senate for nearly 40 years. He has served as chairman of Senate Appropriations Committee, as the Senate Democratic whip, 6 years as Senate minority leader, 6 years as Senate majority leader, and, since 1987, President pro tempore of the Senate.”