Thomas Daschle: “a special guest joined us at our caucus lunch this afternoon. His name is Arthur Malan St. Clair. We know him better as…”

“a special guest joined us at our caucus lunch this afternoon. His name is Arthur Malan St. Clair. We know him better as ``Tinker.'' Tinker St. Clair has spent 55 years in public service. He has worked in the Senate--for the Sergeant at Arms--for the last 22 years. This Friday, he is retiring. His leaving was inevitable. He is, after all, 85 years old, although you would never guess it. Even so, Tinker's departure will leave a void for all of us. Every Member of this Senate knows how dedicated Tinker is to his work. We all know how much he loves this Senate, and this Nation. We have all benefitted--at some time--from Tinker's kind smile, and from his quiet words of encouragement, which always seemed to come exactly when we needed them. We will all miss him. Tinker St. Clair was born in a coal miner's camp in McDowell County, West Virginia. His father worked in the mines. All together, his parents had six sons and one daughter. He got his nickname from his grandmother, because he was a curious little boy--always ``tinkering'' with something, she said.”