Thomas Daschle: “I also come to the floor to congratulate our colleague, Senator Kennedy, for the remarkable job he has done in getting…”

“I also come to the floor to congratulate our colleague, Senator Kennedy, for the remarkable job he has done in getting us to this point. I think it is fair to say--I hope the country understands this--this bill would not be where it is today, we would not have passed it 91-8, if it were not for his persistence, his incredible leadership, and the ability he has to once again bring both sides together. I have had the good fortune now to work with our colleague from Massachusetts on so many things, and I am awed, I am inspired, and I am, indeed, grateful for his friendship and for the extraordinary leadership he provides. So I thank him and congratulate him in particular. Let me also congratulate our colleague, Senator Jeffords. He has gone through a very difficult period. He began by providing us with leadership on the Republican side as we took up this piece of legislation--now as an Independent, caucusing with us. He has voted and supported this legislation all the way through. His leadership, his commitment, his work also deserve special recognition.”