Thomas Daschle: “last week, to my regret, my good friend, Senator Bob Kerrey, announced that he will be leaving this Senate at the end of…”

“last week, to my regret, my good friend, Senator Bob Kerrey, announced that he will be leaving this Senate at the end of this year to return to private life. I'm sure my colleagues on both sides of the aisle will agree that his decision is a loss not only to Nebraskans, and to the Democratic party, but to the entire Senate. Over the years, Senator Kerrey has made us all laugh. More importantly, he has made us all think. He has challenged us to face the big questions of our time and to reach across party lines to find solutions. It has been said that some people seek public office to be someone; others seek office to do something. Clearly, Bob Kerrey is of the ``do something'' school. Before he ever came to the Senate, he had achieved more than almost anyone I know. A pharmacist by training, he has also been a Navy SEAL, a decorated war hero, a successful entrepreneur, and a popular governor--all by the time he was 44 years old. Perhaps even more impressive than his professional accomplishments, however, are his personal achievements.”