Political Quotes

“I rise today to speak about an outstanding member of our staff, a friend, and a very special person who will soon leave the Senate--after almost 11 years of service--with her family to go to Nashville to begin the next exciting phase of their lives. I first met Laura Lefler when she was a staffer working in Senator Lamar Alexander's front office answering the phones and greeting visitors. I was in Washington to try to decide, like the Presiding Officer, whether running for the U.S. Senate was something I should consider. Seeing her smiling face and listening to her Tennessee accent certainly made me feel at home. Later, after I decided to run, we became involved in one of the most difficult races in the country in 2006. I was the only new Republican to make it through. Toward the end, with the race nationalized and dealing with all kinds of issues, a whole crew of folks descended upon our office to help us get across the top. One of those was young Laura Lefler, who helped us in our communications office. I think she was surprised by the fierceness of a campaign such as this. She took it all very personally--a sign of someone you want to be at your side. Then came the transition. Laura was the first person to open our office, and she helped us interview people and find our way through the daunting task of opening a new Senate office.…”