John Cornyn: “I know it is always difficult to come to the floor and talk about the departure of our good friends and valued…”

“I know it is always difficult to come to the floor and talk about the departure of our good friends and valued colleagues. The word I have heard mentioned the most this week is ``bittersweet''--people looking forward to the next chapter of their lives but regretting the fact that good friends and valued colleagues are moving on to the next chapter of their lives. But every other December, we find ourselves bidding farewell to some of our most admired and respected Members. Today I wish to speak briefly about four of them, starting with our good friend from New Hampshire, Senator Ayotte. Kelly Ayotte Mr. President, Senator Ayotte and I have more in common than may meet the eye, so let me explain. Our hometowns are 2,000 miles away, so it doesn't seem obvious. She served as attorney general of the State of New Hampshire and holds the distinction of being New Hampshire's first and only female attorney general. She was first appointed to that position by a Republican Governor, and she did such an outstanding job serving the people that she was reappointed to that position by a Democratic Governor. Everybody who knows Kelly Ayotte knows that she epitomizes the spirit of bipartisanship and comradery that makes a good public servant a great one. That has been evident in her work she has done here in the U.S. Senate.…”