Kay Bailey Hutchison: “Mr. President, today we are saying farewell to our leader in the Senate so that he can become the leader of our Nation…”

“Mr. President, today we are saying farewell to our leader in the Senate so that he can become the leader of our Nation and of the free world. This is a remarkable man who can shoulder this great burden. This is a man who has shown that he is worthy of our trust. He has kept his promises to the American people, starting with balancing the budget. For the first time we are on a track to balancing the budget in 7 years due to the leadership of Bob Dole. It is the first time in 40 years that Congress has made the decision that we must not burden our children and grandchildren with the kind of debt that has been built up by Congresses of the past. This is a man who can be Commander in Chief of our country. He has respect for our military. He respects the people who have chosen to protect the freedom of America. He understands the need for peace--not through unilateral disarmament, but through strength. And he will not send our troops into harm's way unless there is a U.S. security interest.”