Orrin Hatch: “I am pleased that my colleague and very dear friend Max Baucus was confirmed by this body the way he was. He will make a…”

“I am pleased that my colleague and very dear friend Max Baucus was confirmed by this body the way he was. He will make a fine ambassador to China. We all know what an honorable, decent man he is. We all know of his abilities. We all know he has run a very tough committee, a very important committee, and has done a terrific job in doing so. All I can say is I rise to wish my good friend Senator Max Baucus good luck as he departs to serve as the next U.S. Ambassador to China. We are going to miss Max. I do not think it is fair to this body, but, nevertheless, I think it is fair to our country because Max will make a great ambassador. Senator Baucus first came to the Senate in 1978 and has the distinction of being Montana's longest serving Senator. So, as you can see, I have served with Senator Baucus for a long time--longer than the two of us would like to admit sometimes. Over the years I have come to respect his commitment both to his constituents and to his principles. Having worked side by side with him on the Senate Finance Committee, I know a lot about his constituents and his principles. He raises his constituents constantly and his principles I do not think he ever wavered. If you want to understand my friend Max Baucus's priorities, take a look at the sign on his Senate office desk. Like Max, it is to the point and unequivocal. The sign says: ``Montana comes first.'' Plain and simple, not much nuance, the language is pretty declarative.…”