Political Quotes

“Mr. President, I was heartened to hear the comments the majority leader made, that we are close to an agreement to make sure we do not put the American people or the great Federal workers through another one of these eleventh-hour fire drills, where we get to the brink of the precipice of shutting down our Federal Government. It is in that spirit that I rise because, as many know, over the last year and a half or so I have come regularly to the floor of the Senate to continue a tradition that was started by Senator Kaufman from Delaware, where we recognize the contributions of great Federal employees. Today, I am pleased to honor another exceptional--exceptional-- Federal worker, Mr. John Merlino. Mr. Merlino is the Senate assistant legislative clerk, working on the legislative team of the Office of the Secretary of the Senate. Mr. Merlino began his Senate career in 1994 as a Senate doorkeeper. He then joined the Secretary's legislative staff and has performed many of its functions, including the constitutional task--the constitutional task--of maintaining the Senate Journal. Another of Mr. Merlino's main responsibilities is to call the roll during votes and quorum calls. More important, he is also one of those special workers on the dais who have been known at times to actually keep new Members, as they preside over the Senate, awake during long stretches in the chair.…”