Political Quotes

“every now and then there are figures who come along who play a profound and transformative role in the period in which they are living. Phil Hoff is one of those people. We are here to celebrate his 90th birthday and the work he has done in Vermont and around the country and the life he and his wife Joan have lived, both of whom have done so much for the people of the State of Vermont. Phil Hoff was the 73rd Governor of the State of Vermont. He was in many ways the founder of progressive politics in our State. It is now recognized--and we say this proudly, although not everybody necessarily is as proud of it as we are--but Vermont is now one of the more progressive States in the United States of America. We have been a leader for the rights of working people, for the environment, for women's rights, for gay rights, for kids, and we are proud of that, but none of that would have happened--we would not be where we are today-- if it had not been for the work of Phil Hoff, who has Governor of our State and was elected in 1962. I am going to yield to my colleague Senator Leahy now. I have a lot more I wish to say, but let me begin the discussion by saying that we in Vermont are extraordinarily fortunate that one of the great Governors of his time is a real visionary, a man who led the beginning of making profound changes in the State of Vermont. I yield back to the senior Senator from Vermont, Mr. Leahy. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The senior Senator from Vermont.”