Patrick Leahy: “I know we are all going to greatly miss our friend Senator Bumpers. He is certainly one of the finest orators this body…”

“I know we are all going to greatly miss our friend Senator Bumpers. He is certainly one of the finest orators this body has enjoyed since Daniel Webster. But I want to take a moment to personally thank Senator Bumpers. Senator Bumpers and I came to the Senate as part of the class of 1974. So I had very mixed feelings last year when I heard that my good friend would be leaving this Chamber. He and I have shared many battles over the twenty-four years that we have spent in these halls and on this floor. And, as my good friend pointed out just a few days ago, I am not even half as entertaining as him, so his shoes will be hard to fill. However, as Senator Bumpers has often remarked, he has probably fought more losing battles in this Chamber than any other Member. He is leaving those battles for the rest of us to fight. He has laid down a marker for where our country must go in the next century. His challenge to us who remain in this Chamber is to frame laws that show respect to our country's founders and to our country's future. He has fought tirelessly to defend our Bill of Rights and only yesterday warned this Chamber against of the temptation of amending what he has often called 'our sacred document.' Senator Bumpers has shown great courage over the years in his steadfast protection of our Constitution.”