Political Quotes

“I thank the distinguished majority leader and the distinguished Democratic leader--both very close friends of mine whom I have served with for so long. And my dear, dear friend Senator Shelby from Alabama. It is the friendships that mean the most, both to me and to my wife Marcelle. It is the friends we gather on both sides of the aisle and the people I have traveled with around the world. One of my proud achievements was the War Victims Fund, but it was Senator Mitch McConnell who had it renamed the ``Patrick J. Leahy War Victims Fund.'' I know that Senator Schumer helped guide me into committee assignments that made the most sense for Vermont and for my own career and, I hope, for the Senate. My first vote was for the Church Committee. Frank Church wanted oversight of our intelligence agencies, and the Intelligence Committee came out of that. The two leaders of the Intelligence Committee now-- Senator Burr and Senator Warner--do such a great job with that. As I was looking at the paper today, I thought of the first Supreme Court Justice I voted for, John Paul Stevens, a wonderful man. I have voted on each member of the Supreme Court since then. Going back through the 16,000 votes, I am sure I could find some and think, what the heck was I thinking when I voted that way? But I am proud to serve Vermont. I am proud to be in this body. I am mostly proud to serve with all the Senators who are here on both sides of the aisle.…”