Patrick Leahy: “both are beautiful States. Maine is the largest land area, the largest State in New England. Most people are surprised…”

“both are beautiful States. Maine is the largest land area, the largest State in New England. Most people are surprised to know that Vermont is the second largest. We beat out New Hampshire by about 90 square miles--larger than Massachusetts, larger than Connecticut, larger than Rhode Island. Smallest in population, but we take a back seat to no one in our independence. I am glad to see my friend, the Presiding Officer, the distinguished Senator, and distinguished former Governor. I commend the senior Senator from Connecticut for his outstanding statement last night and the senior Senator from Illinois, our Assistant Democratic leader, for his cogent observations on this matter. The statement this morning by the Senator from Vermont, a veteran, a man of principle and courage, made me proud to serve with him in representing the people of our great State. I thank the Senator from Wisconsin, the ranking Democrat on the Constitution Subcommittee for his statement, and the Senator from Delaware, another veteran, for his well-chosen words, as well. This morning we awoke to read the latest example of this administration's incompetence. Because of bureaucratic bungling, widows of those who have served this Nation and sacrificed for all of us have been denied the survivors' benefits to which they should be entitled.…”