Russ Feingold: “with the end of the 107th Congress, we wish the best to Senator Jesse Helms, who retires after serving five terms here…”

“with the end of the 107th Congress, we wish the best to Senator Jesse Helms, who retires after serving five terms here in the U.S. Senate. Senator Helms will be long remembered, by his colleagues and by history, for his legendary service to the people of North Carolina. From the day I arrived in the Senate, and throughout our service together on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Senator Helms has been unfailingly cordial to me, and that is something I have always greatly appreciated. While Senator Helms and I more often than not disagreed on the issues of the day, I appreciated the chance to work with him on issues where we were able to find common ground. Together we fought against unnecessary fast-track procedures that bind Congress's hands on trade legislation. I also joined with Senator Helms to try to ensure that the export laws took national security sufficiently into account, rather than merely bend to the largest business interests. Finally, I have been proud to work with Senator Helms to call attention to human rights abuses in China. So as he leaves the Senate, I thank Senator Helms for the chance to work together on these important issues. I join my colleagues in paying tribute to him, and in wishing him all the best for his retirement.”