Political Quotes

“It is one of the Senate's great traditions that each retiring Senator is given some time on the floor to share with us what they have learned during their service in the Senate and their thoughts about our future as a Nation as the chapter of this great adventure in their life comes to a close. Then, we, their colleagues, take a moment to share with them what we have learned from them from their service in the Senate and what lessons we will take with us in the days and months to come from our work together here in the Capitol. That is why I greatly appreciate having the opportunity to be here for Jay's final speech on the Senate floor. It is one of those moments that I will long remember, another moment in which Jay has not only been a witness to our Nation's history, but in this case, it's another time when he has written it with his well-chosen words. This moment is one of those I call an instant replay memory. It means so much to me because I have known Jay Rockefeller for a longer time than I have known any other member of the Senate. In fact, when we first met, serving in Washington, DC, here in the Senate, was the furthest thing from our minds. When I first had the chance to get to know Jay he was the governor of West Virginia and I was the mayor of Gillette. Coal was a great part of the day-to-day life of my hometown and his home State and together we were serving on the Energy Council. I remember when Jay came to Gillette for a visit.…”