On the recordDecember 18, 2010
At the end of each session of Congress it has long been a tradition in the Senate to take a moment to express our appreciation and say goodbye to those who will not be returning in January for the beginning of the next Congress. One of those I know we will all miss in the months to come is Kit Bond. I still remember the first time Kit Bond was drawn to our attention on a national basis. It was 1974 and then Governor Kit Bond was being honored for his work in state and municipal affairs by the Jaycees as one of the Ten Outstanding Young Americans of that year. He was in his thirties and he was already making his mark in the day to day life of his home State at a time when most people his age were still trying to find the ``right'' career to focus their energies on that would be both challenging and rewarding. After seeing him so recognized and realizing what it meant, I was inspired myself. I have been in awe of him ever since.
