January 12, 2009 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE, Vol. 155, Pt. 1 511 political forces in expected Throughout his term, no bill that take our horseracing. He liked to say and perhaps even desired Matthews to Governor Ford supported failed to pass. that one day on the running of the win, but Wendell wasn’t going along He commanded the forces of the State Kentucky Derby, a man walking in with their program. He defeated Mat- government below him the way a gen- Churchill Downs noticed a box with an thews in the primary—barely—36.1 per- eral commands his troops. But Gov- empty seat in it. He stopped and said cent to 35.9 percent. Wendell went on ernor Ford didn’t ask anyone else to to the little old lady sitting next to it: to win a similarly close race in the work harder than he did himself. His This is the first empty seat I have seen general election, defeating Thomas work ethic back then was legendary, today. Bear in mind, this is at the Ratliff and becoming the Lieutenant and I think some of my colleagues can Derby. . attest to the fact that he kept right at She replied: Well, it belonged to my But at the same time, something un- it after he joined us here in the Senate. husband, but he died. usual happened. You heard me say just As Governor, a 14-hour workday was The man said: It seems a shame to a minute ago that in those days Ken- routine, a 16-hour day frequent, and an let such a good seat go to waste. Why tucky was very much a one-party 18-hour day not uncommon. didn’t you give it to one of your rel- State, but in 1967, Kentuckians elected When Governor Ford used to fly here atives? a guy named to be Ken- to Washington for official matters, he The lady said: I would have, but they tucky’s first Republican Governor was all business. Time in the car or the are all at the funeral. since World War II. At that time, can- plane was spent reading memos or That is how important the Derby and didates for Governor and Lieutenant writing speeches. Dinner was a cheese- the horse industry are to the Bluegrass Governor in my State ran separately. burger and fries in the hotel room. State. enjoyed telling So while the Democratic candidate for As early as possible the next morn- that story. Governor lost, Wendell Ford quite re- ing, Wendell was up and flying home to With his sense of humor, a penchant markably won, and he instantly be- Kentucky where he would put in an for storytelling that rivaled his child- came two things: the top-ranked Demo- extra-late night at the State capitol to hood hero Alben Barkley, and his abil- crat in State government and, of make up for time missed. ity to establish friendships and trust, course, a real thorn in the side of Gov- Once he had successfully enacted the Wendell quickly became a leader ernor Nunn. major points of his platform—including amongst his Senate colleagues. He Wendell had to beat a Republican shrinking and streamlining State gov- served a stint running the Democratic tide—a rare tide in those days—to be- ernment, creating the State’s first en- Senatorial Campaign Committee. come Lieutenant Governor. He was vironmental protection agency, and en- By 1987, he had risen to become clearly a man of great talent and ambi- acting a severance tax on coal—Wen- chairman of the Senate Rules Com- tion who was not yet done making his dell Ford decided he was not finished mittee. That position put him in mark on Kentucky politics. So natu- serving the people of Kentucky just charge of the inaugural ceremonies at rally he looked next to the top job in yet. the Capitol for both Presidents George State government, the office of Gov- I have already said at that time, a H.W. Bush in 1989 and Bill Clinton in ernor. 1993. Kentuckians were proud to see In that era, Kentucky Governors Kentucky Governor could not run for a one of their own on the inaugural plat- were forbidden to succeed themselves second term. So Wendell looked to the form just footsteps away from the new by running for a second term. In fact, U.S. Senate election in 1974 where he President. Kentucky retained that term limit for would have to take on incumbent Re- Wendell was chairman of the Joint Governors right up until the 1990s—one publican Senator . Committee on Printing where he of the last States to do so. So Wendell The 1974 election came on the heels worked to trim the costs of Govern- would not have to face Governor Nunn of the Watergate scandal and Richard in the 1971 election. He would, however, Nixon’s resignation. It goes without ment printing and implemented the have to face a different Governor, his saying it was a very hard year for Re- first ever program for the use of recy- friend and mentor, former Governor publicans. But even if it had been an cled printing paper. That may not be . easy year for Republicans, Governor the type of issue that grabs the biggest Everybody in Kentucky thought Gov- Ford would have been very hard to de- headlines, but, obviously, official ernor Combs, who had subsequently feat. Washington uses a lot of paper. Wen- had a distinguished career as a U.S. So Wendell won over Marlow Cook dell was ahead of his time in making court of appeals judge after his term as pretty handily, and Governor Ford be- these environmentally friendly efforts Governor, was a lead pipe cinch to be came Senator Ford. I should point out, that are commonplace now, and he the next Governor of Kentucky, or at I actually used to work for Senator saved taxpayers millions of dollars. the very least to win the Democratic Cook as a legislative director in the Wendell could see the absurdity of primary for sure. But once again Wen- early part of his one term. some of what goes on in Washington dell Ford beat everybody’s expecta- Senator Cook graciously agreed to and knew just when to break the ten- tions. Bert Combs resigned his judge- step aside a little bit early for Senator sion with a little humor. One former ship to run for Governor and couldn’t Ford. So Wendell’s tenure in this colleague has spoken of one of the believe what a tough race his former Chamber began on December 28, 1974. many times the Senate has continued administrative assistant gave him. At this point, the Wendell Ford so in session until 3:30 or 4 o’clock in the When a mutual friend of the two can- many of my colleagues know and ad- morning, with debate still going on on didates said to Combs that he had mire emerges, as he spent an incredibly the Senate floor. At one of these times, taught Wendell well, Combs replied, successful and fruitful 24 years here. Wendell nudged the Senator next to ‘‘Yes, I taught him too damn well.’’ After my election in 1984, I served him and said: You know, the people Wendell beat Bert Combs 53 percent to alongside him for 14 of those years. Ob- back home think that we are the ones 44 percent in the primary and went on viously, Wendell Ford and I did not who won. to easily win the general election. On stand on the same side of the aisle. But Wendell even appeared once on the December 7, 1971, he was sworn in as we always stood together for the people cable channel MTV on a program Governor of Kentucky. of Kentucky. called ‘‘Rock the Vote’’ because of his Right from the start, Governor With Wendell, whether you agreed or sponsorship of the motor voter law. Ford’s guiding belief as Kentucky’s disagreed, you always knew where you That MTV appearance made him very chief executive was that the only rea- stood with him. Even if you disagreed— popular with his grandchildren. Surely son for the existence of government at which we often did—Wendell knew how the number of U.S. Senators who have any level was to serve people. Wherever to disagree without being disagreeable. appeared sandwiched in between videos he felt that wasn’t happening, he be- I remember one joke he liked to tell for Whitney Houston and Billy Ray lieved there must be change. about how seriously we Kentuckians Cyrus is very small.

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That is obvi- to the success anybody in America can who had been a good friend of Marlow ously a position of great responsibility attain, even a country boy from Yellow Cook, the new Senator from Kentucky, and honor, and it speaks to the respect Creek. I will remember what an honor came to me and said: Marlow Cook has Wendell commanded from his fellow it is to continue in the tradition of a bright young man working for him; Senators. Wendell Ford and so many other fine you ought to get to know him. After his election as whip, he said: In public servants who have come from So I did, 40 years ago. Kentucky, we are known for our the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Their We both stayed in Washington for a horses. I plan on being a workhorse and service will continue to remind me while. We both went home after a few not a show horse. every day that with energy, determina- years, and in 1978, 30 years ago, we both I think knowing Wendell’s work tion, and principle, being the Senator were elected to an executive position ethic, no one doubted he would give his from Kentucky is the best job I could in our home States—I as Governor of all to the job. ever hope to have. , and MITCH MCCONNELL as In March of 1998, Wendell became the Mr. President, I yield the floor. the county executive of Jefferson longest serving Senator in Kentucky County, which is Louisville, the big f history, breaking the record of the man county there. he had seen giving a speech more than RESERVATION OF LEADER TIME Then, in 1984, as the record shows and 50 years earlier, Alben Barkley. That is The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- we all know, he was elected to the U.S. just another accomplishment in a long pore. Under the previous order, the Senate, the only Republican in the list that he has amassed over his ex- leadership time is reserved. country that year, I believe, who was traordinarily successful tenure in both able to defeat an incumbent Democrat. State and Federal Government. f When Senator MCCONNELL and I were Wendell Ford served in this body for MORNING BUSINESS young staff assistants in the Senate, 8,772 days, a record that stood for near- the leaders of the Senate were Senators ly 11 years until January 10, this past The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- Dirksen and Mansfield. There have Saturday. He never lost an election for pore. Under the previous order, the been many great leaders of the Senate public office. Kentucky sent him to the Senate will now proceed to a period for since that period of time. All of those U.S. Senate four times, and he was the the transaction of morning business for leaders who were good—and most of first statewide candidate to carry all 1 hour. them were—knew this body, knew the 120 counties. The Senator from Tennessee. Senate. They knew human nature in- How does a country boy from Yellow f stinctively, but they had one other Creek achieve such success at the high- quality, and this is another quality TRIBUTE TO MITCH MCCONNELL est levels of American politics? I think Senator MCCONNELL has. They had because no matter where he ended up, Mr. ALEXANDER. Mr. President, great respect for our country. Wendell Ford never forgot from where those who have been listening and Last July, I brought onto the Senate he started from. Even in his final watching for the last few minutes got floor a group of teachers of U.S. his- months in the Senate, he still got one good lesson on why Senator tory. They were selected, one from goose bumps every time he looked up MCCONNELL has been here for over 24 each State, under a program that is at the Capitol dome on his way to years. This is a day to honor him, but called Presidential Academies for work. He remained the same man, par- he spent virtually all of his time hon- Teachers of History. tial to a cigarette and a down-home oring someone else. Since a Senator may bring onto the tale. It is a remarkable and rare event floor before it convenes anybody he When his duties didn’t require him to that Senator MCCONNELL could serve chooses, there were 50 of us here. I be in Washington, he would return longer than Wendell Ford, the man he showed them Daniel Webster’s desk, home to Kentucky, as he did most just honored, longer than , which is right next to me. I talked with weekends throughout his Senate ca- longer than , and them about Henry Clay, and I showed reer. A 3-day weekend was a perfect longer than Alben Barkley. But all of them Jefferson Davis’s desk in the chance to go to the house he and his us know longevity by itself is not a back. family owned by Rough River Lake and transcending virtue, but it is an indica- As you can imagine, these out- do some reading and fishing. He once tion of one of the most transcending standing teachers were awestruck said his idea of a vacation was ‘‘not virtues; and that is, the people of Ken- being on the floor of the Senate. They shaving and not wearing a suit.’’ tucky for the last 24 years have seen were the only ones here. After about a Wendell Ford never forgot the truly something special in MITCH MCCON- 30-minute visit, one of them—I think it important things in his life—his wife NELL, something that is good for Ken- was the teacher from —said to Jean, their children and grandchildren, tucky, in the opinion of Kentuckians, me: Senator ALEXANDER, what would and the simple pleasures of his native and something that is good for our you like for us to take back to our stu- Kentucky. country. I have seen that, too, but for dents about this visit? Many of my colleagues will remem- a longer period of time than 24 years; I found myself saying: I hope you will ber his trademark greeting when he 40 years, to be exact. tell them that I get up every morning— walked into a room. He would say: How I remember when MITCH MCCONNELL and I think most of us here do—and are all you lucky people doing? Some- came to Washington, not the time he come to work hoping that by the end of times that would be shortened to sim- was an intern but as the legislative di- the day, we can make this country a ply: Hey, Lucky! rector for Senator Marlow Cook. Legis- little better place. I am not sure what But Wendell never lost sight that he lative director is a little bit of a it looks like on television. I am not was truly the lucky one for receiving puffed-up title for the job at that time, sure what it looks like on the front the trust of the people of Kentucky because in the office of Senator Baker pages of the newspapers. But that is many times over. He would be the first of Tennessee, where I had been the year my motive, and that is the motive of to tell you that, and Kentucky and our before, there was only one legislative most of us here. Nation are lucky as well for having had assistant. So we were legislative direc- That has been the motive of Senator his many years of service. tors of usually one or two people at a MITCH MCCONNELL of Kentucky. Yes,

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There is for his overly kind and very generous and Republicans both having a chance actually a little booklet, the ‘‘United comments about my work here, and to be elected. MITCH MCCONNELL gets States Senate Chamber 1859–2009,’’ and also say, Mr. President, to the people up every day, comes into work—and it it talks about when we left and made of Wyoming, how fortunate they are to is usually very early—thinking about the procession. We have heard about have Senator BARRASSO representing how to make this country a little bet- some previous Kentucky Senators, but them. ter before the end of the day—and that the Senator who gave the speech when I have seen a lot of new Senators is usually very late. That quality is we left that Senate Chamber in 1859 come into this body over these 25 even more important than his more was also from Kentucky. It was Sen- years. I have never seen one make a than 24 years of service. ator John Crittenden, and some of his mark quicker. So I know the people of Mr. President, I yield the floor. comments are in this booklet. Wyoming deeply appreciate their jun- The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- Well, I will tell you, in the new Sen- ior Senator. They demonstrated that a pore. The Republican leader is recog- ate Chamber, since 1859—now 150 couple of months ago in the election, and they really could not have made a nized. years—MITCH MCCONNELL truly and Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I clearly is the man of the Senate. Just wiser choice. I value my colleague from thank my dear friend from Tennessee like Henry Clay, he came from humble Wyoming, and I thank him so much for for being on the Senate floor today and beginnings. We talk about humble be- his very kind and generous remarks. I yield the floor, and I suggest the ab- for his overly kind comments about my ginnings, but few people know that tenure. We have indeed been friends for sence of a quorum. MITCH MCCONNELL, at the age of 2, had The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- 40 years. polio. He was nursed back to health by The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- pore. The clerk will call the roll. his mother, who helped teach him how The legislative clerk proceeded to pore. The Senator from Wyoming. to walk and then how to run. It is Mr. BARRASSO. Mr. President, it is call the roll. through her hard work and his dedica- Mr. INHOFE. Mr. President, I ask a privilege today, and really a joy, to tion and his persistence that he has be- rise to join in the celebration of Sen- unanimous consent the order for the come the man we know today. quorum call be rescinded. ator MITCH MCCONNELL and his many In early November of this past year, The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- terrific years of service to this country George Will wrote an article praising pore. Without objection, it is so or- and to the people of the State of Ken- Senator MCCONNELL, but he quoted dered. tucky. For those folks who watch from Abraham Lincoln, when he wrote: Mr. INHOFE. Mr. President, I ask I the gallery or watch at home, I will be recognized as in morning business tell you what you see is what you get. I hope to have God on my side but I must have Kentucky. for such time as I shall consume. He is kind, he is thoughtful, he is calm, The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- he is patient, but I will also tell you he I will tell you, Mr. President, for those of us on this side of the aisle, we pore. Without objection, it is so or- is persistent. You could not have a bet- dered. The Senator from Oklahoma is must have MITCH MCCONNELL. The Sen- ter friend in the Senate or in this life recognized. than MITCH MCCONNELL or his wonder- ate would just not be the Senate. We f ful wife Elaine. have been blessed time after time after We have heard a bit about the his- time that the people of Kentucky have TARP tory of Kentucky, we have heard a bit seen fit to send MITCH MCCONNELL back Mr. INHOFE. Mr. President, I was about Wendell Ford, but when you put to the Senate. somewhat shocked last October when this into historical perspective and you In his speech when the Senate moved the vote came up and actually 75 Sen- do the searches and you see who the from the Old Senate Chamber to the ators in the Senate and about 75 per- top names are in Kentucky when it new Senate Chamber, Senator cent of the House of Representatives comes to politics, the names that come Crittenden said: voted to give an unelected bureaucrat up are Henry Clay, Abraham Lincoln— Senators are the representatives of $700 billion to do with as he wanted because he was born in Kentucky—and the States of this mighty union. No with no accountability. I believe that MITCH MCCONNELL. matter under what sky we may sit; no 20 or 30 years from now, historians will Now, Henry Clay was the greatest of matter what dome may cover us; the look back and say that was the most the Old Senate Chamber. People who great patriotic spirit of the Senate of outrageous vote, maybe in the history watched the swearing in of the Sen- the United States will be there and I of these institutions. The administra- ators earlier this month saw Senators have an abiding confidence that it will tion has now requested the second $350 taking their oath in this Chamber but never fail in the performance of its billion sometime this week. also going back for a reenactment in duty. If you are a reasonable person and the Old Senate Chamber. In that Old Well, Mr. President, this applies to were to assume that a major event in Senate Chamber the names were Clay, Senator MCCONNELL because his great the financial world has prompted the Calhoun, and Webster. When one of patriotic spirit will always be here, and negotiations that led to the decision to them would rise to speak—and people those who know him have an abiding release the second $350 billion, you would come from all around—they confidence that he will never fail in the would be wrong. The true reason Con- would say: Clay is up, Calhoun is up, performance of his duty. gress may be asked to release the sec- Webster is up, and people would run. Mr. President, Senator MCCONNELL is ond $350 billion—it is just politics. It is Well, today, the running occurs when a champion. He is a champion for Ken- a hot potato; nobody wants it, but they people say: MITCH is on the phone; tucky and he is a champion for Amer- all want the money, and that is what MITCH is calling. You want to know: ica; for a stronger America, a better we are faced with now. Again, no event How can I help? What are his ideas? America, a safer America, and an in the financial world has prompted the You know they are good for the coun- America where any boy or girl can, request for the second $350 billion. try. Henry Clay was called the great through hard work and persistence, I was critical of the Bush administra- compromiser. He was called the great grow up to be a leader of this great Na- tion, and particularly of Secretary pacifier. Those names were given to tion. Paulson, since the October 10 vote giv- him because of his ability to bring oth- Mr. President, I yield the floor. ing Paulson, an unelected bureaucrat,

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