Utah Senator-elect Mike Lee said:
I have looked to Jace Johnson on many occasions for his keen insight, depth of wisdom, and wise counsel. He has proven to be a tremendous resource and has truly made a difference for me, Senator Hatch, the people of the great State of Utah, and for our country. His legacy of service will stand as a benchmark of excellence for years to come.
Former Utah Republican Party Chairman Stan Lockhart said this:
Jace Johnson is a class act. In positions of responsibility and authority, he is approachable and down to earth. In an environment of hardball politics, he maintains integrity. With many issues to deal with on a daily basis, he understands the big picture and small nuances of good policy. I always liked the fact that he understands the private sector, with a successful background in the technology industry before he came to Washington, D.C. I'll miss Jace.
A prominent Salt Lake City lawyer and a political leader, Doug Foxley, in the State said about Jace:
Behind that I-am-just-a-boy-from-Blackfoot-Idaho, was a keen, astute political mind who always had Orrin's interest at heart and had a quality of making everyone feel that he was their best friend. Not diminishing any other person who has worked for Orrin, but Jace was a delight and any trip to D.C. without seeing Jace was not a trip. A true committed conservative who was not an obnoxious ideologue, but one who truly believed what he espoused: hard work, honor, commitment, dedication to family, Church, and country and imbued with a belief in limited government and in the private sector were guiding principles. This, coupled with compassion for those less fortunate, is the Jace Johnson legacy.
Mr. President, that is high praise, and we have lots of others who feel the same way. I will leave it at that.
During my time here in the Senate, I have been extremely fortunate when it comes to my staff. I have had the privilege of serving with some of the most gifted and devoted individuals our Nation has to offer. Each of them has brought something unique and important to the table. But I have to say that, even among the select fraternity of talented Senate staffers, Jace Johnson belongs in the hall of honor, an elite class that very few have been or will be able to attain.
I have no doubt that Jace will succeed in the new position. Success has been the defining characteristic of every endeavor he has undertaken. While the selfish part of me wishes he would have stayed in the Senate just a little bit longer, I want to wish Jace, his wife Cori, and his whole family the very best going forward.
I yield the floor.
The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore.The Senator from Rhode Island is recognized.
TRIBUTES TO RETIRING SENATORS
Mr. REED.Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to our colleagues who are departing the Senate after distinguished service on behalf of their States and on behalf of the Nation. I have been privileged to work with these individuals, to learn from them, to collaborate and cooperate with them, and to, in some small way, help them do what they have done so well—represent their States with fidelity, with great effort, and to move the agenda of the Nation forward.
EVAN BAYH
Evan Bayh, a colleague and friend. We served together on the Banking Committee and the Armed Services Committee. His lovely wife Susan and their two children have contributed extraordinarily to Indiana as a Governor, and then as a Senator serving the Nation.
I can recall very early on in the operations in Iraq, where it became clear to Senator Bayh that unless we armored our humvee vehicles, thousands and thousands of soldiers would be at risk, and also marines, sailors, and airmen. He fought tenaciously to ensure, against initial opposition, that we were able to begin to armor those vehicles, begin to develop new generations of armored vehicles to protect our soldiers. So, quite literally, his efforts saved the lives of thousands of young Americans. For that alone, we owe him a huge debt of gratitude.
In every endeavor, from issues of children's health to education policy, he brought a thoughtful, measured, and brilliant mind to bear that is hard to match. I wish him the very best.
ROBERT BENNETT
Bob Bennett and I served together on the Banking Committee. His thoughtful questioning and his deep knowledge of the subjects were critical on so many different issues. I remember when we were trying to get the extension of the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act completed so the markets—particularly the markets for large properties—would not freeze up, he was instrumental in getting that done. That is just one example of what he has done throughout a career of public service to the people of Utah and of this Nation. I wish he and Joyce the very best as they continue to serve, as I am sure they will, this Nation and their State of Utah.
KIT BOND
Kit Bond and Linda Bond have served with such distinction also. As a member of the Appropriations Committee, he has made wise and judicious decisions about how we invest in this country. In that process, he never forgot the obligation to groups who are often overlooked.
One of the areas where he has done so much work, and so effectively, has been on the issue of homelessness. His efforts, joined by our colleagues and friends, Barbara Mikulski and Patty Murray, have made a real difference in providing effective and efficient shelter for so many in our large communities and in our rural areas, who otherwise literally would be on the streets of America. One of the most disheartening images in this country is to see people who are forced to be on the streets. There are many reasons for that. But Kit Bond has done a lot to ensure there is at least a capacity to help people who need that kind of help. I thank him for that and commend him for so much of what he has done for the people of Missouri and the people of this Nation.
SAM BROWNBACK
I congratulate Governor-elect Sam Brownback. He has decided to leave the rigors of the Senate for the tranquility of being a Governor. I see our Presiding Officer, who enjoyed the tranquility of being the Governor of Virginia. I know Sam is going to do great, but I think at some moment he might mop his brow and say that it wasn't quite as hectic back in the Senate.
Along with Mary and his family he has distinguished himself. Sam is someone who is indefatigable when involved in an issue. He does it from principle and conscience. We appreciate that.
I was pleased to work with him on legislation I introduced, the Conquer Childhood Cancer Act, which became law. That is one example of his great skills as a legislator. In foreign affairs he was someone who kept watch on areas of the world which otherwise might have been neglected. His efforts with respect to Darfur, striving to bring justice and peace to that region, are particularly commendable. I thank the Senator for his service and wish him well as he assumes the daunting responsibilities as Governor of the State of Kansas.
JIM BUNNING
Senator Jim Bunning and I served together for many years on the Banking Committee. Jim and Mary Catherine and their family brought so much to not only the Senate as an organization, but to the Senate as a group of individuals. Jim was one of the first and most insightful observers and critics of the growing issues in the securities market. He did it based upon his experience as a financial stockbroker in the world of finance. He did it also with his grasp of common sense and looking at things carefully and pragmatically, based on Main Street not on financial centers. We worked together on the Securities Committee, and we did it in a way that I enjoyed the collaboration immensely.
A focus on the issues and their importance to the country was also in the forefront of his mind. He distinguished himself immensely. I wish him well.
ROLAND BURRIS
Senator Roland Burris brought a great bit of vitality and energy to the Senate in his time here. I wish Roland and Berlean the very best. He has had a remarkable career in Illinois as someone who was in the banking industry and then public service—been a pathbreaker in so many different ways. When he came to the Senate, he came
