Tuesday, December 18, 2007

U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson (R-GA)
Floor Statement on the Retirement of U.S. Senator Trent Lott
Remarks as Delivered on the Senate Floor

Trent, this is the time, on an occasion like this, where somebody always rises and says: Whatever could be said about this subject has been said, it is just that everybody has not said it yet. But in this case, it is not true. We have only been talking for 2 hours 7 minutes. It would take a lot longer than 2 hours 7 minutes to say all the things that could be said about your distinguished career.

But there are two things I wish to say, the two most powerful words in the English language: Thank you--first, on behalf of the late Paul Coverdell and his lovely wife Nancy.

I will never forget in March of 1993 meeting Paul--as I had for 20 years, as I led the Georgia House and he led the Georgia Senate--at the International House of Pancakes in Buckhead at 7 a.m., his first time back in Georgia after being sworn in. I had him tell me about the place known as the Senate. All he could talk about was Trent Lott. He said: Johnny, Trent Lott has the two Ls. He can legislate and he can lead.

So on behalf of Paul, whose legislation--the Coverdell Education Act, and many other things--was done here, thank you for what you did for him. I know you always have shared with me how much you appreciate what "Mikey" did for you.

But, secondly, Trent, thank you on my behalf. If every one of us in this room stood up and thought about it, we could take a specific incident that in our career has been accomplished that would not have happened were it not for your insight, your leadership, and your commitment.

For me, it was the pension bill last year and the pension of 91,000 Delta employees in Georgia. We got down to the lick log, as they say in Georgia, on the last day, in the last hour before the August recess. Bankruptcy was pending, and it was almost over. Thanks to your tenacity on Finance and your care and your willingness to be able to do what you did, that legislation passed. I got the credit, but the benefit belongs to you.