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House Republican Whip Roy Blunt (Mo.)
issued the following statement today after Senate Republican Whip
Trent Lott (Miss.) announced that he will step down before serving
out the remainder of his term:
"As the person often credited with
building the modern whip organization in the House, Trent's many
contributions to this chamber are difficult to fully appraise --
but impossible to ignore. He often talked about his service in this
House with great affection. Indeed, his 16 years here were
enormously important to this chamber -- and enormously influential
on how the House would come to be run once he left for the
Senate.
Looking back on Senator Lott's career,
there are almost too many accomplishments to count. His work
alongside President Reagan to build a bipartisan economic recovery
alliance certainly comes to mind -- as do his efforts in 1996, when
he and Speaker Gingrich forged agreement to enact historic welfare
reform legislation into law, despite a string of vetoes from
President Clinton.
"But despite these tremendous
accomplishments in Washington, Trent always understood that his
first priority was the people of Mississippi. Perhaps the best
demonstration of this unwavering commitment came in the form of
Hurricane Katrina -- as he moved Heaven and earth to secure the
resources necessary to recover from, and eventually rebuild after,
one of our nation's most devastating events.
"Over the years, Trent has become a close
personal friend and a trusted, clear-thinking advisor -- as well as
a man who always brought a great deal of enthusiasm to his job. As
he and his wife Tricia move on to a new phase in their lives, I
wish him and his entire family the best in whatever they decide to
do next."
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