{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.enzi.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/speeches?ContentRecord_id=FB8FE2B0-82F8-4A3D-8FD0-F666F81F937A", "On the Retirement of Senator Harry Reid", "2016-12-08", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "WY", "Michael Enzi", "E000285", "www.enzi.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "At the end of each session the Senate tradition is to pause for a moment to share our thoughts about those senators who will be retiring when the final gavel brings the session to a close.\u00a0 One of those senators who will be leaving the Senate is Harry Reid.\u00a0 Senator Reid is quite a remarkable individual and his story should be read and considered by students of government and history \u2013 of all ages.\r\nOver the years I have had a chance to spend some time with Harry at Prayer Breakfasts and listen to his reflections on his life \u2013 personally and politically.\u00a0 He has lived a life that few would ever believe to be possible.\r\nHarry makes for a great example of how to take your life and make the most of it.\u00a0 He was born in a small cabin that offered few of life\u2019s comforts but he didn\u2019t complain about it.\u00a0 He took what he was given in life and worked to make it better.\r\nAs a young man he served as the Student Body President of his High School and drew the notice of his teachers and his boxing coach.\u00a0 For a while there it looked like we might lose him to the sport of boxing, but he decided to attend Utah State University when his skills and talents helped earn him a scholarship.\u00a0\r\nHis next stop was George Washington University \u2013 my alma mater \u2013 where he worked to earn a law degree.\u00a0 To make it possible, Harry needed a job and so he worked as a U.S. Capitol Police Officer.\u00a0\r\nLike so many things in his life, if Harry wanted something he seemed to always find a way to get it done.\u00a0 So it was no surprise when he returned home to Nevada and took up what would be his lifelong ambition, serving the people of his home state as their representative.\r\nIt wasn\u2019t long before Harry had served in Nevada\u2019s State Legislature and on the Nevada Gaming Commission.\u00a0 When the opportunity presented itself he served in the House and then on to the Senate.\r\nHe didn\u2019t always win every election but each disappointment only served to make him more determined than ever to make a difference for the people of his state.\u00a0 The totals are impressive \u2013 more than thirty years in Congress, serving under five Presidents, and being a part of both the minority and majority \u2013 finding ways to pursue and support agendas in both positions to benefit the people of Nevada.\r\nOne of my favorite memories will always be the work we did together to enable the LDS Church to purchase a site that has a great deal of historic significance to the Church.\u00a0 The legislation had already passed the House but was stuck in the Senate as some concerns were raised and needed to be addressed.\u00a0 Harry knew what he needed to do to make it possible for the bill to clear the Senate and together we figured out a way to make it happen.\u00a0 Martin\u2019s Cove is a popular site and it draws large crowds every year.\r\nThis is one of those moments most of us thought would never happen.\u00a0 It seemed like Harry Reid would always be in the Senate.\u00a0 He has not only left a remarkable record, he also seems to be the last of an era.\u00a0 I have no doubt those who will take up his position in the years to come will do a good job and get results, but they will never do it \u201clike Harry did.\u201d\u00a0 He will forever stand as a unique mix of personality, character, history and background.\u00a0\r\nDiana joins in sending our best wishes to Harry and Landra, his wife.\u00a0 Together they have been quite a team and they accomplished a great deal.\u00a0 We didn\u2019t always agree on a lot of issues but one thing can be said \u2013 if you had a tough battle before you, and you needed someone by your side who wouldn\u2019t give up until the battle was won, Harry was the kind of guy you would want in the fight.\u00a0 If you were on the other side of an issue, you\u2019d always prefer someone like Harry wouldn\u2019t be opposing you.\r\nThank you for your service, Harry.\u00a0 You\u2019ve left an example that will inspire and encourage others in the years to come.\u00a0 Whenever faced with an impossible task people will remember you and realize that with some creativity, determination and an understanding of the rules of the Senate it can be done.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": 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