Advisory Board » George Mitchell
George Mitchell Biography
Senator George J. Mitchell entered the
U.S. Senate in 1980 when he was appointed to
complete the unexpired term of Senator Edmund
S. Muskie, who resigned to become secretary of
state. Senator Mitchell went on to an
illustrious career in the Senate that spanned
14 years. In 1988, he was reelected with 81
percent of the vote, the largest margin in
Maine history. In January 1989, he became
Senate majority leader. He held that position
until he left the Senate in 1995.
During his tenure, Senator Mitchell earned enormous bipartisan respect. It has been said "there is not a man, woman or child in the Capitol who does not trust George Mitchell." For six consecutive years he was voted "the most respected member" of the Senate by a bipartisan group of senior congressional aides.
While in the Senate, Senator Mitchell served on the Finance, Veterans Affairs, and Environment and Public Works committees. He led the successful 1990 reauthorization of the Clean Air Act, including new controls on acid rain toxins. He was the author of the first national oil spill prevention and cleanup law. Senator Mitchell led the Senate to passage of the nation's first child care bill and was principal author of the low-income housing tax credit program. He was instrumental in the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act, landmark legislation extending civil rights protections to the disabled. Senator Mitchell's efforts led to the passage of a higher education bill that expanded opportunities for millions of Americans. He was a leader in opening markets to trade and led the Senate to ratification of the North American Free Trade Agreement and creation of the World Trade Organization.
He has received numerous awards and honors recognizing his service in the peace talks. These include the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor the U.S. government can give; the Philadelphia Liberty Medal; the Truman Institute Peace Prize; the German (Hesse) Peace Prize; and the United Nations (UNESCO) Peace Prize. Senator Mitchell has received honorary degrees from more than 40 colleges and universities from several countries.
During his tenure, Senator Mitchell earned enormous bipartisan respect. It has been said "there is not a man, woman or child in the Capitol who does not trust George Mitchell." For six consecutive years he was voted "the most respected member" of the Senate by a bipartisan group of senior congressional aides.
While in the Senate, Senator Mitchell served on the Finance, Veterans Affairs, and Environment and Public Works committees. He led the successful 1990 reauthorization of the Clean Air Act, including new controls on acid rain toxins. He was the author of the first national oil spill prevention and cleanup law. Senator Mitchell led the Senate to passage of the nation's first child care bill and was principal author of the low-income housing tax credit program. He was instrumental in the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act, landmark legislation extending civil rights protections to the disabled. Senator Mitchell's efforts led to the passage of a higher education bill that expanded opportunities for millions of Americans. He was a leader in opening markets to trade and led the Senate to ratification of the North American Free Trade Agreement and creation of the World Trade Organization.
He has received numerous awards and honors recognizing his service in the peace talks. These include the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor the U.S. government can give; the Philadelphia Liberty Medal; the Truman Institute Peace Prize; the German (Hesse) Peace Prize; and the United Nations (UNESCO) Peace Prize. Senator Mitchell has received honorary degrees from more than 40 colleges and universities from several countries.
George Mitchell Statement
When I became Senate Majority Leader one
of the most significant pieces of legislation
pending was the Americans with Disabilities
Act. Although the first version of the bill had
been introduced in 1988, it had not been
enacted by 1989 when I took my seat as Majority
Leader.
Although differences among Senators over the provisions of the ADA were in some cases deep, and although some of those differences reflected partisan interests and concerns, working with Senator Dole and with Senator Tom Harkin to advance the bill, to clear it past objections and potentially damaging amendments showed me that it was not just possible, but desirable to work in a bipartisan manner, to craft compromises that both sides could accept where possible, and to have honest votes to determine the outcome in cases where compromise is not feasible.
The Senate itself and its rules in particular are such that without sensible compromise and bipartisanship, very little can be accomplished. When both parties have an interest in accomplishments rather than stalemate, not only can bipartisanship be effective, it can produce the best outcome for the nation.
I served for six years as Senate Majority Leader. During that time Bob Dole was Minority Leader. We disagreed on many issues. But, not once, in private or in public, did a harsh word pass between us. It is possible for political leaders who disagree to do so in a civil way; to remain true to their principles while respecting the right of others to hold and advocate differing views. This is an important part of Democracy in a large, diverse country like the United States.
Although differences among Senators over the provisions of the ADA were in some cases deep, and although some of those differences reflected partisan interests and concerns, working with Senator Dole and with Senator Tom Harkin to advance the bill, to clear it past objections and potentially damaging amendments showed me that it was not just possible, but desirable to work in a bipartisan manner, to craft compromises that both sides could accept where possible, and to have honest votes to determine the outcome in cases where compromise is not feasible.
The Senate itself and its rules in particular are such that without sensible compromise and bipartisanship, very little can be accomplished. When both parties have an interest in accomplishments rather than stalemate, not only can bipartisanship be effective, it can produce the best outcome for the nation.
I served for six years as Senate Majority Leader. During that time Bob Dole was Minority Leader. We disagreed on many issues. But, not once, in private or in public, did a harsh word pass between us. It is possible for political leaders who disagree to do so in a civil way; to remain true to their principles while respecting the right of others to hold and advocate differing views. This is an important part of Democracy in a large, diverse country like the United States.
