it s been an honor, and it s been a privilege to serve in that capacity. committees are where you roll up your sleeves and you get to work. i learned that from john dingell in the house and from my friends ted kennedy and orrin hatch in the senate. it s where friendships are made and where we work together to get results for the people who sent us here. if i have any regrets about the operation of the senate in recent years, it s how much leadership ignored the work of the committees, and in many cases ignored the expertise of our staff. the senate needs more committee consideration of bills, and serious issues, less consolidation of decision-making in the hands of a few. mr. president, thomas jefferson once said, i like the dreams of the future better than the history of the past. so let me look forward in my remaining time, rather than just reminisce the past. i ve never been more optimistic about america s future. during the next two decades we ll see technology and innova