Over the years, Mr. Samuelson has advised, usually informally, Presidents, senators and Federal agencies.

"When I advise presidents, senators, governors or Phil, I don't tell people what I talk to them about," Bradley said with a smile.

One former high-level Senate aide who often advises senators on choosing press secretaries told the researcher: "Being a press secretary entails traveling with the senator, and some senators don't want to travel with a woman.

The office advises senators and committees on cost-effective disposition of their non-current office files, assists researchers seeking access to Senate records, and maintains automated information databases detailing locations of former members' papers.

He estimated that he had joined in more than 1,000 formal opinions advising senators whether an action they were contemplating would violate federal law or Senate rules.

As Clerk, he was responsible for advising senators on the procedural operation of the Senate.

Find a mentor, he advises new senators.

He sat immediately below the presiding officer in the Senate chamber, providing information on precedents and advising other senators on parliamentary procedure.