Robert Dole

Mr. DOLE

Mr. DOLE. For the information of all Senators, we are going to begin the Agriculture appropriations bill at 10. So we hope Members will offer amendments on Monday, and we can complete action by the lunch recess on Tuesday. Also, by previous consent, three rollcall votes will occur on Tuesday, at approximately 2:45, with respect to the welfare reform bill.

Mr. DOLE

Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that there be a period for the transaction of routine morning business not to extend beyond the hour of 3:30 p.m., and Members be permitted to speak for 5 minutes each.

Mr. DOLE

Mr. DOLE. I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it stand in recess until the hour of 9:45 a.m. Monday, September 18, 1995; that following the prayer, the Journal of the proceedings be deemed approved to date, the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day, that there be a period for the transaction of routine morning business not to extend beyond 10 a.m., with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 5 minutes each.

Mr. DOLE

Mr. DOLE. If there is no objection, we would like to proceed to that. In fact, I think I have it here. At the hour of 10 a.m. we will proceed to calendar No. 186, H.R. 1976, the Agriculture appropriations bill.

Mr. DOLE. Not prior to the hour of 5:15. Again, candidly, I know some of our Senators have official business on Monday. So we are trying to accommodate their wishes. We are also trying to finish that bill by Tuesday. I have talked to Senator Cochran, the committee chairman. He believes it can be done. There is one particular amendment that will take 2 hours of debate on Tuesday morning, concerning chickens, chilled chickens. It is a matter involving three different States. Kansas is not one of them. It will be interesting. I hope we can complete action on that following final action on the welfare bill. We had hoped to go to the State, Justice, Commerce Department appropriations bill today. I do not believe we can do that now. I assume we will take that up following the Agriculture bill.

Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, I intend to make a motion to strike the previously agreed to amendment No. 2496, which was offered by the Senator from New Jersey, Senator Bradley.

Mr. DOLE. I yield the floor. Mr. DASCHLE addressed the Chair.

Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, I know there are some of our colleagues that want to make statements this afternoon on that. I would go over that just very quickly. I think we agree on the child care, the first provision, with a set- aside in 1994 of $1 billion. Then we provide an additional $3 billion over 5 years for child care to be distributed among the States based on the funds for the title IV-A at-risk child care program. Job training. I will get that agreement, which I think has been cleared by the Democratic leader, which will be handled under a separate freestanding agreement.

Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. DOLE. We have been letting everybody modify their amendments on that side, I might say.

Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, it is my understanding, now that we have completed action on all the amendments, with the exception of the Gramm amendment No. 2615--there was a motion to table that amendment. It was 49-49. It was not tabled. I think we have agreed that that vote can occur Tuesday. Amendment No. 2683 (Purpose: To make modifications to amendment No. 2280)

Mr. DOLE. I am now prepared, if the Democratic leader is prepared, the two of us, to send up the modification.

Mr. DOLE. I move to reconsider the vote.

Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that reading of the amendment be dispensed with.

Mr. DOLE. Of an amendment Senator Gramm will offer and have a rollcall vote on. It is a modification suggested by Senator Kassebaum, chairman of the Labor Committee.

Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, I move to reconsider the vote by which the amendment was rejected.

Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, we have a matter involving the Senator from Wyoming, Senator Simpson. He will be here momentarily. We are also trying to determine the cost of this amendment. I understand it is about half a billion dollars.

Mr. DOLE. The next amendment is by Senator Simon and Senator Graham of Florida. Amendment No. 2509

Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, we are prepared to accept the Kennedy amendment No. 2564, as modified.

Mr. DOLE

Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, as my colleagues know, this year marks the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the 19th amendment to the Constitution, which granted women the right to vote. I am proud to say that it was a Republican Congress which sent that amendment to the States for ratification. Its adoption ended a struggle that began in 1848 at a women's convention in Seneca Falls, NY. Since 1969, Seneca Falls has been the home of the National Women's Hall of Fame. And today, the Hall of Fame announced the names of the 18 women who will be inducted into the Hall of Fame later this year. And it is with great pride that I announce that one of those inductees will be my wife, Elizabeth. And I hope my colleagues will forgive me if I take just a few brief seconds to congratulate Elizabeth, and to say how proud I am of her many accomplishments, and of the difference she has made throughout her life. I ask unanimous consent, Mr. President, that a list of all 18 inductees be printed in the Record following my remarks.

Mr. DOLE

Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, just down the hall from my office, the POW/ MIA flag stands in the Capitol rotunda. That flag flies as a sad, but proud, reminder of the sacrifices which brave people made in the defense of our country--in Vietnam, in Korea, and in World War II. As I am sure my colleagues know, today is National POW/MIA Recognition Day-- a day for all Americans to reflect on those who faithfully served this Nation but whose ultimate fate remains unknown. America must never forget those who have gone missing in the battles to defend our freedom. I opposed President Clinton's decision to establish diplomatic ties with Vietnam. Shortly before the took office, then president-elect Clinton said that ``there will be no normalization of relations with any nation that is at all suspected of withholding any information.'' And while Vietnam may have selectively cooperated here and there, all signs continue to point to the fact that Vietnam is still willfully withholding information. We are still watching the Vietnamese Government. We are still expecting total cooperation. And we will not close the book until we are certain that we have the fullest possible accounting of every American POW and MIA. Today, let us look up to the POW/MIA flag in the rotunda, and really reflect. Many here have answered this country's call to arms, but today, let us remember those who endured a heavier burden as prisoners of war. Let us recall the pain felt by the families and friends of those who didn't come back, and those who remain missing in action. By honoring our POW'S and MIA's, we honor the freedom and peace they defended. We can take inspiration from their example and courage from their actions. Our country is great because of these American heroes, and we cannot rest until the fullest possible accounting is achieved.

Mr. DOLE

Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, a few weeks ago, there was a movie on television which told the dramatic and inspiring story of the Tuskegee Airmen, who courageously fought for America's freedom during World War II. All Senators can take great pride in the fact that a veteran of the Tuskegee Airmen worked here in the Senate for many years. His name is Carl McNeal, but everyone called him ``Mac.'' After 17 years in the Senate and 34 years of Federal Service, Mac has retired to spend more time with his wife, Dorothy, his six children, and eight grandchildren. Mac McNeal has been a dedicated and valuable member of the Senate family, and I know all members join with me in wishing him many years of health and happiness.

Mr. DOLE

Mr. DOLE. Two by the majority and two by the minority. I make those modifications. I take out the following words: ``With 40 minutes for debate to be equally divided in the usual form.'' So the modification reads: To offer the compromise modification to the Dole amendment, and that following the conclusion or yielding back of time, the amendment be so modified.

Mr. DOLE. 2503, as modified. No problem. And 2505.