Wendell Ford

Mr. FORD

Mr. FORD. I announce that the Senator from Connecticut [Mr. Lieberman] is absent because of death in the family. I further announce that, if present and voting, the Senator from Connecticut [Mr. Lieberman] would vote ``yea.''

Mr. FORD

Mr. FORD. I announce that the Senator from New York [Mr. Moynihan] is necessarily absent.

Mr. FORD

Mr. FORD. I announce that the Senator from New York [Mr. Moynihan] is necessarily absent.

Mr. FORD

Mr. FORD. I announce that the Senator from New York [Mr. Moynihan] is necessarily absent.

Mr. FORD

Mr. FORD. I announce that the Senator from New York [Mr. Moynihan] is necessarily absent. I further announce that, if present and voting, the Senator from New York [Mr. Moynihan] would vote ``yea.''

Mr. FORD

Mr. FORD. I announce that the Senator from Hawaii [Mr. Akaka] and the Senator from Massachusetts [Mr. Kennedy] are necessarily absent. I further announce that the Senator from Rhode Island [Mr. Pell] is absent on official business. I further announce that, if present and voting, the Senator from Rhode Island [Mr. Pell], the Senator from Hawaii [Mr. Akaka], and the Senator from Massachusetts [Mr. Kennedy] would each vote ``aye.''

Mr. FORD

Mr. FORD. I announce that the Senator from Hawaii [Mr. Akaka], the Senator from Iowa [Mr. Harkin], the Senator from Massachusetts [Mr. Kennedy], and the Senator from Nebraska [Mr. Kerrey] are necessarly absent. I further announce that the Senator from Rhode Island [Mr. Pell] is absent on official business. I further announce that, if present and voting, the Senator from Rhode Island [Mr. Pell] would vote ``yea.'' I further announce that, if present and voting, the Senator from Hawaii [Mr. Akaka] would vote ``nay.''

Mr. FORD. I move to lay that motion on the table. The motion to lay on the table was agreed to. Mr. GORTON addressed the Chair.

Mr. FORD

Mr. FORD. I announce that the Senator from Rhode Island [Mr. Pell] is absent on official business. I further announce that, if present and voting, the Senator from Rhode Island [Mr. Pell], would vote ``nay.''

Mr. FORD. I announce that the Senator from Rhode Island [Mr. Pell] is absent on official business. I further announce that, if present and voting, the Senator from Rhode Island [Mr. Pell] would vote ``aye.''

Mr. FORD. I announce that the Senator from Rhode Island [Mr. Pell] is absent on official business. I further announce that, if present and voting, the Senator from Rhode Island [Mr. Pell] would vote ``nay.''

Mr. FORD

Mr. FORD. I announce that the Senator from Rhode Island [Mr. Pell] is absent on official business. I further announce that, if present and voting, the Senator from Rhode Island [Mr. Pell] would vote ``aye.''

Mr. FORD

Mr. FORD. I announce that the Senator from Rhode Island [Mr. Pell] is absent on official business. I further announce that, if present and voting, the Senator from Rhode Island [Mr. Pell] would vote ``aye.''

Mr. FORD. I move to lay that motion on the table. The motion to lay on the table was agreed to. Mr. BRADLEY addressed the Chair.

Mr. FORD

Mr. FORD. I thank the Chair. I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. FORD

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

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

Mr. FORD

Mr. FORD. Mr. President, I wish to voice my opposition to any efforts to privatize parts of the Federal Power Marketing Administrations including the Southwestern, Southeastern, or Western Area Power Administration. This Nation made a commitment to bring affordable and efficient hydroelectric power to rural customers. In conjunction with thousands of rural cooperatives and municipal power systems across the country, Federal Power Marketing Administrations [PMA's] have met that commitment. The utilities purchase power through the PMA's and the revenues cover PMA operating expenses, construction costs, and interest payments. And these sales put money into the Federal Treasury. The proposed sale of these PMA's not only jeopardizes that commitment to rural Americans, but upsets the sensitive dynamics of the many dam projects from which the PMA's market their power. These dams perform an array of services, including power generation, navigation, flood control, water supply, recreation, and fish and wildlife preservation. As a government entity PMA's have effectively balanced these sometimes diverse, and often competing functions. As several colleagues and I told President Clinton in a letter back in January, there is no indication that a private, for-profit entity can be expected to become a full-partner in these interests at an almost certain loss of profits. And what about the consumer? They essentially lose twice. Estimates show increases of as much as 30 to 50 percent per month for some residential rates. That's a frightening prospect for many families who are already living from paycheck to paycheck. The consumer gets hit a second time when the Federal Treasury experiences a loss of that steady revenue I mentioned earlier. Because the Federal Power Program pays for all investments made, once construction, and interests costs are repaid, the Federal Government will own the power plants. But once sold, no revenue. And that's bad news for consumers at a time when reducing the deficit is critical to continued economic stability. The Federal Power Program is one that assures access for rural residents to affordable electricity, returns much-needed revenue to the Federal Treasury, and effectively balances the many demands on these dams--from flood control to water supply to recreation. Clearly, this is not the kind of program Congress should add to the auction block, and I urge my colleagues to oppose any such efforts.

Mr. FORD

Mr. FORD. Mr. President, we could not understand the distinguished Senator from Washington. May we have order?

Mr. FORD

Mr. FORD. I announce that the Senator from Rhode Island [Mr. Pell] is necessarily absent.

Mr. FORD

Mr. FORD. I move to lay that motion on the table. The motion to lay on the table was agreed to.

Mr. FORD

Mr. FORD. Mr. President, so that you know that there is another side here, we have no objections.

Mr. FORD

Mr. FORD. Mr. President, I rise today to celebrate the accomplishments of two fellow Kentuckians who exemplify the American entrepreneurial spirit. William and Michael Tullar are brothers from Grand Rivers, KY, who are being honored in our Nation's Capitol on May 2, 1995, as Kentucky's Small Business Persons of the Year by the Small Business Administration. The Tullars' Livingston County business, known as Patti's 1880s Settlement, began in 1977 as a six-room motel and expanded to include Hamburger Patti's Ice Cream Parlor which was named for the Tullars' mother. Over the last few years, Tullar Enterprises, Inc., has grown into a family retreat which reflects the historical heritage of the region. Log cabins purchased throughout Kentucky and Tennessee were restored and are used for clothing boutiques, gift shops, and a clubhouse for the settlement's miniature golf attraction. In addition, the Tullars have created a country escape with landscaping that includes creeks and waterfalls. The Tullars were selected for this honor on the basis of their staying power, growth in number of employees, increases in sales, current and past financial reports, their innovative ideas, and their contributions to community oriented projects. I am also pleased to note that they were the Small Business Administration's 1994 Kentucky Blue Chip Winners. I applaud the Tullars' can-do attitude and their belief in running a first-rate business. These qualities have earned them distinction within Kentucky's small business community and I am proud to witness their recognition at the national level. My best to them on this auspicious occasion and my wishes for continued success.

Mr. FORD

Mr. FORD. I wanted to insert because the Senator said ``of those judges responding,'' and I did not know whether half responded, 25 percent responded--the Senator is using the 80 percent--or whether 100 percent responded and the Senator is using 80 percent. ``Of those who responded,'' I wonder if it was a large number or a small number.

Mr. FORD

Mr. FORD. I announce that the Senator from Nebraska [Mr. Exon] is necessarily absent.