Bill Frist

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, we have had a full day of debate on this very important conference report. We have had a number of Senators come to the floor in support of the bill and others who have used this as an opportunity to highlight their opposition to one aspect of the bill or another. The bill finally establishes a comprehensive energy policy, and I do urge my colleagues to look at the bill not just piece by piece but in its entirety. Chairman Domenici had to negotiate a whole range of tough issues to put together a bill that requires a very fragile balance, as people even more fully understand this and come to the floor to address different aspects of the bill. I understand there are some Members who want to preserve their rights on this legislation and who don't want to allow a time limitation. But given the importance of the legislation, at this juncture I send a cloture motion to the desk.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, for the information of all Senators, tomorrow, following morning business, the Senate may begin consideration of the Energy Policy Act conference report. The official conference papers have now arrived and copies will be available to all Members. If we are unable to reach consent for a time limit on the Energy conference report, it may be necessary to file cloture during tomorrow's session. The Senate may also take up other conference reports as they become available and nominations on the Executive Calendar during tomorrow's session. Therefore, rollcall votes should be expected tomorrow.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate now proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 268 introduced earlier today by Senator Graham.

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table en bloc, and any statements relating to the resolution be printed in the Record.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. In a career spanning over 30 years, Robert T. Clark has consistently displayed that uncommon courage and leadership he showed on the battlefield in Vietnam. He has earned the admiration of all who know him, both in and outside of military life. GEN John Wickham, former Chief of Staff of the Army, says General Clark is unequivocally ``one of the most ethical, moral, people- oriented and charismatic leaders I have ever known.'' GEN John Keane, whom the senior Senator from Massachusetts so lavishly praised earlier, calls General Clark ``a man of great character. He's a great moral force and a very compassionate person. Simply stated, he's one of the Army's very best leaders.'' Those are the words of GEN John Keane. It is my honor to rise today and support this nomination of this outstanding soldier. General Clark has earned numerous awards for his extraordinary service, including four awards of the Legion of Merit, three Bronze Stars, the Purple Heart medal, four meritorious service medals, the Air Medal, the Air Commendation Medal, and numerous campaign service medals for service in Vietnam as well as Saudi Arabia. He has earned the Combat Infantryman's Badge, the Army Staff Identification Badge, the Parachutist Badge, the Ranger Tab, and the Air Assault Badge. During the gulf war, then Colonel Clark commanded the 3rd Brigade of the 101st Airborne. Under his leadership, the 3rd Brigade conducted one of the longest and largest airborne assaults in military history. More than 2,000 men, 50 transport vehicles, artillery, and tons of fuel and ammunition were air lifted at that time 50 miles into Iraq. Land vehicles took another 2,000 troops deep into the Iraqi territory. All of this was accomplished in 72 hours without a single American casualty. Only two Iraqi soldiers were killed and 22 wounded. With characteristic modesty, General Clark explained the brigade's truly remarkable success by saying, ``We're the first guys who ask them to lay down their weapons, and they did. It just took a little convincing.'' General Clark earned a Bronze Star for his command of the historic mission. In 1998, General Clark was elevated to command the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, which, as most know, is situated on the border of Tennessee and Kentucky. Indeed, Fort Campbell can be described as a small to midsize city comprised of about 50,000 soldiers and civilians. There are homes, schools, a fire department. It is a complex and diverse place. During his 2-year tenure there--and I had the opportunity to meet with General Clark there on several occasions-- General Clark's reputation for fairness and compassion extended way beyond the base, well into the surrounding community. In February of 2000, the Clarksville City Council unanimously passed a resolution praising General Clark for his ``high standards of leadership, professionalism, and integrity.'' The Montgomery County Board of Commissioners passed a similar resolution declaring: General Clark's reputation in the local communities is highly acknowledged as one of the brightest, caring, and respected division commanders that the Army has sent to our local community. Indeed, General Clark is one of the finest men in uniform today. He currently serves as the acting commander of the 5th U.S. Army at Fort Sam Houston. I should mention, as an aside, that General Clark requested the assignment so that he could take care of his wife who suffers from a chronic illness. General Clark's peers call him ``a soldier's soldier.'' He descends from two generations of Clark men who have served the Army with dedication and honor. And thus, as I began a few minutes ago, I close by saying, and I do call him a true hero. I strongly support his elevation to the second highest rank in the U.S. Army.

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I congratulate my colleague, Senator Sessions, for really putting into perspective a lot of the things that have been said on the floor, allegations from the past but also with respect for this man who is a true hero, an American hero. I rise to support his elevation to the second highest rank in the U.S. Army as Commander of U.S. Army at Fort Sam Houston. On October 3, 1971, this young man, Robert E. Clark, first platoon leader of Company A, 2nd Battalion, 8th Calvary of the 1st Calvary Division, became an American hero. It was approximately 10:30 a.m. in Bin Tuy Province of the Republic of Vietnam. Company A was completing a reconnaissance mission. As they were being extracted, the men came under heavy fire. The first two enemy mortar rounds struck hard and inflicted heavy causalities, including wounding First Lieutenant Clark. At that time, at great risk to his own personal safety, and ignoring or at least putting aside his own wounds, First Lieutenant Clark ran forward into enemy fire to carry his fellow wounded soldiers back to cover. Throughout the battle he pressed on, moving from position to position to direct his men to lay down a constant stream of smoke in order to mark their position for the helicopters flying overhead. The record clearly shows First Lieutenant Clark's heroic action ensured the success of Company A's mission. For his bravery in combat and service in Vietnam, First Lieutenant Clark received a Purple Heart. He received two Bronze Stars, one for valor and one for service. In a letter of recommendation on behalf of Robert Clark, the company commander wrote: [First Lt Clark's] display of personal bravery and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service, and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army. I ask unanimous consent to have printed in the Record a copy of the letter of recommendation which lays out these events.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, this morning we will begin an hour of debate prior to the cloture votes on the nomination of Thomas Dorr to be Under Secretary of Agriculture for Rural Development. We hope that cloture will be invoked and allow the Senate to proceed to a vote on the confirmation of this nomination.NOTICE If the 108th Congress, 1st Session, adjourns sine die on or before November 21, 2003, a final issue of the Congressional Record for the 108th Congress, 1st Session, will be published on Monday, December 15, 2003, in order to permit Members to revise and extend their remarks. All material for insertion must be signed by the Member and delivered to the respective offices of the Official Reporters of Debates (Room HT-60 or S-410A of the Capitol), Monday through Friday, between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. through Friday, December 12, 2003. The final issue will be dated Monday, December 15, 2003, and will be delivered on Tuesday, December 16, 2003. None of the material printed in the final issue of the Congressional Record may contain subject matter, or relate to any event that occurred after the sine die date. Senators' statements should also be submitted electronically, either on a disk to accompany the signed statement, or by e-mail to the Official Reporters of Debates at ``Record@Sec.Senate.gov''. Members of the House of Representatives' statements may also be submitted electronically by e-mail, to accompany the signed statement, and formatted according to the instructions for the Extensions of Remarks template at http://clerkhouse.house.gov/ forms. The Official Reporters will transmit to GPO the template formatted electronic file only after receipt of, and authentication with, the hard copy, and signed manuscript. Deliver statements to the Official Reporters in Room HT-60 of the Capitol. Members of Congress desiring to purchase reprints of material submitted for inclusion in the Congressional Record may do so by contacting the Office of Congressional Publishing Services, at the Government Printing Office, on 512-0224, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. daily. By order of the Joint Committee on Printing. ROBERT W. NEY, Chairman. Following the cloture votes, the Senate will resume consideration of the VA-HUD appropriations bill. Senators Bond and Mikulski reached an agreement yesterday which should bring the bill to a conclusion early today. We may be able to finish this morning or early afternoon. In addition, today we may consider the nomination of MG Robert T. Clark to be a lieutenant general in the U.S. Army. This nomination will be considered under a 2-hour time limit which was agreed to last week. Finally, I add that we will also be scheduling any conference reports that may become available. Rollcall votes will occur throughout the day today and Members will be notified as they are scheduled.

Mr. FRIST

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

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of calendar No. 280, S. 189.

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Allen- Wyden amendment at the desk be agreed to, the committee-reported substitute amendment, as amended, be agreed to, the bill, as amended, be read the third time and passed, the motions to reconsider be laid upon the table en bloc, and that any statements relating to the bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I understand there is a bill at the desk due its second reading.

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I object to further proceedings.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Governmental Affairs Committee be discharged from further consideration of the following post office-naming bills, and the Senate proceed to their immediate consideration, en bloc: H.R. 2744, H.R. 3379, H.R. 3175.

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the bills be read the third time and passed, the motions to reconsider be laid on the table en bloc, and that any statements relating to the bills be printed in the Record.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the following bills be indefinitely postponed: Calendar No. 326, S. 1415; Calendar No. 327, S. 1671, Calendar No. 328, S. 1746.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I rise to honor the 17 soldiers who lost their lives this past Saturday in Iraq when two Black Hawk helicopters collided. This tragedy stands as the deadliest single incident since Operation Iraqi Freedom began in March. It is the largest single loss of life for the 101st Airborne in 15 years. All 17 young soldiers served in the 101st Airborne Division based at Fort Campbell. All 17 died serving their country with valor and with courage. I would like to read each of their names for the Record: SGT Michael D. Acklin, II, age 25, of Louisville, KY; SPC Ryan T. Baker, age 24, of Browns Mills, NJ; SFC Kelly Bolor, age 37, of Whittier, CA; SPC Jeremy DiGiovanni, age 21, of Pricedale, MS; SPC William D. Dusenbery, age 30, of Fairview Heights, IL; PFC Rick Hafer, age 21, of Nitro, WV; SGT Warren S. Hansen, age 36, of Clintonville, WI; PFC Sheldon R. Hawk Eagle, age 21, of Grand Forks, ND; PFC Damian L. Heidelberg, age 21, of MS; CWO Erik C. Kesterson, age 29, of Independence, OR; 1LT Pierre Piche, age 28, of Starksboro, VT; SGT John W. Russell, age 26, of Portland, TX; CWO Scott A. Saboe, age 33, of Willow Lake, SD; SPC John R. Sullivan, age 26, of Countryside, IL; SPC Eugene A. Uhl, III, age 21, of Amherst, WI; PFC Joey Whitener, age 19, of McDowell County, NC; 2LT Jeremy L. Wolfe, age 27, of Menomonie, WI. Mr. President, my heart goes out to the families of these brave young men. America mourns your loss and honors you for the profound sacrifice you must now bear. My heart goes out to the community of Fort Campbell which grieves the loss of these 17 young men and the 36 other valiant soldiers of the 101st who have lost their lives since the war in Iraq began. Each and every one of these soldiers is a credit to our country. The great American philosopher and poet Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote: ``Peace has its victories, but it takes brave men and women to win them.'' We will press forward in honor of those who have lost their lives fighting this just and honorable war. With their names emblazoned on our hearts, we will secure the victories of peace. God bless them. God bless their families. And God bless America.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 9:30 a.m., Wednesday, November 19. I further ask unanimous consent that following the prayer and pledge, the morning hour be deemed expired, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day, and the Senate then begin a period for morning business for up to 60 minutes, with the first 30 minutes under the control of the minority leader or his designee, and the second 30 minutes under the control of Senator Hutchison or her designee.

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I very much appreciate the statement made by the assistant Democratic leader. What he is referring to will be ambitious in the sense we are asking both sides of the aisle to work together to address a number of pieces of legislation that are very important to this body and very important to the American people. We have agreed we will be here over the course of this week and, if necessary, into the weekend so that we can complete the bills before us. One of the reasons we are here at this hour of the evening is that I was hopeful we could proceed with the Energy bill. For a number of reasons, we will wait and start that early in the morning after morning business. The leaders on both sides of the aisle have been in touch over the course of the day, and both are determined to proceed in an orderly way, a collaborative way to address the issues that will be coming before us over the next several days.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Banking Committee be discharged from further consideration of H.R. 23, and the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration.

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the bill be read the third time and passed, the motion to reconsider laid upon table, and that any statements relating to the bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, if there is no further business to come before the Senate, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate stand in adjournment under the previous order.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the conference report be adopted and that the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table.

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate now proceed to the consideration of the conference report to accompany H.R. 2754, the energy and water appropriations bill.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I enter a motion to reconsider the vote by which cloture failed.