Bill Frist

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Armed Services be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Thursday, April 10, 2003, at 10:15 a.m., in open and possibly closed session, to receive testimony on the military implications of NATO enlargement and on post-conflict Iraq.

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Indian Affairs be authorized to meet on Thursday, April 10, 2003, at 9:30 a.m. in Room 485 of the Russell Senate Office Building to conduct a business meeting to mark up pending committee legislation.

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, and Water be authorized to meet on Thursday, April 10 at 9:30 a.m. to examine the designation of critical habitat under the Endangered Species Act. The hearing will be conducted in SD 406.

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate, on Thursday, April 10 at 10 a.m. to consider comprehensive energy legislation.

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Foreign Relations be authorized to meet on during the session of the Senate, on Thursday April 10, 2003, at 9:30 a.m. to hold a Business Meeting.

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Governmental Affairs be authorized to meet on Thursday, April 10, 2003 at 11 a.m. for a hearing entitled ``Prosecuting Iraqi War Crimes: A Consideration of the Different Forum Options.''

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Subcommittee on Science, Technology, and Space be authorized to meet on April 10, 2003, at 2:30 p.m. on brain mapping.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, there has been an objection made to the Judiciary Committee meeting today. Thus, as the only way to allow that committee to continue its very important work for the people of the United States of America, I am forced to ask unanimous consent that the Senate stand in recess subject to the call of the Chair.

Mr. FRIST

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 Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Madam President, I rise to speak on the CARE Act. I applaud my colleagues, Senators Santorum, Lieberman, Grassley, and Baucus, for bringing this bipartisan bill to the Senate floor. The CARE Act comes none too soon. Charities across America are indeed facing tough and challenging times. A sluggish economy, which we all feel in our communities, is hampering in many ways their ability to secure funds to operate. This bill, which we will pass shortly, will help change that. It is not a total solution but will help move in the direction to change that. I take a moment and ask the question, Why are we doing this bill? This bill is about recognizing that Washington does not have all of the answers; that we in this body do not have all of the answers; that our Government does not have all of the answers to America's problems. But America, her people, and her spirit, all throughout this land do have the answers. Some in Washington, on the right and on the left, prefer to address social problems with legislative solutions. But many of our Nation's problems simply do not reduce themselves to a solution that can be devised in the U.S. Congress, in the legislature itself. What they need are neighborhood solutions, solutions that begin to address problems that are identified in local communities, that are addressed locally, that are addressed by communities and neighborhoods, solutions that are not delivered by a form letter from a government bureaucrat, but from the hand of somebody in that neighborhood--a local neighborhood, someone who really cares, who understands the problem locally. I am thinking of a wonderful charity down the street from here. For 20 years the volunteers of the Neighborhood Learning Center at the corner of 9th and Maryland have been tutoring at-risk children. They do so without fanfare, without a lot of publicity, without Federal funds. They are faith-based and their service is motivated by their love of God. They are making a difference--yes, one child at a time. I think of LeSharon, who herself was tutored when she was a girl from a broken family. A few years later, LeSharon was back at the center but this time as a college graduate and one of their instructors. That is exciting. Or I think of the Room in the Inn program in my hometown of Nashville, TN. Over 125 congregations provide nightly housing for homeless adults and children. This is a tangible and compassionate response to human need. These charities, like the Neighborhood Learning Center, like the Room in the Inn program, are only small rays of light in our American landscape. Their service is only part of what makes us a strong and a vibrant Nation. Almost 200 years ago Alexis de Tocqueville warned: The morals and intelligence of a democratic people would be in as much danger as its commerce and industry if ever a government wholly usurped the place of private associations. What de Tocqueville understood was that the house of a democratic nation does not stand by just government. A healthy nation needs vigorous private associations, charities, and civic clubs all coming together. The CARE Act recognizes this vital fact. That is why it helps to foster private charity in our Nation. It encourages more charitable giving--of money, of food, of art, or securities. It provides incentives for low-income people to begin saving for a house, a business, or education. And it helps small charities learn how to access Federal grants to further their work. Some might suggest America's problems are much bigger than what the CARE Act can handle, that they demand larger and grander solutions. But I respond that America's problems--problems like malnourishment, illiteracy, domestic violence, broken families, teen pregnancies--are problems that are too big for Government to fix. Some problems are so large that all the money in the world simply will not fix them. So many of these problems are rooted in the soul and Government cannot fix problems of the soul. But people can. And God can. This bill empowers people, real people rooted in their communities, rooted in their churches, rooted in their synagogues, rooted in their mosques, to help, to reach out to their neighbors. And that kind of help is the type of help that changes hearts. It is hard to feel loved when you are getting a handout from a government bureaucrat. But receiving a cold cup of water from a volunteer touches your heart, it changes you, and it changes the person giving that help, as well. For years I have had the wonderful opportunity, indeed the real privilege, of being able to travel to Africa to conduct and participate in medical missions. When I go to Africa, I don't go as a Senator. I go there as a physician, as a person of faith, as a neighbor, as a friend, as a person who cares about others throughout the world. Those trips have changed me as much, I promise, as they have changed any of the people I have helped. My hope, today, is that we help invigorate what Edmund Burke called those ``little platoons,'' those private associations that help us love our country, our fellow human beings. We need to strengthen the quiet but profound work of the little platoons of nonprofit agencies, of groups like the Neighborhood Learning Center, the Church of the Brethren Soup Kitchen, or the Room in the Inn. And when we strengthen them, we strengthen America. Will the CARE Act cure all our problems? No. Sadly, no, of course not. But it will help us to help ourselves help others. Let's get this good bill moving to the President's desk. It will form a strong part of his faith-based initiative. I know the House is committed to moving quickly on a companion bill. I hope we can continue to work together across party lines to empower America's charities and to empower people throughout the country. I yield the floor.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Madam President, I will be speaking on leader time over the next few minutes.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, the Senate will be in a period of morning business for the next hour and a half, until 11:30 a.m., with the first 30 minutes equally divided between Senator Hutchison and the minority leader or their designees. This time is dedicated to the men and women fighting in Iraq. The remaining time until 11:30 a.m. will be equally divided between the two leaders or their designees. During the Republican-controlled time, Senator Dole will be recognized for up to 15 minutes and Senator Kyl will be recognized for up to 15 minutes. Following morning business, the Senate will resume debate on the CARE Act. When the Senate returns to consideration of the bill, Senator Nickles will offer his amendment related to land sales. The Senate will vote on both the Nickles amendment and final passage of the CARE Act at approximately 12:30 p.m. today. Following passage of the CARE Act, the Senate may resume consideration of the nomination of Priscilla Owen. In addition to the Owen nomination, the Senate may consider the PROTECT Act conference report, if available, as well as a POW resolution. Additional votes are, therefore, expected.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, as we have been doing over the last several weeks, we are devoting a few moments each morning to pay respect to the tremendous work our troops are doing overseas. Evidence continues to build that American and coalition forces are advancing, that they will prevail in this war. Coalition aircraft destroyed a complex believed to be the site of an Iraqi leadership meeting. Coalition forces are conducting operations at will throughout Baghdad, and British forces now control most of Iraq's second largest city. The threat of Chemical Ali, the Iraqi general responsible for the atrocious chemical attacks on the Kurds in the 1980s, has reportedly been eliminated. We have captured more than 7,000 Iraqi prisoners of war. Of the more than 800 tanks in the Iraqi Army when this conflict began, all but a few, a couple dozen, have been destroyed or abandoned. Coalition forces continue to generate good will among the Iraqi people, as we saw on the television early this morning, by delivering humanitarian supplies the country so desperately needs. I applaud a very special group of people in Iraq, and that is the medical workers, the medical personnel, the troops who are responsible for delivering care, both in Iraq and the surrounding region. They are providing superb care, not only to fellow Americans who have been wounded on the battlefield but also to nearly 300 wounded Iraqi soldiers, as well as civilians. On the hospital ship Comfort in the northern Arabian Gulf, we are treating 75 Iraqi prisoners of war. Yesterday, the Pentagon quoted one doctor who said: We do not differentiate between patients, whether they are friends or foes. I cannot imagine a more powerful statement about the compassion of our men and our women in uniform and our country. On Monday, GEN Tommy Franks paid a visit to the 101st Airborne in Najaf. He awarded Bronze Stars to two 1st Brigade soldiers: SGT James Ward of the 1st Battalion and SGT Lucas Goddard of the 3rd Battalion. PFC Miguel Pena of the 2nd Battalion will also receive a Bronze Star at a future date. In closing, General Franks said in a brief speech during the ceremony something that really captures, I believe, the feelings of all Americans when he said: There's something real special to stand with these two young noncommissioned officers back here--and stand with these heroes. He continues: What I meant when I said stand with ``these heroes'' is I meant all of you. Mr. President, I yield the floor.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. That would be fine. We do not expect to vote between 10:30 and 12:30.

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, the Senate will be in a period of morning business today until 10:30 a.m. This is the time set aside for Senators to honor the men and women fighting in Iraq. Following morning business, the Senate will resume debate on the nomination of Priscilla Owen to be a circuit court judge for the Fifth Circuit. A number of Senators have indicated they are prepared to speak on her nomination, and I hope they will do so during today's session. As I mentioned yesterday, the Senate has only confirmed two circuit court nominees this year. We have a total of six circuit court nominations pending on the Executive Calendar awaiting Senate action. I will continue to work with the Democratic leader to try to schedule these judicial nominations for a vote at a time certain. Having said that, it is my hope that later today we will be able to reach a consent agreement to vote on the pending Owen nomination. I hope Members will not object to that agreement once they are given an opportunity to speak during today's session. The Senate will recess from 12:30 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. for the weekly party lunches. It is my expectation that the Senate will take up the CARE Act this afternoon under the agreement reached last week. There is an understanding that although we will begin this bill this afternoon, we will not finish the CARE Act until Wednesday morning. In addition, there are a number of other remaining issues that may be addressed this week prior to the April recess, and therefore Senators should expect votes each day of the session.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, very briefly, before turning to my colleagues, I want to recognize the commitment and sacrifice of Tennessee citizen soldiers. One thousand Tennessee National Guard troops and airmen have been deployed to participate in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Another 3,000 have been activated and await deployment. These men and women leave full-time jobs and their families to serve their country and protect our liberty. I want to very directly say, thank you. They are absolutely critical to the success of our mission in Iraq. Thanks to their bravery, their boldness, their courage--and that is more than 300,000 men and women of the American military in Iraq--we will prevail. The 101st Airborne continues to make Tennessee and the United States of America proud. In Najaf, the 101st has helped return the city to normalcy by restoring water and electricity and will very soon participate in the delivery of humanitarian aid. They have also captured a senior Iraqi intelligence officer there. The 101st helped to secure and continues to protect Baghdad International Airport. The first American aircraft landed at the airport yesterday. In Karbala, the 101st Airborne overwhelmed the enemy. All Iraqi troops either fled or were killed. After cheers and waves from thousands of residents, citizens tore down a 25-foot bronze statue of Saddam Hussein. Lastly, as quoted in this morning's Washington Post, MG David Petraeus told a rifle company while awarding two Purple Hearts: There is no greater commitment than that which is made by putting the American infantryman on the ground. You've really walked point for our Nation in this particular battle and this part of the campaign. You've performed brilliantly in countless ambiguous situations. I close in saying thanks, thanks to those Tennessee citizen soldiers and citizen soldiers from all across the country, the National Guard troops and airmen, and thanks to all of our military personnel in Iraq and their families. I yield the floor.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. That is correct, Mr. President.

Mr. FRIST. Yes, we will.

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, today the Senate will be in a period for morning business until the hour of 5 p.m. As we have done previously, the first hour of today's morning business will be devoted to expressions in support of our Armed Forces personnel in Iraq. At 5 p.m. today, the Senate will proceed to the first rollcall vote of the week. The vote will be on the confirmation of Cormac Carney to be U.S. District Judge for the Central District of California. Although this will be the 15th judge confirmed this year, I am concerned that the Senate has only acted on two circuit court nominations. There are six circuit nominations on the calendar and 11 additional nominations in committee. Following the scheduled 5 p.m. vote, the Senate will begin consideration of the next circuit court nomination on the calendar, the nomination of Priscilla Owen to be United States Circuit Judge for the Fifth Circuit. There are Members on both sides of the aisle who will probably want to speak in relation to this nominee, and I hope some Members will be available to give their remarks this evening. On Tuesday, in addition to the judicial nomination mentioned, the Senate is expected to consider the CARE legislation under the consent agreement reached last week. I expect the Senate would begin the bill on Tuesday and finish the remaining debate and votes on Wednesday. This week we are still trying to reach agreements with respect to the FISA bill, the Foreign Intelligence Service Act, the bioshield bill, a POW resolution, as well as any additional nominations that can be cleared. We will also be considering the budget and supplemental conference reports this week as they become available. This is our last legislative week prior to the April recess and all Members should be prepared for a full week as we attempt to finish a number of outstanding issues. I thank all Members in advance for their consideration.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the technical amendment to Calendar No. 27, S. 203 at the desk be considered and agreed to, the bills, as amended, if amended, be read the third time and passed, and the motions to reconsider be laid upon the table en bloc, that any statements relating thereto be printed at the appropriate place in the Record, and that the consideration appear separately in the Record without further intervening action or debate.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, it is 5:20 now, and I want to update Members where we are pending the supplemental appropriations bill. The chairman has been here throughout the day working on amendments. We have made outstanding progress, if you take yesterday and today. We have had some amendments agreed to by voice vote. Some have been withdrawn and, as you know, we have had a number of rollcall votes. I do want to ask our Members, as much as possible, to show restraint and not feel compelled to offer every single amendment. I believe every Member in this body does understand the urgency, that it is absolutely imperative we pass this bill. It is an emergency bill. It is an emergency supplemental bill. We need to do it in a responsible way. And we need to do it expeditiously. I once again ask for the cooperation of all Members in allowing us to move forward on this bill, which we will do, so we can keep moving in a progressively advancing way and finish this bill this evening. We are going to stay in session until we finish this bill tonight. We will stay in as late as it takes to get this bill through to final passage. I hope it will not necessitate being here for hours and hours and hours, but it means we, as a body, must look at the individual amendments, come forward with some restraint, and understand the importance of finishing this bill in a responsible but expeditious way. I do want to be clear that Senators should be prepared to be here until we have final passage sometime tonight.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. I announce that the Senator from Kentucky (Mr. Bunning), the Senator from New Mexico (Mr. Domenici), and the Senator from Kentucky (Mr. McConnell) are necessarily absent.

Mr. FRIST. Mr. Senator, let me thank all Members for their patience and consideration in expediting the bill. It is imperative that we complete this bill, get it to conference, and then get the bill on the President's desk. This next vote will be the last vote of the week. The Senate will not be in session on Friday. We will resume business on Monday with a vote occurring at 5 p.m. on a judicial nomination. Next week we hope to take up and complete the CARE Act, the FISA bill, POW resolution, other nominations, as well as conference reports that become available. I thank everyone for their attention and appreciate the hard work over the course of the day.

Mr. FRIST. I announce that the Senator from Kentucky (Mr. Bunning), the Senator from New Mexico (Mr. Domenici), and the Senator from Kentucky (Mr. McConnell) are necessarily absent. I further announce that if present and voting the Senator from Kentucky (Mr. McConnell) would vote ``yes''.

Mr. FRIST

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