Bill Frist

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. March 2006 marks the 60th anniversary of what is regarded as one of the most influential speeches of the 20th century. March 5, 1946, Winston Churchill gave his famous ``Iron Curtain'' speech at Westminster College, in Fulton, MO. Historians date the beginning of the cold war to this speech. In this speech Mr. Churchill introduced to the world the phrase ``Iron Curtain'' to describe the division between Western powers and the area controlled by the Soviet Union. This speech not only marked the onset of the cold war but drew attention to the unique relationship between the United States and Great Britain. This special relationship spans three eras from Winston Churchill and FDR to Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher and now to George W. Bush and Tony Blair. In celebration of this historic event and the special relationship between our Nation and Great Britain, the Howard H. Baker Jr. Center for Public Policy at the University of Tennessee and the Churchill Archives Centre at Cambridge University, the United Kingdom, have come together for a stellar international conference and to honor one of America's greatest statesmen and one of Tennessee's greatest sons, the Honorable Howard H. Baker, Jr. This premier occasion has brought together two great universities and two great centers, each dedicated to preserving and presenting their complementary historical resources. This coming together has formed a new partnership for the 21st century and will support an ongoing, trans-Atlantic and international educational alliance. Here are excerpts from the Iron Curtain speech: The United States stands at this time at the pinnacle of world power. It is a solemn moment for the American democracy. For with this primacy in power is also joined an awe-inspiring accountability to the future. As you look around you, you must feel not only the sense of duty done, but also you must feel anxiety lest you fall below the level of achievement. Opportunity is here now, clear and shining, for both our countries. To reject it or ignore it or fritter it away will bring upon us all the long reproaches of the aftertime. From Stettin in the Baltic to Trieste in the Adriatic, an iron curtain has descended across the Continent. Behind that line lie all the capitals of the ancient states of Central and Eastern Europe. The safety of the world requires a new unity in Europe, from which no nation should be permanently outcast. It is from the quarrels of the strong parent races in Europe that the world wars we have witnessed, or which occurred in former times, have sprung. Fraternal association requires not only the growing friendship and mutual understanding between our two vast but kindred systems of society, but the continuance of the intimate relationship . . . Beware, I say; time may be short. Do not let us take the course of allowing events to drift along until it is too late. If there is to be a fraternal association of the kind I have described, with all the extra strength and security which both our countries can derive from it, let us make sure that that great fact is known to the world, and that it plays its part in steadying and stabilizing the foundations of peace. There is the path of wisdom. Prevention is better than cure.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate now proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 406, which was submitted earlier today.

Mr. FRIST. I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table.

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I want to take a few moments to comment on the resolution that was just agreed to with regard to Graceland. As famous as the White House, as beloved as Wrigley Field, each year over 600,000 people from around the world travel to Memphis, TN, to see Graceland, the legendary home of the King of Rock. Today, I am pleased to introduce and pass the Senate resolution honoring Graceland as a National Historic Landmark. On behalf of my fellow Tennesseans, I extend my thanks to Secretary Norton for recognizing this unique contribution to American culture, and the extraordinary influence of the man who made it his own, Elvis Aaron Presley. Born on January 8, 1935, in a 2-room house in East Tulepo, MS, Elvis and his family moved to Memphis when he was 13. Six years later--with the help of Sam Phillips, Sun Records, and his recording of ``That's All Right''--Elvis became a star. From that moment on his fame only grew, propelling him into the small pantheon of American icons who single-handedly remade popular culture. In the 1960s, Leonard Bernstein was moved to remark, ``Elvis is the greatest cultural force in the 20th century. He introduced the beat to everything music, language, clothes. It's a whole new social revolution.'' John Lennon famously said, ``Before Elvis, there was nothing.'' Elvis fused the styles of gospel country, and rhythm and blues. His instinctual style revolutionized rock'n roll and drove it to the center of popular culture. Through his enormous talent, drive, and charisma, Elvis achieved remarkable success over 2 decades earning 97 gold albums, 55 platinum albums, 25 multi-platinum albums, 51 gold singles, 27 platinum singles, 7 multi-platinum singles, and album sales exceeding 120 million copies. When the 21-year-old star appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show in 1956, 82.6 percent of the viewing public tuned in. Thirteen years later Elvis opened in Las Vegas, selling out a 2,000 seat showroom, 2 shows a night, for 4 weeks straight. He became the most successful performer in Las Vegas history, surpassing Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, or Barbra Streisand. In 1973 Elvis performed the now legendary ``Aloha from Hawaii, via Satellite.'' The concert was beamed worldwide, attracting the largest television audience to date, estimated at 1.5 billion viewers. Elvis was only 36 when he received the prestigious Recording Academy's Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2004, the Recording Industry Association officially certified Elvis Presley as the No. 1 solo artist in U.S. history. Elvis was, and remains, a genuine cultural force. Millions of fans from around the world have traveled to Graceland to feel a little closer to this American icon. And his music continues to course through American life. Bruce Springsteen once said, ``There have been a lotta tough guys. There have been pretenders. And there have contenders. But there is only one King.'' And there's only one Graceland that preserves the King's memory. I commend my colleagues for recognizing this singular cultural landmark.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I understand there are two bills at the desk due for a second reading.

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, in order to place the bills on the calendar under the provisions of rule XIV, I object to further proceedings en bloc.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the privilege of the floor be extended to Harry Wingo through this session of Congress. Mr. Wingo is on loan to the Senate Commerce Committee from the Federal Communications Commission.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it stand in adjournment until 9:45 a.m. Tuesday, March 28. I further ask 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, and the Senate proceed to a period for the transaction of morning business for up to an hour, with the first 30 minutes the under control of the Democratic leader or his designee, and the final 30 minutes under the control of the majority leader or his designee; provided further that the cloture vote scheduled on the motion to proceed to the border control bill be postponed until 2:15 p.m. tomorrow.

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate stand in recess from 12:30 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. to accommodate the weekly policy luncheons.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, this evening we have continued to work on an agreement for lobbying reform, as well as the border control bill which is scheduled for tomorrow. Under the agreement just reached, the cloture vote on the motion to proceed to the border control bill will be postponed to the afternoon unless further agreement is reached. We will notify Members as we lock in votes on either of the bills mentioned, and we do expect votes throughout Tuesday's session of the Senate. Before we close today's session, I want to again say how much the Senate mourns the loss of Erma Byrd, the wife of our esteemed colleague, Senator Byrd. As the Chaplain opened the Senate remembering her in prayer, it is only fitting to close honoring this lovely and remarkable lady. Our thoughts and prayers are with Senator Byrd and his entire family.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs be discharged from further consideration of H.R. 1259, and the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration.

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

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill and a section by section analysis be printed in the Record.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, after 4 full days of floor consideration and 36 rollcall votes, today the Senate passed the budget resolution. I congratulate, once again, Chairman Gregg and Senator Conrad on moving this legislation to passage. When we return from the recess, we will have a vote at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, March 27. I expect that vote to be in relation to the lobbying reform bill. We will work to finish that bill as quickly as possible. Just a few moments ago, I filed cloture on the motion to proceed to the border security bill. We expect to have that cloture vote on Tuesday morning, unless an agreement is reached.

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 provisions of H. Con. Res. 361.

Mr. FRIST

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

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the chair now lay before the Senate the House message to accompany S. 2275. The Presiding Officer laid before the Senate the following message:

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate concur in the House amendment, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, and that any statements relating to the measure be printed in the Record.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calender No. 372, S. 1608.

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

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. I ask for a second reading, and in order to place the bills on the calendar under the provisions of rule XIV, I object to my own request, all en bloc.

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

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

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent when the Senate completes its business today, it stand in adjournment under the provisions of H. Con. Res. 361 until 1 p.m. on Monday, March 27. I further ask 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 and the Senate then resume consideration of S. 2349, the lobbying reform bill.

Mr. FRIST

Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, this morning we are returning to the budget resolution for what we hope will be the final day. Chairman Gregg and Senator Conrad will be managing the time until 10:30 a.m. At 10:30, we have an order for a series of four stacked votes. The first two are on the debt limit extension, and the last two votes are in relation to the avian flu amendments to the budget resolution. The two managers will then control the remaining time until 1:30 this afternoon when all time expires. At 1:30 today, we begin disposing of the pending amendments and any additional amendments that are offered. This is the beginning of the so-called vote-arama. This is a difficult process. These votes will likely continue for a while today and possibly into the evening. I urge my colleagues to remain in or around the Chamber. I was talking to the Democratic manager, and we both agreed, as does the Republican manager, that our colleagues must and we encourage them to show restraint during the day and recognize not every amendment needs to be offered. Yesterday, Senators missed some votes because they did not show up on time. The managers will be very clear in terms of how much time is allowed for each vote. We encourage Members to stay close to the Chamber so they do not miss the votes. The only way to finish the budget is to have that discipline and not to drag the votes on for 15 minutes or more. I also encourage Members to rethink whether they need to offer their amendments, as I stated earlier. Finally, I note that we have some nominations to consider before we adjourn. On the list of nominations are two district judges we will finish. If votes are needed, then we will need to schedule those votes with the budget votes as well. However, I hope we can work on a nominations list that will be agreed to by unanimous consent. I thank Senator Gregg and Senator Conrad for their efforts so far. I thank everyone in advance for their patience during this budget process.